How to Insure a Car That's Only Used for Road Trips
by Erin Anderson
Maybe it’s your weekend escape vehicle — the SUV that’s mostly parked until adventure calls. Or the convertible you only take out for cross-country drives each summer. If your car spends more time in the garage than on the road, you might wonder: Do I really need full-time car insurance?
The short answer: yes — but you can (and should) tailor it to your driving habits. Whether you’re clocking miles only a few times a year or planning epic road trips between long breaks, here’s how to make sure your coverage fits your travel style — without overpaying.
Know When and Where Your Car “Lives”
Even if your car is only driven occasionally, insurance companies still care about where it’s stored most of the time. That’s called your “garaging address.”
If your road-trip car stays parked at home for months at a time, make sure your insurer knows that. Some carriers offer “pleasure use” or low-mileage policies that account for vehicles used primarily for leisure rather than daily commuting.
Pro tip: Keep a mileage log or use your car’s maintenance records to show how rarely you drive. It can help you qualify for discounts or lower rates.
Consider Storage or Seasonal Coverage
If your road-trip car is parked for long stretches — say, during winter or between big trips — you might benefit from storage insurance (also called “comprehensive-only” coverage).
This type of policy covers your car while it’s off the road, protecting it from risks like theft, fire, hail, or vandalism — but it doesn’t include liability or collision since the car isn’t being driven.
When you’re ready to hit the road again, you can reactivate full coverage before your next trip. Some insurers even let you toggle coverage levels through an app, making it easy to switch between parked and active modes.
Focus on the Right Coverage Types
Since you’ll be spending long hours on the road — just not every week — make sure your active coverage includes what really matters for travel:
- Comprehensive and collision: for protection on highways and in unfamiliar areas.
- Roadside assistance: a must-have for flat tires, dead batteries, or breakdowns miles from home.
- Rental reimbursement or trip interruption: can cover lodging or transport costs if your car needs repairs mid-trip.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist: essential for out-of-state travel, where local coverage laws vary.
And don’t forget to check liability limits. Even if you’re driving less often, a single accident on the road can still be costly.
Mileage-Based and Pay-Per-Mile Options
If your road-trip car sits idle most of the year, traditional insurance might not make sense. That’s where usage-based or pay-per-mile insurance comes in.
These programs charge you based on how much you actually drive — perfect for occasional travelers. Your insurer tracks mileage through a mobile app or plug-in device, and you pay only for the miles you use (plus a small base rate for coverage).
Companies like Metromile, Allstate Milewise, and Nationwide SmartMiles offer these flexible options in many states.
Pro tip: Just make sure your big annual trip won’t push you past your plan’s mileage sweet spot — otherwise, you could lose the savings.
Keep Your Paperwork (and Tech) Ready to Roll
If your road-trip car spends long periods parked, make sure all your documents are current before you head out: registration, inspection, and insurance ID cards.
It’s smart to keep digital copies in your phone or cloud storage, along with your roadside assistance details. And if your insurer has a mobile app, download it — it’s the fastest way to file a claim or get help if something goes wrong mid-trip.
The Bottom Line
If your car’s main job is to take you places — not get you to work — your insurance should reflect that. Balancing storage coverage, low-mileage discounts, and travel-ready protection can save you money while keeping you secure wherever your next road trip leads.
Your car was built for adventure — not daily errands.
👉 Before your next getaway, take 10 minutes to review your policy or talk to your insurer about mileage-based or seasonal coverage. The right setup can keep your wallet as happy as your wanderlust.