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

Coverage for additional buildings on the same property as the principal insured building. Most property insurance contracts such as the homeowners insurance policy cover appurtenant ...

Means of funding permitted under the employee retirement income security act of 1974 (ERISA). The administrator of a pension plan can comply with required minimum funding standards by ...

Very broad term for insurance covering liability exposures for individuals and business owners. It provides broad coverage, generally including all exposures for property damage and bodily ...

Payments awarded by a court in a liability suit. Money damages can be broken down into compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages reimburse a plaintiff for expenses incurred for such ...

Endorsement to owners, landlords, and tenants LIABILITY POLICY, MANUFACTURERS AND CONTRACTORS LIABILITY INSURANCE, or other liability policies for business firms that provides liability ...

Clause in a property insurance policy that stipulates that either the insurer or the insured has the right to demand an appraisal in order to determine the monetary damage or loss to an ...

Clause found in an annuity contract that enables the owner of that contract to withdraw his or her money without surrender penalties, if the annual interest rate is lowered below a certain ...

Conducting of maritime suits involving ocean marine insurance policy claims before an admiralty court. ...

Losses paid plus positive or negative changes in the year-end loss reserves during that particular year. The total amount includes payments for any old claims as well as new claims, plus ...

Popular Insurance Questions