Article Reviewed by a licensed insurance professional: Sam Meenasian (CA dept of insurance license #0F75955).
Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Switching insurance policies mid-term is possible but may involve cancellation fees and coverage gaps.
- Before switching, carefully review your current policy for penalties and ensure a new policy is in place to avoid lapses.
- Consider reasons like rising costs, inadequate coverage, or poor service when deciding to switch insurers.
- To switch smartly, research options and negotiate terms, while focusing on coverage over just price.
- Proper timing and notifying your former insurer can help mitigate costs and ensure coverage continuity.
Everyone alive knows what it’s like to be stuck with a deal that you thought was amazing at first, but which failed to actually satisfy you in the long run.
Do you have insurance at the moment that is too expensive for you to afford? Are you unhappy with changes to the language of the policy or things that are suddenly no longer covered?
Insurance can shift and change as you go along. Commercial policies are usually priced for twelve months. Premium changes are more commonly triggered by mid-term changes (endorsements), audits (especially workers’ comp), or renewal re-rating.
Claims activity could affect your renewal premium and sometimes your ability to find a different insurance carrier. It’s less common for a claim to change the premium mid-term unless other rating factors are involved.
So, here’s the question: can you switch companies in the middle of the term of your policy?
The answer is yes, but there may be consequences to cancelling any insurance policy. You need to be cautious about ending any insurance policy early, as there might be hidden costs and pitfalls that you didn’t think of or know about in advance.
What Are the Stakes? Why You Should Consider Before You Switch
On the surface, it sounds so easy. You’re just going to cancel your policy and then get another one that is a better fit for your company’s needs. You probably think that you’ll just call your provider and tell them to cancel your policy, and then you will just go pay for the new one, right?
There are some things that you need to be aware of before you take this step. These are the most common issues that people run into when they cancel insurance policies in the middle of the policy cycle.
1. Cancellation Fees
In the fine print of your policy, there may be mention of the costs associated with cancelling your policy before it naturally ends. If you cancel mid-term, the insurance carriers may apply a short-rate calculation (often based on a short-rate table) or a flat cancellation fee, depending on the policy. The exact penalty varies by carrier, state, and policy wording. Some commercial insurance policies may have a minimum earned premium clause, which means that the insurance carrier may keep the minimum stated amount in the event of early cancellation.
As an example, if you have $1,200 left in premiums to pay, you can expect to owe $120 in penalties for cancelling early. You may only be given back the difference that’s left after the fee.
2. Coverage Gaps
One of the things that many people don’t think about when they cancel their insurance early is that they could risk having a lapse in coverage, where the business is not protected from losses. This is never ideal, and you should be very careful not to let this happen. If your old policy is cancelled as of the 15th of the month, for example, you may need to have the new policy in place on the same day to prevent a lapse.
3. Lost Discounts
In some cases, you might want to cancel just one of your policies with a company. However, if you have combined a bunch of policies and received a discount for doing so, you may lose the discount in most cases when you cancel the single policy that was combined with the others.
4. Delayed Refunds
If you were expecting that you would get the remainder of your policy premiums returned to you the same day that you cancelled your policy, then you might be surprised. Refund timing varies; some cancellations settle in days, others may take weeks, especially if there’s a premium finance company or a final audit involved. If your policy is premium-financed, the unearned premium is typically returned to the finance company first, and state rules may set specific timelines.
Why Business Owners Choose to Switch to New Insurance Policies
There are valid reasons that people often make the switch to new insurance policies. Many businesses are experiencing rising premium costs that are causing them to have to make a change.
If you have a significant amount of payroll to protect, you could expect your costs to increase exponentially. There are many other reasons that people switch insurers, related to poor customer service as well as a lack of desired coverage options.
You might also find that you could get a better deal somewhere else, which could be very attractive if you need to save money due to increases in costs across the board.
Switching can actually be a great idea, but you do need to be aware of the potential for problems if you leap without being prepared.
When Does it Make Sense to Switch
Switching to a new insurer in the middle of an insurance cycle isn’t inherently bad. You might have some good reasons for making this change:
1. You Found a Much Better Deal
This is a common reason for making a change to a new insurance company. If you can get the same coverage at a much reduced price, then the switch makes sense. However, if you are going to be penalized by expensive cancellation fees or experience a lapse in coverage, then this might not be a good plan even if the deal is excellent.
2. You Outgrew Your Existing Coverage
If your business has experienced significant growth suddenly, you might have outgrown your existing insurance quickly. This can lead to the need to change and increase your coverage, which might also increase your cost. However, you should be aware that many insurance companies expect businesses to contract and expand over time, and you might just need to reach out to them to talk about other policy options.
3. You Are Upset About Customer Service and Claims Handling
Customer service and the speed and accuracy with which claims are handled are consistently at the forefront of the reasons that people switch to new insurance companies and policies. If you are not pleased with how you are treated, it makes sense to look for a new insurance company to work with.
4. You Are Paying For Unnecessary Coverage
Some businesses don’t allow you to split out specific coverage types and only offer combined policies. This means that you could very well be paying for coverage that you don’t need and can’t use each month, which would necessitate a change to a more accurate kind of coverage for your needs.
How to Switch Insurance the Smart Way
There are ways that you can switch insurance policies without opening yourself up to issues.
Step # 1:
Check out what is in your current policy. Make sure to look at the cancellation clause and find out what your penalty may be and how refunds are handled. If you cannot find this clause, call your insurer and ask for this information.
Step # 2:
Do not cancel your existing policy until you have a new policy in force. Avoid lapse in coverage for legally required coverages (like general liability and workers’ comp). For other coverages, a lapse could leave you uninsured for a loss that occurs during the gap.
Step # 3:
Don’t switch with price as your sole motivator. Be sure that you look at the coverage for the cheaper policy before you make the change. It might be cheaper because it doesn’t cover you entirely. This is a common slip-up, and it can lead to major frustration for businesses that didn’t look before they leapt.
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | Example |
| General Liability | Injuries to customers, property damage | Customer slips in your store |
| Workers Compensation | Employee medical bills and lost wages | Worker injured on the job |
| Commercial Auto | Business vehicle accidents | Delivery van hits another car |
| Professional Liability | Mistakes in professional services | Consultant gives wrong advice |
| Property Insurance | Fire, theft, or storm damage | Fire damages your warehouse |
Step # 4: Pick the Right Time
The best time to shop around for a new business insurance policy is about 30-60 days before your next renewal. Your penalty for making the change early would be the smallest at this point, and you would be able to ask what your new premium would be if you don’t make the change.
Step # 5: Notify Your Former Insurer
Make sure that you tell your previous insurance provider that you have a new active policy. You should send a written notice, and you might also want to reach out over the phone to be certain that you are not charged for double the coverage in error. They may also request a sign cancellation form (LPR) to cancel your prior insurance policy.
Step # 6: Get Access to Your Pro-Rata Refund
If you have an insurance policy where a pro-rata refund is granted, be sure that you ask how they are calculating and how much refund you may get. If they do not use pro-rata, then you would need to inquire about the percentage that you receive.
Hypothetical Example: A Contractor Costs Themselves More Than $500
A client of ours owns a small HVAC business. He decided to switch to a new insurance company partway through his existing policy. He was told he would save $400 a year. His old policy had a 15% short-rate penalty, however. He also did not align his cancellation and start dates for the two policies.
The result of all of this:
· $525 in cancellation fees and costs
· A three-day coverage gap
· A $2,000 claim that was denied during the coverage gap period
In the end, the “cheaper” insurance policy actually cost him $3,000.
How Much Would it Cost to Switch Insurance Companies?
Switching to a new insurance company can have costs, and we should look at what those could be:
| Cost Type | Typical Amount | Example |
| Short-Rate Penalty | 10–20% of the remaining premium | $120 fee on a $600 refund |
| Administrative Fee | $25–$75 | Paperwork or broker processing |
| Refund Delay | 30–60 days | Waiting for balance reconciliation |
If you are paying for your policy through a premium finance company, the cancellation process might be even more complex than this. You need to be prepared for the insurer and the finance company to have to resolve a bunch of paperwork between them before you are ever paid back for the remaining premium.
How You Can Avoid Common Mistakes Associated With Switching Policies
Here are the ways that you can avoid the common issues that lead to frustration and even fees and fines when companies change insurance mid-cycle.
Mistake #1: Cancelling Too Soon
This is a common error. Make sure that you have a new policy active and in place before you cancel the policy you no longer want.
Mistake #2: Ignoring the Fine Print
Make sure that you are clear about the termination policies and penalties associated with your existing policy. They are typically placed in the “general conditions” section of your policy.
Mistake #3: Chasing the Lowest Possible Price
The cheapest policy may not be the best option for your needs. Make sure that your cheaper policy still covers you properly.
Mistake #4: Not Updating Certificates
If you are a contractor or you work with contractors, you need to be sure that the right insurance is listed on all certificates of insurance associated with your business.
Mistake #5: Forgetting to Bundle
If you are going to switch, don’t forget that you might impact your bundled coverages and lose discounts for them as well.
Hypothetical Example: A Plumber Who Saved $1,100
One of our clients is a plumbing contractor in Houston. He had been with the same insurance company for seven years. His rates had crept up over time by =12% each year. This meant that he was being charged far more than he realized. His general liability policy alone was $1,950.
We were able to find him a comparable policy for only $1,350. This saved him $600, and we were also able to help him bundle some of his other coverages and save even more money.
We were also able to help him make this change at the end of his existing policy, so he didn’t even pay cancellation fees. Saving money on your insurance is possible, but you do need to make sure that you are doing your research and thinking about all of the associated variables.
FAQ: Common Questions Related to Switching Coverage Mid-Policy
1. Can I switch insurance coverage at any time?
While you can cancel your insurance at any time, you might pay cancellation fees and suffer coverage gaps.
2. Would I receive a refund?
Typically, yes. This refund can be prorated, or it might only be a percentage of the policy premium that has not been used.
3. Can I bundle all my policies with my new insurance company?
It is likely that you can, but you should be sure to inquire about this possibility well before you switch so that you don’t end up costing yourself more in the long run.
4. Would switching carriers affect my claims history?
Your new insurer can see your claims records, which should help with your premiums at a new company if you have a good claims history with your former company.
How to Negotiate Before You Make the Switch
Before you make the change to a new insurance company, you should know how to negotiate for good rates.
1. Get two competing quotes.
2. Call your current agent and inform them about the quotes that you have from other companies that are less than what you pay right now.
3. Mention loyalty and ask about ways that you can get your existing policies to be more affordable.
4. Ask about adjusting coverage and figuring out a way to save some money.
Even if your insurance agent can’t match the quote you were given, they might be able to improve your rate enough that you don’t need to make the switch.
External Sources to Use to Self-Educate
Some resources can help you to learn more about the process of looking for new insurance policies.
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA.gov) — Insurance basics and small business resources.
- NAIC.org — Official site for state insurance regulators and complaint data.
OSHA.gov — Safety and compliance info that can help lower Workers Comp costs.
Key Takeaways:
1. You can switch insurance coverage, but you might pay fines.
2. You could save money through bundling, and you might impact your other policies by cancelling just one of them.
3. You might want to shop around to a few businesses and bring their quotes to your existing insurance to ask for ways to make your existing policies more competitive, price-wise.
4. Don’t switch rapidly without doing your research, as you could end up with coverage gaps and you might lose essential coverage.
Protect What You Have Built With Our Help
At USA Business Insurance, we take pride in helping business owners operate thriving businesses that are protected by quality insurance policies. We work hard to find you the right, affordable policy to keep your business safe and secure. Having peace of mind about the well-being of your business doesn’t have to be a dream.
If you are ready to change coverage to improve your rates or coverage, then reach out to us today for a quote.
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