How to cancel a car insurance policy

Last Updated: 06 Oct 2025
Read time: 5 minutes

Written by: Deirbhile Coyle
Insurance Writer

Written in line with our Editorial Guidelines

Can you cancel your car insurance at any time?

Yes, if you choose to cancel your policy, you should be able to cancel at any time. You are not forced to stay with your car insurance provider; however, depending on when you cancel, you may not receive refunds or may even be charged a cancellation fee.

Cancelling your policy during the 14-day cooling-off period

If you have just purchased your insurance policy, you will have a 14-day cooling-off period by law. This means you can cancel for any reason. The cooling-off period starts when your policy begins and you should be able to get a refund on any premiums you have paid. The insurer may take out some money to cover days the policy was in action and you may potentially be charged an admin fee.

Cancelling your insurance after the cooling-off period

If you choose to cancel your policy after the cooling-off period, you may be charged a cancellation fee, but this will need to be confirmed with your lender. If you have Blackbox insurance, you may also face additional fees to cover the cost of installing the telematics box.

Can my insurer cancel my policy?

Your insurer could potentially cancel your policy for the following reasons:

• Something has changed that will greatly increase your risk to the insurer, for example, advanced modifications made to your car.
• You have violated your policy details, for example, the non-disclosure of certain medical conditions. If you think you might be at risk of non-disclosure for a medical condition, learn more about what conditions you need to declare to your insurers in our guide here.

Can I cancel my car insurance because I no longer use my car?

Yes, if you no longer use the car you have insured, you can cancel your policy. When you’re taking a car off the road, you are legally obligated to register it as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification). This needs to be done by contacting the DVLA. This is only possible if you can keep the car off the road in a private driveway or garage. If you are keeping the car on a public road, then you will still need to keep it insured.

Cancelling insurance before renewal

If you are looking to have a cheaper deal when your insurance is up for renewal, keep in mind that some policies will automatically renew. Check when your next renewal date is so you can easily change insurers.

Can I cancel my policy if my car is written off?

Unfortunately, if you have been in an accident that resulted in your car being written off, and you make a claim on your insurance, you will still be required to pay for monthly insurance payments. If you have paid upfront, you won’t be able to claim any of the remaining money back that year. Read our guide here for more on what happens to your insurance after your car is written off.

How to cancel your car insurance

You must contact your insurance directly to cancel a policy, as simply cancelling a direct debit will not end your policy, and you will still owe your premiums.

• Make sure you have a new policy in place before cancelling your current policy, so you aren’t left uninsured
• Contact your insurer directly
• Before taking out a new insurance policy, compare multiple quotes to find the best deal

At Quotezone, helping people find better deals is important to us. We can help you find the best deals on your car insurance with our panel of dedicated UK specialists. Whether you’re looking to switch insurers or find a new policy, Quotezone has you covered.

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This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.