How to Properly Notify Your Car Insurance Termination

Failing to comply with these legal time frames may result in your termination being refused or delayed, which can extend your contract and generate unnecessary extra costs. By carefully following the rules in each scenario, you retain control over your coverage and ensure that your insurance truly matches your current needs, driving habits, and budget.

Below, you will find the key situations in which you can end your car insurance, the applicable time limits, and the points of attention to consider before sending your registered letter to your insurer.

1. Termination at the End of the Insurance Contract

You can choose not to renew your car insurance when it reaches its annual expiry date. To do this, you must send your termination letter at least 3 months before the anniversary date of the contract. This notice period is a legal requirement and allows the company to close your file in time.

If you have already selected a new insurer, they can often handle this administrative step for you, provided you give them all the necessary details in advance. This avoids any interruption in coverage between the old and the new policy and ensures a smooth, secure transition for your vehicle.

2. Termination After a Claim or Accident

If you are dissatisfied with how your insurance company handled a claim or accident, you are allowed to terminate your car insurance contract. This right can be exercised whether you are unhappy with the compensation, the response time, or the insurer’s decision to refuse payment.

To make use of this option, you must send a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt within a maximum of one month from the date of compensation or from the official refusal to pay. Once this period has passed, your right to terminate following this specific claim may no longer be valid, and you will have to wait for another legal opportunity.

3. Termination in Case of Rate Increase or Change of Conditions

If your insurance company increases its premiums or modifies its general terms and conditions, you are not obliged to accept these changes without question. Belgian law grants you the right to terminate your car insurance if you disagree with the new pricing or contractual conditions.

From the date you receive the letter announcing the change, you have a maximum period of one month to send your termination letter by registered mail. Respecting this deadline allows you to reject the new terms and end the contract under the previous conditions, while you look for a more competitive offer with another insurer.

4. Termination When Your Risk of Having an Accident Is Reduced

Your risk profile is not fixed. If your situation changes and you present a lower risk of having an accident, you can ask your insurer to review your premiums. Typical examples include:

• You change your car for a vehicle that is significantly less powerful than the previous one.
• You move closer to your workplace and drive fewer kilometers every day.
• Your professional or private travel is reduced, and your overall mileage drops significantly.

In these situations, you are entitled to request a reduction in your premium to reflect the reduced risk. If your insurance company refuses to lower your premiums, you may terminate the contract by sending a registered letter. In that case, the termination will become effective 30 days after the insurer receives your letter, giving you time to organize alternative coverage.

5. Termination After Signing the Insurance Contract (Withdrawal Period)

Belgian legislation also provides for a 14-day withdrawal period after signing a new car insurance contract. During this legal period, you can request the cancellation of your policy without penalty, provided you have not yet made a claim under the contract.

This cooling-off period is especially useful if you quickly find a better offer, realize that the coverage does not match your needs, or notice conditions that were not clearly explained initially. To exercise this right, send a registered letter clearly indicating that you are withdrawing from the contract within the 14-day timeframe.

By making use of this legal protection, you avoid being locked into a contract that is not optimal for your budget or your real usage of the vehicle, and you preserve your ability to compare and choose more advantageous coverage.