How to Cancel Auto Insurance

A Concise Overview

• Cancelling an insurance policy can usually be done by phone, email, or in-person.
• Some companies require that a cancellation letter be signed.
• Many companies offer refunds after cancellation.

There are many reasons one may want to cancel their auto insurance. You may have found a better policy elsewhere, are looking to sell your vehicle, or are moving out of state. No matter the reason, cancelling you insurance policy can be confusing if you don’t know where to begin.

While many top car insurance companies have similar cancellation policies, most have specific requirements. Some may require an auto insurance cancellation letter, while others don’t.

If you are interested in learning how to cancel auto insurance, then read our helpful guide. We cover all the points you need to know about properly cancelling your policy.

If you are looking to change your policy to something better, then be sure to use our comparison tool to easily compare rates from top insurance companies in your area.

Cancelling Your Policy

There are several steps that many insurance companies require you to take in order to cancel your policy. With most companies, cancellation can be done through phone or email. The process can be quick, depending on your specific company and how busy they are that day.

After cancelling your policy, it is important to request some sort of proof of cancellation, such as an official notice. This could prevent any future headaches if something goes wrong, clerically.

To make sure the process is as efficient as possible, it’s important you have several pieces of information on hand, including your policy number, full name, social security number, and address. In some cases, you may also need your license plate number.

If your auto insurance company requires a cancellation letter, then you would simply need to sign it, then send it back to the company. In the case of a cancellation letter, it is a good idea to confirm that your insurance company received the signed letter.

Inquiring About Your Company’s Cancellation Policy

As most companies offer different cancellation policies, it is important to contact an agent from your insurance company to discuss their specific cancellation policy. Some companies may require a 30-day notice to avoid any fees. Be sure to ask you company about any possible fees that may be charged for cancelling your policy.

Below, we’ve covered some of the cancellation policies from a few auto insurance companies.

How to Cancel Auto Insurance from Progressive

Progressive asks that customers wanting to cancel their policy contact the company by phone, online, or in-person. In most cases, Progressive doesn’t charge any cancellation fees.

How to Cancel Auto Insurance from GEICO

As with Progressive, GEICO wants their customers to contact an agent by phone to cancel their policy. They also request that you have your policy number on hand. They also don’t require a cancellation fee in most cases.

How to Cancel Auto Insurance from State Farm

State Farm wants their policy holders to cancel by phone and have their name, policy number, and date of birth on hand. The cancellation will take effect immediately, in most cases.

If I cancel my auto insurance will I get a refund?

This depends on your insurance company, however, if you have paid for your policy in advance, then you will likely receive a refund. The amount of your refund will depend on your specific company and how much time was left on your policy.

Can I change car insurance before renewal date?

Most auto insurance companies allow you to cancel your policy at any time. This could, however, result in cancellation fees, depending on your insurance company. As mentioned above, cancelling your policy is usually done by calling or emailing an agent.

Finding a Better Auto Insurance Policy

If you are unhappy with your auto insurance policy and are looking for something better, it is important to determine you exact needs and wants. Many factors come into play when trying to determine your auto insurance rate, including the vehicle you drive, your age, and more.

While cheap rates are important, it is also important to make sure your policy fits all your needs and meets all your states requirements. A chart showing the auto insurance requirements in each state can be found below.

In addition to liability car insurance, which is required in most states, most insurance providers also offer comprehensive and collision insurance. Both of which can be helpful in the event of an accident. They can also help avoid costly vehicle repairs. There are also several other helpful add-ons that can be included in your auto insurance policy.

Roadside assistance is just one example of an add-on that could be worth the higher rates as with roadside assistance you won’t have to worry about being stranded if something happens to your vehicle while on the road. Other popular add-ons include unsinured motorist coverage and gap insurance.

Comparing rates from different insurance companies can take hours, but it doesn’t have to. Use our comparison tool to compare rates from top companies.

References:

1. https://www.carmd.com/wp/vehicle-health-index-introduction/2017-carmd-state-index/