So you've been shopping online for car insurance, and you've
found a great rate on your new policy. But from this point on
out, how do you keep that policy without it getting canceled?
This is a common question with no simple answer, since all
insurance companies use different criteria to underwrite a
policy. Underwriting is the process by which an insurance
company decides if you are an acceptable risk for them to
insure�or if they should get rid of you.
A bad driving record.
Everyone knows that your driving record is the biggest single
factor that a car insurance company will use to decide whether
or not to cancel your policy. This includes any tickets you�or
any driver on your policy�have received for speeding or other
violations. Underwriters will also look at any car accidents you
have had, whether or not you turned in a claim or received a
ticket.
At policy renewal, your insurance company will often, but not
always, pull a copy of your current driving record. If they do,
this is the time that they may decide to cancel or nonrenew your
policy.
Too many claims.
Sure, too many claims is a factor with your car insurance
company. But how many claims is too many? This is a difficult
question to answer, because each company looks at your claims
history differently. But in general, the company will look at the
size and amounts of your claims, and how close together they
have occurred.
For example, if you have had three claims over the past three
years, but they are small property claims, broken windshields or
minor scratches repaired on the car, your policy will probably
be okay. However, if those three claims were major accidents
in which you caused injuries to others, and instead of three
years, they all occurred in one year, you may be back online,
shopping for new car insurance.
Late payments, cancellations, and reinstatements.
When deciding whether or not to keep you as a customer, a car
insurance company will also look at the payment history on
your policy. Statistically, people who have a lot of late
payments also have a lot of car insurance claims, so if you
always pay late, they may not want to keep you around. The
next time your car insurance policy comes up for renewal, your
payment history combined with other factors may mean the end
of your policy with that company.
Similarly, if your policy has canceled repeatedly for
nonpayment and has been reinstated, your policy could be in
danger. Any time you have had lapses in coverage and the
policy has had to be reinstated, the insurance company will see
you as a higher risk for them to insure. The next time you pay
late and allow the policy to cancel, the company may decide
not to reinstate the policy.
Your history with a company.
Your car insurance company is also going to take into
consideration how long you've been with them in relation to
the number of problems you've had. They are also going to
take into consideration if you have any supporting business
with them, such as insurance on your home, boat, or business.
If you have supporting business with the same company, they
are less likely to cancel your car insurance policy with just a
few payment problems or claims.
There is no magic answer as to what will get your car insurance
policy canceled or nonrenewed. Just remember that insurance
companies need to make a profit, so they are going to follow
proven procedures that weed out the highest risk customers.
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