Car Insurance Cancellation Laws by State

Your car insurance company may be required to contact you anywhere from 10 to 60 days before canceling your auto insurance, depending on your state and why your coverage is being dropped. Each state’s car insurance cancellation laws also dictate the reasons for which your coverage can be canceled — usually restricted to serious offenses, like failing to pay your premiums or having your license revoked.

Keep reading to learn what auto insurance cancellation laws apply in your state and what car insurance cancellation rights you need to know.

Key Takeaways In most states, insurance companies can only cancel your car insurance before the end of the coverage period for a limited number of reasons expressly mentioned in state laws. Depending on your state and the reason for the cancellation, your insurer may be required to send you a notice 10 to 60 days before your auto coverage ends. Usually, you can cancel your own policy for any reason before its expiration date, but this could come with a fee in some states. Insurance companies may have more leeway when it comes to deciding whether to nonrenew your policy, which refers to the termination of your policy at the end of the coverage period rather than in the middle of it. It is illegal to drive without car insurance in most states, and going without coverage could lead to higher premiums when you buy a new policy, so it’s important to start looking for coverage as soon as you receive notice that your current policy will be canceled.

Car Insurance Cancellation Laws by State

State laws determine when an insurance company can terminate your auto insurance in the middle of the coverage period and how much advance notice it must give you, so these details can vary from region to region. In many states, your insurer can cancel your policy for any reason during a 60-day window after your policy takes effect. However, legally acceptable reasons for cancellation are often restricted after the first 60 days.

Cancellation differs from nonrenewal, which occurs when an insurance carrier decides to end your coverage at the end of the current term rather than in the midst of it. Nonrenewal may occur for a wider range of reasons, such as your insurer simply deciding to stop doing business in your area. For example, insurance companies in Arizona can nonrenew policies for any reason that isn’t inherently discriminatory.^[1]

Keep in mind that you can generally cancel your own policy at any time, like if you want to switch to a different car insurance provider. You may even be eligible for a prorated refund, though you could also have to pay a cancellation fee, depending on your state.^[2] For a comprehensive overview of every state’s car insurance cancellation law, check out the rest of the article below.

Alabama

In most cases, an insurance company in Alabama must give you 20 days’ notice before canceling your policy. However, the mandatory notice period is only 10 days if your policy is being canceled due to a failure to pay your car insurance premiums.^[3] An insurer can only cancel your auto insurance for the following reasons in Alabama:^[4]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Material misrepresentation in the application process
• Violation of the terms and conditions of the policy
• Failure to disclose car accidents or moving violations during the 36 months prior to applying
• Failure to disclose information needed for acceptance or rating risk during the application process
• Termination of membership in a certain group or organization (only applies to group auto insurance policies)
• Mechanical defects that make the covered vehicle a public safety threat
• Use of the covered vehicle for commercial purposes or authorized emergency services
• Changes in shape or condition that affect the risk associated with the covered vehicle
• Failure to pass a vehicle inspection

In addition, your policy may be canceled if any of the following situations apply to you, another driver in your household or anyone else who regularly drives your vehicle:^[4]

• Driver’s license suspension or revocation within the past 36 months
• Epilepsy or heart attacks
• Accident or conviction record
• Physical, mental or other condition that endangers public safety
• Addiction to narcotics or other drugs within the past 36 months
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to criminal negligence resulting in death, homicide or assault with a motor vehicle; driving under the influence (DUI); hit-and-run; driver’s license application fraud or any felony

In most states, insurance companies don’t have to give you as much advance notice if your policy is being canceled due to nonpayment of premiums.

Alaska

Auto insurers in Alaska cannot cancel policies without providing 10 to 30 days’ notice, depending on the reason for the cancellation. Under Alaska state law, the only acceptable reasons for car insurance cancellation are nonpayment of premium and license or registration suspension or revocation for the insured, another driver in their household or anyone else who regularly drives their car.^[5]

Arizona

In Arizona, cancellations for reasons other than nonpayment of premium require 10 days’ notice.^[6] After a seven-day grace period, insurers in Arizona can cancel a policy immediately for nonpayment of premium.^[7] Your policy may be canceled for the following reasons:^[1]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Fraudulent misrepresentation in the application process
• Insolvency of the insurance company
• Commercial use of the insured vehicle
• Termination of the policy is necessary to comply with Arizona law or maintain the insurer’s solvency

Likewise, your policy could be terminated if you, someone in your household or someone who frequently uses your vehicle experiences the following:^[1]

• License suspension or revocation
• Permanent disability that prevents the safe operation of a motor vehicle
• Conviction of criminal negligence resulting in death, homicide or assault with a motor vehicle; DUI; hit-and-run; license application fraud or reckless driving

Arkansas

An Arkansas car insurance policy may be canceled after advance notice of 10 to 20 days for the following reasons:^[8][9]

• Nonpayment of premium or relevant membership dues
• Conviction of homicide or assault with a motor vehicle or driving while intoxicated (DWI) for the named insured or any driver of the covered vehicle
• Three separate convictions of speeding or reckless driving or any combination of the two during the policy period or the three months leading up to it for the named insured or any driver of the covered vehicle
• License suspension or revocation for the named insured, a driver in their household or another regular operator of their vehicle
• Fraud or misrepresentation in the application process

California

California car insurance companies must give 10 to 30 days’ notice before canceling a policy during the coverage term.^[10] In addition, they are only allowed to cancel policies for the following three reasons, according to the car insurance cancellation laws in California:^[11]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Fraud or material misrepresentation
• Substantial increase in the risk associated with the covered vehicle

Colorado

Auto insurance companies in Colorado are prohibited from canceling policies early for any reason other than failure to pay monthly premiums on time. If you have missed your premium payments and your policy is going to be canceled, you can expect to receive a notice from your insurance carrier at least 30 days in advance.^[12]

Connecticut

Depending on the reasons for the cancellation, an auto insurance company in Connecticut must inform you between 10 and 45 days before your coverage ends.^[13] Connecticut state law does not specify the acceptable reasons for car insurance cancellation, instead noting the following reasons a policy can’t be canceled:^[14]

• Race, religion, nationality or ethnicity
• Career (unless the insurer exclusively serves people of a certain occupation, like USAA’s exclusive service of military personnel)
• Location (unless the location-based cancellation serves a nondiscriminatory business purpose)
• Age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status or erased criminal record
• Prior coverage through the residual market
• Declination or cancellation of the insured’s policy by a previous insurer
• First two car accidents (unless the insured was at fault or convicted of a moving violation)
• Credit history or lack thereof

Delaware

If you live in Delaware, your car insurance company must give you at least 15 to 30 days’ notice before terminating your coverage midterm.^[15] Your insurer is allowed to cancel your auto liability insurance policy for the following reasons:^[16]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Material misrepresentation in the application process
• Violation of the terms and conditions of the policy
• Failure to disclose accidents, moving violations or car insurance claims from the 36 months prior to applying
• Fraudulent claims
• Mechanical defects that make the covered vehicle a public safety threat
• Use of the covered vehicle for commercial purposes or authorized emergency services
• Modifications or changes in condition that affect the risk associated with the covered vehicle
• Failure to pass a vehicle inspection

Meanwhile, policy cancellation can occur if any of the following applies to you, a fellow household member or anyone who drives your car on a regular basis:^[16]

• License suspension or revocation within the past 36 months
• Epilepsy or heart attacks
• Accident or conviction record
• Physical, mental or other condition that endangers public safety
• Racing with a covered vehicle
• Addiction to narcotics or other drugs
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to criminal negligence resulting in death, homicide or assault with a motor vehicle; DUI; hit-and-run; vehicle theft; license application fraud or any felony
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to three counts of speeding or another traffic violation within the past 36 months

Florida

The Florida car insurance cancellation law mandates that insurers give their policyholders 10 to 45 days’ notice before terminating their coverage. Florida drivers can only have their policies canceled for the following three reasons:^[17]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Material misrepresentation or fraud
• License or registration suspension or revocation for the insured, another driver in their household or anyone else who regularly drives their car

Georgia

Georgia insurance companies must generally send you a cancellation notice 30 days prior to canceling your auto insurance policy.^[18] They are allowed to cancel a policy for the following reasons:^[19]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Material misrepresentation in the application process
• Violation of the terms and conditions of the policy
• Failure to disclose accidents and moving violations from the 36 months prior to applying
• Failure to disclose information needed for acceptance or rating risk during the application process
• Fraudulent claims
• Mechanical defects that make the covered vehicle a public safety threat
• Use of the covered vehicle for commercial purposes or authorized emergency services
• Changes in shape or condition that affect the risk associated with the covered vehicle
• Failure to pass a vehicle inspection

Like some other states, Georgia also allows an insurer to cancel your car or motorcycle insurance policy due to circumstances involving a household member or other person who drives your car, including the following:^[19]

• License suspension or revocation within the past 36 months
• Epilepsy or heart attacks
• Accident or conviction record
• Physical, mental or other condition that endangers public safety
• Addiction to narcotics or other drugs within the past 36 months
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to criminal negligence resulting in death, homicide or assault with a motor vehicle; DUI; hit-and-run; vehicle theft; license application fraud or any felony within the past 36 months
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to three counts of speeding or another traffic violation within the past 36 months

Hawaii

After giving you 20 to 30 days’ notice, an insurer in Hawaii can cancel your policy for the following reasons:^[20][21]

• Nonpayment of premium
• License revocation or suspension

Idaho

In Idaho, an insurer can cancel a liability insurance policy — including auto liability coverage — with 10 to 20 days’ advance notice.^[22] State law allows cancellation if any of the following situations apply to the named insured or their car:^[23]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Material misrepresentation in the application process
• Violation of the terms and conditions of the policy
• Failure to disclose accidents, moving violations and physical damage insurance claims from the 36 months prior to applying
• Fraudulent claims
• Mechanical defects that make the covered vehicle a public safety threat
• Use of the covered vehicle for commercial purposes or authorized emergency services
• Modifications or changes in condition that affect the risk associated with the covered vehicle
• Failure to pass a vehicle inspection

Additionally, cancellations related to you, a family member or another driver of the covered vehicle can occur for the following reasons:^[23]

• License suspension or revocation within the past 36 months
• Epilepsy or heart attacks
• Accident or conviction record
• Physical, mental or other condition that endangers public safety
• Racing with a covered vehicle
• Addiction to narcotics or other drugs within the past 36 months
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to criminal negligence resulting in death, homicide or assault with a motor vehicle; DUI; hit-and-run; vehicle theft; license application fraud or any felony within the past 36 months
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to three traffic violations resulting in license points within the past 36 months

Illinois

Once you’ve received 10 to 30 days’ notice, your Illinois car insurance policy may be canceled for these reasons:^[24]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Material misrepresentation in the application process
• Violation of the terms and conditions of the policy
• Failure to disclose accidents and moving violations from the 36 months prior to applying
• Fraudulent claims
• Mechanical defects that make the covered vehicle a public safety threat
• Use of the covered vehicle for commercial purposes or authorized emergency services
• Changes in shape or condition that affect the risk associated with the covered vehicle
• Failure to pass a vehicle inspection

Alternatively, your coverage could be canceled because you, someone in your household or anyone else who regularly drives your car experiences circumstances such as these:^[24]

• License suspension or revocation within the past 12 months
• Epilepsy or heart attacks
• Accident or conviction record
• Physical, mental or other condition that endangers public safety
• Addiction to narcotics or other drugs within the past 36 months
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to criminal negligence resulting in death, homicide or assault with a motor vehicle; DUI; hit-and-run; license application fraud or any felony within the past 36 months

Indiana

Indiana state law requires insurers to warn you 10 to 20 days before your policy is slated to be terminated. Allowable reasons for policy cancellation include the following:^[25]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Fraud, willful misrepresentation or concealment in the application or claims process
• Violation of the terms and conditions of the policy
• Moving to a different state or country

Your policy could also be canceled if any of these situations apply to you, a fellow household member or any other regular driver of your car:^[25]

• License suspension or revocation
• Epilepsy or heart disease
• Excessive use of drugs or alcohol

Iowa

Following 10 to 30 days’ notice, Iowa auto insurers can cancel a policy for reasons such as nonpayment of premium or relevant membership dues and fraud or material misrepresentation in the application or claims process. Also, your coverage may end if any of these apply to you, another household member or a friend who often drives your vehicle:^[26]

• License suspension or revocation
• Racing with a covered vehicle
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to criminal negligence resulting in death, homicide or assault with a motor vehicle; DUI or hit-and-run within the past 36 months

Kansas

Kansas insurance companies can cancel your auto insurance with 30 days’ notice for reasons other than nonpayment of premium — the mandatory notice period for nonpayment of premium is not specified. Your policy can also be canceled due to fraudulent misrepresentation in the application process, a violation of the terms and conditions of the policy or any of the following situations that apply to you, a family member or another driver of your car:^[27]

• License suspension or revocation
• Epilepsy or heart attacks
• Conviction of vehicular homicide, DUI, hit-and-run, vehicle theft, license application fraud or any felony within the past 36 months
• Conviction of three moving violations within an 18-month period

Kentucky

Upon giving you 14 to 20 days’ warning, your car insurance company is allowed to cancel your policy for the following reasons in Kentucky:^[28]

• Nonpayment of premium
• License or registration suspension or revocation for the insured, another driver in their household or anyone else who regularly drives their car
• Fraud or material misrepresentation in the application or claims process
• Willful acts or omissions that increase the risk associated with insuring you
• Determination by the Kentucky insurance commissioner that the continuation of your policy violates a state law or administrative regulation

Louisiana

In Louisiana, advance notice of 10 to 30 days is required before your auto insurance can be canceled prematurely. Permissible reasons for canceling a policy include the following:^[29]

• Nonpayment of premium
• License or registration suspension or revocation for the insured, another driver in their household or anyone else who regularly drives their car
• Fraud or material misrepresentation in the claims process
• Failure to submit a valid insurance application

Maine

If you live in Maine, your car insurance policy can only be canceled because of nonpayment of premium, fraud or material misrepresentation, license suspension or a violation of the terms and conditions of the policy. Before your coverage ends, your insurance provider must contact you 10 to 20 days in advance.^[30]

Maryland

The required period of advance notice prior to the cancellation of an auto insurance policy may range from 10 to 45 days in Maryland. Your insurer may be permitted to cancel your policy for any of the following reasons:^[31]

• Nonpayment of premium
• License or registration suspension or revocation
• Material misrepresentation or fraud in the application or claims process
• Public safety threat related to the insured risk
• Any change that increases the risk associated with insuring you

Massachusetts

Regardless of the reasons for the cancellation, a Massachusetts insurer must send you advance notice 20 days before your coverage ends. Potential reasons for cancellation include these:^[32]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Fraud or material misrepresentation in the application process
• License or registration suspension or revocation for the named insured or any other driver in their household
• Removal of certain car insurance coverages
• Failure to pass a vehicle inspection
• Cancellation of coverage for the entire group (only applies to group auto insurance policies)

Michigan

After the initial underwriting period, your auto insurance policy cannot be canceled in Michigan unless you fail to pay your premium or you, another household member or someone else who regularly drives your car has their driver’s license revoked or suspended.^[33] Your insurance company must send you a written notice of the cancellation 10 to 30 days before it takes effect.^[34]

Minnesota

Following 10 to 30 days’ advance notice, a car insurance company in Minnesota can cancel your policy for one of the following reasons:^[35][36]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Material misrepresentation in the application process
• Fraudulent claims
• Failure to disclose accidents and moving violations from the 36 months prior to applying
• Failure to disclose information needed for acceptance or rating risk during the application process
• Failure to disclose a lawsuit or refusal to cooperate with the investigation of a claim or lawsuit
• Mechanical defects that make the covered vehicle a public safety threat
• Use of the covered vehicle for commercial purposes or authorized emergency services
• Changes in shape or condition that affect the risk associated with the covered vehicle, such as a transition into a dragster or sports car
• Failure to pass a vehicle inspection

You could also face insurance cancellation based on any of the following occurrences that affect you, other people living in your household or anybody who habitually uses your vehicle:^[36]

• License suspension or revocation within the past 36 months
• Epilepsy or heart attacks
• Accident or conviction record
• Physical, mental or other condition that endangers public safety
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to criminal negligence or assault with a motor vehicle, DUI, hit-and-run, license application fraud or vehicle theft within the past 24 months
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to any violation that could result in license revocation within the past 18 months

Mississippi

These are the only reasons a car insurance company can terminate your policy early in Mississippi:^[37]

• Nonpayment of premium or relevant membership dues
• License or registration suspension or revocation for the insured, another driver in their household or anyone else who regularly drives their car

Mississippi insurers must send a written termination notice 10 to 30 days in advance, depending on the cause for the midterm cancellation.^[38]

Missouri

Missouri law requires insurance carriers to provide 10 to 30 days’ notice before the premature termination of an auto insurance policy.^[39] However, the only reasons for cancellation allowed by state law are nonpayment of premium and license suspension or revocation for the policy’s named insured.^[40]

Montana

Similar to Missouri, Montana only allows insurance companies to cancel car insurance due to nonpayment of premium and license suspension or revocation.^[41] That said, Montana insurance carriers may be required to give you more advance notice, with mandatory warning periods ranging from 10 to 45 days.^[42]

Nebraska

In Nebraska, an insurance company can terminate a policyholder’s auto insurance coverage after 10 to 30 days’ notice for the following reasons:^[43][44]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Fraud or material misrepresentation in the application or claims process
• License suspension or revocation or conviction of vehicle theft or larceny for the insured, another driver in their household or anyone else who regularly drives their car

Nevada

Once you’ve received advance notice of 10 to 30 days, a Nevada insurance company can end your car insurance coverage for any of these reasons:^[45]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Conviction of a crime that raises the risk of insuring you or someone else in your household
• Fraud or material misrepresentation in the application or claims process
• Substantial and material increase in the nature or extent of the covered risk
• Discovery of an act or omission or any violation of the conditions of the policy that increases the risk associated with insuring you

New Hampshire

A New Hampshire auto insurance company can only cancel your car insurance coverage against your will because you have failed to pay your premium or the insurer discovers that you do not live or garage your car in New Hampshire.^[46] Your insurer must send you a notice 10 to 45 days before the cancellation takes effect.^[47]

New Jersey

Car insurance companies in New Jersey can cancel a policy at any time — following the submission of a written notice to your mailing address 15 to 20 days in advance — for the following reasons:^[48][49]

• Nonpayment of premium or residual market equalization charge
• License or registration suspension or revocation for the insured, another driver in their household or anyone else who regularly drives their car
• Provision of materially false or misleading information in the application or claims process

New Mexico

New Mexico state law requires insurance companies to give 15 to 30 days’ notice before canceling a car insurance policy for one of the following reasons:^[50]

• Material misrepresentation or fraud in the application or claims process
• Willful and negligent acts or omissions that increase the risk associated with insuring you
• License suspension or revocation for the insured, another driver in their household or anyone else who regularly drives their car
• Substantial change in the risk associated with insuring you

New York

Insurers in New York must provide 15 to 20 days’ notice prior to a midterm policy cancellation, and they can generally only do so for the following reasons:^[51]

• Nonpayment of premium
• License suspension or revocation
• Fraud or material misrepresentation

North Carolina

Depending on the type of coverage being canceled and why, a North Carolina insurer could have to give you anywhere from 10 to 60 days’ notice in advance.^[52] State law allows insurers to cancel your coverage for the following reasons:^[53]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Material misrepresentation in the application or claims process
• Unpredictable, material increase in the risk associated with insuring you
• Substantial breach of contractual duties, warranties or conditions
• Fraud
• Willful failure to implement reasonable loss control measures
• Loss of or substantial changes to reinsurance
• Conviction of a crime that raises the risk of insuring you
• Determination by the North Carolina insurance commissioner that the continuation of your policy violates a state law
• Failure to meet the requirements in the insurer’s corporate charter, articles of incorporation or bylaws (only applies if the insurer was set up exclusively to cover members of a certain organization)

North Dakota

Your auto insurance may be terminated following 10 to 20 days’ notice due to any of the following causes in North Dakota:^[54]

• Nonpayment of premium or relevant membership dues
• License or registration suspension or revocation for you or anyone else who drives your car
• Fraud or material misrepresentation in the application or claims process
• Mechanical defects
• Moving to a state where the insurer is not licensed to do business

Ohio

Upon receiving a written notice 10 to 30 days in advance, you may face the termination of your Ohio car insurance policy for any of the following reasons:^[55][56]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Fraud, concealment or misrepresentation in the application or claims process
• License suspension, revocation or expiration for any drivers listed on the policy
• Moving to a state or country where the insurer is not licensed to do business

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, insurers are only required to give you 10 days’ notice before canceling an insurance policy, regardless of reason.^[57] Oklahoma state law does not dictate the reasons for which a car insurance policy can be canceled, but it does establish certain instances when a car insurance policy cannot be canceled, like if the insured gets into an accident they aren’t at fault for or had lower liability coverage limits with a previous insurance company.^[58]

Oregon

Oregon auto insurance companies must grant you advance notice of 10 to 30 days before terminating your policy for one of the following reasons:^[59][60]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Fraud or material misrepresentation in the application or claims process
• Violation of the terms and conditions of the policy
• Suspension or revocation of driving privileges for the insured, another driver in their household or anyone else who regularly drives their car

Pennsylvania

Car insurance policies in Pennsylvania can only be canceled with 15 to 30 days’ notice, and cancellation is only legal in the following circumstances:^[61][62]

• Nonpayment of premium
• License or registration suspension or revocation
• Material misrepresentation in the application process

Rhode Island

A Rhode Island insurance company may terminate your car insurance coverage for these reasons with 10 to 30 days’ notice:^[63]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Fraudulent misrepresentation in the application process
• Violation of the terms or conditions of the policy

Cancellation may also occur if any of these apply to you, another member of your household or some other person who customarily uses your car:^[63]

• License or registration suspension or revocation
• Epilepsy or heart attacks
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to criminal negligence resulting in death, homicide or assault with a motor vehicle; DUI; hit-and-run; vehicle theft; license application fraud or any felony within the past 36 months
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to three speeding violations or other misdemeanor traffic offenses within an 18-month period

South Carolina

After the initial 90-day underwriting period, your auto insurance policy cannot be canceled for any reason other than nonpayment of premium in South Carolina.^[64] In order for an insurance cancellation to be valid, the insurance carrier must provide notice of the policy termination at least 15 days in advance.^[65]

South Dakota

As long as it gives you advance notice of 20 days, a South Dakota insurance company can cancel your car insurance before the end of the current coverage period for the following reasons:^[66]

• Nonpayment of premium
• License or registration suspension or revocation for the insured, another driver in their household or anyone else who regularly drives their car
• Noncompliance with the 24/7 sobriety program

Tennessee

Your insurance provider must give you 10 to 20 days’ notice before canceling your policy if you live in Tennessee.^[67] Acceptable reasons for early termination include the following:^[68]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Material misrepresentation in the application process
• Failure to disclose accidents and moving violations from the 36 months prior to applying
• Failure to disclose information needed for acceptance or rating risk during the application process
• Violation of the terms and conditions of the policy
• Fraudulent claims
• Addition of high-risk drivers to the policy
• Use of the covered vehicle for authorized emergency services
• Alterations that affect the risk associated with the covered vehicle
• Failure to pass a vehicle inspection

Encountering a policy cancellation is also a possibility if you, another person in your household or anyone who usually drives your car experiences the following:^[68]

• License or registration suspension or revocation within the past 36 months
• Epilepsy or heart attacks
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to criminal negligence resulting in death, homicide or assault with a motor vehicle; DUI; hit-and-run; vehicle theft; license application fraud or any felony within the past 36 months
• Conviction of or forfeiture of bail related to three speeding violations or other misdemeanor traffic offenses within a 36-month period

Texas

Texas drivers may not receive much warning before their auto policies are canceled, as state law only requires insurers to provide 10 days’ notice before terminating a policy.^[69] Reasons for cancellation include the following:^[70]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Fraudulent claims
• Determination by the Texas Department of Insurance that the continuation of your policy violates a state law
• License or registration suspension or revocation for the insured, another driver in their household or anyone else who regularly drives their car

Utah

An insurance carrier in Utah can terminate your policy with 10 to 30 days’ notice for the following reasons:^[71]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Material misrepresentation
• Substantial, unpredictable change in the risk associated with insuring you
• Substantial breaches of contractual duties, warranties or conditions
• License suspension or revocation for you or anyone else who regularly drives your car

Vermont

Depending on the reasons for the termination, an insurer in Vermont may need to contact you 15 to 45 days before your coverage ends.^[72] These reasons may potentially include:^[73]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Fraud or material misrepresentation in the application or claims process
• Violation of the terms and conditions of the policy
• License or registration suspension or revocation for the insured, another driver in their household or anyone else who regularly drives their car

Virginia

Virginia law allows car insurance companies to end coverage prematurely with 15 to 45 days’ notice based on the following grounds:^[74]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Suspension or revocation of driving privileges for the insured, another driver in their household or anyone else who regularly drives their car
• Moving to a different state

Washington

Auto insurers in Washington need to send advance notice 10 to 20 days before canceling an active car insurance policy during the coverage term. The only allowable reasons for cancellation are nonpayment of premium and license suspension, revocation or cancellation for the insured or another person who frequently drives their car.^[75]

West Virginia

Your car insurance can’t be canceled midterm in West Virginia unless you receive 30 days’ advance notice. Situations that could lead to a cancellation include these:^[76]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Material misrepresentation in the application process
• Violation of the terms and conditions of the policy

Policy termination may also occur if situations like these apply to you, someone in your household or someone else who uses your vehicle often:^[76]

• License suspension or revocation
• Epilepsy or heart attacks
• Conviction of negligent homicide or assault with a motor vehicle, DUI, hit-and-run, vehicle theft, license application fraud or any felony
• Conviction of three moving violations resulting in license points during a 12-month period

Wisconsin

Wisconsin insurance carriers must provide a minimum of 10 days’ notice before canceling your car insurance policy. They may choose to do so due to circumstances like these:^[77]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Material misrepresentation
• Substantial, unpredictable change in the risk associated with insuring you
• Substantial breaches of contractual duties, warranties or conditions

Wyoming

Your Wyoming car insurance policy may be canceled after 10 to 45 days’ worth of prior notice for any of the following reasons:^[78]

• Nonpayment of premium
• Material misrepresentation in the application process
• Substantial, unpredictable change in the risk associated with insuring you
• Substantial breaches of contractual duties, warranties or conditions

How To Get Car Insurance if It’s Recently Been Canceled

A 60-day car insurance lapse after your policy is canceled could cause your rates to go up by as much as 48%, so it’s crucial to find a new policy as quickly as possible.^[79] In addition, you need to shop around by comparing quotes from three to five different carriers so you can figure out which insurer can offer you the best deal.

SmartFinancial makes comparison shopping easy. After you fill out a brief online questionnaire, we’ll connect you with insurance agents who can help you find personalized car insurance policies that precisely match your coverage needs and budget. Compare auto insurance quotes at no cost today!