Statefarm Auto-Renew: Opt-Out And Take Control Of Your Insurance

State Farm car insurance policies typically renew automatically. You will receive a renewal notice in the mail or by email approximately one month before your renewal date. To renew your policy, you simply need to make a payment. However, you can shop around to find a lower rate before you commit to your State Farm renewal premium.

Cancelling by phone, mail, or in person

To cancel your State Farm auto insurance policy by phone, you can call 800-STATEFARM. Cancellations by phone are typically effective immediately, or you can schedule them for a future date. When you call, you will usually need to provide your policy number, name, and date of birth. If you are cancelling because you have sold your vehicle, you might also need to provide proof of your vehicle's plate forfeiture or a bill of sale. If you are planning on getting a new policy with a different provider, the agent might ask for your new provider's name, policy number, and effective date.

To cancel your State Farm auto insurance policy by mail, you will need to write a letter including the following information:

• Your name, address, and phone number
• Your State Farm policy number and the date and time you want your policy to end
• If you are switching providers, your new insurer's name, policy number, and policy start date
• If you have sold your vehicle, you may be required to provide proof of plate forfeiture or your bill of sale

Sign, date, and mail your letter at least two weeks before your intended cancellation date, leaving time for delivery and processing, to the following address:

Corporate Headquarters

State Farm Insurance

One State Farm Plaza

Bloomington, IL 61710

To cancel your State Farm auto insurance policy in person, it is recommended that you take along the following information:

• Your name, address, and phone number
• Your State Farm policy number and the date and time you want your policy to end
• If you are switching providers, your new insurer's name, policy number, and policy start date
• If you have sold your vehicle, proof of plate forfeiture or your bill of sale

Contacting your local State Farm agent

To change your auto-renewal settings for State Farm auto insurance, you'll need to contact your local State Farm agent. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

• Find your local State Farm agent: You can use the "Find an Agent" page on the State Farm website and search by your ZIP Code. This will bring up a map and a list of local State Farm agents, along with their contact information.
• Gather your information: Before you get in touch, make sure you have your policy number, name, and date of birth to hand. If you're cancelling your policy because you've sold your vehicle, you may also need to provide proof of your vehicle's plate forfeiture or a bill of sale.
• Get in touch: You can contact your local State Farm agent by phone, mail, or in person. If you're cancelling your auto policy, you can also call 800-STATEFARM.
• Provide your information: Explain to your agent that you'd like to cancel or change your auto-renewal settings. They will guide you through the process and let you know if there's any additional information required.
• Schedule the cancellation: If you're cancelling your policy, you can usually schedule it to happen immediately or at a future date. Keep in mind that many states require you to inform the DMV when you cancel or change your auto insurance, so be sure to ask your agent about any necessary steps.
• Switch to a new provider: If you're planning on switching to a different insurance provider, your State Farm agent may ask for the name, policy number, and effective date of your new policy. This is an important step to ensure there are no gaps in your insurance coverage.

Remember, State Farm auto insurance policies typically renew automatically, so it's important to contact your local agent if you wish to make any changes to your auto-renewal settings. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure a smooth transition and maintain the necessary insurance coverage.

Understanding the auto-renewal process

State Farm's auto-renewal process is straightforward, but it's important to understand how it works to make informed decisions about your car insurance. Here's a detailed overview:

State Farm car insurance policies are set to auto-renew by default, which means you don't have to worry about your coverage lapsing unexpectedly. However, it's essential to keep track of your renewal dates and review your policy details to avoid surprises. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the auto-renewal process:

• Notification of Renewal: Approximately 30 days before your current policy expires, State Farm will send you a renewal notice. This notification typically arrives by mail or email, and if you have the State Farm mobile app, you may also receive a renewal notification through it. The renewal notice includes essential details such as your new policy rate, the expiry date for your current policy, and, in some cases, an updated insurance ID card.
• Review Your Options: Upon receiving the renewal notice, you have a choice to make. You can either accept the new rate or explore other options. If you're satisfied with your current coverage and the rate increase is acceptable, you can choose to renew by making the first payment for the new policy term. However, it's worth noting that State Farm, like many other insurance providers, has been increasing rates year over year since 2021. So, you may notice a rate hike of up to 13.9%.
• Shopping Around: If the renewal premium seems higher than expected, you have the option to shop around for a more competitive rate. You can compare quotes from different insurance providers to find a policy that better suits your budget and needs. This step is crucial, as it gives you the opportunity to save money and ensure you're getting the best value for your money.
• Making a Decision: After reviewing your options, you can decide whether to stick with State Farm or switch to a different provider. If you choose to stay with State Farm, simply make the renewal payment using one of the available methods (online, phone, in person, or by mail). If you decide to switch, set up your new insurance policy and ensure it takes effect before cancelling your existing State Farm coverage.
• Auto-Pay Convenience: If you have auto-pay set up, your State Farm policy will likely renew automatically without any action needed from you. The first bill for the new policy term will be deducted using your chosen payment method. However, it's a good idea to verify with your State Farm agent that your automatic payment method will work for the upcoming renewal bill to avoid any surprises.
• Consequences of Missed Renewal: In the event that you miss your State Farm renewal date, there are a few things to keep in mind. If your policy renews with auto-pay, you can still shop around and switch to a different provider, but you may be subject to cancellation or administrative fees, depending on your state. On the other hand, if you miss the renewal payment deadline and your coverage expires, your insurance will lapse, and you will be uninsured. In such cases, State Farm will notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) about your uninsured status, which could result in fines or a driver's license suspension.
• Policy Non-Renewal: It's important to note that State Farm reserves the right to not renew your policy in certain circumstances. Common reasons for non-renewal include filing too many claims, having accidents in the past three years (including at-fault accidents), a history of late or missed payments, or if State Farm is no longer offering your policy type or selling policies in your area. In such cases, State Farm will inform you in advance, giving you time to find alternative coverage before your policy expiration date.

Remember, while auto-renewal is convenient, it's always a good idea to actively review your coverage and compare rates before committing to a renewal. This ensures that you're getting the best value for your money and allows you to make any necessary adjustments to your insurance policy.

Shopping around for a better rate

There are multiple ways to shop for car insurance:

• Contact an insurance company's agent: This is one of the simplest ways to shop for car insurance. While they will not compare other options for you, they will ensure that you are getting all the applicable discounts and have detailed knowledge of their company's coverage options.
• Use an insurance broker or independent insurance agent: Independent agents and brokers work with multiple insurance companies and can help you comparison shop. They are knowledgeable about the companies they work with and can help you find the best coverage for your situation. However, they make more money if you buy more coverage, so they may be incentivized to sell you more than you need.
• Get a quote from a company website: You can get an instant price after filling out a quote form. Some companies also offer discounts for shopping online. However, online quote forms may not cover all situations, and to compare multiple companies, you will need to fill out multiple forms.
• Use an online comparison tool: This is a fast and easy way to get prices from many companies at once. You can fill out one form and compare prices from many companies, saving you time. However, this method may not offer extra help if you don't know the level of coverage you want, and quotes may not apply to special situations like classic car coverage.

When shopping for car insurance, it is important to gather the necessary information, such as personal information, vehicle details, driving history, and current insurance information. You should also decide what type and amount of coverage you need. Each state requires a basic level of bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, but you may want to increase your liability coverage amounts.

When comparing car insurance quotes, look for companies that offer discounts relevant to your situation. Most car insurance companies offer a variety of discounts, such as multi-policy or bundling discounts, defensive driving course discounts, and student-away-at-school discounts. You should also consider companies that offer usage-based insurance, which rewards good drivers with discounts.

Remember to always give correct information when filling out a car insurance quote. Car insurance companies can change your rate or even cancel your coverage if they discover something important was missing from the quote, like specific details of your driving history.

Cancelling your policy

Cancelling your State Farm insurance policy can be done in three ways: by phone, by mail, or in person.

Cancelling by Phone

To cancel by phone, call your local State Farm agent or 800-STATEFARM. You will need to provide your policy number, name, and date of birth. If you are cancelling because you have sold your vehicle, you may also need to provide proof of your vehicle's plate forfeiture or a bill of sale. Phone cancellations are typically effective immediately, or you can schedule them for a future date.

Cancelling by Mail

To cancel your policy by mail, write a letter including the following information:

• Your name, address, and phone number
• Your State Farm policy number and the date and time you want your policy to end
• If you are switching providers, include your new insurer's name, policy number, and policy start date
• If you have sold your vehicle, include proof of plate forfeiture or your bill of sale

Sign, date, and mail your letter at least two weeks before your intended cancellation date to allow for delivery and processing to the following address:

Corporate Headquarters

State Farm Insurance

One State Farm Plaza

Bloomington, IL 61710

Cancelling in Person

To cancel your policy in person, visit your nearest State Farm office and speak with an agent. Bring along the following information:

• Your name, address, and phone number
• Your State Farm policy number and the date and time you want your policy to end
• If you are switching providers, your new insurer's name, policy number, and policy start date
• If you have sold your vehicle, proof of plate forfeiture or your bill of sale

Note that you will need a new policy in place before cancelling your State Farm insurance policy, as nearly every U.S. state requires proof of insurance to drive legally. Cancelling your policy may result in a suspension of your driver's license and higher premiums on future policies.

Frequently asked questions