Home Insurance Cancellation Laws by State: What You Can Do

Home insurance companies can cancel your policy in certain circumstances. To protect consumers, each state has different home insurance cancellation laws and requirements.

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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Sara Getman
Edited bySara Getman
Sara Getman
Sara GetmanAssociate Editor

Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.

Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.

Updated October 8, 2024 | Reading time: 4 minutes

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Home insurance is required for most homeowners with a mortgage, but a few scenarios can lead to policy non-renewal or cancellation. Non-renewal means that your insurance company won’t renew your policy at the end of the term, often through no fault of your own. Cancellation can happen at any time during the policy period and is often caused by non-payment of premiums or insurance fraud.

Every state has unique laws that protect consumers from home insurance non-renewals and cancellations. These laws typically require home insurance companies to give advance notice to policyholders facing non-renewal or cancellation due to specific circumstances.

Here are some tips for handling cancellation or non-renewal of your home insurance and how your state affects your policy.

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Home insurance cancellation laws by state

If you have homeowners insurance, it’s beneficial to understand the unique cancellation laws where you live. In the following table, you can see home insurance cancellation laws by state.

State
Home Insurance Cancellation Laws
AlabamaInsurers must give 30 days’ notice before cancellation. For cancellations due to non-payment, insurers must give 10 days’ notice.
AlaskaFor policies that have been in effect for less than 60 days, insurers can cancel for almost any reason. For policies that have been in effect for more than 60 days, insurers can only cancel for limited reasons.
ArizonaInsurers must give 5 days’ notice before cancellation. For non-renewals, insurers must give 30 days’ notice.
ArkansasFor policies that have been in effect for more than 60 days, insurers can only cancel for a limited number of reasons. Cancellation for non-payment only requires a 10-day notice.
CaliforniaPolicies that have been in force for more than 60 days can only be canceled for qualifying reasons. Insurers must give 20 days’ notice prior to the date of cancellation and 10 days’ notice for non-payment.
ColoradoInsurers can only cancel policies after 30 days for limited reasons. Companies must give 30 days’ notice for cancellation due to qualifying reasons and 10 days’ notice for non-payment.
ConnecticutInsurers must give 30 days’ notice prior to cancellation for qualifying reasons and 10 days’ notice for non-payment.
DelawareInsurance companies must provide 30 days’ notice for cancellation and 15 days for cancellation due to non-payment.
FloridaInsurers are required to provide 120 days’ notice prior to cancellation. For non-payment cancellations, insurers must give 10 days’ notice.
GeorgiaInsurers are required to provide 30 days’ notice before cancellation and return any unused premiums to the policyholder.
HawaiiInsurance companies must give 10 days’ notice for cancellation and 30 days’ notice for non-renewal.
IdahoInsurance companies must give at least 30 days’ notice before cancellation. For non-payment, only 10 days’ notice is required. Insurers must notify policyholders 45 days before non-renewal.
IllinoisInsurers must give 30 days’ notice prior to cancellation for qualifying reasons and 10 days’ notice for non-payment.
IndianaInsurance companies must provide at least 20 days’ notice when canceling policies that have been in effect for more than 60 days. Only 10 days’ notice is required for cancellation due to non-payment. For non-renewals, policyholders must be notified within 20 days before the policy terminates.
IowaInsurers must give 30 days’ notice prior to cancellation and 10 days’ notice for non-payment.
KansasInsurance companies must give 30 days’ notice before cancellation and 10 days’ notice for cancellation due to non-payment. Unused premiums must be returned to the policyholder.
KentuckyInsurers must give 14 days’ notice prior to canceling policies in effect for less than 60 days. For policies in effect for more than 60 days, the cancellation notice must be provided within 75 days.
LouisianaInsurance companies must give 30 days’ notice prior to cancellation. For cancellation due to non-payment, 10 days’ notice is required.
MaineInsurers are required to give 30 days’ notice prior to cancellation and 10 days’ notice for non-payment.
MarylandInsurance companies must provide 45 days’ notice before cancellation. Only 10 days’ notice is required for cancellation due to non-payment.
MassachusettsInsurers are required to give at least 5 days’ notice to the policyholder before cancellation and 10 days for non-payment. The insurer has 20 days to notify the insured’s mortgage company prior to cancellation.
MichiganInsurance companies are required to provide 30 days’ notice before canceling a policy.
MinnesotaInsurers are required to give 60 days’ notice before cancellation or non-renewal. Unused premiums must be returned to the policyholder before the date of termination.
MississippiInsurance companies must give 30 days’ notice before cancellation for specific reasons and 10 days’ notice for non-payment.
MissouriFor cancellation or non-renewal, insurance companies must give 60 days’ notice.
MontanaInsurance companies must give 45 days’ notice prior to cancellation or non-renewal. For cancellation due to non-payment, 20 days’ notice is required.
NebraskaFor cancellation and non-renewal, insurers must give at least 60 days’ notice and 10 days’ notice for non-payment.
NevadaInsurance companies must give 30 days’ notice prior to cancellation or non-renewal. For cancellation due to non-payment, 10 days’ notice is required.
New HampshireInsurance companies must give 60 days’ notice prior to cancellation and 10 days’ notice for non-payment.
New JerseyInsurers are required to provide 30 days’ notice before cancellation for qualifying reasons and 10 days’ notice for non-payment.
New MexicoInsurance companies are required to provide at least 10 days’ notice prior to cancellation.
New YorkPolicies that have been in effect for less than 60 days can be canceled for specific reasons. Policies that have been in effect for more than 60 days can’t be non-renewed or canceled for three years, except in certain circumstances. Cancellation for non-payment is allowed and requires 10 days’ notice.
North CarolinaInsurers must give 15 days’ notice prior to cancellation. For non-renewals, insurers must give 45 days’ notice.
North DakotaInsurance companies must give 30 days’ notice before cancellation. For non-payment, at least 10 days’ notice is required.
OhioInsurers must give 30 days’ notice prior to cancellation.
OklahomaInsurance companies are required to provide 30 days’ notice prior to cancellation or non-renewal.
OregonInsurance companies must provide 30 days’ notice before cancellation due to qualifying reasons and 10 days’ notice for cancellation due to non-payment.
PennsylvaniaInsurance companies must give 30 days’ notice prior to cancellation for any qualifying reason.
Rhode IslandFor policies that have been in effect for more than 60 days, insurers must give 30 days’ notice prior to cancellation. For non-payment, only 10 days’ notice is required.
South CarolinaInsurance companies must give 30 days’ notice for cancellation and 60 days’ notice for non-renewals.
South DakotaInsurance companies must give 20 days’ notice prior to cancellation and 60 days’ notice prior to non-renewal.
TennesseeInsurers are required to give 20 days’ notice prior to cancellation except for non-payment, which requires 10 days’ notice.
TexasInsurance companies are required to notify policyholders at least 10 days before cancellation.
UtahInsurance companies must give 30 days’ notice before cancellation. For cancellation due to non-payment, only 10 days’ notice is required.
VermontInsurers must give 45 days’ notice before cancellation. For non-payment, 15 days’ notice is required.
VirginiaInsurance companies must give 30 days’ notice prior to cancellation and 10 days for non-payment.
WashingtonInsurance companies must give 45 days’ notice prior to cancellation or non-renewal and 10 days’ notice for non-payment.
Washington, D.C.Insurers must give 30 days’ notice before canceling a policy.
West VirginiaInsurance companies must give 30 days’ notice prior to cancellation.
WisconsinInsurers must give 60 days’ notice prior to canceling a policy.
WyomingInsurance companies are required to provide 45 days’ notice before cancellation. For non-payment, insurers must give 10 days’ notice.

Why home insurance companies might cancel or not renew a policy

Home insurance companies are allowed to cancel or not renew policies for the following reasons:[1] [2]

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/133faf506f/law-and-justice-96x96-green_010-agreement.svg

    Non-payment

    If you stop paying your home insurance premium, your insurance company may cancel your policy at any time during the policy term. In most states, insurers are only required to provide 10 days’ notice before canceling a policy due to non-payment.

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    Increased risk

    It’s possible that your policy might be canceled or not renewed if your property is riskier to insure now than when you first purchased the policy. For example, if you install a pool or adopt a dog on the insurer’s restricted breed list, your policy may be terminated.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/4aa0bc9150/contact-us-96x96-yellow_040-contact-form.svg

    Lying on your application

    If the insurance company finds out that you lied on your application, an insurer can cancel your policy. Lying on your application is considered insurance fraud.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/95fa30ac35/insurify-icons-auto-orange-96x96_005-insurance.svg

    Too many insurance claims

    If you’ve filed multiple home insurance claims within a short period of time, your insurance company might decide that you’re too risky to insure and won’t renew or cancel your homeowners policy.

What to do if your home insurance company drops you

If your insurance company doesn’t renew your policy or cancels your coverage altogether, here are a few things you can do:[3]

  • Dispute the decision. If you don’t believe that the cancellation or non-renewal was justified, you can dispute the decision by notifying your insurance company or your state’s department of insurance.

  • Improve the condition of your home. If your policy was terminated because your home is in poor condition, consider making relevant improvements, like replacing the roof or upgrading major systems, like electrical and plumbing.

  • Start shopping for a new policy. It’s a good idea to start shopping for a new home insurance policy as soon as you receive a notice of cancellation or non-renewal. That way, you have plenty of time to research insurers, compare rates, and avoid a lapse in coverage.

  • Consider a FAIR Plan. If your policy was canceled because your home is deemed too risky to insure, look into your state’s Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan. These plans cover high-risk homeowners who struggle to get approval for policies on the voluntary home insurance market.

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How to prevent your home insurance policy from being canceled

You can’t always control whether your home insurance policy gets renewed. But you can take steps to reduce the risk of cancellation:

  • Always pay your home insurance premium on time.

  • Make improvements to your home and repair known issues.

  • Avoid filing excessive home insurance claims.

  • Install safety devices, like fire alarms, to reduce risk.

  • Understand how certain dog breeds can affect home insurance.

  • Be truthful when reporting information or claims to your insurance company.

Home insurance cancellation laws FAQs

It’s important for homeowners to understand cancellation laws in their state. Here’s additional information about home insurance cancellation and when it can happen.

  • What happens when your homeowners insurance is canceled?

    When your homeowners insurance coverage gets canceled, you’ll receive a written cancellation notice within a certain time frame before your coverage ends. You won’t have coverage if you don’t have a new policy in place before the old policy’s expiration date. Once you receive a written notice of cancellation or non-renewal, you should start shopping for a new policy right away.

  • Is it hard to get homeowners insurance after being dropped?

    It can be more difficult to get homeowners insurance if your policy has been canceled in the past, especially if you failed to pay the premiums or lied on your application. If you’re unable to find a new home insurance policy, your mortgage lender may be able to find one for you. But the premium will likely be much more expensive than you were previously paying.

  • Under what circumstances can an insurance company cancel your home insurance?

    Home insurance companies can only cancel your policy in certain situations. Once your policy has been in effect for more than 60 days, the insurer can usually only cancel it if you stop paying the premiums or commit insurance fraud. But if your policy has been in effect for less than 60 days, insurers can cancel your policy for almost any reason.

  • What are the three types of home insurance cancellation?

    The three types of home insurance cancellations are flat, pro-rata, and short-rate. Flat cancellations occur when the policyholder hasn’t started paying premiums, so no refund is required. Pro-rata cancellation means that you receive a refund for unused premiums only. With a short-rate cancellation, the insurance company charges a penalty on the unused premiums, which is meant to prevent policyholders from canceling their coverage in the middle of the term.

Sources

  1. III. "What's the difference between cancellation and nonrenewal?."
  2. Texas.gov. "Was your home insurance canceled or not renewed?."
  3. III. "What if I can't get coverage?."
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

Sara Getman
Edited bySara GetmanAssociate Editor
Sara Getman
Sara GetmanAssociate Editor

Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.

Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.

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