How to Cancel National General Insurance Policies

Purchasing an auto insurance policy is an important decision that helps protect you financially in the event of an accident However, life circumstances change, and you may find yourself needing to cancel your National General insurance policy before it expires Knowing the proper cancellation procedures can ensure you avoid coverage gaps or unnecessary charges.

Canceling an insurance policy isn’t always straightforward. National General has specific requirements policyholders must follow to officially terminate coverage. Reviewing National General’s cancellation process beforehand makes navigating this transition smooth and hassle-free.

Below are some tips on how to cancel National General insurance policies correctly:

Overview of Cancellation Process

To officially cancel your National General insurance policy, you must contact a representative by phone or in person. National General does not allow policyholders to cancel coverage online.

To cancel by phone:
Call 1-888-293-5108. National General customer service agents can process your cancellation request over the phone.

To cancel in person Visit your local National General agent to cancel your policy face-to-face

During the cancellation process, you will need to provide:

• Your name
• Contact information
• Policy number
• Date you want the cancellation to be effective

National General may also request details about your new insurance policy to ensure no lapse in coverage.

Cancel in Advance of Policy Expiration

Don’t wait until your policy nears expiration to begin the cancellation process. Submit your cancellation request well in advance of your desired termination date.

It can take time to finalize cancellation logistics, like calculating any refund due to you or submitting documentation of new insurance. Canceling ahead of time ensures no gaps between policies that can increase rates for car insurance down the road.

Aim to cancel at least 30 days before you want your coverage to end. This gives National General sufficient time to process the cancellation and provides you a buffer in case of delays securing replacement insurance.

Have New Insurance in Place First

Before canceling your National General policy, first purchase new car insurance so there’s no break in coverage. A lapse can show up on your record and cause most insurance companies to charge you higher premiums, sometimes for years after the gap.

Make sure your new insurance policy is active before calling National General to terminate your coverage. Make the effective date of your new insurance either the same date National General’s coverage will end or earlier.

During the cancellation call, National General will likely ask for your new insurance information, including the provider name and policy number. Having these details ready streamlines the process.

How Refunds are Calculated

If you cancel your National General policy mid-term, you may be owed a prorated refund on any unused premium. This is because car insurance policies are typically paid in six or twelve month increments.

For example, if you pre-paid for a 6-month policy but need to cancel after only 2 months, National General will refund the premium for the remaining 4 months, minus any applicable cancellation fees.

Refund methods and timeframes vary by state. In most cases, you’ll receive your prorated premium refund 4-6 weeks after submitting the cancellation request. National General will either mail a check to your address on file or apply the credit to the original payment method used.

Watch for Cancellation Fees

Most car insurance companies charge cancellation fees, which compensate them for administrative costs. Review your National General policy documents to see if cancellation fees apply.

These charges are often small, around $30-$50, but can minimally reduce your premium refund amount. Cancellation fees may be waived if you’re terminating the policy because National General increased your rates.

Alternatives to Cancelling

Cancelling your car insurance policy should be a last resort. Before terminating with National General altogether, consider these options to keep coverage without overpaying:

• Update policy details – If you moved or bought a new car, have National General modify your policy accordingly versus cancelling. This preserves your discounts and rate history.

• Change coverage options – If premium costs are too high, adjust your coverage limits or deductibles to bring down the price.

• Compare quotes – Get quotes from other top insurers before cancelling your policy. You may find National General still offers the best rate.

• Enroll in usage-based program – National General has a program called IntelliDrive that adjusts your premium based on driving habits monitored through a mobile app. This rewards safe driving with policy discounts.

Avoid Continuous Policy Hopping

While it might seem financially savvy to continuously switch insurance providers chasing lower rates, this practice can backfire. Insurance companies view policyholders who cancel quickly without cause as higher risk.

Too many cancellations and new policies on your record may label you a “high churn risk.” This makes securing affordable car insurance difficult. Before canceling, consider if the potential savings outweigh the long-term consequences.

Notify Lienholder if Required

If you still have an outstanding auto loan on the insured vehicle, notify the lienholder that you plan to cancel insurance. Some lenders require continuous insurance coverage for collateral assets like cars. Review your loan agreement to see if written consent from the lienholder is mandatory before terminating the policy.

Failing to inform the lienholder of a policy cancellation may constitute default on the loan. Avoid this outcome by checking lienholder obligations proactively.

Get Written Confirmation from National General

Once you complete the phone or in-person cancellation process, National General will mail you official notice confirming termination of your coverage. The notice will include your policy’s final cancellation date.

Always verify you receive written confirmation from National General. Without proof of cancellation, you could discover later the policy auto-renewed, and you owe additional premiums.

Keep the cancellation confirmation letter with your other insurance records for reference. Having a paper trail protects you if disputes about active policies or refunds owed arise later on.

Cancellation Checklist

Follow this checklist to ensure you correctly cancel National General insurance without any gaps in coverage:

• Review policy and loan documents for cancellation fees or lienholder obligations

• Obtain new car insurance policy with effective date before or same as cancellation

• Call 1-888-293-5108 or visit local agent to cancel

• Provide policy number, cancellation date, and new insurance details

• Receive prorated premium refund within 4-6 weeks

• Acquire written confirmation letter from National General

• Notify lienholder if required

What To Do If You Can’t Afford Payments

The cost of car insurance causing financial hardship is a common reason policyholders look to cancel. But avoiding driving uninsured by law makes maintaining coverage essential.

If you’re struggling to pay National General premiums, don’t immediately cancel your policy. First exhaust all options to keep affordable insurance protection, including:

• Increasing deductibles to reduce monthly costs
• Modifying coverage by dropping extras like rental reimbursement
• Taking defensive driving courses for discounted rates
• Comparing quotes to find cheaper alternative insurers
• Enrolling in National General’s IntelliDrive program
• Calling National General and negotiating discounted premiums if you have a good driving history

Most insurers want to retain long-time customers and will work with you on solutions. Cancellation should only be a final resort if no other payment arrangements can be reached.

Don’t Cancel if Moving Out of State

When relocating to a new state, you don’t necessarily have to cancel your current National General policy. Most major insurance companies have providers nationwide. However, state insurance regulations and rates vary.

To maintain coverage when moving:

• Notify National General several weeks before your move date and provide new contact information
• Have National General re-rate your policy based on the regulations and risk factors in your new location
• Review the new premium quote and compare competitor rates in your new area before deciding to renew or cancel

National General has providers in all 50 states. While National General may still offer competitive pricing in your new area, always compare quotes from local insurers after relocating before determining the best value.

Consult an Independent Agent for Guidance

The intricacies of cancelling and replacing car insurance coverage vary widely for different driving and financial situations. Consult an independent insurance agent who can objectively advise you on the smart options specific to your circumstances.

Independent agents represent multiple insurers and will compare policies across several companies to find you the optimal rate and coverage suite. Leverage their expertise navigating cancellation and replacement polices to avoid future higher premiums or coverage gaps.

How to Cancel National General Insurance Without Penalties

Canceling a National General policy properly takes some preparation and planning. Following National General’s cancellation guidelines reduces the chances of fees and future rate hikes.

Always have new coverage lined up before terminating an existing insurance policy. Provide written notification to lienholders if required. And don’t forget to obtain a confirmation letter from National General proving cancellation of your policy.

With some forethought and diligence, you can switch insurance providers smoothly and avoid headaches from gaps in coverage down the road. Consult an agent who can walk you through the ideal cancellation timeline and replacement policy for your situation.