Car insurance refund calculation - Insure.com (2024)

Yes, you may receive a refund if you cancel your car insurance midterm.

By Insure.com's Editor|&nbspUpdated on

The page is part of the topic how to cancel car insurance

Car insurance refund calculation - Insure.com (1)

Why you can trust Insure.com

At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry.

Yes, you may receive a refund if you cancel your car insurance midterm. The amount of the refund depends on various factors, including the insurance company’s policy, the duration of your coverage, and any applicable fees.

Key Takeaways

  • Refund is calculated by dividing the remaining days in the policy period by the total days of the policy and multiplying the result by the annual policy premium.
  • Refund calculation is often done on a pro-rata basis, returning a portion of the premium for unused coverage days.
  • Potential deductions include cancellation fees, and a smaller refund might occur due to short-rate cancellation, which considers administrative costs.

Understanding refund calculation

  • Pro-Rata basis – Many insurance providers calculate the refund on a pro-rata basis. This means you’ll get back a portion of the premium for the unused days of your coverage.
  • Cancelation fees – Some insurers may deduct a cancelation fee from the refund amount, so it’s essential to review your policy for any potential charges.
  • Short-rate cancelation – In some cases, a short-rate cancelation might apply, resulting in a smaller refund than expected. This occurs when the refund amount is less than the pro-rata calculation due to additional administrative costs.

Formula to calculate car insurance refund by Pro-Rata basis method:

The reimbursem*nt amount, also known as the return premium, is determined by dividing the remaining days in the policy period by the total days of the policy and multiplying the result by the annual policy premium.

Refund = (Total number of days remaining in the policy period / Total days of the policy) * Annual car insurance premium

For example:

Let’s assume:

  • A: Total number of days remaining in the policy period = 100
  • B: Total days of the policy = 365
  • C: Annual premium = $1,800

Formula = (A/B)*C

Refund = (100/365)*$1,800

Estimated Refund = $493.15

How to request a refund

  • Contact your insurer -To initiate the cancelation and refund process, get in touch with your insurance provider or agent and provide them with the necessary details.
  • Return required documents – If instructed, return your insurance documents to the company to confirm the cancelation officially.
  • Wait for processing – The refund process may take a few weeks, so be patient while the insurance company calculates the exact refund amount.

Conclusion

You may receive a refund if you cancel your car insurance midterm. However, the amount can vary depending on how much of the coverage period you have used, the presence of cancelation fees, and any short-rate considerations. To ensure a smooth refund process, reach out to your insurer, follow their guidelines, and understand the refund calculation method.

In case you missed it

Best Car Insurance Companies of 2024
Car insurance rates by state in 2024
What is full coverage car insurance?
How much does car insurance cost for seniors in 2024?
A complete guide to adding a teenager to your car insurance policy in 2024
What to do after a car accident that’s not your fault
Total warfare: What to do when your auto insurer totals your car
Car insurance claims: Who gets the claims check?
Used car insurance costs: Most and least expensive models to insure
The Best Car Insurance for Bad Credit of 2021
The best car insurance companies for speeding tickets
Car insurance after a DUI
Guide to car insurance discounts
Proper insurance coverage for college-bound children
How to read actually understand your auto insurance policy
Car Insurance Companies
New driver insurance grace period: What you need to know
How much do insurance agents make
Autonomous cars: 5 delightful and 5 distressing things
Busted! Part 1: How insurance companies spot bogus claims
Insurance options for rideshare drivers
10 things that are illegal but shouldn’t be

1/1

On this page

  1. Understanding refund calculation
  2. Formula to calculate car insurance refund by Pro-Rata basis method:
  3. How to request a refund
  4. Conclusion

Get instant quotes now !

Car insurance refund calculation - Insure.com (2024)

FAQs

How is an insurance refund calculated? ›

Pro-rata calculation: To calculate a pro-rata refund, insurers divide the total premium by the number of days in the policy term, then multiply by the number of unused days. Example: If you paid $600 for a 12-month policy and cancel after six months, the calculation is $600 / 365 days * 183 unused days = $300 refund.

Do I get a refund if I cancel my car insurance? ›

A typical car insurance policy lasts 12 months, but you can cancel it at any time. Just bear in mind that you won't automatically get your money back and your insurance provider may charge you an insurance cancellation fee.

How long does an insurance company have to refund your money? ›

The time it takes to get your money back depends on how you choose to get your refund. For example, a direct deposit typically takes around two weeks to show up in your account. It may take longer if the insurance company sends a check since you'll have to wait for it to arrive.

How to determine gap insurance refund? ›

To calculate how much of a refund you'll get if you paid for the GAP policy upfront, you divide the total cost of the insurance by the number of months you had coverage—this gives you your monthly premium. Once you know the monthly premium, you can multiply it by the number of months you have left on your policy.

How is refund calculated? ›

Every year, your refund is calculated as the amount withheld for federal income tax, minus your total federal income tax for the year. A large portion of the money being withheld from each of your paychecks does not actually go toward federal income tax.

How do you calculate return on insurance? ›

If you subtract the sum of all premiums from maturity benefit amount, you will get your net returns. 4. Consider Variable Additions. Interest and bonuses are usually guaranteed additions; however there may also be variable additions which cannot be predicted.

Will I get a refund if I cancel my insurance? ›

If I cancel my auto insurance, will I get a refund? If you paid your premium in advance and cancel your policy before the end of the term, the insurance company might refund the remaining balance. Most auto insurers will prorate your refund based on the number of days your current policy was in effect.

How much does it cost to cancel car insurance? ›

Car insurance cancellation fees

If you cancel at renewal: You shouldn't have to pay any fees. This is called 'lapsing' the policy. If you cancel within 14 days of starting a policy: You may have to pay an admin fee.

Is there a penalty for canceling car insurance? ›

Cancellation fees: Some car insurance companies charge cancellation fees, usually $50. In other cases, they could charge you a small percentage of your final premium that you were going to pay in the future. The majority of the time, you will not have to pay a cancellation fee.

How do I get a refund on my insurance premiums? ›

Communicate with Your Insurer: If you need to request a refund, contact your insurance company promptly and provide all necessary documentation. Clear communication will help expedite the refund process and minimize any potential issues.

Do insurance companies refund unused premiums? ›

Section 481 - Refund of premium (a) Unless the insurance contract otherwise provides, a person insured is entitled to a return of his or her premium if the policy is canceled, rejected, surrendered, or rescinded, as follows: (1) To the whole premium, if the insurer has not been exposed to any risk of loss.

Are insurance refunds considered income? ›

Insurance payouts you receive after damage to your home or an accident involving your car are generally not taxable unless you've come out way ahead financially.

What happens if you never use your gap insurance? ›

If you already paid for gap insurance, you can cancel it and request a refund from your car insurance company for any unused portion of the coverage. For example, if you have six months of coverage left on a 12-month gap insurance policy and you cancel, you can be reimbursed for the unused six months minus any fees.

How do you calculate the gap insurance? ›

How to calculate gap insurance. Calculating your gap insurance only requires taking the current value of your vehicle from the remaining balance of your loan. You should be able to consult your lender as to how much you still owe, and Kelley Blue Book is a good tool for finding your car's value.

Why didn't Gap pay off my car? ›

Gap insurance coverage won't pay when the car is not a total loss and in a few other situations, such as if the policy was canceled before the loss occurred. A gap insurance policy serves a single purpose: to pay the difference between what your car is worth and what you owe on it when it's a total loss.

How to calculate insurance claim settlement? ›

The general formula most insurers use to measure settlement worth is the following: (Special damages x multiplier reflecting general damages) + lost wages = settlement amount.

How is a prorated refund calculated? ›

Then, the calculation is a quick two-step maneuver: Number of Items or Days / Maximum Number of Items or Days = Unit Value. Unit Value x Quantity of Days or Items = Prorated Amount.

How does getting reimbursed from insurance work? ›

Reimbursem*nts mean that a member must pay for care upfront, and if the medical treatment is covered by the health insurance plan, then the member can file a request to receive reimbursem*nt through their insurance plan.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tyson Zemlak

Last Updated:

Views: 6133

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tyson Zemlak

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Apt. 662 96191 Quigley Dam, Kubview, MA 42013

Phone: +441678032891

Job: Community-Services Orchestrator

Hobby: Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Metalworking, Fashion, Vehicle restoration, Shopping, Photography

Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.