Liberty Mutual will not let me cancel my car insurance unless I sell the car, prove it is not registered or donate it. I just want to change insurance companies.
Do the Michigan car insurance cancellation laws allow a driver to cancel coverage?
Yes according to Michigan law a car insurance policy "may be canceled at any time at the request of the insured." When that occurs, the auto insurance company must "refund the excess of paid premium."
Michigan Legislature - Section 500.3020
(MCL 500.3020(1)(a))
Can you cancel car insurance at any time?
Yes. The Michigan car insurance cancellation laws allow you – as the named insured on a policy – to cancel at any time.
Can a car insurance company cancel your policy?
Yes. A car insurance policy "may be canceled at any time by the insurer," but only if the insurance company mails to the insured "a not less than 10 days' written notice of cancellation." (MCL 500.3020(1)(b))
Michigan Legislature - Section 500.3020
The car insurance company may include the "excess of paid premium" along with the notice of cancellation, but it is not required to.
What happens if car insurance is cancelled?
If your policy is cancelled – and it is done in compliance with the Michigan car insurance cancellation laws – then you will no longer have any coverage under the policy. You will be entitled to a refund of any prepaid premiums for what would have been the balance of the policy term.
Do you get a refund when you cancel car insurance?
Yes. The auto insurance company must refund you the "the excess of paid premium" when you cancel your auto insurance. (MCL 500.3020(1)(a) and (b))
Michigan Legislature - Section 500.3020
What happens if a company does not follow the Michigan car insurance cancellation laws?
If the laws are not followed, then a canceled policy will not be effective and coverage under the policy will continue until the end of the policy term or until a policy a properly, lawfully canceled.
What are the Michigan car insurance cancellation laws for nonpayment of premiums?
In Michigan a company can cancel your No-Fault policy if you do not pay the premiums on your policy. But cancellation for nonpayment is effective only if: (1) your insurer provides the legally-required 10-day written notice of cancellation; and (2) the notice is mailed after nonpayment has occurred.
MICHIGAN CAR INSURANCE CANCELLATION LAWS UPDATE: The Michigan Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Yang v. Everest National Insurance Company that MCL 500.3020(1)(b) of the Insurance Code does not allow an auto insurance company to cancel a driver's policy for non-payment of premiums by mailing "its customer a letter purporting to be a notice of cancellation for nonpayment of insurance premiums before any nonpayment actually occurred." The justices added: "We hold that under MCL 500.3020(1)(b), a cancellation notice is effective only if it is peremptory, explicit, and unconditional. In this case, because Everest's letter provided that cancellation was conditioned on Yang's failure to pay his insurance premiums, the letter was ineffective as a notice of cancellation."
Can I cancel my car insurance if I pay monthly?
The Michigan car insurance cancellation laws allow a driver to cancel his or her policy "at any time." (MCL 500.3020(1)(a))
Can I cancel my car insurance before it starts?
Although it is hard to imagine the circumstances that would prompt a driver to cancel his or her policy before it starts, the Michigan car insurance cancellation laws allow a driver to cancel his or her policy "at any time." (MCL 500.3020(1)(a))
Do I have to pay to cancel car insurance?
No. You do not have to pay to cancel your car insurance.
Can you cancel car insurance on a financed car?
The Michigan car insurance cancellation laws do not address this issue. But the terms of your finance agreement most likely will require you to maintain continual No-Fault auto insurance coverage on your vehicle. Cancelling your insurance without having a new policy in place may violate your finance agreement.
Is it bad to cancel car insurance?
There is nothing in the Michigan car insurance cancellation laws that allows a company to penalize a driver for cancelling his or her policy or to refuse to insure such a driver. But if you plan to continue driving, do not cancel your car insurance without first getting a new policy in place.
Can I cancel car insurance after renewal?
You can cancel your policy after renewal because the Michigan car insurance cancellation laws allow you to cancel your policy "at any time." (MCL 500.3020(1)(a))
Cancellation and renewal of liability auto insurance
If your auto insurance company refuses to renew your "automobile liability insurance," it does not constitute "a cancellation" unless the insurance company mails you notice "20 days prior to the termination date of the policy" that "the policy will not be renewed." (MCL 500.3204(2))
Appealing a car insurance cancellation
According to the Michigan car insurance cancellation laws, if your auto insurance liability policy was cancelled within 55 days of it being issued, then you cannot appeal the cancellation to the Insurance Commissioner. (MCL 500.3224(1)) Otherwise, you can "contest the grounds of [your] cancellation" by filing a written request with the Insurance Commissioner.
Your appeal must be filed "within 7 days after the date of the postmark" on the notice of cancellation that was mailed to you. (MCL 500.3230)
Michigan Car Insurance Cancellation Laws Explained