Ask an Agent

Have a question? We're here to help.

Ask an agent for free

Question

If I have an open claim on a totaled car, how do I handle the insurance?

If my car was totaled in an accident and I was not at fault, do I continue paying for the insurance or cancel it? I am still waiting for the pip to pay for a hospital bill, should I continue paying for the insurance or cancel it? I'm worried if I cancel it will cancel the claim.

Jul 28, 2021 El Paso, TX

Answer

Author profile picture
Director of Insurance Content

Ava joined The Zebra in 2016 as a licensed insurance agent and writer. She now serves as director of insurance content, leading coverage strategy and…

Credentials
  • 9+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

There's a couple of things to think about.

First, canceling the coverage on this vehicle will not cancel the claim. As long as the policy was active at the time of the accident (which it sounds like it was), you should be fine.

Second, if your car is totaled, you can cancel your insurance if you are not getting another car in the near future. The insurance company would still need to address the claim since it happened while the policy was in effect. When you do start a new policy, you will have a lapse in coverage, which means the rates can increase. Insurance companies give you a better rate for having continuous insurance. If you would like to maintain insurance and not own a car or drive a specific vehicle regularly, you can get a non-owners policy which is typically much cheaper than a regular auto policy. 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.

Step 3: Compare your quotes

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

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!

Pin
Shield checkmark No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

Related Questions

Other people are also asking...

If my car is determined a total loss in an accident, will my gap insurance cover my down payment?

Thanks for reaching out to The Zebra. Gap insurance will only cover what is left on your loan after an insurance company pays out. In other words, no, it won't cover the down payment you made initially because it wasn't part of the loan amount.Gap coverage is best purchased if you are going to have…
Jan 31, 2024 Manchester, TN

Does a vehicle need car insurance if its in storage in New Jersey?

Every car that is registered needs to have insurance in New Jersey. Since you are not driving you can keep the state minimum liability on the vehicle. Most of the penalties would be for driving without insurance but you can not have the car registered without insurance. Unfortunately, there really …
Aug 13, 2024 Austin, TX

Does the address on my driver's license have to match the address on my insurance?

Thank you for reaching out to The Zebra!Great question. The short answer: yes, your insurance policy, your driver's license as well as your vehicle registration should all have the same (current) address. Let's explore the reasons why you should get this done quickly after a move.It's very importan…
Aug 13, 2024 Burkburnett, TX

Is Cincinnati's underwriting strict?

Yes, it’s possible that Cincinnati Insurance asked more questions than other companies, and that doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong with your house. In many cases, it reflects a more thorough underwriting process.When insurers quote a homeowners policy, they’re trying to understand the ris…
Mar 12, 2026 Irving, TX