Can I change my auto insurance coverage at any time?
Wondering if you change your auto insurance coverage at any time? Insurance companies know that things may come up that require a change in your auto insurance policy. Call your insurance company to make any necessary changes to your insurance coverage.
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Scott W. Johnson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Scott W Johnson is an independent insurance agent in California. Principal Broker and founder of Marindependent Insurance Services, Scott brings over 25 years of experience to his clients. His Five President’s Council awards prove he uses all he learned at Avocet, Sprint Nextel, and Farmers Insurance to the benefit of his clients. Scott quickly grasped the unique insurance requirements of his...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jun 22, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jun 22, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- It is perfectly reasonable to make changes to your auto insurance at any time and change insurance companies to get a better deal
- Not all insurance companies can sell auto insurance in all states. If you move to a state that your existing insurance company does not cover, you will have to replace the current policy
- To avoid having a dangerous gap in coverage, always have the new insurance in place before you cancel the old policy
You can change auto insurance at any time, and it is a good idea to conduct an auto insurance review when near the policy renewal time. In this review, you will want to make adjustments for any life changes and also take the time to shop around for the best deal.
A free auto insurance comparison will make finding the best affordable auto insurance companies easy. Along with looking for the lowest insurance rates, compare your auto insurance details. The details include the deductible, the extent of the coverage, and the reputation of the insurance companies you consider.
Changing My Auto Insurance Coverage
Here are some common reasons for making changes to auto insurance:
- Vehicle Changes: You may need to add or remove a vehicle from your auto insurance.
- Driver Changes: You may need to add or remove a driver from your auto insurance.
- Coverage Adjustments: You may need to increase or decrease the coverage if the vehicle’s value changes or if you add or remove equipment. You may want to add or remove various optional coverage.
- Adjusting Usage: If you start using the vehicle more or less frequently, you may need to change the estimated mileage use.
- Location: Moving to a new place and changing how your auto is parked requires policy changes.
If you want to make changes, the most straightforward ways are to go online and use your customer account or call your insurance agent.
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Canceling My Auto Insurance Coverage
Here are the common reasons for canceling auto insurance:
- Selling a vehicle: If you sell the car, you no longer need to carry auto insurance.
- Moving: If you are moving to a new state and changing your auto insurance, you must get a new insurance company for coverage if your current insurance company does not sell insurance in that state.
- Name Change: Some insurance companies require you to cancel a policy, and then they issue a new one to accommodate a legal name change.
There may be a fee to cancel. Whether you must pay a cancelation fee depends on the insurance company and the time you had coverage.
Cancellation Fee
There is no cancelation fee if you decide not to renew a policy on its renewal date.
If the policy is new, some states have a law that requires insurance companies to allow consumers to cancel their policy within a certain amount of time after purchase. This is a “free look” period, usually three to 10 days. You can cancel your policy without paying any fees or penalties during this time.
Most insurance companies charge a cancellation fee if you have had the insurance for longer than the free-look period and cancel during the mid-policy period. The average cancellation fee is $25 to $50.
How much can I save when I change my auto insurance?
You will need to check the details of the existing insurance and then carefully compare the terms and conditions of the new insurance. Some insurance companies promote their savings in advertisements.
Geico, for example, has a long-running ad campaign that says, “15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance,” as noted in the Geico Auto Insurance Review.
Conclusions About Changing Auto Insurance Coverage at Any Time
It is good to consider whether you can change your auto insurance to get a better rate? However, experts say it is not the best strategy to change auto insurance every six months. If the change is optional, ensuring the benefits outweigh any disadvantages is important.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How fast do insurance companies make the changes?
Many insurance companies allow their customers to make policy changes online. In such cases, the changes are instant. However, an auto insurance policy cancellation may take longer and require talking to an agent.
Will I have to pay a cancellation fee?
Every company has a different policy regarding cancellation. You may have to pay a cancellation fee, especially if the insurance is in the early stages of the policy life. If canceling to save money, be sure to allow for any cancelation fees.
Is it a good idea to cancel insurance to get a better rate?
Canceling insurance to get a better rate is a good idea only if the savings are substantial and the coverage is nearly identical. Also worth considering is the reputation of the insurance company in paying claims properly and the benefits that accrue from being a loyal customer.
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Scott W. Johnson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Scott W Johnson is an independent insurance agent in California. Principal Broker and founder of Marindependent Insurance Services, Scott brings over 25 years of experience to his clients. His Five President’s Council awards prove he uses all he learned at Avocet, Sprint Nextel, and Farmers Insurance to the benefit of his clients. Scott quickly grasped the unique insurance requirements of his...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.