Car insurance is compulsory for all motorists. Indeed, when purchasing a vehicle, its owner must choose between several insurers to select only the one that meets their expectations. However, you should know that this situation can change and that during the year, the individual finds a more interesting offer or wants to engage with another service provider. This usually leads to the desire to change car insurance. You should know that since the establishment of the Hamon law, this is not only possible, but also simpler.
Reasons to change car insurance
The decision to change insurance, even though the contract is still in progress, can come from different reasons. The most widespread is theincrease in prices set up by your insurer. Or, the availability of insurance that offers a more advantageous price. It is also possible to express the desire to change insurer if the guarantees which were taken out during the old contract no longer meet your requirements. You can also opt for temporary car insurance, this may be able to meet your needs.
This may also be related to the destruction of your vehicle or its theft.
You should know that it is possible to change insurance if your contract comes to an end. In this way, in the event of dissatisfaction with their service or compensation, you will be able to leave your current insurer on the anniversary date of said contract. However, you should know that the contract change process is not the same for all the reasons mentioned above. Indeed, for each of them, a specific approach must be adopted.
The right time to change car insurance
Car insurance is not that different from motorcycle or home insurance. Moreover, you can discover here the 5 points to check in your home insurance contract. Consequently, it is obligatory for any owner to subscribe to it, but it will also be possible for them to cancel it. The establishment of the Hamon law grants the right to do so when the owner expresses the will. However, it is essential that your contract is for more than one year. However, certain exceptions may be considered for termination. The most recurring case in changing car insurance is when the current contract comes to an end, because during this process, the owner will not be subject to payment of:
- Penalties;
- Additional costs.
This became possible in 2015, thanks to the Consumer Law. You should know that in this case, it will be up to your new insurance to take care of the termination. To do this, she will initiate contact with the old insurance company.
The second time you will be allowed to make such a change is four weeks before the anniversary date of your contract arrives. To do this, the Chatel law requires insurance companies to notify their clients of the arrival of the closing date by sending a registered letter, three months in advance. Therefore, if the customer does not receive it within this period, he will be able to change his insurance without having to pay any costs or provide justification. In addition, for people who wish to change insurance before their contract reaches the first year of signature, this is generally impossible. Except, in the case of change of personal situation such as :
- Your move;
- Change of marital status;
- Transition to retired status;
- Start a new profession.
So that these can be taken into consideration by the insurer, the customer has three months to notify them.
The process of changing car insurance
In order to change car insurance, the individual generally goes through three main phases. The first consists of to make a study of the different offers available from other insurance companies and choose the one that allows you to have the same guarantees with a more attractive price.
Then, the second phase is to find out if you have the right of termination. After confirmation, it will be time to go to your new insurer to sign another contract. However, you will need to find out beforehand about the documents to be provided.
Finally, the last step consists of termination of the contract itself with your former insurer. It is possible that the chosen insurer takes care of the entire process by contacting the old insurer, but it is also possible to carry out the termination yourself. To do this, you will need to send a registered letter, preferably with acknowledgment of receipt. This approach is generally obligatory when the customer finds himself in fairly specific situations. You should know that sometimes it is essential to include supporting documentation.
Special situations that allow you to change insurance
In addition to the one mentioned above, you should know that in certain cases, you will also be able to make this change. However, these reasons are quite specific. We can notably cite:
- Fluctuation in the level of risk covered;
- Sale of your vehicle;
- Unjustified increase in the cost of the contribution;
- Death of the client.