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What to Do After Your Insurance Company Won't Renew Your Policy

By Viola Travers · Practical Services & Civic Guide

What happens when your insurer doesn't renew

When an insurance company decides not to renew your policy, they must send you written notice before your coverage ends — usually 30 to 60 days in advance, depending on the type of insurance and South Carolina law. This is not the same as cancellation mid-term. Nonrenewal means the company simply will not continue your policy past its expiration date, but you have time to find another insurer before you lose coverage.

The insurer does not have to tell you why they are not renewing, though some do. Common reasons include claims history, changes in your risk profile, or the company's decision to exit a market or stop writing policies in your state. Regardless of their reason, you have concrete steps to take immediately after receiving the notice.

Key Takeaways

  • You will receive written notice 30 to 60 days before your policy ends, giving you a window to shop for new coverage before the current policy expires.
  • Contact other insurers right away — do not wait until your current policy is about to lapse, because some companies may take time to process your application.
  • South Carolina has a FAIR Plan (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) that provides basic coverage if standard insurers deny you, though it is more expensive and limited.
  • Request your loss history and claims record from your current insurer, because new companies will ask for this information and having it ready speeds up the process.
  • If you believe the nonrenewal was unfair or based on discrimination, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Insurance.

How to find a new insurer quickly

Start contacting other insurance companies as soon as you receive the nonrenewal notice. Do not assume you will be denied elsewhere — one company's decision to not renew does not mean others will reject you. Call or visit the websites of at least three to five insurers that write policies in South Carolina for your type of insurance (homeowners, auto, renters, etc.).

Have ready: your driver's license or ID, information about your home or vehicle (year, make, model, square footage, construction type), your claims history from the past three to five years, and any safety or security features (alarm systems, updated roof, anti-theft devices). Providing this upfront speeds up quotes and helps insurers give you accurate rates.

If you have a broker or agent, contact them immediately. They have relationships with multiple insurers and can shop your policy across several companies at once, which is faster than calling each one yourself. Many brokers specialize in placing customers that standard insurers have turned down.

Understanding the FAIR Plan as a backup

If you cannot find a standard insurer willing to renew or write a new policy, South Carolina's FAIR Plan exists as a last resort. The FAIR Plan is a pool of insurers required by state law to provide basic property coverage to people who cannot obtain it in the regular market. For homeowners insurance, it covers the structure of your home and some personal property, but not liability or additional living expenses.

FAIR Plan policies are significantly more expensive than standard policies and offer less coverage. They are meant to be temporary — you should continue trying to move back to a standard insurer once your situation improves. To apply for FAIR Plan coverage, contact the South Carolina FAIR Plan directly or ask an insurance agent or broker to submit your application. You must show proof that you have been denied coverage by at least one standard insurer.

The FAIR Plan application process typically takes two to three weeks. During that time, you may have a gap in coverage, so do not let your current policy lapse without having something in place, even if it is only FAIR Plan coverage.

Gathering your claims and loss history

Before your current policy ends, request a copy of your complete claims history and loss history from your insurer. This document shows every claim you have filed, when you filed it, what it was for, and how much was paid out. New insurers will request this information, and having it ready prevents delays.

You can request this by phone, email, or through your insurer's online portal. Ask for the information in writing and keep a copy for your records. If you have moved or changed insurers in the past, you may need to request loss history from previous companies as well — new insurers often ask for a five-year history.

If you disagree with what is listed in your loss history, contact your current insurer to dispute it before you switch. Errors on this record can follow you to new insurers and affect your rates or ability to get coverage.

What to do if you believe the nonrenewal was unfair

Insurance companies have the right to not renew policies, but they cannot do so based on illegal reasons. In South Carolina, an insurer cannot refuse to renew based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. They also cannot nonrenew solely because you filed one claim, though repeated claims or serious losses can be a factor.

If you believe your nonrenewal was based on discrimination or was otherwise unfair, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Insurance. You can file online through their website, by mail, or by phone. Include a copy of your nonrenewal notice, a description of why you believe it was unfair, and any supporting documents (claim records, correspondence with the insurer, etc.).

The Department of Insurance will investigate your complaint and contact the insurer for their explanation. This process can take several weeks to several months. Filing a complaint does not stop your current policy from expiring, so you still need to find new coverage in the meantime.

Preventing future nonrenewals

While you cannot control an insurer's business decisions, you can reduce the likelihood of nonrenewal by maintaining a clean claims record. File claims only for significant losses — small claims that cost less than your deductible hurt your record without providing a benefit. Keep your home or vehicle well-maintained, install safety features (smoke detectors, deadbolts, anti-theft devices), and address any hazards promptly.

If you have had multiple claims or a serious loss, be transparent with new insurers about it. Hiding claims history will come out during underwriting and can result in denial or cancellation. Some insurers specialize in covering people with claims history and will offer better rates than others.

Review your policy annually and update your insurer if your situation changes — a new roof, security system, or reduced mileage can lower your rates and improve your standing with the company.

Timeline for action after nonrenewal notice

The moment you receive a nonrenewal notice, mark your policy expiration date on your calendar and work backward. If your policy expires in 45 days, you have roughly six weeks to find new coverage. Here is a realistic timeline:

  • Days 1 to 3: Contact three to five insurers and request quotes. If you use a broker, submit your information to them.
  • Days 4 to 7: Compare quotes and ask questions about coverage limits and deductibles. Request your loss history from your current insurer.
  • Days 8 to 14: Make a decision and bind coverage with your chosen insurer. Binding means the coverage is in effect while paperwork is being finalized.
  • Days 15 to expiration: Finalize paperwork, set up payment, and confirm your new policy is active before your old one expires.

If you cannot find standard coverage within this window, apply for FAIR Plan coverage immediately — do not wait until the last week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appeal a nonrenewal decision?

No — nonrenewal is not the same as denial or cancellation, and insurers have broad legal authority to choose not to renew. However, if you believe the nonrenewal was based on illegal discrimination, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Insurance, which can investigate whether the company violated state law.

Will a nonrenewal show up on my insurance record?

Nonrenewal does not appear on your record the way a claim or cancellation does. New insurers will see that your previous policy ended, but they will not see a mark against you unless the nonrenewal was due to nonpayment or fraud. Your claims history is what matters most to new insurers.

What if I cannot afford new insurance after nonrenewal?

If cost is the issue, get quotes from multiple insurers — rates vary significantly. Ask about discounts (bundling, safety features, good driving record). If standard insurance is truly unaffordable, the FAIR Plan is available, though it is more expensive. Some nonprofits and community organizations also offer insurance counseling or assistance programs.

How long does it take to get new insurance after nonrenewal?

Most insurers can bind coverage within one to three business days if your application is complete. Final paperwork and policy delivery may take another week or two. FAIR Plan coverage typically takes two to three weeks. Start the process immediately after receiving your nonrenewal notice to avoid gaps.

Can an insurer nonrenew me if I have not filed any claims?

Yes. Insurers can nonrenew for many reasons unrelated to your claims history — they may be exiting your state, changing their underwriting standards, or adjusting their risk portfolio. This is their right under South Carolina law, though they must give you advance written notice.