How to Get Car Insurance After Lapse
A lapse in car insurance means you’ve had your car stolen or damaged and you’re not covered. Fortunately, it’s not as bad as it sounds, and there are steps you can take to get back on track. In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of car insurance lapses and how to get coverage back up and running as quickly as possible.
What is a Lapse?
A lapse is a term used for when you don’t have car insurance for a certain period of time. A lapse can be caused by many things, like getting married, moving, or losing your job. If you have a lapse and don’t have auto insurance, you could get fined or get your car taken away. To avoid a lapse, make sure to get car insurance every month.
Causes of a Lapse
How to Get Car Insurance After a Lapse
If you have had your car insurance lapse, you may be wondering how to get it reinstated. Here are some tips:
1. Call your insurance company. Most companies will reinstate your policy automatically if you call them within a certain amount of time after the lapse. However, please note that certain conditions must be met, such as having been active with the same insurer for at least six months in the past and not having any violations on your record.
2. Contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Many states have laws that require car insurers to notify the DMV when policies lapse or are cancelled so that the DMV can issue a certificate of insurance eligibility (COIE). This will allow you to renew your car insurance without requiring a physical inspection.
3. Complete an Automobile Insurance Reinstatement Application (AIR). This application can be found online or at most state motor vehicle agencies. Once completed, mail it along with appropriate documentation to your car insurer. The AIR should include information such as your driver license number, mailing address, COIE number from the state government and proof of insurability such as a recent driving record and auto insurance policy.
Steps to Get Car Insurance After a Lapse
If you have a lapse in your car insurance, there are some simple steps you can take to get coverage again. First, contact your current car insurance company and explain the situation. They may be willing to reinstate your policy retroactively if you show proof of liability insurance during the time that your policy was lapsed. If that’s not possible or if you have more than one policy with different companies, you may need to contact each company individually and explain the situation. In most cases, car insurance companies are willing to make a case-by-case decision based on the specific facts of your case. Finally, make sure you keep all documentation related to your car insurance lapse – such as proof of liability insurance – in case you need it when trying to get coverage reinstated.
Conclusion
If you have had your car insurance lapse, there are a few things that you can do in order to get it reinstated. The first step is to contact your insurer and explain the situation. Often, insurers will be happy to reinstate your policy as long as you can provide documentation of how the lapse occurred and what steps you have taken to rectify it. Following up with your insurer every couple of weeks may also help keep them apprised of your situation and ensure that all is being done in order for your insurance to be reinstated.
