There are many reasons to consider a change in auto insurance carriers. You may be unhappy with the service provided by your current insurer, or you may have found another insurer that offers better rates or service. If you review your coverage annually, you can be sure you continue to receive the best bang for your premium dollar.
It pays to shop around because in some states there can be a wide spread in the premium for the same coverage. That’s because insurers base premiums on the number of claims incurred from a particular coverage group. A coverage group can be drivers of the same age or who own the same type of vehicle. If the number of claims for your coverage group increases during a calendar year, your rates will also increase. If that happens, it makes sense to check with other carriers to see if better rates are available.
Canceling your old policy is usually a matter of writing your carrier and specifying the date coverage should be terminated. In some states, your new insurance agent will notify your former carrier for you. You will receive a cancellation request form that you must sign and return to your former insurer. Some companies will also request that you return the policy with the cancellation form. Be sure that you cancel your coverage in writing. Otherwise, the insurer will assume that you are still covered and when you fail to pay your premium, it will terminate coverage and report this to your state’s Motor Vehicle Department and the credit bureaus. This can hurt your credit rating and your ability to obtain a new policy.
Before you cancel your old policy, be sure you have a replacement. Since most states require drivers to carry a minimum level of coverage, your former carrier will require you to provide proof of insurance before canceling your existing policy.
If you do plan to switch companies, the best time is when your old policy is up for renewal. In this way, you will avoid paying printing and start-up expenses associated with the renewal process. The renewal notice is typically sent out one month before the new policy period begins. Most states allow approximately one month after renewal to switch policies without penalty. However if you miss the deadline, you could be liable for a cancellation fee.
Keep in mind that standard auto insurance policies have a provision that allows you to cancel at any time. If you plan to cancel before your policy is up for renewal, the best time is at the end of a payment period. In this way, you won’t have to concern yourself with recovering the unused portion of your premium.