How to Cancel Your Auto Insurance Policy with The General (2024)

To cancel a car insurance policy from The General, you can call customer service, use the online chat feature, or visit an office.

Elizabeth Rivelli
Elizabeth Rivelli
  • 5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics

  • Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise

Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.

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Sarah Archambault
Sarah Archambault
  • Experienced personal finance writer

  • Background working with banks and insurance companies

Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated September 1, 2024

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Customers of The General can cancel a car insurance policy in a few ways. You can call the customer service department or request a cancellation through its online chat feature. Or you can cancel in person if you live in Louisiana.

Drivers may choose to cancel The General car insurance to get a better deal on auto insurance or when moving to a new state. To avoid a lapse in coverage, compare quotes and switch to a new insurer before canceling.

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The General cancellation policy

The General doesn’t include specific instructions for canceling an auto insurance policy (or its other insurance products) on its website. But you can cancel your car insurance policy by calling customer service at 1 (844) 328‑0306 or using the online chat feature. Louisiana customers can also cancel their policy by visiting one of The General’s offices.

In some states, The General charges a penalty fee for canceling your policy before the end of the term. The fee is equal to 10% of your unused premiums. Review your policy documents or speak to an agent to see if the early cancellation fee applies in your state.

Drivers with questions about how to cancel The General car insurance should contact customer service or reach out to their car insurance agent.

Follow these steps to complete the cancellation process.

Learn More: What Is a Car Insurance Declaration Page?

Learn More: What Is a Car Insurance Declaration Page?

Step 1: Look up your renewal date

Check your policy documents to find your renewal date. You can typically find this information in your online insurance contract, on your insurance ID card, on your policy’s declaration page, or by calling your agent.

It’s best to cancel your car insurance policy as close to the renewal date as possible. You might have to pay a 10% penalty fee if you cancel early. In addition, canceling your policy early can lead to a lapse in car insurance, which can have a negative effect on your insurance history and future premiums.

Step 2: Compare car insurance quotes

Shop around for new car insurance quotes before canceling your car insurance with The General. The cost of car insurance varies based on factors like your location, age, credit history, claim history, vehicle type, policy limits, and deductibles. Additionally, insurance companies often charge different rates for the same coverage and offer different discounts.[1]

Comparing quotes from multiple auto insurance companies is the best way to find the most affordable policy for your situation and coverage needs — especially if you’re switching to save on your premium.[2]

Step 3: Secure a new car insurance policy

To avoid a lapse in coverage, it’s important to secure a new car insurance policy before you cancel the old one with your current insurer. Most insurance companies allow policyholders to purchase a new policy online. But some insurers require customers to call the company or an insurance agent to get a new policy.

Be prepared to provide documentation when signing up for new coverage. Your new insurer will likely also check your credit history before calculating your car insurance premium.[3]

Gather the following personal information before finalizing your new car insurance application:

  • Desired policy start date

  • Driver’s license number

  • Date of birth

  • Social Security number

  • Vehicle identification number (VIN)

  • Payment information, like your credit card number

  • Car accident and traffic violation history

Once you get the new insurance policy, make sure to place your new insurance ID cards in your vehicle with your car registration. You can typically find the details of your new car insurance policy and access your ID cards through your new insurer’s website or mobile app.

Important Information

A lapse in auto insurance coverage can cause your rates to increase by 9% or more when you try to renew or buy a new policy, Insurify data shows.

Step 4: Cancel your policy with The General

Cancel your old policy with The General after securing your new policy. Contact The General directly, reach out to your agent, or visit an office. You may need to fill out a cancellation form or submit other paperwork.

Make sure that your new policy’s start date overlaps at least a few days with the old policy’s cancellation date to avoid a lapse and ensure you have continuous coverage.

Step 5: Follow up on your refund

Depending on when you change your insurance company, you might be eligible for a refund on the remaining premiums. This is typically the case when you pay your annual premium up front and in full. For example, if you pay in full and cancel six months into the policy period, you might get a refund on the six months of unused premiums.

To find out if The General owes you a refund, contact the customer service team or ask your agent. You can also ask about any potential refund when canceling your policy.

Learn More: How to Compare Car Insurance Rates

Learn More: How to Compare Car Insurance Rates

How The General quotes stack up vs. competitors

The General has higher rates compared to many of its biggest competitors. But high-risk drivers may find that The General has cheaper rates than other auto insurers, which is why it’s important to compare rates from several companies.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Insurance Company
Average Quote: Full Coverage
Average Quote: Liability Only
National General$166$80
Direct Auto$191$98
The General$237$112
Bristol West$267$122
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Canceling The General insurance FAQs

If you need help canceling your car insurance policy with The General, check out these questions and answers for more information.

  • Does The General charge a cancellation fee?

    The General doesn’t charge a cancellation fee for all drivers. But you may have to pay an early cancellation fee in some states. The fee is 10% of the unused premiums. You can find more information about your state laws in your policy documents.

  • Can you cancel your policy with The General at any time?

    Yes, you can cancel your policy at any point during the policy period. Keep in mind that the insurance company charges an early termination fee in some states.

  • How can you confirm your policy with The General is canceled?

    Contact a customer service representative or call your agent to confirm your car insurance policy has been canceled. You might also receive a notice in the mail when your coverage has ended.

  • Does The General have a grace period for non-payment?

    The General doesn’t advertise a grace period for non-payment. But it’s common for car insurance companies to offer a grace period of up to 20 days before they cancel your policy for non-payment. You can call the company or an agent to learn more about The General’s car insurance grace period.

  • How do you cancel car insurance online?

    You may be able to cancel your insurance coverage online by connecting with an agent through the live chat feature. You can also cancel your policy by calling the company, contacting your agent, or visiting an office (in Louisiana only).

Sources

  1. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
  2. Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance."
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "Background on: Insurance scoring."
Elizabeth Rivelli
Elizabeth Rivelli

Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer covering insurance and personal finance. She has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including property and casualty, health, and life insurance. Her byline has been featured in dozens of publications, including Investopedia, Forbes, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, and Insurance.com

Sarah Archambault
Sarah Archambault
  • Experienced personal finance writer

  • Background working with banks and insurance companies

Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.

Featured in

media logomedia logo
Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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