Storing Your Vehicle While Overseas: What to Know

If you’re an active duty military member who has recently been stationed overseas or a veteran going on an extended vacation, you may be wondering about storing your vehicle while overseas and how that could affect a veteran auto insurance policy.

In some cases, you may be able to have your privately-owned vehicle (POV) shipped to where you’re going, but if that isn’t logistically possible you’re going to have to make sure to store your vehicle securely and cheaply.

Fortunately, there are many options out there for storing your vehicle while overseas. Keep reading below to find out how you can store your vehicle affordably and securely while overseas.

But before you do, enter your ZIP code into our free comparison tool above to find affordable auto insurance in your area today.

How do I store my vehicle while overseas?

There are a few important things to do before storing your vehicle while overseas.

Now, in some cases during the military deployment process, the government will offer to pay for your vehicle storage. This often happens during a Permanent Change of Station assignment or PCS.

If you’ve been given a PCS military assignment, ask about whether you’ll be reimbursed for storing your vehicle while overseas. Once that’s confirmed, you can use those orders to start finding a place to store your vehicle.

However, you must make sure to get your vehicle in good shape before it can be stored. This means cleaning the car inside and out, changing the oil, filling up the gas tank, and installing a fresh battery.

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

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How much will it cost storing your vehicle while overseas?

As we mentioned earlier, if you’ve been given a PCS military assignment, the government will reimburse you for vehicle storage for 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.

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

Fortunately, both active-duty military members and veterans can save a ton of money on their auto insurance while they have their vehicle stored.

In fact, according to Military.com, while your vehicle is in storage, your insurance provider may allow you to suspend the collision and liability portions of your coverage. You will need to file an affidavit of non-use with your state DMV to accomplish this, but the savings are significant.

Also, if you have an auto insurance policy with USAA, they will reduce your insurance premium by up to 90% when storing your vehicle while overseas.

USAA is considered the best auto insurance provider for active-duty military members and veterans, so check out our USAA auto insurance review to learn more about this company.

But before you do, enter your ZIP code into our free comparison tool above to find affordable auto insurance in your area today.

Compare quotes from the top auto insurance companies and save!

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