Can car insurance drop you?

Asked by: Tess Osinski PhD  |  Last update: November 24, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (68 votes)

Car insurance companies can legally drop a customer if they become riskier to insure than when they first bought their policy. But that doesn't mean they let go of customers for just any reason — if you practice safe driving habits and pay your premium on time, the chance of losing your car insurance is slim.

Why would an insurance company drop you?

If at any time: you fail to pay the premium by the due date. you obtained the policy through misrepresentation or fraud. anyone insured on the policy violated the terms or conditions of the policy.

What happens if car insurance drops you?

If the insurance company has decided to cancel your policy for other reasons, your options may be more limited. In the best case, you'll simply have to pay a higher premium and be more careful about your driving habits. In more dire cases, you'll have to shop for insurance on what's called the “nonstandard” market.”

At what point will insurance drop you?

Filing too many claims: If you file too many claims within a short period, the insurance company may consider you a high-risk customer and may choose not to renew your policy. Non-payment of premiums: If you fail to pay your premiums on time, your insurance company may cancel your policy.

Can your car insurance company drop you without notice?

Car insurance companies must notify you prior to canceling the policy. Each state has different notice periods, but it is typically at least 10 and as much as 20 days.

Should you drop collision coverage on car insurance?

28 related questions found

Can I sue my insurance for dropping me?

If you believe that your cancellation was made on your policy for illegitimate reasons, you have the right to take legal action and pursue a lawsuit against your provider.

How do I know if my insurance dropped me?

Your insurance company is typically required to give you notice prior to your cancellation. Laws vary from state to state, but notices are typically given 10 to 75 days before coverage will end. However, some states have unique car insurance-cancellation laws, which could place you at risk of being dropped by surprise.

Is it hard to get car insurance after being cancelled?

Luckily, many insurers still accept customers who have had a policy cancellation or non-renewal but be prepared to pay a higher rate. Explore Progressive Answers' auto editorial guidelines to find out why you can trust the car insurance information you find here.

How many accidents before an insurance company drops you?

Every insurance company sets its own benchmark for triggering a cancellation, but it is more likely that you'll face cancellation or non-renewal if you've made three or more claims within a three-year period. Most cancellations occur within the first 60 days of a policy, usually due to non-compliance.

How long do accidents stay on your record?

In the state of California, most vehicle accidents will stay on your record for around 3 years. However, more serious traffic violations will follow you for longer. For example, a DUI conviction will stay on your record for 10 years.

Can insurance drop you without telling you?

Your insurance company must give you at least 30 days notice before they can cancel your coverage for the reasons stated above. This gives you time to appeal the decision or find new coverage.

Why did my car insurance drop so much?

Car insurance typically drops as you grow older, when you drive safely for three to five years following an accident or citation, and when you switch to a cheaper company.

Can you get your insurance back if it is Cancelled?

If your car insurance was canceled because you didn't pay your premiums, you may be able to reinstate it. Many insurance companies offer a grace period after you've failed to make a payment. During the grace period, your car insurance can be reinstated once you pay the missed premiums and any fines, interest or fees.

How many claims are allowed in car insurance?

In any case, two at-fault claims within three years are grounds for non-renewal with many insurance companies. Since your driving record follows you, your next insurance company will consider you high risk as well, and your insurance rates will reflect it. unless you file more than three within three years.

Can an insurance company cancel your insurance?

Generally, your policy can be canceled for these reasons: Non-payment of premium. Material misrepresentation / fraud. Breaches of contractual duties by the insured.

What happens if I don't renew my policy?

Ans: If you don't renew your policy within the grace period, your policy will lapse, and you will lose all the benefits, including coverage and any accumulated bonuses. As a result, you will need to buy a new policy, and waiting periods for certain illnesses or conditions will restart.

What to do if your car insurance company drops you?

As we mentioned above, always call your current insurer and see if you can resolve the issue first. But drivers who aren't eligible for reinstatement can start shopping for new insurance options online, over the phone, or in a store.

What is the best insurance company for high risk drivers?

State Farm and Geico are among our top picks for high-risk drivers. Car insurance companies consider motorists with a history of at-fault accidents, speeding tickets or DUI convictions high-risk drivers and charge them some of the highest rates of any demographic.

Will GEICO drop me after 3 accidents?

Depending on how many claims were filed by other drivers in your area, GEICO can decide whether to drop your policy or not. Typically, if there were a high number of claims in your area, insurance carriers may decide to stop doing business in certain zip codes altogether.

How long can you drive with Cancelled insurance?

You'll usually have 10 to 20 days between the date of the cancellation notice and the date you are no longer covered. The exact amount of time differs by state. After that, your insurance will officially lapse and you'll no longer be able to drive your car legally.

What makes someone uninsurable for car insurance?

Poor driving history is a top reason drivers can face challenges obtaining auto insurance. A track record of collisions, traffic violations, or DUI convictions can make getting coverage difficult and extremely costly. Insurers consider drivers with such records high-risk; some may deny coverage altogether.

Why would they cancel my car insurance?

Non-renewals may happen for many reasons, which might include too many moving violations, a change in your credit, and filing too many claims. But car insurance cancellations can typically only occur for a few reasons.

Can you sue an insurance company for dropping you?

Suing after your insurer cancels your coverage

Evidence that your health insurance carrier violated provisions of the Health and Safety Code can be valuable evidence in a claim for the violation of the duty of good faith and fair dealing that all California corporations must uphold.

How long does it take for car insurance to drop?

At what age car insurance goes down depends on several factors, but you should see your insurance premium start to decline by the time you reach 19, with the decrease becoming less noticeable after you reach 35. In your senior years, you may see your rate begin to increase again.

How long until Progressive cancels insurance?

What is a car insurance lapse grace period? Your car insurance policy won't be cancelled immediately because you miss a payment. Auto insurance companies are required by state law to provide notice before cancelling your policy. Depending on the state, you'll usually have between 10 and 20 days.