Does Auto Insurance Expire?

Having at least liability insurance is a requirement for California drivers, and you can add on additional forms of coverage to fit your needs for financial security. Most insurance policies last for 6 or 12 months, and it’s important to know when yours ends so you can make the appropriate arrangements for coverage. Taking a look at how car insurance expiration dates work prevents you from being surprised by a sudden lack of coverage.

Check Your Policy to Determine the Expiration Date

Car insurance policy documents include detailed information, including when the coverage expires. Usually, a policy will expire at 12:01 a.m. following the last date of coverage. While you might not remember this date, you can rest assured your insurance company should send you renewal notices to remind you to update the policy.

Understand What Happens if the Policy Lapses

If you sell or put your car away for long-term storage, you may choose not to renew the policy. This is acceptable when you know you won’t need auto insurance for a long time, since you aren’t planning to drive that vehicle on public roads. However, allowing a policy to lapse can lead to trouble when you’re still driving the car. On top of potentially receiving citations for a lack of insurance, you might not be able to register your vehicle in the state. The insurance company may also require you to pay penalties for the lapse when you decide to reinstate the policy.

Know How Cancellation & Non-Renewal Notices Work

Every state has different laws regarding how insurance companies must notify drivers about midterm cancellations or decisions on their part to not renew policies. In California, your insurance company typically needs to give you notice of the cancellation or non-renewal at least 20 days before the expiration date. Keep in mind insurance companies have more freedom regarding notices when you haven’t paid your premiums. If you don’t pay your auto insurance promptly, the notification window shortens to ten days. But you can often avoid this issue by communicating with your insurance company to create a reasonable payment plan for your policy.

Consider Setting Up Automatic Renewals

The easiest way to avoid a lapse in your car insurance is to set your policy up for auto-renewal. If you choose this option, your insurance company will still send you renewal notifications that outline the details of your new policy. During the renewal period, you can also choose to update the policy to fit any new needs that arose throughout the past six months or year. For instance, you might be ready to add new drivers to the policy, or you could be interested in adding additional coverage for more security. If you don’t have any changes to make, the policy will automatically renew before it expires to give you a seamless transition to the new coverage period.

Drivers who are looking for reliable, affordable auto insurance should reach out to the experienced professionals at Altra Insurance Services. In addition to car insurance, we offer a variety of coverage types, including motorcycle, homeowners, and renters insurance. San Diego residents can call one of our friendly agents today for a free quote.