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

Insurance company representative who sells debit life insurance (industrial life insurance). This agent is usually more of a collector of small premium payments on a weekly, biweekly, or ...

Use of the threat of violence or actual violence in taking property from someone else's possession. This peril is covered on a personal basis through the purchase of a homeowners insurance ...

State-sponsored insurance fund that was intended to guarantee deposits at state-chartered savings institutions. A handful of these funds existed in the early 1980s, but after a string of ...

Right to insurable interest in property such as the right of a secured creditor in the property pledged as security. ...

Funds paid by an insurance company associated with the normal costs of doing business other than the costs of claims payments. ...

Common element in property insurance that excludes electrical damage or destruction of an appliance unless the damage is caused by a resultant fire. ...

Extremely aggressive behavior by an insurance agent to convince a prospect to purchase the insurance product without due regard for the prospect's ability to pay the premiums and/or needs ...

Coverage on more than one person that pays a benefit after all of the insureds die. This type of joint life policy is significantly cheaper than a regular policy. Survivorship life ...

Insurance coverages for businesses, commercial institutions, and professional organizations, as contrasted with personal insurance. ...

Popular Insurance Questions