Car Insurance Renewal After Expiry

10 June 2018

It is not only in the interest of the owner but also in the interest of all the prospective passengers to keep the insurance cover on their car valid at all times, not to mention the legal complications one might land in if the vehicle meets with an accident.
Still, sometimes due to unforeseen situations, or simple forgetfulness, the insurance due date passes by and the cover lapses. Any untoward incident occurring after the due date is not covered by the insurance company for the simple and obvious reason that there is no cover in force. If an accident occurs after the lapse, the owner needs to bear any liability arising from the accident.

Problems faced after the lapse of insurance policy

After the policy has lapsed, renewal is not as easy as it would be if the policy were still in force. The insurance company will most certainly demand an inspection of the car and may ask you to take out a fresh policy. This means additional time spent in the documentation and arranging for inspection, not to mention the added tension during this period due to the zero usability of the car. Even if you risk driving it, there is always a risk of an accident or a random police inspection and subsequent fines. You may also lose out on the No Claim Bonus (NCB), if the insurance company stipulates as such, at the time of renewal.

What to do after the policy has expired

First things first: Check if there is any grace period in the policy for renewal after the expiry date, as some insurance providers allow for this option.
If there is no grace period, you can explore taking out a fresh policy from the same provider or check out other providers who quote a lower premium while providing the same facilities. Some General insurance companies might provide better facilities for the same premium. In either case, get your old policy and car documents (RC, emission certificate, licence, etc.) ready for submission.
Some insurance providers might allow you to renew the policy online if not much time has passed after the expiry date. In such a case, immediately renew the policy without further delay. If more time has passed after the expiry date, the old/new insurance company that you wish to proceed with will want to inspect the car, as stated earlier. Discuss with them and schedule an appointment at the earliest. Usually, one of their representatives will visit you and inspect the car. Based on this assessment, you will be provided with a quotation. Should you agree to it, accept the offer immediately, make the payment and get the policy renewed.

How to avoid this problem in the future

Nowadays insurance companies usually send alert messages on the registered mobile number of subscribers for renewal and general information purposes. Still, it is a good idea to note down the renewal date and expiry date in a diary, the old-fashioned way, and additionally, keep a reminder on your phone for about a week before the due date. This way, you will never miss the renewal date again and constantly protect your car and your loved ones, while also being a law-abiding citizen. If you are an existing customer with Liberty General Insurance, you can renew your auto insurance policy here.