Cancellation Provision Clause

Definition of "Cancellation Provision Clause"

The cancellation provision clause appears in an insurance policy to leave a door open for the insurance company or insured to cancel a policy. This type of cancellation applies in instances of property and casualty insurance or health insurance. The cancellation can happen at any given time before the policy expires. However, it is important to note that when it comes to life insurances or health insurances, even though some have cancellation clauses, they do not refer to the insurer; those are there for the insured.

So how do Cancellation Provision Clauses work?

The basic requirement from any party canceling a policy is a written notice to the other party. If the insurance company decides to cancel the policy, they are legally compelled to pay back any unused premium through pro rata cancellation. So, if an individual purchased a three-month insurance policy that they paid in full but decided to cancel after the first two months, the insurance company needs to determine how much of the premium was for the last month and pay them back.

If the insurer cancels a policy, besides the 30 days notice required, they also need to explain the cancellation. If the notice does not have an explanation, then the insurance company is obligated to give a reason in writing when the insured party requires one in writing. 

In any situation, except for life and health insurances. When a policy is canceled before it expires, the insurer has to refund the insured the premium difference that was not used. Besides the pro rata cancellation, another option is the short rate cancellation that includes a cancellation fee for the insured. Make sure to check the type of cancellation clause on your policy before you sign it as pro rata doesn’t necessarily apply for policyholders, and the short rate is more appealing to insurance companies.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Rate not subsequently adjusted. The rate stays in effect regardless of an insured's subsequent loss record. ...

Same as term Fortuitous Loss: loss occurring by accident or chance, not by anyone's intention. Insurance policies provide coverage against losses that occur only on a chance basis, where ...

Insurance protection written in the form of a single line policy. ...

Provision in the extended coverage endorsement stating that smoke damage is covered when it results from the sudden, unusual, and faulty operation of an on-premises cooking or heating unit, ...

Addition to the pure cost of insurance that reflects agent commissions, premium taxes, administrative costs associated with putting business on an insurance company's books, and ...

Federal program to insure private U.S. investments in foreign countries, created by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. It is a joint government and private effort to encourage U.S. ...

Adjustment of the burning cost ratio for the increase in number and size of losses (losses likely in excess of that used in the unadjusted burning cost rate), incurred but not reported ...

Estimated future dividends to be paid by a participating insurance policy. These dividend estimations cannot be part of the policy since they are not guaranteed. They are normally shown in ...

Bond derivatives of short-term duration whose principal or coupon value is determined by a market index. Market indexes that can be utilized include securities, commodity prices, and ...

Popular Insurance Questions