Ask an Agent
Have a question? We're here to help.
Ask an agent for free
Question

If I sell my car and cancel my insurance, will my rates be higher later on?

I'm in the process of selling my car and will be without a vehicle for the first time in years. My current job is located right off the subway and I don't have much need for a car for at least the next few months. How concerned should I be about having a lapse in coverage when I do eventually get another car? (in likely 3-6 months from now) Progressive offered me a liability-only plan for $55/month. Is this worth it? I don't plan on borrowing or renting a vehicle during this time, so the only benefit would be to avoid a lapse in coverage and potentially higher rates down the road.

Jan 8, 2024 Los Angeles, CA

Answer
Author profile picture

Kristine Lee

Insurance Data Insights Analyst

Kristine joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer, with a property and casualty insurance license. Before joining The Ze…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 6+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

You are right — having a lapse in coverage will cause your rates to be higher in the future. I recommend getting a non-owners policy, which it sounds like Progressive is already offering to you. This is essentially a liability-only policy when you do not own a vehicle, or are between vehicle ownership, like your case. This would provide liability coverage if you're going to be borrowing a friend's vehicle or simply want to maintain insurance.

The question of "Is it worth it?" is a little harder to answer since the rate increase due to a lapse in coverage varies by insurance companies. Sometimes it won't be that much, other times it can be quite high. I recommend getting a quote for non-owner insurance — because there is no vehicle to insure, and non-owner policies tend to be fairly inexpensive. Whether you need a non-owner policy (or just a regular auto insurance policy) we've got you covered! You can call our agency to get a personalized quote for you at 888-444-8949.

Good luck and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. 

Ask an Agent
Have a question? We're here to help.
Ask an agent for free

Insurance is complicated, but it doesn't have to be.

The Zebra searches all of the top insurance companies, in one place, so you can compare the cost and coverage you need to protect your car, home and other property.

Step 1: Tell us a little about yourself

Choose an insurance product and enter your zip code to get started.

Step 2: Sip your coffee while we find the best quotes

Enter the necessary information and then sit back while we find quotes from 100 top insurance carriers.

Icon Fill Form

Step 3: Compare your quotes

Compare quotes side-by-side to find the right match for you, whether it's home, auto, or more.

Icon Agent

Step 4: Let our agents do the hard work for you

Once you pick your policy, our agents are here to get you over the finish line. Then just relax and enjoy your savings.

Compare insurance rates today!

No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

Related Questions

Other people are also asking...

What is the difference between liability vs uninsured motorist vs comprehensive coverage?

Liability is required by your state to legally drive on the road. Uninsured motorist coverage covers you and your passengers' medical bills if you are hit by another driver that does not have insurance. There is no such thing as "full coverage" but people normally use that term to describe comprehe…
Aug 13, 2024 Santa Ana, CA

Worth paying $1,800 out of pocket to avoid an increase in auto insurance premiums?

Paying out of pocket can be cheaper long-term than a rate increaseThere are a few things to consider.First, most insurance companies require you to report any incident, even if a claim is not filed.Filing a claim will impact your insurance rates. Check out our article on the claims process which wi…
Mar 2, 2026 San Diego, CA

Why is it so difficult to find insurance after a lapse in coverage?

Thank you for reaching out to The Zebra! I'm sorry to hear that you're having difficulty finding insurance after experiencing such a devastating event like losing your home. Auto insurance companies rate heavily on whether or not you have prior insurance or not. Any lapse in coverage (even that of …
Oct 16, 2025 New Prague, MN

What happens if I lie about what age I got my driver license?

Falsifying your age when getting a license can lead to serious consequencesI understand that you might want to try and potentially save money, but lying to your insurance company isn't going to help. In fact, it could potentially even lead to your coverage being dropped. The Department of Motor Veh…
Feb 27, 2026 Fountain Valley, CA