Can I cancel an auto insurance claim after filing it? (2025 Coverage Rules)
Wondering, “Can I cancel an auto insurance claim after filing it?” Yes, you can cancel an insurance claim after filing if you aren't the at-fault party in an accident. Contact your provider as soon as possible to cancel the claim. Staying claims-free can save you as much as 30% on auto insurance.
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Jeffrey Manola
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jeffrey Manola is an experienced insurance agent who founded TopQuoteLifeInsurance.com and NoMedicalExamQuotes.com. His mission when creating these sites was to provide online consumers searching for insurance with the most affordable rates available. Not only does he strive to provide consumers with the best prices for insurance coverage, but he also wants those on the market for insurance to ...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jan 31, 2025
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 31, 2025
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Can I cancel an auto insurance claim after filing it? Yes, you can cancel the claim as long as you weren’t at fault in an accident with another driver (Read More: At-Fault Accident Defined).
If you’ve recently been in an accident but then decided to cover the damage from your own pocket instead, you might be unsure if you can now cancel the auto insurance claim. You’re probably also wondering what happens when you withdraw a car insurance claim and whether it will still show on your record.
In this article, we will explain how to cancel a claim after you have previously filed it and how this will affect your insurance premium. Ready to start comparing auto insurance rates? Take a minute to start your search for the best auto insurance rates by entering your ZIP code.
- You can cancel an auto insurance claim after filing it
- Canceling a car insurance claim will not affect your rates but will show on records
- You can’t cancel a claim if you were the driver-at-fault in the accident
When You Can Cancel an Insurance Claim After Filing One
A top question readers ask is, “Can you cancel a car insurance claim after it has been filed?” Yes, most car insurance companies will allow you to cancel an insurance claim you previously filed.
Canceling your claim works in your insurance company's favor, as it no longer has to cover the cost of your damages. As a result, your insurer should be willing to accommodate your request in most situations.Brandon Frady Licensed Insurance Producer
You may want to cancel a claim if there is only minor damage like a small dent (Read More: Does auto insurance cover car dents?). In these cases, the claim payout may be less than the amount you would pay with your auto insurance deductible or the rate increases for filing a claim.
Your insurance company does require you to report any accident, whether you’re at fault or not. However, once you’ve filed a claim, you can cancel it at any time, regardless of your reasons. You can even cancel the claim after having received the check — that is, as long as you haven’t cashed it.
However, if the accident was your fault and someone has filed a claim against you, you won’t be able to cancel such a claim. You will have to go through the entire investigation to determine fault.
How to Cancel an Auto Insurance Claim
Now that you know the answer to, “Can I cancel a car insurance claim?” we’ll help you figure out how to cancel your claim. The first thing you should do is give your insurance agent a call. If you filed the claim yourself and the incident is still under investigation, you should be able to cancel the claim immediately.
If you have already received the insurance check, it will take a few days for the company to receive the check after you mail it back, but once the check is received your claim should be canceled promptly.
Learn More: Will my auto insurance claim check be made out to me?
What happens when you withdraw an insurance claim? The canceled claim will still show on your insurance file, but it will be registered as a withdrawn or a zero-dollar claim. Usually, there is no cancellation fee, and some companies will offer to cancel your claim online.
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Situations Where You Can’t Withdraw an Auto Insurance Claim
There are two situations when you won’t be allowed to cancel a claim. Firstly, if you were the person who caused the accident and the claim has been filed against you, you have no power over canceling such a claim. Unless you are settling the accident without insurance, you have no control over their claim against you (Read More: How to Settle a Car Accident Without Auto Insurance).
If you cause an accident, you can cancel the claim for your own damages, but you will still be liable for any damage to the other vehicle and potential medical bills if the other person is injured.Kristen Gryglik Licensed Insurance Agent
The second situation is if you’ve already cashed in the reimbursement check you’ve received from your insurance company. In this case, give your insurance agent a call and ask if the company would be willing to cancel the claim if you return the received funds. Now that you know when you can’t remove a claim from car insurance, we’ll talk about how it affects rates.
How Canceling a Claim Impacts Car Insurance Rates
If you’ve been wondering, “Can you cancel a claim with insurance after it’s filed?” you might also be curious how canceling a claim affects your rates.
Filing an insurance claim will increase your risk profile and insurance rates. You will also probably lose your safe driver cashback or no-claims bonus if you previously had them (Learn More: How to Get a No-Claim Bonus (NCB) Auto Insurance Discount). This is the most common reason for canceling auto insurance claims.
Auto Insurance Discounts for Good Drivers & No Claims
| Insurance Company | Claims Free | Safe Driver |
|---|---|---|
 | 25% | 25% |
 | 20% | 20% |
 | 20% | 30% |
 | 15% | 20% |
 | 15% | 20% |
 | 25% | 30% |
 | 25% | 25% |
 | 25% | 25% |
 | 15% | 15% |
 | 26% | 26% |
 | 30% | 30% |
 | 20% | 20% |
 | 10% | 10% |
 | 30% | 30% |
 | 20% | 20% |
 | 20% | 20% |
 | 25% | 30% |
 | 25% | 25% |
 | 25% | 25% |
 | 30% | 30% |
 | 30% | 30% |
 | 10% | 10% |
So, will my insurance go up if I cancel a claim? Canceling your claim means that the insurance company has no reason to increase your risk profile since there were no funds spent on your payout. Therefore, even though the claim will still show on record, your rates will stay the same.
Also, if you decide to switch insurance companies, your new provider will see the canceled claim on file and will be able to give you a better rate intended for low-risk drivers.
Deciding When to Cancel an Auto Insurance Claim
Can you file a claim and then cancel it? Always think twice before canceling an insurance claim, but you can cancel in most cases. Filing an insurance claim is not an easy process, but if you change your mind about claiming your expenses, you can usually cancel it unless you are an at-fault driver with a claim filed against you.
The sooner you let your insurance company know that you wish to cancel your claim, the quicker the process will be. Speaking directly to your insurance agent is the best course of action so that you can be familiar with the specific terms of your policy.
And if you are not happy with the provided terms, don’t be hesitant to shop around for car insurance and find the best auto insurance companies for your needs. Before you go, take a moment to search for the best auto insurance quotes now by entering your ZIP code.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an insurance claim under investigation?
Wondering can you cancel a car insurance claim under investigation? Yes, you can generally cancel a claim during the investigation.
Can I cancel my car insurance with an open claim?
Can you cancel an auto insurance claim if it’s open? Yes, you can generally cancel your auto insurance coverage at any time, even after you’ve filed a claim.
Can I ask an insurance company to total my car?
Yes, you can request your insurance company to total your car if the cost of repairs exceeds a certain threshold determined by your policy (Read More: Can you ask an insurance company to total your car?). However, the decision ultimately depends on your insurance company’s assessment and evaluation of the damages.
Can you cancel a total loss claim?
Can you cancel an insurance claim for total loss after filing it? Yes, you can a total loss claim, but the process of doing so depends on the provider and nature of the claim.
Will canceling an auto insurance claim affect my future claims?
Canceling an auto insurance claim generally does not directly impact your ability to file future claims. Each claim is assessed independently, and canceling a claim should not prevent you from filing new claims if needed. If you want to find a new auto insurance company for future claims, use our free tool.
Is it worth claiming a scratch on my auto insurance?
It depends on the severity of the scratch and your deductible. If the cost of repairs is lower than your deductible, it may not be worth filing a claim as you would have to cover the expenses out of pocket. Additionally, multiple small claims could lead to increased premiums in the future (Learn More: Is it worth claiming a scratch on your auto insurance?).
Can you cancel an auto insurance claim if you change your mind about repairing a vehicle?
If you file an insurance claim, can you back out of a car insurance claim? Yes, you can cancel an auto insurance claim if you decide not to repair your vehicle. However, keep in mind that if you choose not to repair the damage, it may affect the value of your vehicle in the future.
Can you withdraw a car insurance claim if the other party involved withdraws their claim?
You may wonder, “If you file a claim, can you cancel it if the other party cancels their claim?” If the other party involved in the accident withdraws their claim, you may still be able to cancel your own claim. However, it’s important to consult with your insurance company to understand the specific circumstances and requirements.
Can you cancel a claim on car insurance if the damages were caused by vandalism?
You might be wondering, “Can I cancel a claim on car insurance if the damages were caused by vandalism?” In cases of vandalism, you can typically cancel your auto insurance claim if you choose not to pursue the repairs.
However, it’s important to report the incident to the authorities and inform your insurance company (Read More: Does auto insurance cover vandalism?).
Can you cancel an insurance claim with Progressive?
Progressive policyholders may be wondering, “Can I cancel a claim with Progressive?” Yes, you can usually have Progressive cancel a claim after filing it by calling the company for help with the Progressive’s cancel claim process.
Can I cancel a claim with Geico?
So, can you cancel a claim with Geico? Like most other insurers, Geico allows you to cancel a claim after filing one. Policyholders can request Geico cancel a claim if they change their mind.
Wondering how to cancel claim on the Geico app? If you’re curious how to use Geico’s cancel claim services on the Geico app, simply visit the claims section on your app to begin cancellation.
Can I cancel a claim with State Farm?
Wondering can you cancel a claim with State Farm? Yes, you can cancel a claim at State Farm by contacting a customer service representative. They will guide you through how to cancel a State Farm claim. Learn more about State Farm in our State Farm auto insurance review.
Can you cancel State Farm claims on the app?
Can you cancel an insurance claim at State Farm on the app? Yes, to use State Farm’s cancel claim services on the app, visit the app and go to the “Claims” section to initiate cancellation and learn how to cancel State Farm claims.
Can you cancel a claim with USAA?
Can I cancel a claim after filing one with USAA? Yes, with USAA, cancel a claim by calling an agent to make the request. Learn more about the company in our USAA auto insurance review.
Can I cancel a home insurance claim?
Need to remove a claim from home insurance? Home insurance providers will usually allow you to cancel a claim.
What happens when you withdraw an insurance claim?
Usually, cancelling a claim won’t affect your rates, since the claim gets canceled and no payment is made. However, it could still show on your claims history.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Jeffrey Manola
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jeffrey Manola is an experienced insurance agent who founded TopQuoteLifeInsurance.com and NoMedicalExamQuotes.com. His mission when creating these sites was to provide online consumers searching for insurance with the most affordable rates available. Not only does he strive to provide consumers with the best prices for insurance coverage, but he also wants those on the market for insurance to ...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.