My Insurance Agent Continuing to Charge Me After Cancellation
In certain situations, you may need to cancel your car insurance policy. This can happen if you no longer own a car, move to a different area, change coverage or switch carriers. Knowing and how to cancel your policy is not always clear. If you find yourself needing to cancel your car insurance policy, Bankrate's guide can help you take the steps to do so.
Bankrate Insights
- You should have another policy in effect before canceling your existing coverage to avoid your future car insurance premiums increasing substantially due to a lapse in coverage.
- If you are recuperating from surgery or embarking on a long vacation, you may want to suspend your car insurance for a time instead of canceling. Canceling your car insurance and restarting it later could be perceived as a lapse in coverage.
- When you move, it helps to contact your insurance provider immediately to ensure that your policy aligns with the car insurance laws in your new locality or state.
How to cancel your car insurance
Google "how to cancel insurance policy" or "how do I cancel your car insurance," and you will get a variety of results. However, the process is relatively easy. Bankrate's insurance editorial team compiled the following list of best practices:
- Purchase a new policy before canceling: Purchasing a new auto insurance policy before canceling your existing policy will protect you from experiencing a lapse in coverage. A lapse in coverage could cause your insurance rates to increase, since driving without insurance is illegal in most states.
- Contact your insurance provider: To cancel your existing insurance policy, you may call your insurer, contact an agent through the company's mobile app, mail in a cancelation request or speak to an agent in person — depending on your carrier's options.
- Ask to speak with an agent about cancelation: Each provider will likely have different requirements for canceling a policy. For example, some providers may require you to pay a cancelation fee or give a 30-day notice ahead of your cancelation date. It may be beneficial to speak directly with an agent to be clear on what steps are required.
- You may be required to sign a cancelation letter: Cancelation letters are not as commonplace as they once were due to the convenience of email and online forms; however, some auto insurers may still ask that you send a letter requesting your coverage to end. The letter typically includes your policy number, name and date you want your policy canceled. If you paid for your policy upfront and have remaining months of coverage, you may also choose to include a refund request for the unused portion of your policy.
- Once finalized, request a policy cancelation notice from your auto insurer: Carriers will generally send a notice confirming that your policy has officially been canceled. If you do not receive a notice, you may ask that your insurer provide one to ensure you have a written record of the transaction.
When you should cancel your car insurance
You may need to cancel your car insurance for various purposes, but it is important to consider your plan for being without coverage beforehand. For drivers making a carrier switch, purchasing a new policy ahead of your current one's expiration is a good practice. If you are making a permanent cancelation, consider talking through your situation with an insurance agent to ensure that missing coverage will not put you at legal or financial risk.
When you move
If you move to another state where your current insurance company does not offer coverage, you will need to get a policy from an auto insurer that offers coverage at your new location. Arrange for the new policy a few weeks in advance of ending your current policy to avoid a lapse in coverage.
When you do not have a car
When you sell a vehicle with no plans to replace it, you can cancel your auto insurance. However, it is usually a good idea to hold off on discontinuing coverage until the new owner takes possession and the title has been transferred.
When you want a better deal
You may decide to switch your auto insurance provider to get a better rate. Again, it is usually a good idea to switch to a new policy before dropping your current coverage. Nearing the end of a policy term is typically the best time to switch insurers. You should start shopping for a new insurance company at least six to eight weeks before the end of the policy term, so you have ample time to secure new coverage.
When you want to reduce coverage
If you have an older vehicle you own outright, you might consider dropping optional collision and comprehensive coverages. Consider the risks before dropping any coverage. It is important to note that if you discontinue collision and comprehensive, you will have likely to pay out of pocket if your car is damaged or stolen so you need to be prepared financially.
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When you should not cancel your car insurance
While you can cancel your auto policy at any given time, you may not always need to. Before canceling your coverage, it may help to think through why you no longer need insurance and create a strategic approach to prevent potential legal or premium-related issues.
When you will be driving
Canceling coverage on a vehicle you still plan to drive may not be the best idea, as it could put you at financial risk and potentially violate state laws. Speak with a licensed insurance agent to learn more about how driving your vehicle without insurance could affect you.
When you move
Moving does not automatically require you to get a new auto policy. Before moving, contact your current auto insurer to find out if you can transfer your coverage to the new state. Moving can cause your rate to change because location is a factor in determining premiums. If your current insurance company operates local agencies, you might need to choose a new agent as well.
When you have life changes
You might want to keep your auto insurance policy when you get married or divorced. You can add a new spouse to your current auto policy and sometimes even earn a discount for tying the knot. You may also qualify for a multi-policy discount if you and your new spouse have insurance with the same company. If you get divorced, you can typically remove your ex spouse's name from your current policy instead of canceling the policy altogether.
When you are only temporarily not driving
If you take a break from driving for an extended period, some car insurance companies will allow you to suspend your car insurance. However, make sure to check state requirements. In some states, you will have to send a written request for suspension, while in others you can simply call your agent. If you cancel your insurance policy instead of suspending it, your insurance company will likely view this break as a lapse in coverage and your insurance premium may increase.
When your premium is high
A high premium does not necessarily mean you need to cancel your coverage. Most auto insurers offer several types of discounts. You may qualify for a discount for driving safely, taking a virtual driving course or reporting your car's safety features, such as airbags or anti-lock brakes. Contact your agent to find out how discounts can lower your rate and if there are ones you are eligible for that you aren't currently taking advantage of.
If I cancel my auto insurance, will I get a refund?
If you paid your premium in advance and cancel your policy before the end of the term, the insurance company must refund the remaining balance in most cases. Most auto insurers will prorate your refund based on the number of days your current policy was in effect.
The insurance industry is highly regulated and each state has insurance statutes that govern how companies must handle refunds. In Nebraska, for example, an auto insurer must contact you within 15 business days of cancelation to inform you about any eligible refunds. In many states, like Texas, if you finance your premium through a premium finance company, the insurance company may return the unused premium to the finance company, not you.
Unless otherwise stated in a statute, auto insurance companies usually do not have the obligation to refund your money within a given time period. Most insurance contracts typically state that the company will issue a refund "within a reasonable timeframe." To avoid refund headaches, it is best to notify your auto insurer of your plans to cancel when it is time to renew your policy. Check with your carrier before canceling to learn what the policy cancelation terms are.
Car insurance cancelation fees
Depending on the auto insurance company, canceling your policy before the end of its term may result in a cancelation fee. State laws can determine if a fee is allowable, and, if so, it is up to the insurer to set that fee, which is often taken out of the prorated refund. Knowing whether your state makes fees permissible could help you prepare for any cancelation fees in advance.
What happens if you stop paying your premiums without canceling your car insurance policy
If you want to discontinue your coverage, you will need to contact your insurer or your agent. If you stop paying your premiums, but do not cancel your policy, your carrier can continue requesting payment from you throughout your policy's term. You may be charged for the time your policy was active without payment.
Failing to properly notify your auto insurer that you want to cancel coverage may even impact your experience of finding auto coverage in the future. Even if you intend on finding a new car insurance company, missing payments entirely could lead to poor payment history and make finding affordable rates more difficult. Similarly, if you have automatic bank account withdrawal enabled to pay your premiums, you may continue to pay for coverage that you do not intend to keep.
Frequently asked questions
Source: https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/get-refund-cancel-car-insurance/
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