How to Write a Car Insurance Cancellation Letter

Last Updated on September 17, 2023

Some insurance companies require written notice to cancel your policy. So how do you write a car insurance cancellation letter?

A car insurance cancellation letter doesn’t need to be complicated. It should include your name, policy number, requested cancellation date, and contact information.

However, depending on your insurer, state, or situation, you may need to include other information – like the name of your new insurer and your new coverage period.

Keep reading to find out how to write an effective car insurance cancellation letter.

What to Include in a Car Insurance Cancellation Letter

Car insurance cancellation letters should be concise.

They don’t need to be complicated, eloquent letters with paragraphs of information. Instead, you just need to provide a few basic pieces of information along with a few sentences.

Generally, your car insurance cancellation letter should include your name and contact information, your desired cancellation date, and your old policy number. You may also want to include information about your new insurance policy (if applicable).

Here are the things you should include in a car insurance cancellation letter:

• Your name and contact information. Your old insurer may need your physical address, mailing address, phone number, and email, for example. Your car insurance cancellation letter should include this information somewhere.
• Requested cancellation date. On which date do you want your old policy to end? If you’re buying a new insurance policy, then your old policy should end on the same day your new policy starts.
• Policy number. Your letter should include your policy number and any other customer-specific information about your old insurance company. This can help the company look up your account and cancel your policy.
• Name and coverage of your new insurance company. If you’re canceling your old insurance policy for a new policy, then you may want to include the name of your new insurance company and your new coverage period. Otherwise, your old insurer may be required to notify the DMV that you no longer have valid insurance coverage. If you are canceling a policy and no longer plan to drive, then you don’t need to include information about your new insurer because you do not have a new insurer.

That’s it! As long as your car insurance cancellation letter includes the information above, you should have no trouble canceling your policy. Simply fax, email, mail, or submit the insurance cancellation letter online to cancel your policy on your desired date.

Car Insurance Cancellation Letter Template

Looking for an easy template for your car insurance cancellation letter? Feel free to copy and paste the following, then send it to your insurer to easily cancel your policy:

How to Cancel a Car Insurance Policy

You could send a car insurance cancellation letter to your insurer to cancel your policy. However, many insurers don’t require you to send a letter. Some insurers let you cancel online.

Here’s how to cancel a car insurance policy:

1. Contact your insurer online or over the phone and tell them you wish to cancel your policy on your desired date of cancellation.
2. Provide any required documentation or information to your insurance company, like written notice, e-signed documents, or proof of your new insurance policy.
3. Cancel your policy and receive a refund of any unused premiums. Most insurers provide refunds on any premiums you have already paid. Some insurers charge a cancellation fee, but most major insurers do not.

Some States Require Written Cancellation Letters

If your car insurance company is requiring a written cancellation letter, then it may not be company policy: it may be a state policy. Some states require policyholders to provide written cancellation requests before canceling an auto insurance policy.

Even if you live in a state with written cancellation letter requirements, you may not need to submit a written cancellation letter. Some insurers make it easy to cancel online or over the phone, for example, by allowing you to authorize the submission of a written cancellation letter.

For all of these reasons, it’s in your best interest to contact your insurance company first before submitting a cancellation letter. You may be able to cancel your policy as soon as today without physically mailing (or digitally submitting) a letter.

High-Risk or Specialty Insurers May Require Cancellation Letters

Some insurers specialize in insuring high-risk drivers. Others specialize in classic cars and other unique types of vehicles. These insurers are more likely to require written car insurance cancellation letters than other insurers.

If you purchased high-risk insurance from a specialty insurer, for example, then you may not be able to cancel your policy online. Instead, you need to submit the letter to the insurer in writing to cancel your policy.

Generally, most major insurers – like GEICO, State Farm, USAA, Allstate, Progressive, and Liberty Mutual, among other large providers – make it easy to cancel car insurance with or without a formal cancellation letter.

Final Word

An effective car insurance cancellation letter includes a few basic sentences about your situation along with your name, policy number, and contact information.

If you have a new insurance policy and plan to continue driving, then you may also want to include information about your new insurer and the date your new insurance policy begins.

Use the template above to submit an effective auto insurance cancellation letter.