What to do with expired car insurance?

Asked by: Lowell Blick  |  Last update: August 6, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (18 votes)

What Do I Do if My Car Insurance Lapses?
  1. Contact your insurance company. Find out what happened. ...
  2. 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. ...
  3. Shop around.

Can I throw away old car insurance policies?

You should keep your car insurance documents and policies as long as your policy is active and until all open claims are resolved. Most car insurance policies last six months to one year, and if you have no open claims, you can discard your documents when the policy ends and you get a new one.

What happens if you don't renew your car insurance?

If you don't renew or replace your car insurance policy by the time your current policy expires, your insurance will lapse and you'll be left uninsured. Driving without insurance is illegal in most states and can result in a fine or license suspension if you're pulled over.

Is there a grace period after insurance expires?

You typically have a 30 day grace period after the expiration date (this may vary by insurance company) to renew your policy and have it back dated. Was your accident on your expiration date or after the grace period?

Do I have to cancel my old car insurance?

After you purchase a new policy, you should immediately contact your former insurer and cancel your old policy.

What Can You Do If Car Insurance Policy Expired

15 related questions found

Should I cancel insurance on a car I don't drive?

Cancelling or reducing your insurance if you're putting your car in storage for a long period might save you money now. However, before you decide to suspend car insurance temporarily, remember that some coverages — like comprehensive coverage — can protect your vehicle even when it's off the road.

What happens if I get rid of my car insurance?

Remember that most states require you to have at least the minimum coverage for your vehicle even if you're not driving it. When you cancel your car insurance too soon, you can be subject to fines and even have your license suspended.

What do I do when my insurance expires?

Here are a few steps you'll want to take:
  1. Contact your insurance company. Find out what happened. ...
  2. 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. ...
  3. Shop around.

Can I reinstate my car insurance after cancellation?

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 long can you drive after insurance expires?

If your auto insurance policy lapses, typically due to a missed payment, most car insurance companies will give you a grace period to get back on track. The period of time to make up the payment without a lapse in coverage varies, but it's often 10 to 20 days.

How long can you be late on car insurance?

Many insurance companies offer grace periods seven to 30 days after the due date. During your grace period, your coverage remains active, and you can pay your bill without penalties. Be sure to review your policy or contact your insurance company for more information on their late payment policy.

What is the penalty for not renewing insurance?

The grace period for renewing health insurance in the UAE is typically 30 days, following which a fine of AED 300 is applicable each month past the renewal date. (as per DHA & DOH regulations) During this period, your policy is considered lapsed, and you do not have insurance coverage.

Can a lapsed insurance policy be reinstated?

Typically, insurers allow parties to reinstate a lapsed policy within three to five years after the lapse.

Is there any reason to keep old auto insurance policies?

When you purchase a new policy upon renewing or switching companies, you can discard old policy paperwork once you receive the new documents. However, you should keep old insurance policies if there is an open claim or the possibility of an open claim.

How long should you keep old utility bills?

Keep for a year or less – unless you are deducting an expense on your tax return: Monthly utility/cable/phone bills: Discard these once you know everything is correct. Credit card statements: Just like your monthly bills, you can discard these once you know everything is correct.

Do I need to shred old insurance policies?

When it comes to insurance, consider keeping current documentation and updated proof of insurance as long as you're paying on the policies, and they remain active. Any time you receive any new/updated policy information, consider shredding the outdated documents.

How do you get insurance after it was Cancelled?

What to do after auto insurance is canceled. You have a few options after your coverage is revoked. First, get a clear answer as to why your policy was dropped. If it was a result of a minor infraction such as a missed payment or failure to turn in a document, the company may allow you to restart your coverage.

How long can you go without car insurance?

It is a crime to drive almost anywhere without car insurance coverage, even for a minute or just down the street. So, how long can you be without car insurance? If you're driving, you can't. Anytime you get behind the wheel as a licensed driver, you need insurance coverage or you'll risk incurring major consequences.

Do I get money back for Cancelling car insurance?

In most cases, you'll receive a prorated refund. For example, if you paid $600 for a six-month policy and you're canceling after four months, you'll receive $200 back from the insurance provider. In this case, there's usually no cancellation fee.

What if I don't want to renew my car insurance?

If you do not wish to continue coverage with the same insurance company, you must decline the renewal offer and apply for a new policy with a different carrier before the current policy's expiry date. Contact your provider to let them know to end coverage on the expiration date of your current policy.

What happens if someone has expired insurance?

If the at-fault driver's insurance expired, they are treated as if they have no insurance at all. This means that even though they might still owe you for the damages, collecting that money can be difficult. Most uninsured drivers don't have the financial means to cover repairs or medical bills.

Will my insurance renew itself?

Does car insurance automatically renew? Unless you tell your car insurance provider otherwise, it's likely your policy will automatically renew. That means, if you don't give notice of cancellation, your insurer will sign you up for another year of car insurance as soon as your current policy ends.

Is it a good idea to cancel car insurance?

Because gaps in coverage may negatively impact your future premium, foregoing auto insurance — even for an extended vacation — likely is not worth it. If you plan to be away for a month or longer and your vehicle will not be in use, there may be other ways to save on your premiums without canceling your policy.

Can you keep leftover car insurance 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.

Do you get charged to cancel car insurance?

Car insurance policies tend to last 12 months as standard. So, if you're looking to cancel before your policy ends, it may require you to pay a cancellation fee. Your policy terms and conditions should state if you'll be charged for leaving your policy early, and what these costs will be.