Question: Am I still covered by my car insurance policy if I had an accident on the same day my insurance expired? I thought I had coverage for the full day, but my auto insurance company says my coverage ended at 12:01 that morning and I’m out of luck. Could that be true?
Answer: What your car insurance company says is indeed true. Most auto insurance policies are set to terminate at 12:01 a.m., so if you look at your insurance card, policy or payment notice, you should see that coverage only exists up to the expiration date.
When a policy ends at 12:01 a.m., you have just one minute of coverage on your expiration date, not a whole day’s worth. Thus, an accident at 12:02 a.m. or later on the expiration date wouldn’t be covered.
- The day before the expiration date is the actual last day you’ve paid for.
- Make a renewal payment prior to the expiration date. Your insurance terminates instantly if your payment isn’t made by the expiration date at 12:01 a.m.
- If you want further information on the laws in your state regarding cancellation notifications and whether auto plans are allowed a grace period, you can contact your state’s insurance department.
We agree that car insurance policies can be confusing, especially when the policy ends. The actual final due date for payment is the day before the expiration date.
States with insurance verification systems have found numerous cases of one-day lapses in car insurance coverage because of drivers don’t understand policy cancellations. Be aware you may end up with a gap in coverage if you:
- Start a replacement policy and cancel your old policy on the same day. You may end up with your old policy ending at 12:01 a.m. and the new policy not starting until 12:01 a.m. the next day.
- Wait to shop and get a new policy or renew your old one until your expiration date. If you do this, you’re too late because your car insurance policy has already lapsed.
- Make a renewal payment on your policy expiration date. This will result in a lapse since the coverage expired at 12:01 a.m.
In most states, car insurance policies don’t have a grace period. So, your policy ends immediately if your payment isn’t received before 12:01 a.m. of the expiration date.
State laws require car insurance companies to send out cancellation notices. However, auto insurers may be permitted to satisfy that law within the given time period (10 to 15 days usually), mailing the premium payment bill with the cancellation date plainly stated on it and informing you that if you don’t pay by then, the policy will terminate.
You can check with your state’s Department of Insurance to get specifics on their rules surrounding cancellation notices and if any grace period is given for auto policies. I wouldn’t get your hopes up, though, since your insurer already said your coverage had ended, and they should be abiding by state laws.
As you’ve now discovered, a lapse in auto coverage is bad. First, since you’re uninsured, you’re left financially responsible for damages you caused to others. You’ll need to pay out-of-pocket for any damages your car sustained as well.
Next, you can be cited for driving without insurance – this offense comes with penalties such as fines and jail time (depending upon your state laws). Also, your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may have the authority to hit you with penalty fees for being uninsured and be able to suspend your license and/or vehicle registration. To reinstate them, you usually have to show proof of insurance as an SR-22.
Lastly, a lapse in auto insurance coverage (and an accident to boot) can cause your auto insurance rates to skyrocket. Get a policy back in place as soon as possible.
Rating systems of car insurance providers vary greatly, so compare insurance rates with multiple insurers to find the one that doesn’t care as much about a slight lapse in coverage and the at-fault accident you just had.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.
Ask the Insurance Expert
John McCormick
Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Leslie Kasperowicz
Executive Editor
Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.