Is It Possible to Cancel Your Car Insurance at Any Time? (2024)

FAQs

Is It Possible to Cancel Your Car Insurance at Any Time? ›

Can you cancel car insurance at any time? Policyholders can cancel their auto insurance policy at any time, for any reason. And you never have to wait until the end of your policy period to cancel your policy. Even if your policy only started a few days ago, you may cancel it.

Yes, you can kick your car insurance to the curb whenever your heart pleases. However, if you're switching companies, the best time to cancel is after you've found new insurance coverage. Ideally, you'd schedule your old policy to stop coverage on the same day your coverage at the new company starts.

The closer you are to your policy renewal date, the less you'll have to pay. Most insurance companies will charge you around 2-7% of your premium (usually they'll take the higher percentage amount if you're near the start of your term).

Do insurers charge cancellation fees? Most insurance companies will not charge a cancellation fee for cancelling a car insurance policy or a specific coverage. However, some may charge a flat fee, usually less than $100, or a short rate fee for cancelling auto insurance early.

Car insurance cancellation fees

If you cancel at renewal: You shouldn't have to pay any fees. This is called 'lapsing' the policy. If you cancel within 14 days of starting a policy: You may have to pay an admin fee.

Generally, insurers will refund you the money for the unused portion of your policy, assuming you paid in advance. However, depending on your state, and when you cancel, your insurer may charge a cancellation fee.

Most major companies simply ask that policyholders speak with an insurance agent to cancel. The phone number likely will be found on your insurance card, as well as on the company's website or app.

You should get a refund of any premiums you have already paid. However, your insurer may take off a small amount to cover days when the policy was in force. They may also charge you a small administration fee. Some insurers may give you a longer cooling-off period.

Your new insurance company can provide proof of insurance to your old company if necessary, but they generally aren't authorized to cancel a policy with another insurer on your behalf. After you purchase a new policy, you should immediately contact your former insurer and cancel your old policy.

What Is a Short-Rate Cancellation? Short-rate cancellation occurs when a policyholder decides to terminate the insurance policy before the expiration date. In this scenario, the insurance company calculates the refund they are entitled to based on a formula that can be less favorable for the canceled policyholder.

Does canceling car insurance hurt credit? ›

Does Canceling Car Insurance Affect Your Credit? As long as you don't have any unpaid premiums that could be sent to collections, canceling your auto insurance policy won't have any impact on your credit score.

Even if you aren't driving, you may risk fines or a license suspension if you own a registered vehicle but don't have insurance. Canceling your insurance will also lead to a lapse in car insurance coverage, which may mean higher rates in the future.

If you've already paid your premium for the policy period in full, State Farm will refund the unused portion. State Farm does not impose a cancellation fee or penalty for early termination. Finally, it's important to remember that you don't need to cancel your policy just because you're going through some life changes.

Do you have to cancel car insurance when you switch? After you purchase a new policy, you should immediately contact your former insurer and cancel your policy. You will likely receive a refund for any unused portion of your policy.

If you cancel after 14 days, we will return any premium paid less a charge for the number of days for which cover has been given and an administration fee of £48.16 for Car Insurance and £11.20 for Breakdown Cover.

The 14-day cooling-off period does not apply to everything. The Consumer Contracts Act sections 6 and 28 list specific exceptions to the right to cancel a contract within 14 days. However, it should be noted that the information requirements do still apply.

If you want to cancel your policy, GEICO makes it easy with no cancellation fee*.

Before the cancellation is complete, you must pay off any remaining balance on your account. If you've already paid your entire premium for the policy period in full, Geico will refund the unused portion.

For example, if you paid $1000 for a 12-month policy and cancel after three months, you will get back $750 or nine months' worth of premiums. On the other hand, if you cancel this policy after three months, and the company uses a short rate, you would not receive the full $750 of the remaining premium.