Cancel your car insurance with Progressive, but watch out for possible fees.
Every year, thousands of Americans cancel or switch their car insurance for a variety of reasons. With some providers, this can be a hassle; inconvenient cancellation methods or unhelpful agents can deter customers from canceling — but not Progressive.
Like many other auto insurance providers today, Progressive boasts an accessible, secure online platform to manage your policy. What sets it apart, however, is the option to cancel your policy online. While this option is only available in some states, most providers don’t allow online cancellation at all.
If you’d prefer to have everything in writing or to speak with an agent directly, you can also cancel in person, by mail or over the phone.
Progressive’s cancellation policy
Cancel your coverage with Progressive’s hassle-free cancellation policy. It also provides prorated refunds if you cancel before the end of your term, minus any fees. Depending on your state and plan, you may be subject to a cancellation fee equal to 10% of your remaining premium. However, cancellation fees, refunds and policies vary, so it’s best to call an agent for more details.
How do I avoid paying Progressive’s cancellation fee?
Generally, Progressive doesn’t charge a cancellation fee. But if this is not the case in your state, you can avoid an early cancellation fee by waiting until your policy comes up for renewal to cancel.
How to cancel your Progressive auto insurance policy
Car insurance is a legal contract that often requires you to sign or provide ID to enroll, so it’s no surprise you might need it for canceling your policy. Some states require legal paperwork, so online cancellation is only available in certain states.
Many states require you to inform the DMV when canceling or changing your auto insurance, so check your state’s guidelines or ask your agent if this is necessary.
Online
If you’re located in a state that allows online cancellation, log in to your account and check your options. If you don’t see an option to cancel, call an agent or mail in a cancellation letter.
By phone
Call 866-416-2003 to speak with a licensed agent. Cancellations via phone are usually effective immediately, or you can schedule the date for when you’d like your coverage to end.
The agent will likely ask for your policy number, name, date of birth and Social Security number, so have these documents ready in advance. Depending on your state of residence, you may need proof of new insurance, plate forfeiture or bill of sale.
In person
For added peace of mind, you can also cancel your insurance policy in person. Visit your local Progressive branch and speak with an agent about canceling.
Some states require a signed document in order to cancel your auto insurance policy, but regardless, it’s often the simplest method. You can use Progressive’s request of cancellation form, or you can draft your own letter with the same information.
Leave time for delivery and processing by mailing your letter a minimum of one week before you want your policy to end, but ideally two or three weeks. Send your letter to the following address:
The Progressive Corporation
6300 Wilson Mills Road
Mayfield Village, Ohio
44143
What info do I need to cancel?
Have the following information on hand, or include it in your cancellation letter:
- Your name, address and phone number
- Your Progressive policy number, and the date and time you want your policy to end
- Your dated signature
- Your new insurer’s name, policy number and start date for your new policy, OR
- Proof that you will no longer be driving (bill of sale, plate forfeiture, etc.)
- Pay by miles driven
- Low base rates
- Drive less, pay less
Our top pick: Metromile
Drive less than 30 miles a day? Save on the coverage you need with pay-per-mile insurance from Metromile. Get a low monthly rate then pay just a few cents per mile. Available in AZ, CA, IL, NJ, OR, PA, VA and WA.
- Rates from $29/month plus pennies per mile
- Low-mileage drivers could save $611/year
- All miles over 250 a day are free
- Easy app and online claims plus 24/7 support
Ready to cancel? Compare Progressive to other providers
Which is the best way to cancel my policy?
The quickest way to cancel your policy is to call your agent. However, you might get a sales pitch to stay with your provider. If this is something you’d like to avoid, then you might want to mail in a written request or cancel online if that option is available to you.
Some people feel more comfortable with a face-to-face meeting to confirm everything is in order. If this is you, head down to your agent’s office to cancel your policy.
Can I cancel at any time?
Yes. It is your right to can cancel your policy at any time. But don’t just stop paying your insurance premium. You must notify Progressive that you want to cancel your policy.
Do I need to have a new policy before canceling with Progressive?
Like most insurance providers, Progressive doesn’t require you to have another policy in place before canceling coverage. However, your state might require proof of a new policy if you plan on driving the same vehicle. Or you’ll need to provide proof that you’ve surrendered or transferred your vehicle’s plates or a bill of sale for your vehicle when you cancel.
It’s illegal to drive without auto insurance, so make sure that you understand your state’s requirements for car insurance before getting back on the road. Some states require you to carry insurance on a vehicle until you turn in your license plates, so be aware that Progressive may directly notify your state’s DMV of your lapse in coverage.
Compare Progressive vs other insurance companies
Compare companies side by side
Compare car insurance quotes
| Company | Average annual rate | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance | $1,239 | |
| Geico | $1,391 | Read review |
| USAA | $1,399 | Read review |
| Esurance | $1,478 | Read review |
| 21st Century | $1,701 | Read review |
| Kemper | $1,723 | Read review |
| Progressive | $1,724 | Read review |
| Mercury | $1,768 | Read review |
| Allstate | $1,917 | Read review |
| Safeco | $2,020 | Read review |
| Nationwide | $2,249 | Read review |
| Farmers | $2,425 | Read review |
| State Farm | $2,474 | Read review |
| The Hartford | $2,529 | Read review |
| Liberty Mutual | $2,611 | Read review |
| Average | $1,910 | Compare all reviews |
What should I consider before cancelling my policy?
- Does your state require proof of new insurance? It is illegal to drive without car insurance, so make sure there is no lapse in your coverage by having new car insurance in place before canceling your current policy.
- When is the best time to cancel or switch providers? Life changes like getting married, buying a house or having a baby might be good times to shop around for a new policy. Experts also recommend shopping around for a new policy once a year.
- How much time do I need to switch policies? If you’re cancelling by phone or in person, cancellation is usually effective immediately. But if you are mailing in a written request, give yourself enough time for Progressive to receive and process your letter.
Should I cancel or adjust my policy?
If you’ve had a bad experience and are no longer happy with your provider, cancelling outright might be the best option for you. Or if you are looking to save money, you might be offered new customer discounts at another provider. But first compare all of your car insurance options to find the right provider for you.
However, there are benefits to staying with your provider and adjusting your policy. Progressive offers many discounts to bring the cost of your insurance down. Call 800-776-4737 to see what discounts can be applied to your policy.
Bottom line
Cancelling your insurance isn’t difficult. But know the consequences of ending your car insurance before you do and have new car insurance coverage in place if you intend to continue driving.
Frequently asked questions about canceling Progressive
Cancel your insurance the easy way
Let a new agent help you cancel your old policy online in minutes.
Your information is secure.
I had progressive car insurance, I signed up online, paid the down payment. Every month there was a problem trying to pay. They would accept my debit card for auto pay so I set up 2 different auto pay and those didn’t work either. Because I had no auto pay they charged me $90.00 more a month. They cancelled me twice because of the auto pay issues. Intially they took my debit card for payment so I don’t understand why they wouldn’t except my payments with that card. Finally got tired of it, they cancelled me the second time so I found new insurance company, that takes my auto pay from the same debit card. Now progressive has sent the balance to a collection agency, do I owe them the rest of the policy amount?
They would not accept my debit card for auto pay, but accepted it when I first signed up with them
Hi Tricia,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
I understand your situation on this. If you have any documentation that the auto debit that you had with Progressive was declined during your stay with them then you could dispute the balance that was sent to the collection agency. It would still be best to speak with Progressive and meet in the middle to ensure everyone is happy with the decision. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Can I cancel my car insurance right now?
Hi Shakila,
Thank you for reaching out to the finder team! Progressive allows most policyholders to cancel their policies at any time.
Sometimes a fee is charged for early cancellation with Progressive. But with that in mind, you could stand to save more money by switching to a new provider. You can learn more about any potential cancellation fees by calling 1-866-416-2003 and asking a Progressive agent.
We hope this information was helpful, and that you have everything you need!
Cheers,
Andy
I am going to cancel my insurance policy and I paid with a credit card. I lost my card and cancelled it, so how will I get my reimbursement?
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for getting in touch.
First, you need to report to your bank that you lost your credit card to ensure that you won’t lose any money.
Next, if you need to get a reimbursement for the policy you purchased, you need to directly get in touch with your insurer. They will provide you the necessary information regarding your request.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua Infantado