Can You Get a Refund on Car Insurance? (2024)

Your insurance company may issue a refund if your policy is canceled, and you've paid your premium in advance. Receiving an insurance refund will largely depend on why you're canceling the policy and how much of the premium you paid in advance. If you pay your full premium upfront, then you'll typically get a refund when you cancel your policy. If you pay your premium monthly, then you may or may not get a refund depending on when you cancel.

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If I cancel my auto insurance, will I get a refund?

If you cancel your auto insurance before the end of your policy term, you may receive a refund if you paid your premium in advance. There are a few scenarios where canceling a policy may qualify you for a car insurance refund.

Switching insurance companies

If you switch car insurance companies and find better rates with a different insurer, you may want to cancel your existing policy before it expires. In this case, if you switch insurance companies you can get a refund. Depending on your insurer, you may have to pay a cancellation fee.

Moving

If you move out of state, your insurer will cancel your old policy and issue you a new one. Since insurance premiums are partially determined by where you live, you may get a lower rate on your new policy if you move to an area where rates are cheaper, and your insurer may refund part of your insurance premium. Learn about state car insurance requirements and how moving affects car insurance.

Selling your car

If you sell your car and no longer need coverage, your insurance company may send you a refund check if your policy is canceled before the end of your term. Note that you may have to pay a cancellation fee in this scenario too. Learn when to cancel your insurance after selling your car.

Removing coverage

You might also qualify for an insurance refund if you make changes to your policy, such as those listed below. However, you may receive a credit on your account instead of a refund, depending on your insurer:

It may no longer make sense to carry certain types of coverage. For example, if you don't have an auto loan and your vehicle isn't worth much, it may make sense to drop comprehensive and collision coverage.

Decreasing policy limits

Typically, higher insurance coverage limits result in higher premiums. If you reduce the amount of coverage you have, you may get an insurance refund.

Removing a vehicle

If you remove a vehicle from your policy, your rates will typically decrease, which could result in a refund. Before you cancel your auto insurance, check your insurer's rules regarding cancellations. Some insurers may charge a cancellation fee that could offset your refund amount.

Pro tip:

If you sell your car and buy a new one, you'll still need coverage because most states require drivers to have auto insurance. Be sure to add the new car to your policy so you have the coverage you need.

How does your payment schedule affect your car insurance refund?

If you choose to cancel your policy, or your insurance company cancels it, you typically won't get a car insurance refund unless you've paid the premium in advance. For example, let's say your policy term is 12 months, and you pay the premium for the entire year upfront. If you cancel your policy after only three months, your insurer will issue an insurance refund for the remaining nine months.

If you pay in monthly installments and cancel your policy at the end of the month or billing cycle, you probably won't get a refund. But if you were to cancel your policy in the middle of the month or billing cycle, then you may get a small refund since you've already paid your premium for the full month.

Important note: Whether you pay monthly or upfront, you may have to pay a cancellation fee when you cancel your policy — depending on your insurer.

Will I get a check for my insurance refund?

Insurance refunds are typically issued through the same payment method you use to pay for your insurance. So, if you pay your premium with a check, you'll usually get an insurance refund check. Likewise, if you pay with a credit card, your refund will appear as a credit on your card balance. However, the exact method of distributing refunds may vary by insurer.

Will I get a refund if the insurer cancels my policy?

If the insurance company cancels your policy, you'll usually receive a car insurance refund unless they cancel the policy for non-payment. If non-payment occurs, you will not receive a refund and will continue to owe the insurer any unpaid premiums.

There can be multiple reasons why an insurance company cancels your policy, including having too many accidents or tickets on your driving record, getting a DUI, or failing to pay your premium.

How should I cancel my auto insurance policy?

If you're going to cancel your existing policy and you plan to continue driving, don't cancel your old policy until you find a new one. When you have the effective date of your new policy, you can ask your current insurer to cancel your existing policy effective the first day of your new policy.

It's essential that there are no gaps in your coverage because even a small one could create problems. If your car is stolen, damaged, or involved in an accident while you're uninsured, you could be responsible for repairs and medical bills. Any gaps in coverage could also raise your insurance rates, even if it's just for a day.

Looking for more information about auto insurance? Our car insurance resource center has you covered.

Can You Get a Refund on Car Insurance? (1)

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Can You Get a Refund on Car Insurance? (2024)

FAQs

Is it possible to get a refund on car insurance? ›

Your insurance company may issue a refund if your policy is canceled, and you've paid your premium in advance. Receiving an insurance refund will largely depend on why you're canceling the policy and how much of the premium you paid in advance.

Do you get refund on insurance? ›

Most insurers will give you a refund if you have not made any claims during the policy year but you will usually have to pay administration fees.

How is insurance refund calculated? ›

Refund is calculated by dividing the remaining days in the policy period by the total days of the policy and multiplying the result by the annual policy premium. Refund calculation is often done on a pro-rata basis, returning a portion of the premium for unused coverage days.

Why did my insurance give me a refund? ›

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara ordered insurance companies to return insurance premiums to consumers and businesses and provide much-needed financial relief during the COVID-19 emergency.

Can insurance be Cancelled and refunded? ›

If you still want to cancel the policy, the process of policy cancelation will be initiated. Based on the tenure for which you were insured, the insurance company will deduct the premium amount and send you the refunds. An official cancellation letter/email will be sent to you by the insurer.

Can we refund insurance? ›

In short – the answer is yes. You can get a refund on your insurance, but conditions do apply depending on the type of insurance you have. One of the main reasons people want a refund on their insurance is due to being sold junk insurance or dodgy unnecessary insurances.

How do I get a refund on my insurance premiums? ›

Communicate with Your Insurer: If you need to request a refund, contact your insurance company promptly and provide all necessary documentation. Clear communication will help expedite the refund process and minimize any potential issues.

Can I cancel my car insurance with an open claim? ›

Yes — as long as the accident happened when your auto insurance policy was active, canceling it afterward will not affect your ability to file a claim. Most auto insurance companies allow policyholders to cancel coverage at any time, though you may be subject to a cancellation fee.

When insurance pays you back? ›

Pros and Cons of Return of Premium Life Insurance

If you outlive your term, you are typically able to receive one lump-sum payment combining all previous premiums that were paid. This may be particularly helpful if there are any new expenditures you'll have to cover later in life, like a mortgage or retirement plan.

How long does an insurance refund take? ›

The time it takes to get your money back depends on how you choose to get your refund. For example, a direct deposit typically takes around two weeks to show up in your account. It may take longer if the insurance company sends a check since you'll have to wait for it to arrive.

How does insurance reimburse you? ›

Reimbursem*nts mean that a member must pay for care upfront, and if the medical treatment is covered by the health insurance plan, then the member can file a request to receive reimbursem*nt through their insurance plan.

How is refund calculated? ›

Every year, your refund is calculated as the amount withheld for federal income tax, minus your total federal income tax for the year. A large portion of the money being withheld from each of your paychecks does not actually go toward federal income tax.

What does it mean when insurance sends you a check? ›

What does It Mean to Receive a Check From My Insurance? Receiving a check quickly may mean the insurance company believes you have a strong case and that it will likely be required to pay more than the first offer if you pursue legal action.

Can I cancel my car insurance? ›

While car insurance policies are usually taken out for 12 months and paid either upfront or through monthly premiums, you can cancel at any time. However, cancelling doesn't come without consequences. Cancelling before the end of your policy's term may result in paying a cancellation or administration fee.

Do you get a refund if you cancel GEICO auto insurance? ›

If you want to cancel your entire GEICO policy, you need to speak with a customer service representative. There is no fee to cancel a GEICO insurance policy. If you paid your policy in full, you will receive a refund of any unused portion of your premiums.

Is car insurance deductible refundable? ›

Your insurance company will then participate in a process known as subrogation and negotiate with the other insurance company for reimbursem*nt of the money they paid you. If the subrogation process is a success, you will receive a refund of all or part of your deductible depending on the circ*mstances of the accident.

Can I cancel my insurance policy and get my money back with GEICO? ›

If you have a GEICO auto insurance policy and decide to cancel it before the policy term ends, you may be eligible for a refund. GEICO's cancellation policy for auto insurance allows policyholders to cancel their policies at any time, regardless of the reason.

What is a premium refund in car insurance? ›

A premium refund is a clause in some insurance policies that grants the beneficiaries a refund to the total amount of premiums paid to date. Depending on the contract and type of insurance, it will grant a refund of the premiums you paid if you die before that term runs out or if you voluntarily end your coverage.

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