Call GEICO at (800) 841-1587 and ask a licensed agent to cancel your policy. That’s the only method GEICO publishes for ending auto coverage. Making the call is the easy part. Timing it around your new coverage, your refund, and anyone else who needs to know is where people run into trouble.
Wondering specifically whether this can be done online instead? It can’t, according to GEICO’s own instructions; see our page on canceling your GEICO policy online for that question alone. This guide covers the rest of the process.
Key Takeaways
- Call (800) 841-1587. If you hit the automated system, say “cancel insurance policy,” then “auto,” and have your policy number ready.
- Start your new policy before you cancel the old one. GEICO’s own guidance warns that even a one-day gap can mean higher rates or penalties later.
- If you’ve prepaid, GEICO says you’re typically owed a refund for the unused portion of your premium. The exact amount and method depend on your policy and state.
- Tell your lender if the car is financed or leased, and check whether your state requires you to report the change.
How to Cancel, Step by Step
GEICO’s cancellation page says to call (800) 841-1587 “to speak with a friendly, licensed agent.” If you reach the automated system first, say “cancel insurance policy,” then “auto,” to get routed correctly. GEICO notes you “may be asked to say your GEICO policy number,” so have it on hand.
- Call (800) 841-1587.
- Say “cancel insurance policy,” then “auto,” if the automated system answers first.
- Give your policy number and the date you want the cancellation to take effect.
- Ask the agent for written or emailed confirmation once it’s processed.
Time It So Coverage Doesn’t Lapse
GEICO’s own guidance on switching insurers is direct: “Always secure your new policy before canceling the old one. This ensures continuous coverage and keeps you protected throughout the transition.” It adds that “even a one-day gap can lead to higher rates or penalties down the road.”
If you do end up without an active policy, even briefly, that’s a lapse in coverage, which can follow you into future quotes and, depending on your state, carry its own penalties. Calling GEICO only after your new policy has started is the simplest way to avoid that.
What Happens to Premium You’ve Already Paid
GEICO’s guidance on switching says: “If you’ve prepaid your premium and cancel before the end of the term, you’re typically entitled to a refund for the unused portion. The amount will depend on how much time is left on your policy.” Separately, GEICO’s cancellation page states there’s no cancellation fee, with one exception: North Carolina policies “may be subject to a Short Rate premium calculation upon cancellation.”
Short Rate is a calculation method, not a flat dollar fee, and how any refund is calculated elsewhere depends on your state and policy. Our guide to GEICO’s cancellation fees walks through what that means and what to ask about your own refund.
Telling Your Lender and Your State
If your car is financed or leased, GEICO’s guidance says to let your lender know about the change and “send them the updated proof of insurance as soon as possible.” Lenders generally expect continuous coverage on a financed vehicle.
GEICO also notes that “in some states, you’re required to report insurance changes to the DMV,” and that skipping this “could result in fines or even license suspension.” Rules vary by state, so confirm what your own state requires rather than assuming none applies to you.
For steps that apply no matter which insurer you’re leaving, see our broader guide to canceling your auto insurance. And if (800) 841-1587 doesn’t work for you, GEICO’s full list of numbers can connect you with a customer service representative through a different line.