Do you have a sports car or classic car that’s sitting unprotected in your driveway? As the winter weather approaches Missouri, it’s important that you consider putting vehicles that aren’t in use into storage. While a comprehensive auto insurance policy can offer a good layer of protection, you can prevent many common insurance claims by properly storing your cars away for the winter. Never stored a car before? Keep reading to learn more about the process!
How to Prepare a Car for Long-Term Storage in Missouri
Whether you need to store your classic care for the winter or you’re planning to be away from home for an extended vacation this holiday season, it’s always a good idea to take the necessary precautions to protect your vehicles. When left out in the elements, your car’s paint, tires, and engine are all vulnerable to damage.
1. Where Will You Store Your Car?
It’s important to invest in a good tarp or custom cover for your vehicle because leaving it parked outside or in your driveway for a few weeks or months can leave it exposed to bad weather and potential vandals. If possible, you should keep your car covered and store it away in your garage, a storage facility or another safe space like a friend or family members garage.
2. Clean Your Car
While it may seem like a waste of time to clean and detail a car that’s going into storage, there are many benefits to giving your car a bit of TLC. Everything from water droplets to dirt and salt can cause damage to your paint and possible lead to corrosion if not cleaned properly. So be sure to take the time to clean, dry and wax your car before storing it away.
3. Fill and Change Fluids
Changing your oil and filters is the best way to prevent any damage to your car’s engine while in storage. This should be taken care of if your car will be put away for more than a few weeks. Additionally, you should fill up your coolant, windshield wiper fluid, and gas tank. Adding a bit of stabilizer to the gas tank will also help to prevent separation.
4. Tires and Battery
If you will be storing your car for 30 days or more, you may want to consider removing the battery altogether. This is because batteries can quickly lose their charge and start to corrode if their not in use. You should also prepare your tires for storage by inflating them to the recommended pressure. This will help to prevent flat spots from developing. If possible, enlist the help of a friend or family member while you’re away to drive your car for about 15 minutes every few weeks to keep the battery charged and tires in good shape.
5. Maintain Insurance
Although you may be tempted to cancel your auto insurance to save money, doing so could end up costing you down the line. If you have a gap in coverage, you could end up paying higher premiums in the future and if something should happen to your car while in storage, you may be left to pay for the damages out of pocket.
Contact Mid Rivers Insurance Today
Want to learn more about the benefits of long-term storage for your vehicles? Don’t leave your car exposed to the elements this winter! At Mid Rivers Insurance, we’re happy to handle all of your insurance needs. Call (636) 422-4040 or contact our team for more information about our auto insurance policy options and be sure to request a free quote.
