Collector Car Storage and Winter Lay-Up in New England

By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO

Sometime between the last fall foliage drive and the first salt truck, most collector cars in New England go into storage and stay there until the roads are clean in spring. That’s four or five months when the car isn’t moving, and plenty can still go wrong. This guide covers how to store a collector car for the winter and how to keep it properly insured while it sits. For collector coverage in general, see our classic and collector car insurance guide.

Why winter storage still needs insurance

A car in storage still carries real risk. The claims we worry about most in winter are:

• Garage fires from heaters, wiring, battery chargers or a neighboring building
• Theft and vandalism, especially at off-site storage
• Roof collapse from heavy, wet snow on an older barn or garage
• Water damage from burst pipes or ice dams
• Rodents nesting in the interior or chewing wiring

On an auto or collector policy, comprehensive (other-than-collision) coverage is what usually responds to these losses. Dropping it for the winter can leave a valuable car exposed.

Can I reduce or cancel coverage while the car is stored?

Collector policies are generally written with seasonal use in mind, so there’s usually little reason to change them for the winter. If your car is on a standard auto policy, talk to us before removing any coverage. The rules also depend on where you live:

• Massachusetts: auto insurance is compulsory on registered vehicles, and the registration depends on it. Don’t drop coverage on a registered car. See collector car insurance in Massachusetts.
• Connecticut: a registered vehicle must continuously carry the required coverage. See collector car insurance in Connecticut.
• Maine: registered vehicles must be insured. See collector car insurance in Maine.
• New Hampshire: most drivers aren’t required to buy auto insurance, but the storage risks are the same. See collector car insurance in New Hampshire.

Where you store the car matters

Most collector policies require a locked, fully enclosed building when the car isn’t in use. Before storage season:

• Home garage: make sure it locks, and that heaters, chargers and extension cords are used safely.
• Barn or carriage house: it should be fully enclosed with doors that lock. Check the roof before the snow arrives.
• Rented storage unit or facility: tell us the address. The facility’s insurance usually doesn’t cover your car.
• A friend’s or relative’s garage: tell us where the car is, and don’t assume their homeowners policy covers it.

Your garage, your home policy and your car

Your homeowners policy covers the garage or barn itself and your personal belongings, but it generally excludes motor vehicles. The car is covered by your collector or auto policy. Spare parts, tools and automobilia can fall under either one, so ask us how yours are handled. If you’ve built a dedicated garage, added a lift or installed climate control, make sure the building’s value on your home policy reflects it.

A winter storage checklist

• Wash and dry the car, and clean the interior so it doesn’t attract rodents
• Change the oil if it’s due, top off fluids and add fuel stabilizer to a full tank
• Connect a battery tender or remove the battery
• Set tire pressure for storage or put the car on stands
• Block exhaust and intake openings against rodents, and leave a note on the steering wheel to remove the blocks
• Use a breathable, fitted car cover
• Take dated photos of the car from every side, the interior and the engine bay
• Keep a copy of your policy, photos and receipts somewhere other than the garage

Waking the car up in spring

Before the first drive, check tires, brakes, belts, hoses and fluids, and look for rodent damage. Remove anything you used to block openings. Then check your policy: if you did restoration work or bought parts over the winter, update your agreed value (see agreed value car insurance and restoration and project car insurance). Early-spring roads still have sand and frost heaves, so ease into the season. When show season starts, our guide to car shows and trailering covers the next set of questions.

How we help

We shop collector car coverage with carriers including Hagerty, J.C. Taylor, Liberty Mutual, Cincinnati and American Modern. We’re a family-owned independent agency founded in 2005, licensed in 10 states, with access to 40+ carriers, and we don’t charge any fees. We are New Hampshire’s highest-rated agency on Google, with 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials. If you own an exotic you store all winter, see exotic car insurance.

Frequently asked questions

Should I cancel my collector car insurance for the winter?

We usually advise against it. Fire, theft, roof collapse from snow, burst pipes and rodents all happen while a car is in storage, and comprehensive coverage is what responds. Collector policies are generally written with seasonal storage in mind. And in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine, a registered car must stay insured, so talk to us before changing anything.

Can I store my collector car in a rented storage unit or someone else’s barn?

Often, yes, but tell us first. Most collector policies require a locked, fully enclosed building, and the insurer needs to know where the car is. The storage facility’s own insurance usually doesn’t cover your car, so your policy is what protects it.

Does my homeowners policy cover my collector car in my garage?

Generally no. Your homeowners policy covers the garage building and your personal belongings, but a motor vehicle is usually excluded. The car itself is covered by your collector or auto policy. Spare parts and tools may fall under either, so ask us how yours are handled.

What should I do to prepare my collector car for winter storage?

Clean it inside and out, top off fluids and add fuel stabilizer, connect a battery tender, set tire pressure or use stands, block entry points for rodents, and use a breathable cover. Take dated photos of the car before you put it away, and keep them with your policy records.

Is there anything I should do before the first spring drive?

Check tires, brakes, belts, hoses and fluids, and look for signs of rodents. Then confirm your policy is still in place and your agreed value is current, especially if you did work on the car over the winter.

What if I sell or buy a collector car over the winter?

Call us. A sold car should come off the policy, and a newly bought car needs to be added within your policy’s deadline for newly acquired vehicles. Winter is also a good time to update agreed values after restoration work.

What our clients say

From our client surveys. Comments are lightly edited for typos only.

“

Jon is super helpful and amazingly communicative. He responds fast with well thought out answers making the process of getting insurance for my home and car super simple.

“

Very informative, responsive, and helpful with answering any questions we had. Helped us get the best deal and coverage, explained the differences between coverage options, and let us choose what worked best for us. Highly recommend!

“

Excellent guidance on insurance options and fantastic quoting and onboarding experience. We trust their recommendations and feel that we have best coverage for peace of mind at best possible cost.

Read more client testimonials

Sources

• Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 246 (Sec. 14-12c, continuous security requirement)
• Insurance Information Institute: Insuring your classic car