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Last updated: December 19, 2024
How to Reinstate Canceled Auto Insurance
Can you reinstate your car insurance even if it was canceled for nonpayment?
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If you’re late on auto insurance payments, your provider may cancel your policy. Depending on your insurer, and the length of your grace period, you may or may not be able to reinstate it. Insurance companies have differing reinstatement policies for auto insurance. While some are strict and don’t allow any reinstatements after cancellations, other companies are more lax.
We’ll review the policies of all the major companies when it comes to getting your car insurance reinstated.
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How to Reinstate Auto Insurance
First, determine whether getting your car insurance reinstated is possible. Depending on how much money you owe, whether you have a history of nonpayment, and how late your payment is, you may not be able to reinstate your policy.
Can You Reinstate a Car Insurance Policy?
If your auto insurance policy has been canceled and you would like to reinstate it, contact your insurance company, and pay the missed premium as soon as possible.
Your agent will determine whether or not your policy can be restored. Typically, this depends on your insurance history, policy details, and your insurer.
To see how some of the biggest insurers handle canceled policies, find your company below to see if and how you can get reinstated.
GOOD TO KNOW
How reinstatement is dealt varies from company to company, and sometimes even agent to agent. If you need help with reinstatement, contact your provider directly as soon as possible.
| Company | How to reinstate your insurance after nonpayment |
|---|---|
| 21st Century | Fill out the form and send completed payment by overnight mail. |
| AARP (The Hartford) | Payment will be required when you speak to the agent. You will need to verbally verify that no losses have occurred up to and including the date of the call. |
| Allstate | Contact your agent or call 877-810-2920. |
| American Family Insurance Group (AmFam) | Make the payment and your policy will go back into effect. |
| Amica | You’ll be charged a nonrefundable cancellation fee if the agent hasn’t received a payment 30 days after the bill was due. You must pay the cancellation fee no later than 5 p.m. on the cancellation date. If you don’t make this payment, the policy will be canceled and cannot be reinstated. |
| Bristol West | Call 888-888-0080 or use the live chat feature at BristolWest.com. You may be able to get reinstated if you’re within 10 days of the cancellation, but only if you’re without a lapse. If you’re with a lapse, you have 30 days. |
| Clearcover | Pay any past-due balance, the new premium owed, and a $35 reinstatement fee. Use the live chat or call 855-444-1875. |
| Concord | You’ll be charged a $10 reinstatement fee if you haven’t had a lapse in coverage. |
| Dairyland | Call your agent; you may be able to get your policy reinstated, or you may have to reapply for a policy. |
| Direct | You’re only eligible for reinstatement if your policy has been canceled for less than 30 days, you haven’t had an accident during the cancellation period, and you’ve paid all of the owed balances as of the date you request reinstatement. Sign a no-loss statement and call 877-463-4732. |
| Erie | If you pay your balance within Erie’s 30 day grace period you will not have a lapse in coverage and should be able to reinstate your insurance. After the 30 day period, you may need to pay a reinstatement fee and sign a no-loss agreement.
Call Erie at 800-458-0811 to find out if you are eligible for reinstatement. |
| GAINSCO | You can get your policy reinstated within 30 days unless you’ve had a lapse in coverage. If you use GAINSCOconnect.com, you have up to 7 days after the cancellation date.
By mail, you have up to 30 days and must send a no-loss statement if your policy is in good standing with all past dues collected, the policy is not already set up for nonrenewal, and you haven’t had any at-fault claims since the policy inception or prior renewal. You also can’t have any unacceptable risks or vehicles on your policy. |
| Good2Go | You’ll have 30 days to reinstate the policy by paying a reinstatement fee and the past-due balance. |
| GEICO | You may be eligible to reinstate your GEICO policy if you pay off any existing fees. Contact GEICO’s customer service through its app, or call 877-206-0215. |
| Infinity / Kemper Auto | You can get reinstated if there is no lapse in coverage, but you may need to sign a no-loss statement. |
| Liberty Mutual | If there is no lapse in coverage and you are still in your grace period, you may be able to reinstate your insurance by making a payment. If you are past the grace period, contact a Liberty Mutual agent at 844-961-0334. They may be able to reinstate your policy. |
| Progressive | Call Progressive at 1-866-749-7439 to find out if you’re eligible to have your policy reinstated. |
| Root | Open the Root app and click underneath your inactive insurance card where it says “tap here to reinstate your policy.” Answer the questions and click “purchase” to be charged for your overdue balance. However, if it’s too late to reinstate, the option won’t be in the app. |
| The General | You can reinstate your insurance, but it’ll cost more depending on the length of the gap. If the gap is a month or less, you can pay about 9% more in premiums, or up to 48% more if the lapse is up to 60 days. If your lapse is over 60 days, you probably won’t be able to reinstate your insurance. Call your agent to discuss. |
| USAA | Contact USAA at 800-531-8722 to find out if you can reinstate your coverage. It’s likely your premiums will rise after your auto insurance has been reinstated, and you may need to pay a reinstatement fee. |
Reinstatement Penalties
As you can see in the chart above, you’ll sometimes have to pay a fee to reinstate your policy. Clearcover has the highest fee we’ve seen at $35 (and you’ll probably have to pay your past-due balances as well).
Types of Reinstatements
There are two basic types of reinstatements: lapsed and non-lapsed coverage.
- Lapsed coverage: If your coverage has lapsed—meaning you missed a payment and your grace period has passed—it will be harder, but not impossible, to reinstate your policy. Talk to your agent to find out if they can reinstate your policy. You may be refused service, requiring you to switch car insurance. In this instance, you are more likely to be subject to reinstatement fees, or signing a no-loss agreement.
- Non-lapsed coverage: The process will be easier if your coverage hasn’t lapsed. It’s most likely you’ll just need to make the late payment, so long as you’re within the grace period for canceling as dictated by your state (see below for details).
What Is Car Insurance Reinstatement?
Car insurance reinstatement is when your insurance provider restores your canceled policy with the same policy number and coverage.
Benefits of Reinstatement
Benefits of Reinstatement
There are benefits of reinstating your policy rather than starting from scratch by finding a new provider and policy.
- Get coverage. First of all, you can restore the same coverages you had before. For full coverage, that’s property damage coverage, bodily injury coverage, collision and comprehensive coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage.
- Avoid a lapse. Avoiding a lapse in coverage can prevent you from driving without insurance, which has legal and financial penalties in every state but New Hampshire. Continuous coverage also leads to lower rates later on.
- Stay with your provider. It’s convenient to stay with your current provider and not have to switch providers and compare rates.
- Keep the same rates (usually). Most of the time, you’ll be able to keep your previous auto insurance premiums. For longer lapses, your rates generally increase based on the length of your lapse.1
How Many Times Can You Reinstate a Car Insurance Policy?
The number of times you can reinstate your car insurance policy depends on the provider. Most companies are OK with one-time issues, and some companies will accept multiple reinstatements. It’s always worth calling your agent directly and asking.
What if I Can’t Reinstate My Car Insurance Policy?
If you can’t reinstate your car insurance policy, you will need to switch auto insurance providers. While switching providers can save you money in some cases, your rates will most likely go up in this case, as you’ve had a lapse in coverage.
Lapses in Coverage
A lapse in coverage is a period of time in which you don’t have an active car insurance policy. Coverage lapses can have a few negative consequences, which we’ll explain more below.
What Is a Car Insurance Lapse Grace Period?
The good news is that each state has laws on how much time insurance companies need to give you before canceling or not renewing your policy. Most states usually require insurance companies to give 10 days notice before canceling your policy.
DID YOU KNOW?
Laws differ if the company is canceling your policy because of nonpayment; typically, the company can cancel your policy in about half the time of other cancellation types.
| State | Number of days insurers must notify customers before midterm cancellation | Number of days insurers must notify customers before midterm cancellation for nonpayment | Number of days insurers must notify customers of nonrenewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 20 | 10 | 120 |
| Alaska | 30 | 20 | 20 |
| Arizona | 10 | 10 | 45 |
| Arkansas | 20 | 10 | 30 |
| California | 30 | 10 | 60 |
| Colorado | 45 | 10 | 30 |
| Connecticut | 45 | 15 for nonpayment of the first premium; 10 days for nonpayment of premium after the first | 60 |
| Delaware | 30 | 15 | 60 |
| District of Columbia | 30 | 15 | 30 |
| Florida | 45 | 10 | 45 |
| Georgia | 45 for a policy over 60 days old; 10 for a policy less than 60 days old | 10 | 45 for a policy over 60 days old; 10 for a policy less than 60 days old |
| Hawaii | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Idaho | 20 | 10 | 30 |
| Illinois | 30 | 10 | 30 |
| Indiana | 20 | 10 | 20 |
| Iowa | 30 | 10 | 30 |
| Kansas | 30 | 10 | 30 |
| Kentucky | 20 | 14 | 75 |
| Louisiana | 30 | 10 | 30 |
| Maine | 20 | 10 | 20 |
| Maryland | 45 | 10 | 45 |
| Massachusetts | 20 | 20 | 45 |
| Michigan | 30 | 10 | 20 |
| Minnesota | 59 | 59 | 60 |
| Mississippi | 30 | 10 | 30 |
| Missouri | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Montana | 45 | 10 | 45 |
| Nebraska | 60 | 10 | 60 |
| Nevada | 30 | 10 | 30 |
| New Hampshire | 60 | 10 | Notice not required |
| New Jersey | 15 | 15 | 60 |
| New Mexico | 30 for cancellation due to a substantial change in risk; 15 for misrepresentation, omission, or fraud | 10 | 30 |
| New York | 20 | 15 | 45-60 |
| North Carolina | 60 | 15 | 60 |
| North Dakota | 20 | 10 | 30 |
| Ohio | 30 | 10 | 30 |
| Oklahoma | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| Oregon | 30 | 10 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | 15 | 30 |
| Rhode Island | 30 | 10 | 30 |
| South Carolina | 10 | 10 | 15 |
| South Dakota | 20 | 20 | 60 |
| Tennessee | 20 | 10 | 30 |
| Texas | 10 | 10 | 60 |
| Utah | 30 | 10 | 30 |
| Vermont | 45 | 15 | 45 |
| Virginia | 45 | 15 | 45 |
| Washington | 20 | 10 | 45 |
| West Virginia | 30 | 30 | 45 |
| Wisconsin | 10 | 10 | 60 |
| Wyoming | 45 | 10 | 45 |
Consequences of Lapses in Insurance
If you drive without insurance, you’ll face consequences from both your insurance provider and your state.
- State fines and penalties: See below for your state’s fines and penalties for driving without insurance.
| State | First offense fine (max) | More penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $500 | Suspended registration |
| Alaska | $500 | Suspended license |
| Arizona | $500 | Suspended license and registration |
| Arkansas | $250 | Suspended registration |
| California | $100 | None |
| Colorado | $500 | Suspended license |
| Connecticut | $100 | Suspended license and registration |
| Delaware | $2,000 | Suspended license |
| District of Columbia | $150 | Suspended license |
| Florida | $150 | Suspended license |
| Georgia | $25 | Suspended license and registration |
| Hawaii | $500 | Suspended license |
| Idaho | $75 | None |
| Illinois | $500 | Suspended license |
| Indiana | $250 | Suspended license |
| Iowa | $325 | None |
| Kansas | $300 | Suspended license and registration |
| Kentucky | $500 | Suspended registration |
| Louisiana | $1,000 | None |
| Maine | $100 | Suspended license and registration |
| Maryland | $1,000 | None |
| Massachusetts | $500 | Suspended license and registration |
| Michigan | $500 | Suspended license |
| Minnesota | $200 | Suspended license and registration |
| Mississippi | $1,000 | Suspended license |
| Missouri | $20 | Suspended license |
| Montana | $250 | None |
| Nebraska | $50 | Suspended license |
| Nevada | $1,000 | Suspended license |
| New Hampshire | $125 | Suspended license and registration |
| New Jersey | $300 | Suspended license |
| New Mexico | $300 | Suspended license and registration |
| New York | $1,500 | Suspended license and registration |
| North Carolina | $50 | Suspended license |
| North Dakota | $1,000 | Suspended license |
| Ohio | $100 | Suspended license |
| Oklahoma | $250 | Suspended license |
| Oregon | $130 | Suspended license and registration |
| Pennsylvania | $300 | Suspended license and registration |
| Rhode Island | $500 | Suspended license and registration |
| South Carolina | $200 | Suspended license |
| South Dakota | $500 | Suspended license |
| Tennessee | $300 | Suspended license |
| Texas | $300 | None |
| Utah | $400 | Suspended license |
| Vermont | $500 | Suspended license |
| Virginia | $600 | Suspended license |
| Washington | $550 | None |
| West Virginia | $5,000 | Suspended license |
| Wisconsin | $500 | None |
| Wyoming | $750 | Suspended license |
- Lack of car insurance coverage: Not having car insurance means that you’ll be responsible for the other party’s property damage and bodily injury costs in an at-fault car accident. You’ll also have to pay for your own damages and injuries, all out of pocket.
- Higher rates: When you get insurance again, your rates will typically be higher, especially if you had a long lapse in coverage.
- Repossession of loaned or leased vehicle: If you used a car loan or car lease and let your insurance lapse, your vehicle could be repossessed.
FYI
Most loan and leasing companies require drivers to have collision and comprehensive coverage, along with the minimum coverage your state requires.3 Learn more about how much car insurance you need.
Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive After a Lapse?
Recap
To avoid lapses in coverage and having to reinstate your auto insurance policy or switch providers, pay your bills on time. You can even get a discount for being a good payer. We recommend setting up automatic payments so you never have to worry about paying on time. And if you can’t afford your rates, talk to your agent, who may be able to help you find premiums that work for you.
Senior Writer & Editor
A seasoned journalist and content strategist with over 10 years of editorial experience in digital media, Aliza Vigderman has written and edited hundreds of articles on the site, covering everything from plan coverages to discounts to state laws. Previously, she was a senior editor and industry analyst at the home and digital security website Security.org, previously called Security Baron. She has also contributed to The Huffington Post, SquareFoot, and Degreed. Aliza studied journalism at Brandeis University.
Citations
What Happens If Your Car Insurance Lapses? The General Insurance. (2021).
https://www.thegeneral.com/blog/what-happens-if-your-car-insurance-lapses/What Happens If Your Car Insurance Lapses? The General Insurance. (2021).
https://www.thegeneral.com/blog/what-happens-if-your-car-insurance-lapses/
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