---
title: "Car Insurance While in Storage: What Canadian Rules Say"
description: "What to do with your car insurance and plates while the car is stored: Ontario, Quebec remisage, Manitoba lay-up, BC and Alberta, with official sources."
url: https://car-storage.ca/guides/car-insurance-while-in-storage/
last_updated: 2026-10-24
---

# Car insurance while your car is in storage

What you can cancel, what to keep and what to tell whom depends on your province. Below is what we could confirm on official pages. For anything else, ask your insurer or broker.

> General information, not insurance or legal advice. Policies differ, and so do the rules. Your insurer or broker has the final answer for your car.

## Ontario

- For a seasonal car you can drop road, liability and accident benefits coverage while it is stored. Ontario recommends keeping comprehensive coverage against fire, theft and damage, and restoring full insurance before the car goes back on the road. (source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/register-and-insure-vehicle-ontario)
- Plate stickers are no longer issued for passenger vehicles. Automatic plate renewal only works when the car has valid insurance and no unpaid fines or tolls. (source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/register-and-insure-vehicle-ontario)
- Insurance Bureau of Canada suggests considering comprehensive coverage year-round for a seasonal vehicle; requirements differ by province. (source: https://www.ibc.ca/news-insights/in-focus/do-i-need-insurance-for-my-seasonal-vehicle)

## Quebec: remisage

Quebec has a formal storage status, called remisage, through the SAAQ.

- Remisage is done with the SAAQ online (SAAQclic) or in person. The plate stays on the car, and a car on remisage must never be parked on a public road. (source: https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/immatriculation/remiser-deremiser-mettre-rancart/remisage)
- A vehicle stored for more than 12 months needs a mechanical inspection before it goes back on the road. (source: https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/immatriculation/remiser-deremiser-mettre-rancart/remisage)
- CAA-Québec advises telling the SAAQ first, then your insurer, and storing the car in a dry place off the road. (source: https://www.caaquebec.com/en/advices/insuring-a-vehicle/putting-your-vehicle-in-taking-it-out-of-storage)

## Manitoba: Lay-up Coverage

- MPI Lay-up Coverage protects a vehicle taken off the road for an extended period against fire, theft, vandalism and other accidental damage, without collision coverage. (source: https://apps.mpi.mb.ca/Irc/Help/irc_insurance.html)
- For motorcycles, MPI coverage runs all year but the premium is based on the May 1 to September 30 season. (source: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Motorcycles.pdf)

## British Columbia

- ICBC: when you cancel your insurance, the plates go back to an Autoplan broker and the refund depends on the time left. (source: https://www.icbc.com/insurance/buy-renew-cancel/Cancel-your-insurance)

We did not confirm a separate ICBC storage policy. Ask your insurer or broker what applies to a stored car.

## Alberta

- You can cancel a vehicle registration at a registry agent (form REG3106) or by mail. The refund covers the time left, less $10 plus GST. (source: https://www.alberta.ca/cancel-vehicle-registration)

We did not confirm a specific storage insurance product in Alberta. Ask your insurer or broker.

## Across Canada

- Insurance Bureau of Canada suggests considering comprehensive coverage year-round for a seasonal vehicle. Requirements differ by province. (source: https://www.ibc.ca/news-insights/in-focus/do-i-need-insurance-for-my-seasonal-vehicle)

## Questions for your insurer

- Can I reduce coverage while stored?: And what do I keep: fire, theft, vandalism, damage in storage?
- Does the storage place need to be on the policy?: Some insurers ask where the car is kept.
- How do I restore full cover?: And how much notice do you need before I drive again?
- What happens to my plates?: The answer depends on the province and on whether you cancel or only reduce.

## Does the facility need to see your insurance?

Some facilities ask for proof of insurance. Ask before you book. See [how to compare quotes](https://car-storage.ca/guides/how-to-compare-car-storage-quotes/).

## Related

- [How to store a car for winter in Canada](https://car-storage.ca/guides/how-to-store-a-car-for-winter/)
- [Car storage questions](https://car-storage.ca/faq/)
- [Car storage by city](https://car-storage.ca/locations/)

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