Is it legal for my auto insurer to cancel my policy with only a few hours notice?
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Is it legal for my auto insurer to cancel my policy with only a few hours notice?
My auto insurance company requested a copy of my car title. I took the title for them to copy and when I got home they called and informed me my policy was being cancelled effective 5:00pm that same afternoon.
Asked on January 31, 2018 under Insurance Law, Kentucky
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
It depends on two things:
1) Does the policy (which is a contract) require notice prior to termination for the reason they terminated your coverage and, if so, how much notice? Any notice provisions of the policy are enforceable, as are any contractual terms, and you could sue, if necessary, to enforce them or for compensation. And conversely: without contractual notice provisions, they could generally terminate without notice.
2) Why did they terminate the coverage? If it was because you had never complied with the original obligations or requirements to get coverage or had lied to them (committed fraud) about something (like the identity or ownership of the vehicle), then even if there were notice requirements for other grounds for termination (like late or non-payment), they could likely terminate you on the spot without notice. Issues involving whether you should have been eligible for insurance in the first place generally allow immediate termination of coverage.
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