Dropped or Turned Down? Coverage Today

WV & OH ONLY

WV & OH ONLY

"My car insurance company is dropping me after a claim, and another company turned me down. Can they do that, and how do I get insured?"

Getting that letter feels personal, and I'm sorry you're dealing with it.

Yes, an insurance company can drop you after a claim in some situations, but West Virginia and Ohio limit when and how it can cancel and require written notice first. Being turned down by one company tells you about that company and nothing more. Find the end date on your letter and get replacement coverage in place before it.

This process could be kinder and a whole lot cheaper. We'll work to get you the best rate we can today.

Companies disagree about who they want. We check 13 companies, and some of them write people others have just let go.

I'm not shy about it: call me. If there's an end date on your letter, let's beat it together.

Look for those words. They're different. Cancellation ends a policy during its term. Non-renewal means the company won't offer you another term after this one ends.

Once a policy has been in force 60 days, West Virginia Code 33-6A-1 lets a company cancel during the term only for listed reasons, such as nonpayment, misrepresentation, a suspended license, certain convictions, or three qualifying moving violations in 12 months. A claim by itself isn't on that list.

Non-renewal is a separate matter. The commissioner's office explains that companies must give at least 45 days' notice with the specific reason. Depending on the method a company follows, that reason can include a second at-fault accident with a paid claim within 36 months, or a limited number of non-renewals for its own underwriting reasons.

You can ask the commissioner for a hearing within 45 days after the notice is mailed.

The first 90 days are the risky part. Ohio Revised Code 3937.31 limits cancellation to listed reasons, but that protection doesn't apply to a new policy in effect less than 90 days.

Non-renewal gets at least 30 days' mailed notice. The Ohio Department of Insurance's guide says a company can refuse to renew for almost any reason at the end of each one-year period. If a cancellation looks wrong, the notice has to tell you how to ask the state to review it, and you must apply by the cancellation date.

No. Keep your appeal if you want it, but get covered at the same time. Confirm your own deadlines with the state's insurance department or an attorney.

Don't conclude that until we've looked. If the regular market really says no, each state has a last-resort plan. It generally costs more, so we try everything else first.

1. Find the end date on your letter.

2. Don't drop your current policy until the new one starts.

3. Call us with the letter in your hand.

I wrote more about what to do after a non-renewal.

WV & OH ONLY

Next in the series: Part 37, Need a Non-Owner SR-22 in Ohio?