Car insurance policies can be terminated for a variety of reasons. If you are moving or relocating to a different state, selling or junking you car, of just want to try a different insurance company, you’ll need to cancel your old policy. It’s important however to follow some guidelines and do it properly.
The “Standard Operating Procedure” for most insurer’s is that you can cancel your policy simply by sending written notice with your desired termination date. Keep in mind that your policy may not necessarily stop at the end of your term, it may have an auto-renew clause. You also shouldn’t assume that your policy gets canceled by simply not paying your next premium.
You should also check your policy carefully, as it may not be entirely clear. Insurance companies will generally be very quick to tell you that your coverage stops at the end of the policy period if you don’t pay your premium, but they may not be so quick to let you know of the penalties you can incur for not providing formal notice of your policy termination.
You should also recognize canceling your policy, particularly if done improperly, can impact your chances of getting good auto coverage in the future. Canceling your policy through default may get you labeled as a high-risk applicant. The best way to avoid this trap is to make sure you are terminating your policy properly and in a timely manner.
If you’re planning to switch coverage to a different insurer, and you want to continue to drive your car throughout the process, you’ll have to make sure you don’t allow a lapse in your car insurance coverage. Be careful to coordinate your new policy’s start date on or before the termination date of your old policy.
Providing you are considerate about giving proper notice to your old insurance company when you want to cancel your auto policy, and go through the official termination process, you probably won’t have to worry about any potential negative repercussions.
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Tags: auto insurance, automobiles, car insurance, Cars, cars and trucks, cheap car insurance, Insurance, personal finance
