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Written byEmily Guy Birken
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Emily Guy BirkenInsurance and Personal Finance Writer
Plutus Award winner
Over 12 years writing about insurance and personal finance
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
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Reviewed byDavid Marlett
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David MarlettAdvisor
25 years teaching risk management and insurance course
Former commercial lines underwriter
Updated
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
Quick Facts
Standard car insurance policies renew every six or 12 months.
Insurance companies typically send renewal notices about 30 days prior to the expiration date for a policy.
Drivers who shop around for auto insurance quotes rather than simply accepting automatic renewal with their insurer can save up to 50%.
How car insurance renewal works
Most car insurance companies renew your insurance via automatic renewal prior to the expiration date. Some companies choose to alert you so you can renew the policy manually, although that’s less common. If you have automatic renewal, you’ll receive notice of the auto policy renewal, the effective renewal date, and the cost.
While automatic renewal can help protect you against coverage lapses, you may not notice a renewal rate increase to your insurance premium if you let the car insurance auto-renew.
Manual auto insurance renewal requires a little more work, but you’re more likely to realize your insurance cost has gone up. With this renewal process, you’ll receive notice of the upcoming expiration date of your car insurance coverage.
If your insurance company always offers manual auto insurance renewal, the notice will typically include any information you need to renew your car insurance — other than payment plans or other payment options — before the expiration date.
If your insurance company contacts you about the renewal process prior to your car insurance renewal date, after previously offering automatic renewal, that probably means the insurer can no longer offer you the same auto insurance policy with the same coverage options. This may also be described as non-renewal.
Your policy renewal cycle depends on your auto insurance policy term, but the standard term length is either six or 12 months.
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Why rates change at renewal
A renewal rate increase occurs when your car insurance rates go up when you renew. This can happen even if your policy remains exactly the same.
Your car insurance coverage may cost more when you renew with the same insurance company, even at the same coverage limits, for a couple reasons:
Your driving history: If your driving record was spotless at the beginning of your policy term but you’ve since been cited for a traffic violation, or you’ve made a claim for property damage or an at-fault accident, then you’ll likely see a renewal rate increase.
Regional trends: Even if you’ve made no claims and there are no changes to your driving history, higher levels of thefts, accidents, uninsured motorists, and property damage in your area can affect your rates.[1]
Cost of medical care: A car insurance policy covers the cost of medical expenses for anyone injured in a covered accident. Unfortunately, the price of medical care rises faster than the cost of inflation, so insurance companies increase their insurance costs to offer the same level of medical insurance coverage.[2]
Expert’s insight
“It’s an unfortunate truth, but in many cases, an insurance rate increase is beyond your control. You may have a spotless driving record, but other rising costs in the market could trickle down to you. That’s why it’s important to always compare quotes from at least three to five insurers at renewal time to make sure you’re still getting the best price for a policy that matches your needs.”
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Brett ClendenenLicensed P&C Insurance Agent and Sales Manager
The importance of comparing car insurance quotes at renewal
The best way to avoid a renewal rate increase — and secure lower rates for your new car insurance policy — is to compare auto insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies prior to your renewal date.
In the table below, you can see sample car insurance rates for drivers with a speeding ticket in Florida.
The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $98 |
| Progressive | $101 |
| Mile Auto | $102 |
| Clearcover | $106 |
| GEICO | $114 |
| Embark | $122 |
| Dairyland | $134 |
| GAINSCO | $138 |
| Direct Auto | $146 |
| Mercury | $165 |
| The General | $165 |
| Bristol West | $166 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $171 |
| Allstate | $174 |
| National General | $176 |
| Insurify Car | $176 |
| Root | $187 |
| Travelers | $207 |
| Hugo | $236 |
| Mendota | $261 |
| First Acceptance | $262 |
| Liberty Mutual | $283 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
When to expect your renewal notice
The renewal notice typically arrives 30–60 days prior to your policy’s renewal date. But each state sets minimum lead times for policy renewal notices, and these laws can vary.
For example, in Wisconsin, an insurance company must provide 60 days’ notice prior to the renewal date if there will be a renewal rate increase greater than 25% on the new policy when the coverage options and the insured’s driving history haven’t changed.[3]
The renewal notice will typically include the following information:
Your new policy premium
Your deductible and coverage limits, which are typically carried over from the current policy
Any listed discounts you’re taking advantage of, such as bundling homeowners and car insurance coverage
Payment options, including payment plans; some insurance companies may offer a renewal discount if you pay in full
It’s smart to look over your renewal notice as soon as you receive it. That’ll give you more time to check for lower rates elsewhere.
How to read your renewal notice
Your renewal notice will have several pieces of information that can help you decide whether or not to renew your auto insurance policy with your insurance company.
As you review your renewal notice, look for the following:
How much is the new policy premium? How does it compare to the last policy premium?
What are the policy’s coverage limits?
What is the policy’s deductible?
Are there any exclusions to this policy that could affect you?
Do you have eligibility for additional discounts?
These questions all assume that nothing has changed in your household or in your car insurance needs since setting up your existing insurance coverage.
If you’ve purchased a new car, have a teenager with a brand new driver’s license, or have moved to a new location and would prefer full coverage, you may need to talk to your insurance agent about your renewal notice to get a clearer picture of how your costs will change.
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How to renew car insurance
Once you’re ready to start the renewal process, follow these steps:
Familiarize yourself with your policy. Make sure you understand what’s in your current insurance coverage. Review the contract, coverage limits, deductible, and policy exclusions to see if they still meet your needs.
See what’s different in your renewal notice. Check the renewal notice for a renewal rate increase to your new premium or changes to the policy terms. Now’s also a good time to figure out if you want to modify your coverage options if your circumstances have changed. Perhaps you need to add a driver, adjust your coverage limits, or switch to full coverage.
Compare car insurance quotes. Request auto insurance quotes from at least three different car insurance companies. Look at your coverage options from each insurance company, in addition to insurance premiums. Remember that a company with lower rates may offer less coverage, so don’t shop on price alone.
If you choose to renew, do so before the renewal date. Confirm any changes and update your payment details. Some insurers may also require you to sign a renewal document to keep your coverage, but most car insurance companies renew your plan automatically as long as you continue to pay your premiums. Your first payment will typically be due on the car insurance renewal date, and missing that deadline could mean a lapse in coverage.
If switching, purchase your new policy before your current policy’s expiration date. If you switch to another car insurance company, you’ll need to have the new policy in place as of your current policy’s expiration date to avoid a lapse in coverage. You can lock in your new policy and set its starting date as your current policy’s expiration date. Then, you need to call your insurer directly or log into your online portal to cancel the current policy before it renews automatically.
Renew or switch: Which makes more sense?
Whether you renew or switch can depend on your situation. If nothing has changed in your driving history or insurance coverage needs, and your new policy costs about the same or less than other auto insurance quotes, then there’s no reason to switch.
But if you find lower rates with the same or better coverage options elsewhere, then switching during the renewal process is a savvy way to save money.
It’s also good to remember that switching at your renewal date is the best way to avoid fees. For example, if you’re unhappy with your insurance company in the middle of your policy term, your insurer might charge you a short-rate for mid-term cancellation. That’s why it’s best to wait for your renewal date to switch.
But whether you renew or switch, it’s most important that you avoid a coverage lapse. Driving your car without auto insurance coverage for even a single day could be a very expensive mistake.
Can your insurer refuse to renew your policy?
Sometimes an insurance company will decide not to renew your policy at your renewal date. This is called “non-renewal,” and it’s different from cancellation.
With cancellation, the insurance company terminates the policy before it has expired, usually because of unpaid premiums, a revoked driver’s license, insurance fraud, or a serious traffic violation. A non-renewal allows the policy to continue until the agreed-upon expiration date with no lapse or change in coverage.
If you’ve received a non-renewal notice from your insurance company, that doesn’t automatically mean higher rates at a new insurer. Each company has its own method of determining risk, which is why comparing auto insurance quotes is so important.
An insurer may choose not to renew your policy for several reasons, including:
The insurer no longer offers new policies in your area. Your insurance company may have changed its business model or geographic footprint, which means it’s no longer providing coverage where you live.
You haven’t made a payment. If you haven’t paid the first premium as of your renewal date, your insurance company will typically not renew your car insurance policy.
Your insurance company thinks you’re too risky. If you made a number of claims back-to-back or had several traffic violations in a row, your insurer may have decided that selling you a new policy may put you over the threshold for its accepted level of risk.
Your credit score has gone down. Depending on where you live, insurance companies may be legally allowed to consider your credit history when setting rates. This is done through a credit-based insurance score, and insurers typically view drivers with lower credit scores as more likely to file insurance claims. A sudden drop in your credit score could lead to a non-renewal or an increased rate.
State laws require your insurer to give you advance notice of non-renewal, and in many states, the insurance company must give the reason for the non-renewal.
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Tips to lower your rate at renewal
If you’re coming up on your renewal date and you’re hoping for lower rates, here are some strategies that will help:
Compare car insurance quotes from at least three other companies. Comparison shopping is the best way to make sure you’re getting the coverage you need at a good price.
Review your deductible. Increasing your deductible can immediately lower your insurance premium. Just make sure you can afford the out-of-pocket costs if you need to make a claim.
Look over your coverage options. Depending on your circumstances, you may be carrying more coverage than you need. If you’re driving a 10-year-old vehicle that you own outright, you may not need the collision coverage and comprehensive coverage you purchased back when it was a new car.
Check your eligibility for discounts. Can you save money by bundling multiple insurance policies? Does your insurance company offer affinity discounts? Check if there are any overlooked discounts you may be eligible for.
Renew car insurance FAQs
If your current insurance is about to expire, the answers to these common questions can help you navigate the renewal process.
How does car insurance renewal work?
Typically, you’ll receive a renewal notice about 30–60 days prior to the expiration date of your current insurance policy. Most insurance companies offer automatic renewal, which means all you need to do is update your payment information (if necessary) prior to the renewal date to avoid a lapse in coverage.
Why does car insurance sometimes go up at renewal with no accidents?
Even if you have made no claims and there are no changes to your driving history, increases in the level of thefts, accidents, uninsured motorists, and property damage in your area can affect your rates.
Do you have to do anything to renew your car insurance?
Most car insurance companies offer auto-renewal, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to lift a finger. In most cases, you’ll need to confirm or update your payment information to ensure the first premium payment is made on time. In some cases, you may also need to sign a renewal document to keep your coverage.
How many days before your policy expires will you get a renewal notice?
Renewal notices are usually sent about 30–60 days before the policy expiration date. But minimum lead times for policy renewal notices can vary from one state to another, depending on state law.
How long do you have to pay your car insurance renewal?
You must pay your car insurance renewal no later than the renewal date. That means you’ll generally have at least 30 days to make the payment, since insurers typically send the renewal notice 30–60 days prior to the renewal date.
Can you cancel your car insurance after renewal?
It’s always possible to cancel your car insurance, even immediately after renewal or in the middle of a policy term. Just be aware that your insurer might charge you short-rate cancellation fees for mid-term cancellation.
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "Renewing your homeowners or car insurance policy?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Why did my auto insurance costs go up even when I didn’t file a claim?."
- Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. "Fact Sheet on Insurance Terminations, Denials, and Cancellations."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Emily Guy BirkenInsurance and Personal Finance Writer
Plutus Award winner
Over 12 years writing about insurance and personal finance
Featured in
Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
David MarlettAdvisor
25 years teaching risk management and insurance course
Former commercial lines underwriter