What happens if my insurance lapses?

An insurance lapse is a gap in coverage, either because the policy was cancelled or because it was not renewed. The consequences depend on the line and the length of the lapse. Auto: any lapse triggers higher rates at the next policy, and in Georgia a 10-day or longer lapse can lead to license suspension. Home: a mortgage lender will typically force-place insurance on the property at a much higher cost (sometimes 2 to 3 times the regular premium). Long lapses (90 plus days) push you into the non-standard market, where rates are higher and carrier options are limited. Getting coverage back: most carriers can reinstate coverage if the lapse was brief, often within 10 to 30 days, sometimes with a reinstatement fee. After that window, you typically need a new application and may face higher rates for 3 to 5 years. If your coverage just lapsed or is about to, the fastest path is to get a quote in place TODAY — even a brief continuous-coverage break drives long-term cost.