 TITLE: When Should You Change Auto Insurance Providers? CONTENT: Switching Auto Insurance Carriers When It's Right for You\n---------------------------------------------------------\nYou've reviewed your policy, gotten quotes and narrowed your options down to a few potential alternative insurers. It's time to plan your next move. Should you choose a new insurance carrier or stick with your current one? Answers to the following questions may help you decide.\n*   **What do you give up if you leave your current insurer?** Are there any penalties for switching? Will you lose accident forgiveness, which often kicks in after a few years with the same provider? Is there a recent accident or moving violation that might cause your rates to go up at renewal time, but renewal is still several months away? If so, you may want to wait until it's time to renew, since any new policy you shop for now will take your accident or ticket into account when pricing is set.\n*   **Do you like doing business with them?** If you've had a great experience with your insurance company, that might be worth a few extra dollars. If you've had a negative experience, there's no reason not to switch if you find a better deal elsewhere.\n*   **Do you need something your insurer can't offer?** Whether it's vintage car insurance, an insanely low price or an easy-to-use app, your needs simply may not intersect with what your insurance carrier has to offer. If that's the case, it's time to move on.\nIf you make a change, be sure to avoid any gap in coverage. It's better to overlap policies by a few days than to risk going without insurance, even for a short time. Operating a car without insurance is illegal in most states. It's also tempting fate. END