How do I reinstate my lapsed car insurance?
Asked by: Lulu Reichert | Last update: January 20, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (28 votes)
- Contact your insurance company. Find out what happened. ...
- Ask if you can get your policy reinstated. If the issue is because of non-payment, your insurance company may be able to reinstate your policy if it hasn't been too long after a missed payment. ...
- Shop around.
Can a lapsed car insurance policy be reinstated?
Short lapses in auto insurance coverage are somewhat common and reinstating your policy or purchasing a new one can be quick and easy. Carrying auto liability coverage is required for drivers in almost every state, so it's important to get insurance again as soon as possible.
Can I restart a lapsed insurance policy?
Typically, insurers allow parties to reinstate a lapsed policy within three to five years after the lapse.
How much does it cost to get car insurance reinstated?
You can reinstate your insurance, but it'll cost more depending on the length of the gap. If the gap is a month or less, you can pay about 9% more in premiums, or up to 48% more if the lapse is up to 60 days. If your lapse is over 60 days, you probably won't be able to reinstate your insurance.
How to get insurance after a lapse?
If it's been a few days since your insurance lapsed, your best bet is to call your current provider and see if you can get your coverage reinstated. If you're requiring an entirely new insurance quote, enter your ZIP code below to see rates from over a hundred local and national providers across the U.S.
What to do when your car insurance lapses
How long does an insurance lapse stay on your record?
How Long Does a Lapse Stay on Your Record? An insurance lapse will stay on your record for between six months and three years, depending on your state. This means that you will pay a higher insurance premium on your car until the lapse is no longer on your driving record.
Can you get your insurance back if it is canceled?
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 do I reinstate an insurance policy?
Regarding insurance, reinstatement allows a previously terminated policy to resume effective coverage. In the case of nonpayment, the insurer may require evidence of eligibility, such as an updated medical examination for life insurance, and full payment of outstanding premiums.
How long are you covered after your car insurance expires?
The period of time to make up the payment without a lapse in coverage varies, but it's often 10 to 20 days. If you remain uninsured after the grace period ends, it may be difficult to get a coverage reinstatement, your car insurance rates could increase, and you may have to get a new policy.
How long does Progressive give you to reinstate?
During the grace period, you can reinstate your life insurance policy simply by paying the outstanding premium and any associated late fees. Grace periods typically last around 30 days, depending on your policy. Under certain circumstances, some insurers may extend it up to 60 or 90 days.
How do I reactivate my lapsed policy?
"To reinstate a lapsed policy, policyholders need to submit a reinstatement application, pay any outstanding premiums with interest or penalties, and may also undergo a medical examination depending on the insurer's requirements," said Goyal.
How do I reinstate a lapsed policy?
Pay Past-due Premiums: To reinstate your policy, you'll likely need to pay all the premiums due from the time of lapse, plus any interest or penalties the insurer charges.
Can I reactivate my insurance?
How to reinstate a health insurance plan. In order to reinstate your health insurance plan, you must contact your health insurance provider. If your plan was terminated because of nonpayment, you may need to pay back the missed payments before your plan can resume.
When can an insurer refuse to reinstate?
If your health has not changed substantially since your original application, the insurer will likely allow you to reinstate your existing policy. If your health has changed or deteriorated, they might deny reinstatement. You'll owe any premiums that went unpaid prior to lapse, typically with interest.
Can I renew lapsed policy?
Ways to revive your lapsed policy:
If you have not paid your premiums for more than six months, then in order to revive your policy you need to submit DGH. If required, you may also have to undergo medical tests. Your policy will be revived once you have paid your unpaid premiums with applicable interest.
What happens if you let an insurance policy lapse?
Life insurance policies often have a grace period after a missed payment where the policy is still in force or at least offers some limited benefit. But once grace periods have passed and possible cash value is used up, a lapsed policy will terminate and the life insurance benefits will be gone.
How to fix lapsed insurance?
Ask if you can get your policy reinstated.
If the issue is because of non-payment, your insurance company may be able to reinstate your policy if it hasn't been too long after a missed payment. You may be able to reinstate your policy to have continuous coverage without a lapse.
What happens if I don't renew my car insurance on time?
If you let your car insurance expire, you may have to pay a higher premium when you reapply for coverage in the future. The insurance company may also view you as high-risk and offer you a higher rate or refuse to cover you. In the case of an accident, you'll be liable for any damage or injuries you cause.
How to get car insurance after being dropped?
- See if your provider is willing to consider reinstating your coverage. ...
- Contact your state's insurance commissioner for an appeal. ...
- Look for a new insurance provider.
Can I reinstate my car insurance after cancellation?
To reinstate your coverage, you'll need to purchase another insurance policy. Failing to do so could lead to fines or even license suspension if you're pulled over. You may be able to reinstate your policy with your previous insurer, or you may need to shop around for coverage with another carrier.
What are the two types of reinstatement?
There are two main types of Reinstatement, “Direct” and “Round the Clock”.
What is the reinstatement cost of insurance?
What is reinstatement cost? The Reinstatement Cost (also known as rebuild cost or building sum insured) of your home, is the amount it would cost to completely rebuild the property from scratch if it were totally destroyed, by a fire for example.
How to get car insurance after non-renewal?
Getting car insurance after non-renewal is easier than getting it after a cancellation. Many of the major insurance companies will accept customers whose previous insurer didn't renew their policy. Just be prepared for a higher rate than you were paying before.
What happens if you've had insurance Cancelled?
If this happens, you usually have seven days to get new insurance before your current cover expires. As mentioned, future insurers will ask if you have ever had a policy cancelled, refused, or voided, and depending on the reason for it, they could refuse to offer you cover as well.
What is the grace period for car insurance lapse?
Grace periods generally range between 10 and 20 days to allow you to pay the bill and avoid cancellation. If the lapse in the grace period is very short, say 24 hours, many insurance companies will reinstate the policy. That can also hold true if your driving record while on the policy was good.