Can I cancel an auto insurance claim after filing it?
When can you cancel an insurance claim? You can cancel an auto insurance claim after filing it, and even after you receive the check. Learn more about how and when you can cancel a claim below.
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Written by
Rachel Bodine
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Reviewed by
Daniel Walker
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UPDATED: May 25, 2022
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| Summary Details | From Experts... |
|---|---|
| At-fault determination and how it affects your insurance rates is dependent on state law | Nolo |
| Claims free discounts can mean up to 35% off your insurance rates | Allstate |
| If you cancel your claim, your insurance may not increase (though this depends on how your policy is written) | Hensley Legal |
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- You can cancel an auto insurance claim after filing it
- If you cancel a car insurance claim it will not affect your rates, although it will still show on your records
- You can’t cancel a claim if you were the driver-at-fault in the accident
If you’ve recently been in an accident but then decided to cover the damage from your own pocket instead, you might be unsure if you can now cancel the auto insurance claim. You’re probably wondering what would happen to your insurance rates if you cancel the claim and whether it will still show on your record.
In this article, we will explain how to cancel a claim after you have previously filed it and how this will affect your insurance premium.
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Table of Contents
Can you cancel an insurance claim after filing it?
Most car insurance companies will allow you to cancel an insurance claim you previously filed. Canceling your claim is in your insurance company’s favor as well since it no longer has to cover the cost of your damages. So your insurer should be happy to accommodate you.
Your insurance company does require you to report any accident, whether you’re at fault or not. However, once you’ve filed a claim you can cancel it at any time, regardless of your reasons. You can even cancel the claim after having received the check — that is, as long as you haven’t cashed it.
However, if the accident was your fault and someone has filed a claim against you, you won’t be able to cancel such a claim. You will have to go through the entire investigation to determine fault.
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How do I cancel an auto insurance claim after filing it?
The first thing you should do is give your insurance agent a call. If you filed the claim yourself and the incident is still under investigation, you should be able to cancel the claim immediately.
If you have already received the insurance check, it will take a few days for the company to receive the check after you mail it back, but once the check is received your claim should be canceled promptly.
The canceled claim will still show on your insurance file, but it will be registered as a withdrawn or a zero-dollar claim. Usually, there is no cancellation fee and some companies will offer to cancel your claim online.
Will my premium go up if I cancel an auto insurance claim after filing it?
If you file an insurance claim, your risk profile will increase, and most likely so will your insurance rates. You will also probably lose your safe driver cashback or no claims bonus if you previously had them. This is the most common reason for canceling auto insurance claims.
| Insurance Company | Offers Claims Free Discount | Maximum Claims Free Discount Percentage | Safe Driver | Maximum Safe Driver Discount Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21st Century | x | x | ||
| AAA | x | x | ||
| Allstate | x | 35% | x | 45% |
| American Family | x | x | ||
| Ameriprise | x | x | ||
| Amica | x | x | 15% | |
| Country Financial | x | |||
| Esurance | x | 25% | x | 40% |
| Farmers | x | x | ||
| Geico | x | 26% | x | 15% |
| Liberty Mutual | x | |||
| MetLife | x | 20% | x | 12% |
| Nationwide | x | 10% | x | 35% |
| Progressive | x | x | 31% | |
| Safe Auto | x | 10% | x | 10% |
| Safeco | x | 20% | x | 20% |
| State Farm | x | 15% | x | 15% |
| The General | x | x | ||
| The Hanover | x | 15% | ||
| The Hartford | x | x | ||
| Travelers | x | 23% | x | 23% |
| USAA | x | 12% | x | 12% |
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On the other hand, canceling your claim means that the insurance company has no reason to increase your risk profile since there were no funds spent on your payout. Therefore, even though the claim will still show on record, your rates will stay the same.
Also, if you decide to switch insurance companies, your new provider will see the canceled claim on file and will be able to give you a better rate intended for low-risk drivers.
When am I not allowed to withdraw a claim?
There are two situations when you won’t be allowed to cancel a claim.
Firstly, if you were the person who caused the accident and the claim has been filed against you, you have no power over canceling such a claim. You can cancel the claim for your own damages, but you will remain liable for the other vehicle’s damage and potential medical bills if the other person sustained an injury.
The second situation is if you’ve already cashed in the reimbursement check you’ve received from your insurance company. In this case, give your insurance agent a call and ask if the company would be willing to cancel the claim if you return the received funds.
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The Bottom Line for Canceling Auto Insurance Claims
Filing an insurance claim is not an easy process, but if you change your mind about claiming your expenses you can cancel it at almost any time.
The sooner you let your insurance company know that you wish to cancel your claim, the quicker the process will be. Speaking directly to your insurance agent is the best course of action so that you can be familiar with the specific terms of your policy.
And if you are not happy with the provided terms, don’t be hesitant to shop around for car insurance and find a better offer for your needs.
Always think twice before canceling an insurance claim! Before you go, take a moment to search for the best auto insurance quotes now by entering your ZIP code below!