I have a question for those that are in NJ and store your car over the winter. I just called my insurance carrier (Geico) to switch my S2000 to a storage policy - just like I did last year. They said in order to do that, I need to surrender my plates to the state and re-register my car in the spring. Apparently, it's a new law that went into effect 3 months ago. I've never heard of this, but I wouldn't put it past the state of NJ.

So, two questions (one is a two-parter)... First, anyone else run into this? And second, if I told Geico, "sure, I'll surrender my plates" and didn't, would they even know? Can I just leave my car registered as-is with the current plates and then resume my insurance in the spring, and would Geico even know?

Thanks. Ever year seems to reveal another reason why I can't wait to leave this state when I retire :-)

 

I'm in Jersey also. Haven't heard that one. I keep full coverage on all vehicles through winter. If your registration expires, and you don't renew it until say 6 months later, they'll make you retroactively register it to where it ran out. Just another money grab.

I plan on getting out prior to retirement age.

 

Can't you just lower all coverage to minimums?
Guess they are tired of ppl driving around with no insurance.

 

It doesn't save much - about $115 for the 6 months. It's the liability in NJ that's the highest, and that's what needs to stay. It's only $46 to register a car in NJ, so it may be worth it to save $400 for the six months... or I just tell them I did and just put it back on the policy in the spring.