Guides › Insurance Claims and Complaints › Cancelling an Insurance Policy: Cooling-Off and Refunds
Cancelling an Insurance Policy: Cooling-off and Refunds
By law you have at least 14 days to cancel a new insurance policy for any reason (30 days for life insurance). You should get your premium back, though the insurer may keep a small amount for the days you were covered and charge a small admin fee. After the cooling-off period, most insurers give some refund if you have not claimed.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
If You Cancel
Citizens Advice
By law you have a minimum 14-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel the policy for any reason; for life insurance it is 30 days. You should get a refund of premiums paid, though insurers may deduct a small amount for the days the policy was in force and charge a small administration fee. After the cooling-off period, most insurers give a refund if you have not made any claims during the policy year, but you will usually pay administration fees. source
If the Insurer Cancels
Citizens Advice
Insurers are only likely to cancel if something has made a claim much more likely, or you have not kept to the policy terms. In most cases they wait until renewal and refuse to renew. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 14 daysCooling-off30 days for life insurance
- 8 weeksInsurer answers a complaintThen the Financial Ombudsman
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check the start date and the cancellation terms.
Step 2 of 5
Cancel in writing and keep a copy.
Step 3 of 5
Ask how the refund and any fee are worked out.
Step 4 of 5
If your insurer cancelled, ask for the reason in writing.
Step 5 of 5
Complain, then go to the Financial Ombudsman after 8 weeks.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
The Insurer
Cancel or complain in writing.
Financial Ombudsman Service
Free, after 8 weeks or a final response.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Make sure you have new cover in place before cancelling, especially car insurance.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/insurance/cancelling-an-insurance-policy Checked 13 October 2026
- financial-ombudsman.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026