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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.

Cancellations and nonrenewals

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.

StateDays’ Notice for Midterm Cancellation (Nonpayment)Days’ Notice for Midterm Cancellation (Other Reasons)Days’ Notice for Non-Renewal
Alabama1020120
Alaska2030; 10 for crime, fraud, or suspension of license20
Arizona101030
Arkansas102030
California103060-120
Colorado103030
Connecticut15 for nonpayment of first premium, 10 days for nonpayment of any premium after the first45; 30 for fraud or misrepresentation60
Delaware103030
District of Columbia303030
Florida104545
Georgia303030
Hawaii303030
Idaho103030
Illinois103030
Indiana102020
Iowa103060
Kansas103030
Kentucky1414 within first 60 days of policy’s effective date; 75 after 60 days75
Louisiana103030
Maine102030
Maryland104545
Massachusetts202045
Michigan103020
Minnesota103060
Mississippi103030
Missouri103030
Montana104545
Nebraska103060
Nevada103030
New Hampshire104545
New Jersey152060
New Mexico1030 for cancellations due to substantial changes in risk; 15 for omission, misrepresentation, or fraud30
New York152045-60
North Carolina156060
North Dakota102030
Ohio103030
Oklahoma101020
Oregon103030
Pennsylvania153030
Rhode Island103060
South Carolina103060
South Dakota202060
Tennessee102030
Texas101030
Utah103030
Vermont154545
Virginia154545
Washington102045
West Virginia303045
Wisconsin101060
Wyoming104530

 

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.

 

StateMailing addressNumberWebsite2
Alabama201 Monroe St., Suite 502

Montgomery, AL 36104

334-269-3550http://www.aldoi.gov
Alaska550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1560

Anchorage, AK 99501-3567

907-269-7900https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/ins/
Arizona100 N. 15th Ave., Suite 261

Phoenix, AZ 85007-2630

602-364-3100https://difi.az.gov/insurance
Arkansas1 Commerce Way

Little Rock, AR 72202

501-371-2600https://insurance.arkansas.gov/
California300 S. Spring St. 14th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90013

800-927-4357http://www.insurance.ca.gov
Colorado1560 Broadway, Suite 850

Denver, CO 80202

303-894-7499https://doi.colorado.gov/
Connecticut153 Market St., 7th floor

Hartford, CT 06103

860-297-3800https://portal.ct.gov/cid
Delaware1351 W. North St., Suite 101

Dover, DE 19904

302-674-7300https://insurance.delaware.gov/
District of Columbia1050 First Street, NE, 801

Washington DC 20002

202-727-8000http://www.disb.dc.gov
FloridaLarson Building, 200 E. Gaines St.,

Room 101A

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0301

850-413-3140http://www.floir.com
Georgia2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive West Tower, Suite 702

Atlanta, GA 30334

404-656-2070https://oci.georgia.gov/
HawaiiP.O. Box 3614

Honolulu, HI 96811

808-586-2790http://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/
Idaho700 W. State St., 3rd floor

Boise, ID 83720-0043

208-334-4250http://www.doi.idaho.gov/
Illinois320 W. Washington St.

Springfield, IL 62767-0001

217-782-4515https://insurance.illinois.gov/
Indiana311 W. Washington St., Suite 300

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2787

317-232-2385http://www.in.gov/idoi
Iowa1963 Bell Ave., Suite 100

Des Moines, IA 50315

515-654-6600https://iid.iowa.gov/
Kansas1300 SW Arrowhead Road

Topeka, KS 66604-4073

785-296-3071https://insurance.kansas.gov/
Kentucky500 Mero St. 2 SE 11

Frankfort, KY 40601

502-564-3630https://insurance.ky.gov
Louisiana1702 N. Third St.

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

225-342-5423http://www.ldi.la.gov
Maine34 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333-0034

207-624-8475https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/
Maryland200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700

Baltimore, MD 21202

410-468-2090https://insurance.maryland.gov/
Massachusetts1000 Washington St., Suite 810

Boston, MA 02118

617-521-7794https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-insurance
Michigan530 W. Allegan St.

Lansing, MI 48933

517-284-8800https://www.michigan.gov/difs/
Minnesota85 7th Place East, Suite 500

St. Paul, MN 55101

651-296-4026https://mn.gov/commerce/industries/insurance/
Mississippi1001 Woolfolk State Office Building, 501 N. West St.

Jackson, MS 39201

601-359-3569http://www.mid.state.ms.us
Missouri301 W. High St., P.O. Box 690

Jefferson City, MO 65102-0690

573-751-4126https://insurance.mo.gov/
Montana840 Helena Ave., Suite 270

Helena, MT 59601

406-444-2040https://csimt.gov/
Nebraska1526 K St Suite 200

Lincoln, NE 68508

402-471-2201https://doi.nebraska.gov/
Nevada1818 E. College Parkway, Suite 103

Carson City, NV 89706

775-687-0700https://doi.nv.gov/
New Hampshire21 S. Fruit St., Suite 14

Concord, NH 03301-7317

603-271-2261https://www.nh.gov/insurance/
New Jersey20 West State Street

Trenton, New Jersey 08625

609-292-7272https://www.state.nj.us/dobi/aboutdobi.htm
New Mexico1120 Paseo de Peralta, Suite 428

Santa Fe, NM 87501

855-427-5674https://www.osi.state.nm.us/
New York1 State Street

New York, NY 10004

212-480-6400https://www.dfs.ny.gov/
North Carolina1201 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1201

855-408-1212https://www.ncdoi.gov/
North DakotaState Capitol, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 401, 5th floor

Bismarck, ND 58505-0320

701-328-2440https://www.insurance.nd.gov/
Ohio50 W. Town St., 3rd floor, Suite 300

Columbus, OH 43215-1067

614-644-2658https://insurance.ohio.gov
Oklahoma400 NE 50th St.

Oklahoma City, OK 73105

405-521-2828https://www.oid.ok.gov/
Oregon350 Winter St., NE Room 410

Salem, Oregon 97309

503-378-4140https://dfr.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx
Pennsylvania1326 Strawberry Square

Harrisburg, PA 17120

717-787-7000https://www.insurance.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Rhode Island1511 Pontiac Ave.

Cranston, RI 02920

401-462-9500 https://dbr.ri.gov/insurance-banking-securities-and-charitable-organizations/insurance
South Carolina1201 Main St., Suite 1000

Columbia, SC 29201

803-737-6160https://doi.sc.gov/
South Dakota445 E. Capitol Ave.

Pierre, SD 57501-3185

605-773-3311https://dor.sd.gov/
Tennessee500 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 660

Nashville, TN 37243-0565

615-741-2241https://www.tn.gov/commerce/insurance-division.html
Texas1601 Congress Avenue

Austin, Texas 78701

512-676-6000https://www.tdi.texas.gov/
Utah4315 S. 2700 W., Suite 2300

Taylorsville, UT 84114-6901

801-957-9200https://insurance.utah.gov/
Vermont89 Main St., Drawer 20

Montpelier, VT 05620-3101

802-828-3302https://dfr.vermont.gov/industry/insurance
Virginia1300 E. Main St., Tyler Building

Richmond, VA 23219

804-371-9741https://www.scc.virginia.gov/
Washington302 Sid Snyder Ave., SW, Suite 200

Olympia, WA 98501

360-725-7100http://www.insurance.wa.gov
West VirginiaWest Virginia Lottery Building, 900 Pennsylvania Ave.

Charleston, WV 25302

304-558-3386http://www.wvinsurance.gov
Wisconsin125 S. Webster St.

Madison, WI 53703-3474

608-266-3585https://oci.wi.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx
WyomingHerschler Building, 106 E. 6th Ave.

Cheyenne, WY 82002

307-777-7401https://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.

StateMailing addressNumberWebsite
Alabama201 Monroe St., Suite 502

Montgomery, AL 36104

334-269-3550http://www.aldoi.gov
Alaska550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1560

Anchorage, AK 99501-3567

907-269-7900https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/ins/
Arizona100 N. 15th Ave., Suite 261

Phoenix, AZ 85007-2630

602-364-3100https://insurance.az.gov/
Arkansas1 Commerce Way

Little Rock, AR 72202

501-371-2600https://insurance.arkansas.gov/
California300 S. Spring St., South Tower

Los Angeles, CA 90013

800-927-4357http://www.insurance.ca.gov
Colorado1560 Broadway, Suite 850

Denver, CO 80202

303-894-7499https://doi.colorado.gov/
Connecticut153 Market St., 7th floor

Hartford, CT 06103

860-297-3900https://portal.ct.gov/cid
Delaware1351 W. North St., Suite 101

Dover, DE 19904

302-674-7300https://insurance.delaware.gov/
District of Columbia1050 First Street, NE, 801

Washington DC 20002

202-727-8000http://www.disb.dc.gov
FloridaLarson Building, 200 E. Gaines St.,

Room 101A

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0301

850-413-3140http://www.floir.com
Georgia2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive West Tower, Suite 702

Atlanta, GA 30334

404-656-2070https://oci.georgia.gov/
HawaiiP.O. Box 3614

Honolulu, HI 96811

808-586-2790http://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/
Idaho700 W. State St., 3rd floor

Boise, ID 83720-0043

208-334-4250http://www.doi.idaho.gov/
Illinois320 W. Washington St.

Springfield, IL 62767-0001

217-782-4515https://insurance.illinois.gov/
Indiana311 W. Washington St., Suite 300

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2787

317-232-2385http://www.in.gov/idoi
Iowa1963 Bell Ave., Suite 100

Des Moines, IA 50315

515-654-6600https://iid.iowa.gov/
Kansas1300 SW Arrowhead Road

Topeka, KS 66604-4073

785-296-3071https://insurance.kansas.gov/
Kentucky500 Mero St. 2 SE 11

Frankfort, KY 40601

502-564-3630https://insurance.ky.gov
Louisiana1702 N. Third St.

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

225-342-5423http://www.ldi.la.gov
Maine34 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333-0034

207-624-8475https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/
Maryland200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700

Baltimore, MD 21202

410-468-2090http://www.mdinsurance.state.md.us
Massachusetts1000 Washington St., Suite 810

Boston, MA 02118

617-521-7794https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-insurance
Michigan530 W. Allegan St.

Lansing, MI 48933

517-284-8800https://www.michigan.gov/difs/
Minnesota85 7th Place East, Suite 500

St. Paul, MN 55101

651-296-4026https://mn.gov/commerce/industries/insurance/
Mississippi1001 Woolfolk State Office Building, 501 N. West St.

Jackson, MS 39201

601-359-3569http://www.mid.state.ms.us
Missouri301 W. High St., P.O. Box 690

Jefferson City, MO 65102-0690

573-751-4126https://insurance.mo.gov/
Montana840 Helena Ave., Suite 270

Helena, MT 59601

406-444-2040https://csimt.gov/
NebraskaTerminal Building, 941 O St., Suite 400

Lincoln, NE 68508-3639

402-471-2201https://doi.nebraska.gov/
Nevada1818 E. College Parkway, Suite 103

Carson City, NV 89706

775-687-0700https://doi.nv.gov/
New Hampshire21 S. Fruit St., Suite 14

Concord, NH 03301-7317

603-271-2261https://www.nh.gov/insurance/
New Jersey20 W. State St., P.O. Box 325

Trenton, NJ 08625

609-292-5360https://www.state.nj.us/dobi/index.html
New Mexico1120 Paseo de Peralta, Suite 428

Santa Fe, NM 87501

855-427-5674https://www.osi.state.nm.us/
New York25 Beaver St.

New York, NY 10004

212-480-6400https://www.dfs.ny.gov/
North Carolina1201 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1201

855-408-1212https://www.ncdoi.gov/
North DakotaState Capitol, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 401, 5th floor

Bismarck, ND 58505-0320

701-328-2440https://www.insurance.nd.gov/
Ohio50 W. Town St., 3rd floor, Suite 300

Columbus, OH 43215-1067

614-644-2658https://insurance.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odi
Oklahoma400 NE 50th St.

Oklahoma City, OK 73105

405-521-2828https://www.oid.ok.gov/
OregonP.O. Box 14480

Salem, OR 97309-0405

503-947-7980https://dfr.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx
Pennsylvania1326 Strawberry Square

Harrisburg, PA 17120

717-787-2317https://www.insurance.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Rhode Island1511 Pontiac Ave.

Cranston, RI 02920

401-462-9500https://dbr.ri.gov/divisions/insurance/
South Carolina1201 Main St., Suite 1000

Columbia, SC 29201

803-737-6160https://doi.sc.gov/
South Dakota445 E. Capitol Ave.

Pierre, SD 57501-3185

605-773-4104https://dor.sd.gov/
Tennessee500 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 660

Nashville, TN 37243-0565

615-741-2241https://www.tn.gov/commerce/insurance-division.html
Texas333 Guadalupe St.

Austin, TX 78701

512-676-6000https://www.tdi.texas.gov/
Utah4315 S. 2700 W., Suite 2300

Taylorsville, UT 84114-6901

801-957-9200https://insurance.utah.gov/
Vermont89 Main St., Drawer 20

Montpelier, VT 05620-3101

802-828-3301https://dfr.vermont.gov/industry/insurance
Virginia1300 E. Main St., Tyler Building

Richmond, VA 23219

804-371-9741https://www.scc.virginia.gov/
WashingtonInsurance Building, P.O. Box 40255

Olympia, WA 98504-0255

360-725-7100http://www.insurance.wa.gov
West VirginiaWest Virginia Lottery Building, 900 Pennsylvania Ave.

Charleston, WV 25302

304-558-3386http://www.wvinsurance.gov
Wisconsin125 S. Webster St.

Madison, WI 53703-3474

608-266-3585https://oci.wi.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx
WyomingHerschler Building, 106 E. 6th Ave.

Cheyenne, WY 82002

307-777-740http://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.

car insurance canceled or not renewed

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:

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.

StateFine for the first offenseOther penalties
Alabama$500License suspension, registration suspension, and reinstatement fee
Alaska$500License suspension
Arizona$500License and registration suspension for 90 days
Arkansas$50-$250License and registration suspension
California$100-$200License suspension and vehicle impoundment
Colorado$500License suspension
Connecticut$100-$1,000License suspension and  registration suspension for 1-6 months
Delaware$1,500-$2,000License suspension
District of Columbia$150License suspension
Florida$150License suspension
Georgia$200License suspension and registration suspension for 60 days
Hawaii$500License suspension
Idaho$75License suspension
Illinois$500License suspension and registration suspension for up to 3 months
Indiana$250License suspension
Iowa$250License suspension
Kansas$300Registration suspension
Kentucky$500License and registration suspension
Louisiana$500-$1,000None
Maine$100License and registration suspension
Maryland$1,000License suspension
Massachusetts$500License and registration suspension for 60 days
MichiganUp to $500License suspension up to 30 days
Minnesota$200-$1,000License suspension and registration suspension
MississippiUp to $1,000License suspension up to 1 year
MissouriUp to $500License suspension
Montana$250License suspension
Nebraska$100License suspension
Nevada$250-$1,000License suspension
New HampshireNoneLicense and registration suspension
New Jersey$300-$1,000License suspension up to 1 year
New MexicoUp to $300License and registration suspension
New York$150-$1,500License and registration suspension
North Carolina$50License suspension and registration suspension for 30 days
North Dakota$150-$1,000License suspension
Ohio$100License suspension
Oklahoma$250License suspension
Oregon$135-$1,000Registration suspension
Pennsylvania$300License and registration suspension for 3 months
Rhode Island$100License and registration suspension for 3 months
South CarolinaUp to $200, plus $600 uninsured motorist feeLicense suspension
South Dakota$100-500License suspension up to 1 year
Tennessee$300License suspension
Texas$175License suspension
Utah$400License suspension
VermontUp to $500License suspension
Virginia$600License suspension
Washington$550None
West Virginia$200License suspension up to 30 days
WisconsinUp to $500License suspension
Wyoming$500-$1,500License 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:

  1. Review Your Policy – Check your policy documents or contact your insurer to understand cancellation terms, fees, and any required notice period.
  2. Find a New Policy – Secure a new policy before canceling to avoid a lapse in coverage, which could lead to higher rates.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

Is not renewing insurance the same thing as canceling?

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.

What happens if my car insurance is canceled due to nonpayment?

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.

What happens if I don’t renew my insurance policy?

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.

What is an insurance non-renewal notice?

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.

Aliza Vigderman
Written by:Aliza Vigderman
Senior Writer & Editor
A seasoned journalist and content strategist with over 10 years of editorial experience in digital media, Aliza Vigderman has written and edited hundreds of articles on the site, covering everything from plan coverages to discounts to state laws. Previously, she was a senior editor and industry analyst at the home and digital security website Security.org, previously called Security Baron. She has also contributed to The Huffington Post, SquareFoot, and Degreed. Aliza studied journalism at Brandeis University.

Citations

  1. 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-nonrenewal

  2. State Insurance Departments. Insurance Information Institute.
    https://www.iii.org/services/directory/company-categories/state-insurance-departments

  3. Penalties 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