Can I leave my insurance company after a claim?

Asked by: Dr. Armand Strosin  |  Last update: June 6, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (40 votes)

Remember, you are required by law to maintain an active auto insurance policy if you own a vehicle. Thus, unless your car is totaled, it is best to keep your policy. However, canceling your policy will still not affect an already opened claim.

Do you have to stay with an insurance company after a claim?

You can switch auto insurance companies after an accident while your claim is still pending. It is important to consider your reasons for switching, ensure there is no gap in coverage, and be aware of the potential impact on your claim.

Can I cancel my insurance after a claim?

Yes- you can cancel a policy, even with claims pending. Claims go by service date so as long as your policy was active on the date(s) of service, you shouldn't get a denial.

Can you leave an insurance company with an open claim?

While you can always switch insurance companies while carrying an open claim, it could be tougher to change your coverage while staying with the same insurer.

Is it a good idea to switch insurance companies after a claim?

It's fine but just be aware that the rate you're getting elsewhere could go up after a few months. The claim might not show up when they write the new policy so just be sure to tell them that you have an open claim.

After a Car Accident, Watch What You Say to Insurance Companies

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How soon after a claim can you switch insurance?

But when is the best time to make a switch? You can actually switch insurance companies even while you have an open claim, even if you were at fault in the accident. That said, you will still need to work with your previous insurance company to settle the open claim.

What is the downside of filing an insurance claim?

It could increase your premiums

When determining your premiums, insurance companies consider your likelihood of filing a future claim — which could cost them money. The higher your perceived risk, the more likely you are to pay more in premiums. Your claims history tends to play a direct role.

Will my insurance go up if I open a claim?

Filing an insurance claim can have long-term ramifications, such as a hike in your premium or difficulty in switching providers in the future. Certain types of claims, such as dog bites or slip-and-fall incidents, can have a significant impact on your rates and may even disqualify you from coverage with some carriers.

Can I switch to full coverage after an accident?

adding coverage after the accident and trying to get it to apply retroactively is insurance fraud. comprehensive coverage is a separate coverage from collision coverage. collision is what you would need to cover this.

Can I withdraw from an insurance claim?

Yes. Most insurance companies let you withdraw a claim that you've filed before you receive a payout for it. If you aren't sure whether your insurer allows this, you can contact your insurance agent.

What happens after a fault claim?

When accidents occur in an at-fault state, the insurers of both parties review the details and make a judgment regarding which driver should be held responsible. Depending on the details of the accident, the process of determining who is or is not at fault in an accident can be straightforward or very complicated.

Can you keep leftover insurance claim money?

The short answer is that yes, you can choose to do whatever you want with the insurance money, but you need to ask yourself whether or not this is the best decision. If you need the cash more than you need to pay for the repairs, then this might seem like the correct decision.

How long does it take for a claim to be removed from insurance?

Insurance companies often look at your claims history and the claims history of your home when they're determining your insurance premium. How far back they look depends on the particular company, but claims tend to stay on your insurance claims history report for five to seven years.

How long do claims stay on insurance record?

For minor accidents, the record retention period typically spans three years from the date of the accident. Notably, if you were not deemed at fault, it is illegal for insurance companies to increase your premiums in California.

Will my insurance company drop me after a claim?

Yes, it is generally legal for insurers to non-renew policies after a claim, as long as they follow state regulations and provide proper notice.

Do insurance companies care if you leave?

Many group life insurance policies come with an “actively at work” requirement, which means if you're not on the job — whether you quit, were fired or are out due to illness or injury — your coverage could vanish.

Can I leave my insurance company during a claim?

You can certainly switch car insurance companies if you have an open claim with your current insurer. However, doing so may result in a higher premium once the claim is settled. If you must make a switch with a pending at-fault claim, be sure to inform your new car insurer so there are no surprises come renewal time.

What happens if I switch insurance in the middle of a claim?

Your Claim Won't Be Interrupted

If you decide to change your insurance company while you have an ongoing claim, your old insurer will continue to handle it until it is resolved.

How long after a claim can I switch car insurance?

You can switch insurance companies at any point during your coverage period, even after an accident or filing a claim. Mark is a freelance journalist and analyst with over 15 years of experience covering the insurance industry.

Will a small claim affect my insurance?

Many assume that only major claims affect premiums, but even minor claims can lead to increased rates. In fact, it's often the reporting of an incident, rather than the insurance claim itself, that triggers higher premiums.

What is accident forgiveness?

What is Accident Forgiveness? Available in select states, Accident Forgiveness is an auto insurance coverage option that potentially helps you avoid a rate increase after your first at-fault accident. Others on your policy can also benefit from Accident Forgiveness. But it can only be used once per policy.

When should you not file a car insurance claim?

“If your damages are minor, you're much better off just paying out of pocket.” Even if the repairs cost slightly more than the deductible, it's still not worth submitting a claim that gets added to your claim history and can negatively affect your premiums in the future.

Is it better to pay out of pocket for a car accident?

An inexpensive accident with just you or your car

You'll have to pay for the damage yourself, whether it's buffing out a dent or fixing a crack in your glass. It's possible that your insurance deductible is higher than the out of pocket cost, so you may save money by choosing to pay for it on your own.

What should you not say when making an insurance claim?

Eight things NOT to say to an insurance adjuster are:
  1. admitting fault,
  2. anything about your injuries,
  3. anything on the record,
  4. speculating about the crash,
  5. that you do not have a lawyer,
  6. providing unnecessary information,
  7. accepting a settlement, and.
  8. sharing medical records.