What to Do if You Can’t Pay Your Auto Insurance (2024)
If you can’t pay your car insurance, ask your insurer for extended deadlines, partial payments, and other options.
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Zach Fagiano
Licensed Insurance Broker
Zach Fagiano has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years, specializing in property and casualty and risk management consulting. He started out specializing in small businesses and moved up to large commercial real estate risks. During that time, he acquired property & casualty, life & health, and surplus lines brokers licenses. He’s now the Senior Vice President overseeing globa...
Licensed Insurance Broker
UPDATED: Sep 13, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Sep 13, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Call your insurance company if you are unable to make an auto insurance payment
- All insurance companies offer a grace period where it won’t cancel your insurance immediately after a missed payment
- If you don’t pay by the end of the grace period, your company will cancel your insurance
What happens if you don’t pay car insurance premiums? If you can’t pay for your car insurance, problems can arise at even the best companies for affordable insurance. Consequences range from canceled insurance coverage and increased rates to illegally going without insurance.
If you can’t pay for your next car payment or have already missed a payment, you can take a few different steps to get back on track. The easiest is to make a payment soon within the auto insurance grace period if you can afford it.
There are ways to make up for missed payments and reduce costs so you don’t face insurance cancellations. Read on to learn more about what you can do to remedy the problem and what happens if you don’t pay your car insurance rates.
What to Do When You Can’t Pay Your Car Insurance Payment
If you cannot pay your car insurance payment, immediately call your insurance company and tell a representative, “I can’t afford car insurance.”
Your insurer may be able to work with you to arrange a payment plan and reduce your costs for future payments.
However, if you are past the payment plan grace period and your insurance is already canceled, your options are more limited and the consequences will be more serious.
We’ve outlined the different situations and your options below.
When Your Payment Isn’t Due Yet
What if I can’t pay my car insurance this month? If you don’t have enough money to pay your next insurance payment, immediately speak to your auto insurance company. It may be able to extend the due date to give you additional time to pay or allow you to make a partial payment for the month and pay the remaining balance later.
While partial payments and extended due dates depend upon the insurance company, most companies will offer some leeway, especially if you have a history of making payments on time.
When You’ve Missed The Payment
If you have missed the payment, your options depend upon whether you are still within your company’s grace period or not. If you are within the grace period, your insurance company will not cancel your insurance policy.
Most insurance companies have a grace period of around 10 days, although it may be longer or shorter, depending upon the company.
Speak to the insurance company before the payment date rather than after the fact. If you are only late by a few days, you are likely within the grace period and won’t face cancellation.
However, the insurance company may charge you a late fee for missing the payment due date. Even if it agrees to accept a partial payment or extend the date, you will likely still have to pay an additional late fee.
Learn More: Best Auto Insurance Companies That Don’t Charge Late Fees
When Your Car Insurance is Canceled
Auto insurance cancellation is the worst-case scenario. If this happens, your insurance company may not take you back, even if you can get another policy.
You should try your hardest to avoid this situation by working out payment plans and delayed payments before the point of cancellation.
Once your insurance is canceled, your rates will increase due to the lapse in coverage. You will have to work to decrease your insurance rates and possibly sign up with a high-risk insurance company.
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What happens when you don’t pay your car insurance payment?
You face cancellation and legal penalties if you cannot pay your car insurance payments and fail to work with the insurance company ahead of time to bring down costs and delay payments.
You could lose your license for being uninsured, face fines, and more. We’ve outlined what happens if you don’t pay and your insurance company cancels your insurance below.
Canceled Car Insurance
Suppose you don’t pay before the end of the grace period. In that case, the insurance company is within its rights to terminate your auto insurance policy and refuse to reinstate you as a customer.
Canceled auto insurance will likely lead to higher insurance rates, whether you sign up with your same insurance company or a new one.
If you lease a car and your coverage is canceled, your lender may use force-placed insurance. This is when your auto lender will buy an insurance policy on the vehicle to protect their assets.
Force-placed insurance will drive up your car payments, as your lender will add the cost to your bills. It can be expensive and time-consuming to remove force-placed insurance, so it is in your best interest to avoid this scenario.
Legal Penalties
Along with canceled auto insurance come several legal penalties. Not carrying insurance is illegal, so any lapses in coverage, even for a few days, can result in worse than an increase in car insurance rates if you’re caught driving without insurance.
While the legal repercussions vary by state, drivers caught without insurance will face fines of up to $5,000. Some other consequences include:
- Jail time
- License plate suspension
- Car registration suspension
- Driver’s license suspension
- Driver’s license points
- Impounded vehicle
- Reinstatement fees
Generally, the more severe repercussions will only occur if a driver is a repeat offender. A first offense will likely result in only a fine.
How to Decrease Your Car Insurance Payments
If you are struggling with payments and want to avoid being unable to pay for car insurance in the future, the best way to accomplish this is to reduce your auto insurance costs today.
There are several ways to achieve lower rates when you can’t afford car insurance, from applying for discounts to increasing your deductible.
Drop Unnecessary Coverages
Carrying a bare minimum insurance policy of only the state-required liability insurance can significantly reduce your insurance rates. If you have add-on coverages like roadside assistance or modified car insurance, consider dropping these coverages to lower your monthly rates.
Take a look at the table below to get an idea of what a minimum liability policy will cost you with some of the top insurers.
Liability Auto Insurance Rates by Provider
Insurance Company | Monthly Rates |
---|---|
$61 | |
$44 | |
$37 | |
$53 | |
$30 | |
$67 | |
$44 | |
$39 | |
$33 | |
$38 | |
$22 | |
U.S. Average | $45 |
You might want to consider carrying liability-only insurance if your car is old and no longer worth much. With a bare-bones policy, however, you will only be covered when you have to pay for other drivers’ accident costs, but your own accident costs won’t be covered.
Compared to full coverage, minimum coverage may be wiser if you need to save money. Below are the average rates for full coverage by state so you can be better informed.
While dropping your extra coverages will make your policy more affordable, you will not be able to drop coverages if you have a lease or loan on your car. Lenders require drivers to carry collision and comprehensive insurance, also known as full coverage.
Improve Credit Score
Most states permit insurance companies to use credit scores when calculating insurance rates. As a result, drivers with poor credit scores may pay hundreds of dollars more than drivers with good credit scores.
Look at the table below to see how much improving your credit score can reduce your insurance rates.
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Provider & Credit Score
Insurance Company Good Credit Fair Credit Bad Credit
$135 $165 $245
$166 $197 $296
$116 $136 $203
$95 $115 $175
$140 $161 $269
$82 $100 $148
$177 $226 $355
$120 $133 $166
$109 $138 $206
$91 $118 $200
$120 $155 $230
$107 $128 $194
U.S. Average $123 $148 $226
A poor credit score can add hundreds of dollars to your insurance rates. While you can’t immediately improve your credit score, slowly improving your credit over time will help reduce your auto insurance costs.
Increase Insurance Deductible
Increasing your insurance deductible will significantly reduce your insurance costs. Your insurance deductible is the amount you agree to pay after an accident before your insurance coverage kicks in.
So, if you have a $500 deductible and have $1,000 worth of damages after an accident, your insurance company will pay you $500. Therefore, the higher your deductible, the lower your rates will be. Just make sure you can still afford the deductible to fix your car.
Increasing your deductible too high could leave you without a car as you struggle to find the money for repairs.
Qualify For Discounts
Make sure you qualify for as many discounts as possible, as car insurance discounts can significantly reduce your rates. Safe driving discounts often reduce rates the most, but even small discounts like paperless billing can help save money on auto insurance.
Common Auto Insurance Discounts
Vehicle Discounts | Driver/Customer Discounts | Personal Discounts |
---|---|---|
Active Disabling Device | Claim Free | Emergency Deployment |
Adaptive Cruise Control | Continuous Coverage | Family Legacy |
Adaptive Headlights | Defensive Driver | Family Plan |
Anti-Lock Brakes | Driver's Education | Federal Employee |
Audible Alarm | Driving Device/App | Further Education |
Automatic Braking | Early Signing | Good Student |
Blind Spot Warning | Full Payment | Homeowner |
Daytime Running Lights | Good Credit | Life Insurance |
Economy Vehicle | Loyalty | Married |
Electronic Stability Control | Multiple Policies | Membership/Group |
Farm/Ranch Vehicle | Multiple Vehicles | Military |
Forward Collision Warning | New Customer/New Plan | New Address |
Garaging/Storing | Occasional Operator | New Graduate |
Green/Hybrid Vehicle | Online Shopper | Non-Smoker/Non-Drinker |
Lane Departure Warning | On-Time Payments | Occupation |
Newer Vehicle | Paperless/Auto Billing | Recent Retirees |
Passive Restraint | Paperless Documents | Stable Residence |
Utility Vehicle | Roadside Assistance | Student Away |
Vehicle Recovery | Safe Driver | Student or Alumni |
VIN Etching | Seat Belt Use | Volunteer |
Ask your insurer for a list of discounts or check the company’s website to take advantage of all the discounts available to you.
Switch Insurance Companies
Frequently shopping around at different insurance companies will ensure you always get the best rate. Switching your insurance company could save you hundreds of dollars on your annual car insurance rates.
If you cannot make auto insurance payments, get quotes from a few different insurance companies near you to find cheaper rates.
Switch to Usage-Based Insurance
Switching to a usage-based insurance company could drastically reduce your auto insurance payments if you don’t often drive. Usage-based insurance, also known as pay-per-mile insurance, charges a monthly base fee and then an additional per-mile fee for each mile driven.
If you don’t use your car often, usage-based insurance can make insurance much more affordable. The monthly base fee is often just a few dollars a day, and the per-mile cost is only a few cents per mile.
However, keep in mind that some usage-based insurance companies track driving habits in addition to mileage, so being a good driver can help you save even more money.
The Final Word on Being Unable to Afford Car Insurance Payments
Talk to your insurance company the instant you realize that you cannot make a car insurance payment or have already missed a payment. Your insurance company may be able to work with you by offering an extended deadline or accepting partial payment.
However, once your insurance is canceled, you may face increased insurance rates and legal repercussions if caught driving without insurance.
If you need to find a new insurance company with cheaper rates, your best option is to shop around. Use our free quote comparison tool to see if there are more affordable companies in your area.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when drivers pay their car insurance late?
If drivers pay the premium late, but within the company’s grace period, then the company will not cancel coverage. However, you may face late fees when paying late.
If a driver doesn’t pay within the grace period, then the company will cancel coverage, and drivers will have to reapply for insurance at higher rates.
How long can drivers go without car insurance before being penalized?
Usually, most insurance companies offer a grace period of at least 10 but under 30 days. Once the grace period has passed, the insurance company will cancel the policy for non-payment.
How long can drivers go without car insurance?
In the vast majority of states, driving without insurance is illegal. Therefore, drivers can’t go any amount of time without auto insurance unless they want to risk legal repressions and high insurance rates.
How will drivers know if their car insurance has been canceled?
If you are wondering, “Has my car insurance been canceled?” your insurance provider must send you a notice of cancelation. You will likely also see that your coverage has been canceled when you attempt to sign into your insurance account.
What should I do if I can’t afford to pay my auto insurance premium?
If you find yourself unable to pay your auto insurance premium, it’s important to take immediate action. Here are five steps you can take:
- Contact your insurance provider: Reach out to your insurance company and explain your situation. They may be able to offer you some flexible payment options or suggest alternatives that can help you maintain coverage.
- Explore payment options: Inquire about potential payment plans or installment options that allow you to spread out your premium payments over a longer period. Some insurance companies may offer this as a solution to customers facing financial difficulties.
- Consider adjusting coverage: Speak with your insurance agent to discuss the possibility of adjusting your coverage temporarily. For example, you may be able to reduce your coverage to the minimum legal requirements while you’re facing financial constraints. However, be cautious when altering your coverage, as it could leave you underinsured in case of an accident.
- Look for assistance programs: Check if there are any assistance programs available in your area that provide financial aid specifically for auto insurance payments. Non-profit organizations or government agencies might offer support to individuals in need.
- Seek professional advice: If you’re struggling with overall financial difficulties, consider seeking assistance from a financial advisor or credit counseling service. They can help you develop a budgeting plan and explore options to manage your finances more effectively.
Will my insurance company cancel my policy if I can’t make a payment?
It depends on the insurance company and the specific circumstances. Some insurance providers may give you a grace period to make the payment, while others might be more lenient and work with you to find a solution. However, if you fail to make the payment within the grace period or reach an agreement with your insurer, they have the right to cancel your policy.
To avoid cancellation, it’s important to contact your insurance company as soon as you realize you can’t make the payment. Explain your situation and explore options to maintain your coverage. Remember, each insurer has its own policies and procedures, so it’s best to communicate with them directly to understand how they handle non-payment situations.
What happens if my auto insurance policy is canceled due to non-payment?
If your auto insurance policy is canceled due to non-payment, here are three most common consequences may arise:
- Driving without insurance
- Difficulty finding coverage
- Financial liability
Can I temporarily suspend my auto insurance coverage if I can’t afford it?
Generally, insurance companies do not offer the option to suspend coverage temporarily due to financial difficulties. It’s important to maintain continuous auto insurance coverage to comply with legal requirements and protect yourself from potential liabilities. However, you can explore adjusting your coverage to lower-cost options or speak with your insurer to find flexible payment arrangements that suit your financial situation.
Will not paying my auto insurance premium affect my credit score?
Late or missed payments for auto insurance premiums could potentially impact your credit score. Some insurance companies may report non-payment to credit bureaus, which can have a negative impact on your credit history. It’s crucial to communicate with your insurer, explain your situation, and work out a payment plan to avoid any adverse effects on your credit score.
What happens if I let my auto insurance coverage lapse?
Allowing your auto insurance coverage to lapse by not paying your premiums can have significant consequences. These can include the three most common:
- Legal implications
- Difficulty obtaining insurance in the future companies may view a coverage gap as a higher risk, resulting in higher premiums or even denial of coverage.
- Loss of benefits
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Zach Fagiano
Licensed Insurance Broker
Zach Fagiano has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years, specializing in property and casualty and risk management consulting. He started out specializing in small businesses and moved up to large commercial real estate risks. During that time, he acquired property & casualty, life & health, and surplus lines brokers licenses. He’s now the Senior Vice President overseeing globa...
Licensed Insurance Broker
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.