When should I cancel my old car insurance?

Asked by: Miss Linnea Lynch  |  Last update: July 24, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (25 votes)

When the sale of your vehicle is complete, you can contact your insurance company and cancel your policy. If you're buying a new vehicle, you can add it to your current policy instead of canceling it.

Should I cancel my old car insurance before getting a new one?

If you cancel your old policy or not renew it before the new one begins, you could end up with a coverage lapse. Gaps in your insurance history can cause future car insurance premiums to be higher, and if you're involved in an accident, you won't have any coverage to protect you during this period.

Should you keep old car insurance?

Regardless of the insurance type, you should keep all old paperwork related to a claim until it's been officially closed, you've received any payment you're entitled to, and the related policy has expired.

When should I cancel my car insurance after switching?

Wait until your new insurance is in place, example effective on Nov 1. Then call and cancel the old policy effective same date. But you don't have to wait until your renewal date to cancel. You can cancel your current policy midterm, just be certain the new policy is issued and in place already before canceling.

At what age should your car insurance go down?

Experienced drivers are less likely to have accident claims, which means they cost less to insure. At Progressive, the average premium per driver tends to decrease significantly from 19-34 and then stabilize or decrease slightly from 34-75. At age 75, the average premium begins trending upward.

Is It Better To Cancel or Suspend Car Insurance?

37 related questions found

Can I stay on my parents' car insurance after 26?

There is no age limit that prevents you from staying on your parents' car insurance policy as a listed driver, as long as you live at home or if you're a full-time college student.

What age is car insurance most expensive?

18-year-old drivers on their own policy pay the highest car insurance premiums out of the age groups Bankrate analyzed. The most significant difference in premiums by gender occurs at age 18. On average, 18-year-old males cost 9 percent less to insure than their female counterparts.

Is there a penalty for cancelling car insurance?

At the same time, you might also be subject to a cancellation fee. Many companies don't charge such penalties, but with those that do, you can expect to pay a flat fee of under $100 or around 10% to 15% of the remaining policy premium.

When should I switch over car insurance?

When to Switch Car Insurance
  1. You Want to Save Money. ...
  2. You Got Married. ...
  3. You're Moving. ...
  4. You Want to Add Someone to Your Policy. ...
  5. You're Unhappy With Your Current Insurer. ...
  6. Your Driving Habits Have Changed. ...
  7. You Want to Bundle Policies. ...
  8. Your Credit Has Improved.

Do I get a refund if I change my car insurance?

Switching insurance companies

If you switch car insurance companies and find better rates with a different insurer, you may want to cancel your existing policy before it expires. In this case, if you switch insurance companies you can get a refund. Depending on your insurer, you may have to pay a cancellation fee.

At what point is car insurance not worth it?

If your vehicle is paid off, there are only a few instances that justify dropping collision coverage: Your vehicle's value is less than a few thousand dollars: If your car holds minimal value, collision coverage may not be worth carrying. This is especially true when a large car insurance deductible is involved.

Why is my old car insurance so high?

Although they may have a lower value, older cars may also have expensive parts that could make repairs expensive. The older a car gets, the harder it may be to source these parts for repair, which can also drive up the cost of car insurance for older cars.

How long to 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.

Is it bad to cancel car insurance early?

Canceling your policy too soon means you may face legal repercussions, like hefty fines or having your license suspended. When you cancel, you'll have a lapse in coverage. This isn't a problem if you won't be driving.

Does State Farm charge a cancellation fee?

State Farm's cancellation policy

State Farm doesn't charge a cancellation fee; you can cancel your coverage anytime. You can also receive a prorated refund if you have prepaid your insurance premiums.

What happens if you switch car insurance mid policy?

The carrier refunds the unused part of the premium, although some companies may charge a small fee or penalty. Even if you've already decided to switch, you may want to calculate whether it makes more financial sense to wait until a policy term ends before making the change.

Is Progressive or Geico better?

When it comes to the provider rankings from the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, both carriers scored below the industry average — but Geico takes the lead with a score of 692 compared to Progressive's score of 672.

When should I stop car insurance?

Reasons to cancel your auto insurance

You no longer drive. You're switching insurance companies. You're covered under someone else's policy. You're moving out of the country.

At what age car insurance goes down?

The most substantial reductions in auto insurance rates typically come as teen drivers get older, usually when they hit 18 or 19 years old. Rates continue to decline as you age, particularly once drivers pass the age of 25.

When should I cancel my insurance on the car I'm selling?

Knowing when to cancel your car insurance after selling is just as important as knowing how to do it. First, it is important to ensure that the sale is complete. This means you've signed over the title, completed the bill of sale and submitted a notice of release of liability to the DMV, if required.

Does canceling car insurance hurt credit?

Does Canceling Car Insurance Affect Your Credit? As long as you don't have any unpaid premiums that could be sent to collections, canceling your auto insurance policy won't have any impact on your credit score.

Do I get charged if I cancel my car insurance?

If you cancel your insurance policy after the cooling-off period, you might have to pay a cancellation fee. There could also be other charges, like an extra admin fee.

Does credit score affect car insurance?

How credit-based insurance scores work. Most U.S. insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores along with your driving history, claims history and many other factors to establish eligibility for payment plans and to help determine insurance rates. Again, except in California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.

Why does Progressive keep raising my rates?

Car accidents and traffic violations are common explanations for an insurance rate increase, but other reasons why your car insurance rate can go up include changing your address, adding a new vehicle or driver, increases to claims in your ZIP code, and increases to car repair/replacement cost.

Which gender pays more for car insurance?

On average, young men pay much more for car insurance than young women. This is because car insurance providers find men to be riskier drivers than women, especially when they are younger. When they are older, women start to pay slightly higher rates.