Am I Stuck With My Auto Insurance Company?

Maybe your premiums are too high. Maybe the customer service is terrible. Whatever the reason, you aren't happy with your auto insurance company. So are you stuck with it?

Not at all. You can switch your coverage from one company to another whenever you'd like. But you can't just stop paying the bill. Here's what you should know.

Switching Your Auto Coverage

Switching auto insurance companies is easy. Here's what you should do:

1. Before you do anything else, buy a new policy. Why? Because in most states, going without auto insurance for even a day is illegal. And many companies won't let you cancel your policy unless you show them that you have a new policy.
2. Most states require you to have a liability policy and uninsured driver coverage. So at a minimum, you'll need those two policies before you drop your current insurance company.
3. Contact your old company. If you bought your old policy from an agent, contact them. If you bought your policy online or directly from the company, contact their customer service department. In some states, your new agent will have to contact your old company. And some companies will expect you to return your policy — that is, the actual printed certificate that they gave you when you enrolled.

The easiest time to cancel your old policy is right before the renewal period. But you can cancel it anytime you'd like, as long as you give enough notice to the company. If you decide to cancel shortly after renewing, you may have to pay an “administrative fee.”

To get a new auto insurance policy, use our free auto quote service. We'll match you with auto insurance agents ready to help.