How to Cancel Your Progressive Auto Insurance Policy
There are many reasons why you might be ready to walk away from your Progressive Auto Insurance policy. Maybe you found a better rate elsewhere, you want to see what another insurer has to offer or you’re moving to a new city where you won’t need your vehicle. Canceling your car insurance might seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you and crafted a guide on how to cancel Progressive Auto Insurance.
How to Cancel Your Progressive Auto Insurance Policy
To cancel your progressive insurance policy, you’ll need to notify them directly. You can do this by following these steps:
- Call Progressive at 1-866-416-2003
- Tell the operator you are calling to cancel your policy
- Provide the details about your current policy including your policy number and desired cancellation date
You should avoid canceling your Progressive policy before having a new policy in place. If this happens, you’ll have a lapse in coverage, which labels you as a risky driver, leaves you without protection and makes it difficult for you to find cheap car insurance in the future.
What You Need to Cancel your Progressive Policy
When calling to cancel your policy, the agent will ask for information to confirm your identity and process your cancelation. Make sure to have your policy number and social security number available.
Depending on the state you live in, you might also need to inform the DMV about your change in insurance, so check your state’s guidelines or ask your Progressive agent for more details.
Progressive Insurance Cancellation Fees
Generally, Progressive doesn’t require you to pay a cancellation fee when canceling your insurance. You might even receive a refund for your unused premium depending on when you end the policy. However, some customers have reported needing to pay a fee due to their policy terms, state laws, or the timing of their premium payments.
How to Decide When to Cancel a Progressive Auto Insurance Policy
There are many considerations to keep in mind before cancelling a Progressive auto insurance policy. Here are a few factors to help you decide if now is the right time to cancel.
- Will you receive a refund? You can estimate your possible refund based on how far in advance you paid for your premium. For example, some customers like to pay 6 or 12 months in advance to get a pay in full discount. If you fall into this category, you’ll likely receive a refund for coverage you paid for in advance.
- Is your renewal date coming up? If your renewal date is approaching, you’re unlikely to pay any cancellation fees, making this the best time to cancel and make a clean break from Progressive.
- Will you owe money if you cancel? Every state has different rules about canceling before your renewal date, so check with your insurance agent to see if you will owe money.
- Do you already have a new policy? If you don’t already have a new policy lined up, hold off on canceling for now. Instead, purchase a new policy first, then proceed with your cancellation.
Reasons for Cancelling Your Policy
There are several reasons why you might be thinking about cancelling your Progressive policy. Life changes often cause drivers to cancel their Progressive policy in search of a better fit. Here are a few reasons why you might want be ready for something new:
- You moved to a cheaper area: One of the many factors used to calculate your car insurance rates is your location, specifically your zip code. Moving from an urban, high-crime area to a rural, low-crime neighborhood will affect the cost of your auto insurance premium.
- You removed a driver from your policy: If you’ve recently removed a high-risk driver from your policy, you might find that other insurance providers now offer cheaper rates. This could influence your decision to cancel your existing policy to save money.
- You found a cheaper insurance policy: Regularly comparing car insurance rates might reveal deals that were unavailable a few months prior. With a more affordable insurance policy calling your name, there’s not much reason to stick with your old company.
- You want to bundle your home and car insurance: Although Progressive offers customers bundled home and car insurance, other insurers may offer the same deals for less.
- Your vehicle was stolen: If your car was stolen and you plan to purchase a new one, your car insurance rates could change drastically. If so, you might choose to cancel your old insurance policy and search for a new one more suited to your needs.
- Your vehicle was totaled: Similar to a stolen vehicle, most drivers won’t purchase the same car twice. A new car will affect your insurance rates, and you’ll be looking for the cheapest options on the market.
What to Do Before Cancelling Your Policy
Be sure to time your cancellation so there’s not a lapse in your auto insurance coverage. If this happens, Progressive could report you to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for not having insurance on your car. When this happens, you could be subject to various consequences depending on where you live. Some common ones include:
- Having a suspended license
- Paying a license reinstatement fee
- Being unable to renew your vehicle registration
- Being sentenced to jail time
Let Progressive know who your new insurer is to avoid these issues. Provide them with the new insurer’s name, your new policy number, and the start date of your new policy.
Alternatives to Cancelling Your Progressive Insurance Policy
If you’re currently on the fence about canceling your policy, it might be helpful to explore some alternatives before making a final decision. Some drivers find that a few tweaks in their coverage make it possible to continue with their current insurance company.
Search for Discounts
Instead of canceling your insurance policy to save money, why not search for discounts instead? Each insurer offers various discounts you can qualify for to enjoy extra savings. These are a few standard discounts offered to drivers:
- Multi-Vehicle Discount: Insure multiple vehicles on your policy and save up to 25%.
- Pay-in Full Discount: Pay for your premium in full and enjoy a discount from your insurance company.
- Good Student Discount: If you’re a high school or college student, you can save money on your premium by getting good grades. Generally, you’ll need a 3.0 GPA or B average to qualify.
- Good Driving Discount: Display good driving habits and save up to 40% on your insurance premium.
- Usage-Based Discount: If you don’t drive often, you might qualify for a usage-based insurance plan. You’ll pay a low monthly flat rate only paying for the miles you drive.
- Defensive Driving Discount: Taking a state-approved defensive driving course can save you up to 10% on your auto insurance.
Reduce Your Coverage Levels
Another way to save money on car insurance is to make changes to your coverage levels. Let’s say you just recently paid off your car loan. You can now drop down from comprehensive and collision coverage to state minimum insurance. While you won’t be as protected in an accident, you will secure more affordable rates.
Increase Your Deductible
Some drivers choose to raise their deductible instead of canceling their insurance policy. Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket when filing a claim before your auto insurance company covers the rest. Deductible amounts run anywhere from $100 to $2,000, so you have some say in choosing the amount.
If you choose to raise your deductible, make sure you have the financial wiggle room to pay your deductible out of pocket if you file a claim. If you’re confident you can pay a higher deductible in full if you have to file a claim, then this might be a good choice for you. If not, it’s best to look for other ways to save money.
Suspend your Insurance
If you’re concerned about canceling your insurance policy and facing a coverage lapse, it may be better to suspend your insurance for a while. Your state might require you to file an “affidavit of non-use” at your DMV to put your coverage on hold. You can also ask your insurer if they have options for stored or seasonal coverage as an alternative to suspension.
Progressive Cancellation Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cancel my Progressive auto insurance?
To cancel your insurance policy, call 1-866-416-2003. State the policy you are calling to cancel and give the Progressive agent your name, policy number, date of birth, social security number, and the date of cancellation. You should also provide them with the name of your new insurance company, your new policy number, and the start date of your new policy.
Does Progressive charge a cancellation fee?
Depending on the state you live in, how far into your policy term you are, and how often you pay your premium, you may not need to pay a cancellation fee. However, if your situation requires you to pay, you can decide to wait until your renewal date to avoid extra fees.
Do I need to have a new policy before canceling my Progressive insurance policy?
No, you don’t. However, to avoid a lapse in coverage, you should purchase a new policy before your cancellation date.
