Guide to Car Insurance Renewal
Most insurers offer auto-renewal and notify you about a month before your policy expires. If they decide not to renew, they must inform you at least 10 days in advance, giving you time to compare rates.
Start by comparing multiple companies to find the best deal on your next car insurance policy.
Renewing your car insurance
When the end of your car insurance policy approaches, you have two choices: renew this policy or shop for a new one. Here’s how to deal with car insurance renewal and what happens if you can’t renew your policy.
An insurance renewal period typically starts 45-60 days before your policy expires. It’s a loose term and generally refers to a timeframe that starts when insurance companies (in most states) have to legally notify customers that their policy is up for renewal (or in some cases, not being renewed! More on that later.).Â
This window typically comes around annually for things like homeowners insurance, but for shorter policies, like auto insurance, it happens more frequently (often every six months).
Some signs that you are entering a policy renewal period are communications (letters, emails) from your current insurance provider, and possibly more solicitation from other insurance companies.Â
How to renew your car insurance policy
Most car insurance policies last six or 12 months and typically renew automatically if you continue making payments. About a month before your policy expires, your car insurance company will send a renewal notice with updated terms and your new premium.
If you're like the 65% of Marble app users who use autopay, your insurer will charge your payment method on file, and your coverage will continue seamlessly.[1] As long as your account is in good standing, you don’t need to take any action—but it’s always smart to review your renewal offer to ensure you're getting the best deal.
How to Read a Car Insurance Policy
Make sure you know where to find important information on your policy documents.
Starting the renewal period
Insurance renewal periods are nothing to be afraid of! It’s a very convenient time for policyholders to review or change their existing policies.
So, the first thing you should do during a renewal period is take a few minutes to review your renewal offer from your current provider. Ask yourself a few things:Â
- Does this protect the things I need to protect? Does it provide enough financial and liability protection?Â
- Will it protect me adequately for the next 6 months to a year? Do I have any big road trips or life changes that may require additional coverage?Â
- Alternatively, does this policy cover too much? Consider if you still need the amount of coverage you had in your previous policy.
- Does this match my budget? Is this monthly cost something that fits into my expenses?Â
- Are there any new discounts I can qualify for? Have I been claim-free for the past year? Did I install new safety or anti-theft devices on my vehicle?Â
- In the case of home insurance (which also has a renewal period!) you may also want to have your mortgage info handy, if applicable. As your loan balance and terms change, there may be changes in the insurance coverage requirements.
We should also note here that insurance companies have also reviewed you before they send you a renewal offer. So don’t feel bad about scrutinizing the coverage and price they provide you, because they have certainly taken a hard look at you as a customer before offering you a new quote. In some cases, insurance companies may even decline to offer customers a new policy. This is called a non-renewal.Â
If you don’t want to renew your policy, notify your insurer before it expires and secure a new policy with a different provider. Make sure your new coverage starts on the same day your current policy ends—typically at 12:01 a.m.—to avoid a lapse in coverage.
Comparing policies during your renewal period
After you refresh yourself on your current policy details, the best thing you can do during your renewal period is make them (the insurance companies) work for your business. You can do this by comparison shopping.Â
We all know this can be frustrating, full of misleading prices, spam phone calls, and time-consuming form-filling. However, that's what we're here for at The Zebra! We even have in-house agents to answer your questions and help you navigate the shopping process.
But if you want to shop on your own, we’ve got you too! Our advice on the best way to make the insurance companies work for you during the renewal period is this:Â
- Aim to get 4-6 new quotes for whatever you’re looking to want to insure (car, home, or both!).
- Use an online shopping site or contact your agent and ask them to work comparison quotes.Â
- Make sure they reflect all of the scenarios that you identified in the previous step, and ask them to incorporate as many discounts as you are eligible for.Â
This process can put you in a position of more control. You may find a quote with pricing and/or coverage that works better for you. Alternatively, you may be able to use these competitive quotes to negotiate a better price with your current insurance company.Â
Insider knowledge, trusted guidance
Our licensed insurance experts are here to help you compare coverage and find the best fit for your needs and budget.
What if I don’t renew my policy and my coverage lapses?
If you begin your new coverage any time after the previous policy's expiration date, there will be a lapse in coverage. You want to avoid a lapse in insurance coverage for several reasons:
- You are unprotected throughout the lapse period.
- A lapse in coverage can lead to higher premiums down the line.
- New insurance companies might offer discounts for continuous coverage over a certain length of time; if you lapse, you will not be eligible for this discount.
If your insurance provider does not automatically renew your policy and you let your policy expire before purchasing another, you will also experience a lapse in coverage. From the day your policy expires to the effective date of a new policy, you will not be covered and should not drive your vehicle. If you decide you want to renew your previous policy after all, your insurance agent may be able to reinstate your policy, though you may be subject to a penalty fee. If reinstatement is not an option, it’s time to shop for car insurance online.
If your insurance company decides not to offer you a policy renewal — whether it be because of payment inconsistency, insurance claims or moving violations — the company must inform you that your policy will not be renewed 10 days prior to your expiration date. This gives you time to shop for a new policy and avoid any lapse in coverage.
Car insurance cancellation vs. nonrenewal
There is a difference between cancellation and nonrenewal, but both result in the end of coverage. Cancellation can occur at any point throughout the policy, and when issued by the insurer, is often the result of fraud or nonpayment. The insured can cancel a policy at any time without providing a reason. The auto insurance company must give notice to the insured if they are canceling coverage, and they also must provide the reasons for cancellation.
Nonrenewal occurs at the end of the policy term. If issued by the insurance company, it means they decided not to cover you for another term and are voiding coverage on the last day of your policy period. The insurer must provide notice to the insured, while if the insured decides not to renew, no advance notice is required.
Why did my car insurance rates increase?
It is always possible for insurance rates to increase, even if you did not have any claims, accidents or violations. Insurance rates increase and decrease with industry trends. If the insurance company’s policyholders experienced a lot of losses in the last six months and the company is losing money, they may raise their premiums for even good drivers to recoup those losses. If you are unable to accommodate a rate increase, you are always able to compare auto insurance rates with several companies to find a new policy.
Renewal is a great time to shop around and compare companies and coverages to see if you can find cheaper coverage that still meets your needs. Get started with The Zebra below.
Find car insurance today by comparing rates online.
Car insurance renewal FAQs:
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.