Q. I've heard you can get a break on your car insurance if you serve in the military and are deployed overseas temporarily. If I'm not in the military but go out of state for a few months, can I get a similar break?

A. It's true there are special programs for members of the armed forces when they are sent overseas. But the same doesn't apply to members of the general public.

GEICO, State Farm Insurance Co. and AIG, the state's top automobile insurers, have programs for reduced or no premiums when a Hawai'i-based military member is sent elsewhere temporarily.

In such cases, military personnel may be required to show they've put vehicles into verified storage areas, or surrender their license plates, to qualify for the programs.

Raymond Jaoa, an AIG vice president, said people going to Iraq for six months can have their premium payments suspended while overseas if the car is in a storage area. GEICO's Web site said premiums can be reduced or eliminated.

State Farm requires that the license plates be surrendered to county authorities and the registration suspended to qualify for its program.

Hawai'i's insurance commissioner issued a memorandum two years ago saying insurance companies should notify customers who serve in the military that they are eligible for suspended coverage when they are called up for active military duty overseas.

Another big advantage for military members is when they restart their coverage. Typically, insurance companies ascribe higher risk to people who can't show continuous auto insurance coverage on the same car. Therefore, they face higher rates when they restart coverage.

The state requires insurers to treat military members' policies as being continuous if the policyholder can prove service overseas was the reason why their coverage lapsed.

"We do have some special responsibility to our military personnel," said state Insurance Commissioner J.P. Schmidt. Insurers are encouraged "to try and treat our military well because of the great service they're doing for us."

So don't expect the same treatment, even if you're going to park your car or truck for several months.

Moreover, insurers won't consider suspending coverage for you because of a state law requiring you maintain insurance for your vehicle. And if you think about handing in your license plates, suspending car registration and canceling auto insurance, you face higher premiums once you restart coverage.

You also should contemplate other risks you face if the car is just sitting in a parking lot for months on end, such as theft or vandalism.

If you still are bothered about paying insurance on a car that's not being used, you might consider cutting back your coverage. Just carry the minimum liability requirements and maybe theft coverage while you're away at school or on a temporary work assignment elsewhere.

The minimum coverage listed on the state Insurance Division's Web site calls for personal injury protection up to $10,000 for you and your passengers, $20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident bodily injury liability and $10,000 per accident of property damage liability.

Optional coverage includes collision and comprehensive, underinsured and uninsured motorist, death benefits and wage loss.

State Farm spokeswoman Carolyn Fujioka said people can change their coverage at any time, but noted people may not save that much if they're going away for a short period. The time it takes to contact and make the adjustments probably isn't worth it for many people.

Do you have a question about personal finance, taxes or other money matters? Reach Akamai Money columnist Greg Wiles at 525-8088 or gwiles@honoluluadvertiser.com