You live in Chicago (low theft risk), but you keep your Can-Am at your cabin in Northern Wisconsin (remote, high theft risk). You insured it using your home address to bundle with your car. The cabin gets broken into, and the ATV is gone. The adjuster sees the police report lists the cabin address, checks your policy, and sees “Garaging Address: Chicago.” Claim denied for Material Misrepresentation.
Key Takeaways
- Garaging Address Matters: Insurance rates are based on the zip code where the machine sleeps, not where you receive mail.
- The “30-Day” Rule: Most policies allow temporary use at other locations, but if it is stored there for more than 30 days (or permanently), it must be listed.
- Vacation Home Endorsements: You can list a secondary garaging address. It might cost $50 more a year, but it ensures coverage.
- Theft Investigation: Adjusters will ask neighbors or check service records. If the oil change receipt from 6 months ago was near the cabin, they prove it lived there.
The “Why” (The Trap): Rate Evasion
Insurers treat “Garaging Misrepresentation” as soft fraud. If the cabin is in a wildfire zone or high-crime area, the premium should be higher. By listing your city home, you underpaid.
The Clause:
“We verify the garaging location. If the vehicle is principally garaged at a location other than what is declared, coverage may be voided.”
The Investigation: Updating the Address
I called Progressive to see how hard it is to change.
- Scenario: “I keep my ATV at my lake house 300 miles away.”
- Agent: “No problem. We just add a ‘Garaging Location’ different from the ‘Mailing Address’.”
- Cost Impact: In my test, the price actually dropped because the rural lake house had lower theft rates than the city. I was risking a denial to pay more money.
Comparison Table: Location Risks
| Scenario | Policy Status | Risk |
| Stored at Home (Listed) | Covered | None |
| Weekend Trip to Cabin | Covered | None (Temporary) |
| Stored at Cabin (Unlisted) | Voidable | Total Denial of Theft/Fire claim |
| Stored at Storage Unit | Covered (Must Update Address) | Denial if unit burns down |
[IMAGE: Graphic showing a map with “Mailing Address” and “Physical Address” pins far apart]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Check Your Dec Page: Look at “Garaging Zip Code.” Is it where the ATV is right now?
- Call Your Agent: Say, “I want to update the garaging address to my vacation property.”
- Check Fire Zones: Be aware that if your cabin is in a high-risk wildfire zone, some insurers may refuse to write comprehensive coverage there. Better to know now than after the fire.
- Use a GPS Tracker: If it’s stored remotely, you won’t know it’s stolen for weeks. A tracker notifies you instantly.
FAQ
Can I say I brought it there for the weekend?
You can lie, but if the police report says “Owner states vehicle has been here all winter,” the adjuster will read that.
Does my cabin’s homeowners policy cover it?
No. Homeowners policies exclude motor vehicles.