Storing Your Vehicle While Overseas: What to Know

If you’re an active duty military member recently stationed overseas, you may be curious about how to store your car while deployed. While you are overseas, storing your car could affect your current auto insurance policy, but it may help you save some money.

In some cases, you may be able to have your privately-owned vehicle (POV) shipped to your new location. Still, if that isn’t possible, you’ll need secure vehicle storage during deployment and will want to ensure it isn’t too expensive.

Fortunately, many options exist for storing your vehicle while overseas. You can evaluate your options to determine which might work best for you. You should also find and compare quotes for auto insurance in your area to find the best military auto insurance options when you’re stationed overseas.

How do I store my vehicle when I’m deployed?

There are a few important things to do before storing your vehicle while deployed. First, during the military deployment process, the government may offer to pay for your vehicle storage. This often happens during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) assignment.

If you’ve been given a PCS military assignment, ask whether you’ll be reimbursed for storing your car during deployment. Once you know more about your situation, you can find a convenient place to store your vehicle.

Remember to properly prepare your vehicle for storage beforehand. You’ll need to clean the car inside and out, change the oil, fill up the gas tank, and install a fresh car battery to ensure the vehicle will likely operate well when you return. Vehicle maintenance while deployed can be difficult, so make sure you prepare as well as you can.

Once you’ve taken care of all these things, find a reputable place to store the vehicle. Ensure the storage facility moves your vehicle at least once every thirty days. You should also ensure the facility periodically cycles the A/C and heat on the vehicle to ensure they work properly.

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How much does it cost to store a vehicle while overseas?

If you have a PCS military assignment, the government will reimburse you for vehicle storage as long as you’re overseas. Even if you’re storing a car for three years, the government will reimburse you because you’re an active-duty soldier.

If you’re a veteran and thinking about storing a car while overseas on an extended vacation, you will have to cover the storage expenses on your own.

Fortunately, active-duty military members and veterans can save money on their auto insurance while their car is in storage, especially if they take advantage of discount opportunities.

Do I need auto insurance on a car in storage?

You will still need auto insurance if your car is in storage. Still, you may have more deployment auto insurance options since you won’t drive your car.

While your vehicle is in storage, your insurance company may allow you to suspend the collision and liability portions of your coverage. If this is the case, you’ll only need to pay for comprehensive auto insurance on your car.

You must file an affidavit of non-use with your state DMV to drop your liability and collision insurance, but the savings are significant. Also, check with a representative from your company to learn whether you can drop certain coverages if your vehicle is stored while you’re overseas.

Some companies offer substantial discounts for military members when they’re overseas. For example, if you have an auto insurance policy with USAA, the company will reduce your insurance premium by up to 90% for deployed military vehicle storage.

USAA is considered one of the best auto insurance providers for active-duty military members and veterans. Read our USAA auto insurance review to learn more about the company.

What are my other options for my vehicle while I’m overseas?

If you don’t want to store your vehicle, your best bet is to leave it with someone willing to perform regular maintenance, like checking the tires and fluid levels, driving it once a week, and checking the battery and other elements of the car.

You could leave your vehicle with a family member if that individual is willing to take care of it and watch it, but if you do, you’ll need to keep a standard auto insurance policy on your vehicle.

Standard auto insurance for your vehicle must include liability auto insurance coverage at a minimum. Still, you could purchase more coverage to ensure your vehicle is safe.

Full coverage auto insurance coverage on your vehicle may be overkill if you’re leaving it with someone who will barely be driving it. However, full coverage may be the best bet if someone regularly drives your vehicle while you’re overseas.

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Can family members drive my vehicle while I’m overseas?

Family members can drive your vehicle while you’re overseas, but you should ensure their names are on the insurance policy. Otherwise, things could get tricky if anyone ever gets into an accident.

As stated above, maintain a proper insurance policy on your vehicle to protect it if someone else is driving it or if someone or something damages it while you’re away. You can find and compare quotes from different insurance companies to determine which offers the coverage you want at a price you can afford while you’re gone.

Storing a Car While Overseas: The Bottom Line

If you’re going overseas, you must do something with your vehicle. Sometimes, the military may pay for you to store your vehicle at a certain location. Before storing your car, ensure you’ve gotten it ready for storage. Additionally, make sure the storage facility will perform regular maintenance on it while you’re away.

You may choose to go a different route with your vehicle while you’re overseas. For example, if you have family members or friends with space to store your car, that could be a good option — especially if they plan to look after it and perform regular maintenance checks.

You may only need a comprehensive auto insurance policy with a stored car. Some insurance companies will offer competitive rates for coverage based on the fact that you’re in the military and the car will not be leaving the storage facility.

If you leave your vehicle with someone else to drive, you’ll need liability coverage at a minimum, though you may want to purchase full coverage for added protection. Remember to add to your policy the name of anyone that plans to drive your vehicle while you’re away.

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