Last updated: May 13, 2025
Car Insurance Cancellations and Non-Renewals
What’s the difference between cancellations and non-renewals?
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Your car insurance policy can end in two ways: non-renewal or cancellation. Either you or your insurance provider can choose not to renew your policy when its term ends or cancel it midterm. Why would someone cancel or not renew a policy, and what happens after the effective date?
Cancellations and Non-Renewals
Cancellation
- Definition: Cancellation is when a company or person cancels their insurance policy midterm, before its expiration date.
- Reasons: Typically a company can only cancel a policy that’s been in force for over 60 days if the insured hasn’t paid their premium, has committed fraud or misrepresentation on their application, or has a revoked or suspended driver’s license.
Non-Renewal
- Definition: Non-renewal occurs when either the insured or the company decides not to renew a policy at its expiration date.
- Reasons: The insured may not renew their policy if they want to switch auto insurance providers and save money, or if their car is no longer operational. The company may not renew a policy if it has dropped coverage, stopped serving a particular area, or if the insured has a DUI conviction and requires an SR-22 as legal proof of insurance.1
Key Similarities
- Both cancellations and non-renewals have the same end result: your policy will no longer be in effect.
- If a company chooses to either cancel or not renew a policy, it is legally required to inform you within the state-mandated time period (more on this below).
- Both customers and companies have the option to cancel or not renew policies.
Notice of Cancellations and Non-Renewals
Insurance companies must notify customers of cancellations and non-renewals within a certain time period, as dictated by the state.
Grace Period for Insurance Lapse: State Laws
See below for how long a company has to notify you before it cancels or doesn’t renew your policy.
| State | Days’ Notice for Midterm Cancellation (Nonpayment) | Days’ Notice for Midterm Cancellation (Other Reasons) | Days’ Notice for Non-Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 10 | 20 | 120 |
| Alaska | 20 | 30; 10 for crime, fraud, or suspension of license | 20 |
| Arizona | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| Arkansas | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| California | 10 | 30 | 60-120 |
| Colorado | 10 | 30 | 30 |
| Connecticut | 15 for nonpayment of first premium, 10 days for nonpayment of any premium after the first | 45; 30 for fraud or misrepresentation | 60 |
| Delaware | 10 | 30 | 30 |
| District of Columbia | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Florida | 10 | 45 | 45 |
| Georgia | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Hawaii | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Idaho | 10 | 30 | 30 |
| Illinois | 10 | 30 | 30 |
| Indiana | 10 | 20 | 20 |
| Iowa | 10 | 30 | 60 |
| Kansas | 10 | 30 | 30 |
| Kentucky | 14 | 14 within first 60 days of policy’s effective date; 75 after 60 days | 75 |
| Louisiana | 10 | 30 | 30 |
| Maine | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| Maryland | 10 | 45 | 45 |
| Massachusetts | 20 | 20 | 45 |
| Michigan | 10 | 30 | 20 |
| Minnesota | 10 | 30 | 60 |
| Mississippi | 10 | 30 | 30 |
| Missouri | 10 | 30 | 30 |
| Montana | 10 | 45 | 45 |
| Nebraska | 10 | 30 | 60 |
| Nevada | 10 | 30 | 30 |
| New Hampshire | 10 | 45 | 45 |
| New Jersey | 15 | 20 | 60 |
| New Mexico | 10 | 30 for cancellations due to substantial changes in risk; 15 for omission, misrepresentation, or fraud | 30 |
| New York | 15 | 20 | 45-60 |
| North Carolina | 15 | 60 | 60 |
| North Dakota | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| Ohio | 10 | 30 | 30 |
| Oklahoma | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| Oregon | 10 | 30 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | 15 | 30 | 30 |
| Rhode Island | 10 | 30 | 60 |
| South Carolina | 10 | 30 | 60 |
| South Dakota | 20 | 20 | 60 |
| Tennessee | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| Texas | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| Utah | 10 | 30 | 30 |
| Vermont | 15 | 45 | 45 |
| Virginia | 15 | 45 | 45 |
| Washington | 10 | 20 | 45 |
| West Virginia | 30 | 30 | 45 |
| Wisconsin | 10 | 10 | 60 |
| Wyoming | 10 | 45 | 30 |
NOTE: Rather than simply stop paying your premium, you should contact your insurance provider directly if you want to cancel.
Can I Dispute a Notice of Non-Renewal?
You can dispute a non-renewal notice. First, contact your insurance company’s consumer affairs department. If that doesn’t work, contact your state’s insurance department using the information below.
| State | Mailing address | Number | Website2 |
| Alabama | 201 Monroe St., Suite 502
Montgomery, AL 36104 | 334-269-3550 | http://www.aldoi.gov |
| Alaska | 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1560
Anchorage, AK 99501-3567 | 907-269-7900 | https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/ins/ |
| Arizona | 100 N. 15th Ave., Suite 261
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2630 | 602-364-3100 | https://difi.az.gov/insurance |
| Arkansas | 1 Commerce Way
Little Rock, AR 72202 | 501-371-2600 | https://insurance.arkansas.gov/ |
| California | 300 S. Spring St. 14th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90013 | 800-927-4357 | http://www.insurance.ca.gov |
| Colorado | 1560 Broadway, Suite 850
Denver, CO 80202 | 303-894-7499 | https://doi.colorado.gov/ |
| Connecticut | 153 Market St., 7th floor
Hartford, CT 06103 | 860-297-3800 | https://portal.ct.gov/cid |
| Delaware | 1351 W. North St., Suite 101
Dover, DE 19904 | 302-674-7300 | https://insurance.delaware.gov/ |
| District of Columbia | 1050 First Street, NE, 801
Washington DC 20002 | 202-727-8000 | http://www.disb.dc.gov |
| Florida | Larson Building, 200 E. Gaines St.,
Room 101A Tallahassee, FL 32399-0301 | 850-413-3140 | http://www.floir.com |
| Georgia | 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive West Tower, Suite 702
Atlanta, GA 30334 | 404-656-2070 | https://oci.georgia.gov/ |
| Hawaii | P.O. Box 3614
Honolulu, HI 96811 | 808-586-2790 | http://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/ |
| Idaho | 700 W. State St., 3rd floor
Boise, ID 83720-0043 | 208-334-4250 | http://www.doi.idaho.gov/ |
| Illinois | 320 W. Washington St.
Springfield, IL 62767-0001 | 217-782-4515 | https://insurance.illinois.gov/ |
| Indiana | 311 W. Washington St., Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2787 | 317-232-2385 | http://www.in.gov/idoi |
| Iowa | 1963 Bell Ave., Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50315 | 515-654-6600 | https://iid.iowa.gov/ |
| Kansas | 1300 SW Arrowhead Road
Topeka, KS 66604-4073 | 785-296-3071 | https://insurance.kansas.gov/ |
| Kentucky | 500 Mero St. 2 SE 11
Frankfort, KY 40601 | 502-564-3630 | https://insurance.ky.gov |
| Louisiana | 1702 N. Third St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802 | 225-342-5423 | http://www.ldi.la.gov |
| Maine | 34 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0034 | 207-624-8475 | https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/ |
| Maryland | 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700
Baltimore, MD 21202 | 410-468-2090 | https://insurance.maryland.gov/ |
| Massachusetts | 1000 Washington St., Suite 810
Boston, MA 02118 | 617-521-7794 | https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-insurance |
| Michigan | 530 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48933 | 517-284-8800 | https://www.michigan.gov/difs/ |
| Minnesota | 85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St. Paul, MN 55101 | 651-296-4026 | https://mn.gov/commerce/industries/insurance/ |
| Mississippi | 1001 Woolfolk State Office Building, 501 N. West St.
Jackson, MS 39201 | 601-359-3569 | http://www.mid.state.ms.us |
| Missouri | 301 W. High St., P.O. Box 690
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0690 | 573-751-4126 | https://insurance.mo.gov/ |
| Montana | 840 Helena Ave., Suite 270
Helena, MT 59601 | 406-444-2040 | https://csimt.gov/ |
| Nebraska | 1526 K St Suite 200
Lincoln, NE 68508 | 402-471-2201 | https://doi.nebraska.gov/ |
| Nevada | 1818 E. College Parkway, Suite 103
Carson City, NV 89706 | 775-687-0700 | https://doi.nv.gov/ |
| New Hampshire | 21 S. Fruit St., Suite 14
Concord, NH 03301-7317 | 603-271-2261 | https://www.nh.gov/insurance/ |
| New Jersey | 20 West State Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08625 | 609-292-7272 | https://www.state.nj.us/dobi/aboutdobi.htm |
| New Mexico | 1120 Paseo de Peralta, Suite 428
Santa Fe, NM 87501 | 855-427-5674 | https://www.osi.state.nm.us/ |
| New York | 1 State Street
New York, NY 10004 | 212-480-6400 | https://www.dfs.ny.gov/ |
| North Carolina | 1201 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1201 | 855-408-1212 | https://www.ncdoi.gov/ |
| North Dakota | State Capitol, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 401, 5th floor
Bismarck, ND 58505-0320 | 701-328-2440 | https://www.insurance.nd.gov/ |
| Ohio | 50 W. Town St., 3rd floor, Suite 300
Columbus, OH 43215-1067 | 614-644-2658 | https://insurance.ohio.gov |
| Oklahoma | 400 NE 50th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105 | 405-521-2828 | https://www.oid.ok.gov/ |
| Oregon | 350 Winter St., NE Room 410
Salem, Oregon 97309 | 503-378-4140 | https://dfr.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx |
| Pennsylvania | 1326 Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120 | 717-787-7000 | https://www.insurance.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx |
| Rhode Island | 1511 Pontiac Ave.
Cranston, RI 02920 | 401-462-9500 | https://dbr.ri.gov/insurance-banking-securities-and-charitable-organizations/insurance |
| South Carolina | 1201 Main St., Suite 1000
Columbia, SC 29201 | 803-737-6160 | https://doi.sc.gov/ |
| South Dakota | 445 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501-3185 | 605-773-3311 | https://dor.sd.gov/ |
| Tennessee | 500 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 660
Nashville, TN 37243-0565 | 615-741-2241 | https://www.tn.gov/commerce/insurance-division.html |
| Texas | 1601 Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78701 | 512-676-6000 | https://www.tdi.texas.gov/ |
| Utah | 4315 S. 2700 W., Suite 2300
Taylorsville, UT 84114-6901 | 801-957-9200 | https://insurance.utah.gov/ |
| Vermont | 89 Main St., Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT 05620-3101 | 802-828-3302 | https://dfr.vermont.gov/industry/insurance |
| Virginia | 1300 E. Main St., Tyler Building
Richmond, VA 23219 | 804-371-9741 | https://www.scc.virginia.gov/ |
| Washington | 302 Sid Snyder Ave., SW, Suite 200
Olympia, WA 98501 | 360-725-7100 | http://www.insurance.wa.gov |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Lottery Building, 900 Pennsylvania Ave.
Charleston, WV 25302 | 304-558-3386 | http://www.wvinsurance.gov |
| Wisconsin | 125 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI 53703-3474 | 608-266-3585 | https://oci.wi.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx |
| Wyoming | Herschler Building, 106 E. 6th Ave.
Cheyenne, WY 82002 | 307-777-7401 | https://doi.wyo.gov/ |
NOTE
Rather than simply stop paying your premium, you should contact your insurance provider directly if you want to cancel.
Can I Dispute a Notice of Non-Renewal?
You can dispute a non-renewal notice. First, contact your insurance company’s consumer affairs department. If that doesn’t work, contact your state’s insurance department using the information below.
| State | Mailing address | Number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 201 Monroe St., Suite 502
Montgomery, AL 36104 | 334-269-3550 | http://www.aldoi.gov |
| Alaska | 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1560
Anchorage, AK 99501-3567 | 907-269-7900 | https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/ins/ |
| Arizona | 100 N. 15th Ave., Suite 261
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2630 | 602-364-3100 | https://insurance.az.gov/ |
| Arkansas | 1 Commerce Way
Little Rock, AR 72202 | 501-371-2600 | https://insurance.arkansas.gov/ |
| California | 300 S. Spring St., South Tower
Los Angeles, CA 90013 | 800-927-4357 | http://www.insurance.ca.gov |
| Colorado | 1560 Broadway, Suite 850
Denver, CO 80202 | 303-894-7499 | https://doi.colorado.gov/ |
| Connecticut | 153 Market St., 7th floor
Hartford, CT 06103 | 860-297-3900 | https://portal.ct.gov/cid |
| Delaware | 1351 W. North St., Suite 101
Dover, DE 19904 | 302-674-7300 | https://insurance.delaware.gov/ |
| District of Columbia | 1050 First Street, NE, 801
Washington DC 20002 | 202-727-8000 | http://www.disb.dc.gov |
| Florida | Larson Building, 200 E. Gaines St.,
Room 101A Tallahassee, FL 32399-0301 | 850-413-3140 | http://www.floir.com |
| Georgia | 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive West Tower, Suite 702
Atlanta, GA 30334 | 404-656-2070 | https://oci.georgia.gov/ |
| Hawaii | P.O. Box 3614
Honolulu, HI 96811 | 808-586-2790 | http://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/ |
| Idaho | 700 W. State St., 3rd floor
Boise, ID 83720-0043 | 208-334-4250 | http://www.doi.idaho.gov/ |
| Illinois | 320 W. Washington St.
Springfield, IL 62767-0001 | 217-782-4515 | https://insurance.illinois.gov/ |
| Indiana | 311 W. Washington St., Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2787 | 317-232-2385 | http://www.in.gov/idoi |
| Iowa | 1963 Bell Ave., Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50315 | 515-654-6600 | https://iid.iowa.gov/ |
| Kansas | 1300 SW Arrowhead Road
Topeka, KS 66604-4073 | 785-296-3071 | https://insurance.kansas.gov/ |
| Kentucky | 500 Mero St. 2 SE 11
Frankfort, KY 40601 | 502-564-3630 | https://insurance.ky.gov |
| Louisiana | 1702 N. Third St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802 | 225-342-5423 | http://www.ldi.la.gov |
| Maine | 34 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0034 | 207-624-8475 | https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/ |
| Maryland | 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700
Baltimore, MD 21202 | 410-468-2090 | http://www.mdinsurance.state.md.us |
| Massachusetts | 1000 Washington St., Suite 810
Boston, MA 02118 | 617-521-7794 | https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-insurance |
| Michigan | 530 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48933 | 517-284-8800 | https://www.michigan.gov/difs/ |
| Minnesota | 85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St. Paul, MN 55101 | 651-296-4026 | https://mn.gov/commerce/industries/insurance/ |
| Mississippi | 1001 Woolfolk State Office Building, 501 N. West St.
Jackson, MS 39201 | 601-359-3569 | http://www.mid.state.ms.us |
| Missouri | 301 W. High St., P.O. Box 690
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0690 | 573-751-4126 | https://insurance.mo.gov/ |
| Montana | 840 Helena Ave., Suite 270
Helena, MT 59601 | 406-444-2040 | https://csimt.gov/ |
| Nebraska | Terminal Building, 941 O St., Suite 400
Lincoln, NE 68508-3639 | 402-471-2201 | https://doi.nebraska.gov/ |
| Nevada | 1818 E. College Parkway, Suite 103
Carson City, NV 89706 | 775-687-0700 | https://doi.nv.gov/ |
| New Hampshire | 21 S. Fruit St., Suite 14
Concord, NH 03301-7317 | 603-271-2261 | https://www.nh.gov/insurance/ |
| New Jersey | 20 W. State St., P.O. Box 325
Trenton, NJ 08625 | 609-292-5360 | https://www.state.nj.us/dobi/index.html |
| New Mexico | 1120 Paseo de Peralta, Suite 428
Santa Fe, NM 87501 | 855-427-5674 | https://www.osi.state.nm.us/ |
| New York | 25 Beaver St.
New York, NY 10004 | 212-480-6400 | https://www.dfs.ny.gov/ |
| North Carolina | 1201 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1201 | 855-408-1212 | https://www.ncdoi.gov/ |
| North Dakota | State Capitol, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 401, 5th floor
Bismarck, ND 58505-0320 | 701-328-2440 | https://www.insurance.nd.gov/ |
| Ohio | 50 W. Town St., 3rd floor, Suite 300
Columbus, OH 43215-1067 | 614-644-2658 | https://insurance.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odi |
| Oklahoma | 400 NE 50th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105 | 405-521-2828 | https://www.oid.ok.gov/ |
| Oregon | P.O. Box 14480
Salem, OR 97309-0405 | 503-947-7980 | https://dfr.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx |
| Pennsylvania | 1326 Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120 | 717-787-2317 | https://www.insurance.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx |
| Rhode Island | 1511 Pontiac Ave.
Cranston, RI 02920 | 401-462-9500 | https://dbr.ri.gov/divisions/insurance/ |
| South Carolina | 1201 Main St., Suite 1000
Columbia, SC 29201 | 803-737-6160 | https://doi.sc.gov/ |
| South Dakota | 445 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501-3185 | 605-773-4104 | https://dor.sd.gov/ |
| Tennessee | 500 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 660
Nashville, TN 37243-0565 | 615-741-2241 | https://www.tn.gov/commerce/insurance-division.html |
| Texas | 333 Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78701 | 512-676-6000 | https://www.tdi.texas.gov/ |
| Utah | 4315 S. 2700 W., Suite 2300
Taylorsville, UT 84114-6901 | 801-957-9200 | https://insurance.utah.gov/ |
| Vermont | 89 Main St., Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT 05620-3101 | 802-828-3301 | https://dfr.vermont.gov/industry/insurance |
| Virginia | 1300 E. Main St., Tyler Building
Richmond, VA 23219 | 804-371-9741 | https://www.scc.virginia.gov/ |
| Washington | Insurance Building, P.O. Box 40255
Olympia, WA 98504-0255 | 360-725-7100 | http://www.insurance.wa.gov |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Lottery Building, 900 Pennsylvania Ave.
Charleston, WV 25302 | 304-558-3386 | http://www.wvinsurance.gov |
| Wisconsin | 125 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI 53703-3474 | 608-266-3585 | https://oci.wi.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx |
| Wyoming | Herschler Building, 106 E. 6th Ave.
Cheyenne, WY 82002 | 307-777-740 | http://insurance.state.wy.us |
What to Do After Your Car Insurance Is Canceled or Not Renewed
If you’re still driving but your car insurance policy has been canceled or not renewed, you’ll need to find a new auto insurance provider. However, if you have an SR-22 or a lapse in coverage, meaning you’re a high-risk driver with poor driving history, finding cheap auto insurance could be more difficult, particularly for the former. Learn how to find cheap auto insurance coverage, whether you have an SR-22 or a suspended license.
If You Have an SR-22
If you got an SR-22 for a DUI, you’ll need the best auto insurance for DUIs. However, not every company accepts SR-22s. Here are some that do:
- Dairyland
- Direct Auto
- Gainsco
- GEICO
- Infinity
- Nationwide
- Progressive
- State Farm
- The General
- Titan
- USAA
Shop around and compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best rates.
What If My Coverage Is Denied?
If your coverage is denied, don’t drive without insurance, as you could face financial and legal penalties like a suspended license. See below for the penalties in your state for driving without insurance.
| State | Fine for the first offense | Other penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $500 | License suspension, registration suspension, and reinstatement fee |
| Alaska | $500 | License suspension |
| Arizona | $500 | License and registration suspension for 90 days |
| Arkansas | $50-$250 | License and registration suspension |
| California | $100-$200 | License suspension and vehicle impoundment |
| Colorado | $500 | License suspension |
| Connecticut | $100-$1,000 | License suspension and registration suspension for 1-6 months |
| Delaware | $1,500-$2,000 | License suspension |
| District of Columbia | $150 | License suspension |
| Florida | $150 | License suspension |
| Georgia | $200 | License suspension and registration suspension for 60 days |
| Hawaii | $500 | License suspension |
| Idaho | $75 | License suspension |
| Illinois | $500 | License suspension and registration suspension for up to 3 months |
| Indiana | $250 | License suspension |
| Iowa | $250 | License suspension |
| Kansas | $300 | Registration suspension |
| Kentucky | $500 | License and registration suspension |
| Louisiana | $500-$1,000 | None |
| Maine | $100 | License and registration suspension |
| Maryland | $1,000 | License suspension |
| Massachusetts | $500 | License and registration suspension for 60 days |
| Michigan | Up to $500 | License suspension up to 30 days |
| Minnesota | $200-$1,000 | License suspension and registration suspension |
| Mississippi | Up to $1,000 | License suspension up to 1 year |
| Missouri | Up to $500 | License suspension |
| Montana | $250 | License suspension |
| Nebraska | $100 | License suspension |
| Nevada | $250-$1,000 | License suspension |
| New Hampshire | None | License and registration suspension |
| New Jersey | $300-$1,000 | License suspension up to 1 year |
| New Mexico | Up to $300 | License and registration suspension |
| New York | $150-$1,500 | License and registration suspension |
| North Carolina | $50 | License suspension and registration suspension for 30 days |
| North Dakota | $150-$1,000 | License suspension |
| Ohio | $100 | License suspension |
| Oklahoma | $250 | License suspension |
| Oregon | $135-$1,000 | Registration suspension |
| Pennsylvania | $300 | License and registration suspension for 3 months |
| Rhode Island | $100 | License and registration suspension for 3 months |
| South Carolina | Up to $200, plus $600 uninsured motorist fee | License suspension |
| South Dakota | $100-500 | License suspension up to 1 year |
| Tennessee | $300 | License suspension |
| Texas | $175 | License suspension |
| Utah | $400 | License suspension |
| Vermont | Up to $500 | License suspension |
| Virginia | $600 | License suspension |
| Washington | $550 | None |
| West Virginia | $200 | License suspension up to 30 days |
| Wisconsin | Up to $500 | License suspension |
| Wyoming | $500-$1,500 | License suspension3 |
Can I Cancel My Car Insurance After 60 Days?
While car insurance companies can’t cancel your car insurance after the first 60 days except for specific reasons like fraud, you can cancel your car insurance at any time. However, you may face cancellation fees.
TIP
Ask your insurance agent or broker about the cancellation policy, including fees and refunds.
To cancel your car insurance, you may need to give proper notice, such as 30 days before your policy ends. Here’s how:
- Review Your Policy – Check your policy documents or contact your insurer to understand cancellation terms, fees, and any required notice period.
- Find a New Policy – Secure a new policy before canceling to avoid a lapse in coverage, which could lead to higher rates.
- Contact Your Insurer – Call your insurance company’s customer service line or use their online portal to request cancellation. Some insurers may require written notice.
- Provide Necessary Information – Be ready to share your policy number, cancellation date, and reason for canceling. If required, submit a cancellation form or written request.
- Handle Refunds or Fees – If you prepaid, ask about a refund for unused premiums. If there’s a cancellation fee, factor that into your decision.
- Notify Your Lienholder (If Applicable) – If you have a car loan or lease, inform your lender and provide proof of new coverage if switching insurers.
FYI
Some insurers offer continuous coverage discounts to drivers who have not had a lapse in coverage.
Recap
If you don’t commit fraud, get your license taken away, or stop paying your premiums, your policy should stay active. Even if you want to switch auto insurance, it’s generally better to have two policies briefly overlap than a lapse in coverage, which could lead to higher auto insurance costs in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about car insurance cancellations and car insurance non-renewal in our answers to these frequently asked questions.
Not renewing insurance is not the same thing as canceling. Cancellation occurs midterm, while non-renewal occurs at the end of the term. There are also differences as to why someone would cancel versus not renew a policy for a motor vehicle.
Unlike reasons for cancellation on the insurance provider’s part, reasons for non renewal are not bound by law and can vary by state and insurer. An auto insurance company can only cancel policies after the first 60 days in cases of fraud or misrepresentation on the original insurance application, nonpayment, or a license suspension or revocation.
If your car insurance is canceled due to nonpayment, you’ll need to find alternative insurance in order to drive legally. Every state except New Hampshire requires auto insurance, so make sure your new coverage is active before hitting the road.
If you don’t renew your insurance policy, your coverage will stop on the expiration date, leaving you without protection against potential accidents or damages. In every state, except New Hampshire, driving without insurance is illegal, and can result in license suspension, registration suspension, as well as other penalties. So it’s important to secure a new policy before your current one expires.
An insurance non-renewal notice is a letter stating that your insurance provider is choosing not to renew your policy. Legally, companies have to notify customers of non-renewal within a certain time period, which varies by state.
Citations
What’s the Difference Between Auto Policy Cancellation and Nonrenewal?. Insurance Information Institute.
https://www.iii.org/article/whats-the-difference-between-auto-policy-cancellation-and-nonrenewalState Insurance Departments. Insurance Information Institute.
https://www.iii.org/services/directory/company-categories/state-insurance-departmentsPenalties for Driving Without Auto Insurance by State as of January 2014. Consumer Federation of America. (2014, March 10).
https://consumerfed.org/pdfs/140310_penaltiesfordrivingwithoutautoinsurance_cfa.pdf
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