Can I cancel my car insurance if I'm not driving?

Asked by: Prof. Destinee Carroll DVM  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (18 votes)

If you won't be driving for a while, you might be considering several options for reducing your auto insurance costs. Canceling your insurance: Canceling your auto insurance altogether is generally not a good idea. ... Suspending your insurance isn't considered a lapse in coverage and can reduce your costs.

Do I have to insure my car if I don't drive it?

Ultimately, most states require you to maintain insurance on a vehicle even if you're not driving it. As long as your car is registered in your state, and that registration has not lapsed, then you're required to maintain the minimum legal level of insurance (liability insurance).

Can you pause insurance on a car?

Pausing your car insurance. You technically can't “pause” or “freeze” your auto insurance — it's required by law in almost every state. The only way to pause your auto insurance is to cancel your coverage in its entirety, which you should only do when you're switching policies or getting rid of your car.

What is parked car insurance?

Parked car insurance is provided to a car stored at your home or storage facility by comprehensive coverage. Your car should not be at risk of being hit by another car while parked in your garage. So comprehensive will cover all possible risk factors, such as: Stolen car.

Can you cancel insurance at any time?

Fortunately, auto insurance companies generally give you the right to cancel your policy at any time as long as you provide proper notice. While most auto insurers will likely refund your unused premium, some may charge a fee if you choose to cancel in the middle of your policy term.

Cancelling Car Insurance. Here's what happens after.

21 related questions found

How do I insure a car I rarely drive?

Pay-per-mile car insurance. Another way to find car insurance as a low-mileage driver is to shop policies from pay-per-mile or usage-based insurance (UBI) companies. The benefit of telematics for low-mileage drivers is that you essentially only pay for the insurance you need.

How can I cancel my car insurance?

To do so, you must provide your insurance company with written notice and the effective date of cancellation. Whatever your method of cancellation, you should receive confirmation either online or by mail. If you don't, then call your insurance company to make sure your request is being processed.

What will happen if I cancel my car insurance?

If the insurance company cancels your policy, you'll usually receive a refund unless they cancel the policy for non-payment. If non-payment occurs, you will not receive a refund and will continue to owe the insurer any unpaid premiums.

What happens when you cancel insurance?

What Happens When You Cancel Your Policy? When you cancel an auto insurance policy, your insurer will likely notify your state that you and your vehicle are no longer insured. ... If you still have time left on the policy, your insurer may issue a prorated refund of the premium that you paid most recently.

When can I remove my car insurance?

You can drop insurance if the car has been officially sold and the DMV confirms it is now in the new owner's name. Cancelling car insurance before selling the car will lead to a penalty and even license suspension if the person driving the car wrecks it.

Is insurance cheaper if you drive less?

Yes, car policies can be cheaper if you drive less. ... If you're driving less than 50 miles a day, your insurers will factor that into your auto insurance coverage rates. If your car is used less than 50 miles a day, that's going to mean you have a lower risk with fewer opportunities to get into an accident.

Is car insurance cheaper if you don't drive much?

Companies sometimes give you a lower car insurance rate or offer you a discount if you don't drive much because it lowers your risk of getting into an accident and costing them money by filing a claim. ... Some insurers offer low-mileage discounts, but only in certain states.

Is insurance cheaper if you drive less miles?

Typically, people who drive less than 7,500 miles per year qualify for low-mileage discounts on their car insurance. Drivers on the road for less than 7,500 miles per year can save an average of $86 per year on car insurance compared to drivers who travel 15,000 miles or more.

Is 5000 miles a year low?

There's no firm answer but generally speaking an average annual mileage might be 8-10,000 miles a year so a number below that could be seen as low. An annual mileage of 5,000 and under is certainly on the low side, though every insurer is likely to have its own criteria and method of assessment.

Is 30K miles a lot for a used car?

Here's what to know before purchasing a used car. As a general rule of thumb, 15,000 miles a year is considered an “average” number of miles per year. ... However, if a car has not been maintained properly and has been driven hard or previously wrecked, it can be junk with only 30K miles on the odometer.

How does car insurance by the mile work?

Pay-per-mile car insurance lets you pay for coverage based on how many miles you drive. Because of this, it's best suited for people who don't generally drive a lot. ... Instead of a percentage off your traditional policy, low-mileage car insurance determines your rate based on how far you drive.

What if I drive less than 25 miles a day?

If you cover an average of 25 miles per day, most insurance companies will consider you as a low mileage driver which helps to lower your premiums. Anything under 50 miles per day is typically considered low mileage. ... Some neighborhoods have a higher prevalence of risk for insurance companies.

How many miles per year is normal for a car?

The average annual miles driven in the United States is about 14,263, according to the latest U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration data from 2019.

What is low mileage driver?

According to the United States Federal Highway Administration, as of 2020, the average driver travels about 13,500 miles per year. ... However, you might be able to get discounts by being a low-mileage driver. In general, low-mileage drivers are people who drive less than 7,500 miles per year.

What if I drive less than 50 miles per day?

If you're driving less than 50 miles a day, insurance is available at a discount. Companies offer low-mileage insurance if you install plug-in devices or download apps to monitor your driving. ... Companies offer low-mileage insurance if you install plug-in devices or download apps to monitor your driving.

How can I lower my car insurance on my older car?

Listed below are other things you can do to lower your insurance costs.
  1. Shop around. ...
  2. Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs. ...
  3. Ask for higher deductibles. ...
  4. Reduce coverage on older cars. ...
  5. Buy your homeowners and auto coverage from the same insurer. ...
  6. Maintain a good credit record. ...
  7. Take advantage of low mileage discounts.

How many miles will I drive in a year?

The average driver drives around 13,500 miles per year. That's over 1,000 miles per month! Americans drive more than twice as many miles in urban areas than in rural areas.

Should I cancel my insurance before I sell my car?

You should cancel your car insurance as soon as the vehicle is sold for the reasons previously stated. Make arrangements with the buyer on the best way for them to transport the car home. ... The first step in canceling car insurance is to call your company or agent.

Does it cost to change vehicle on insurance?

Almost all insurance providers allow you to transfer your policy from one car to another, and they'll amend the policy to reflect that. However, it might change your premium and you may be charged an administration fee. ... However, it might change your premium and you may be charged an administration fee.

Do you get refund if you cancel auto insurance?

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.