How long can car insurance payment be delayed after expiration?
2 Answers
Car insurance payment should not be delayed for more than 48 hours after expiration. Although it's not recommended to delay purchasing car insurance, if you genuinely cannot renew it on time, the delay should not exceed 48 hours. Generally speaking, if compulsory insurance lapses for 48 hours, the discount will be lost and the original price will be restored. For commercial auto insurance, if the lapse period is between 3 to 6 months, the premium will increase by 10%. If car insurance is not renewed upon expiration, the vehicle will be in an uninsured state without coverage. It's important to note that compulsory traffic insurance is mandatory by law, and driving without it may lead to penalties. Additionally, renewing insurance after a lapse requires a new vehicle inspection, which adds to the insurance procedures.
I'm particularly concerned about car insurance expiration. Last time I was on a business trip and delayed for five days, and my car got scratched by some mischievous kids in the neighborhood—had to pay the repair costs out of pocket. Driving even one day late without compulsory insurance is a violation; if caught by traffic police, it's a 200-yuan fine plus vehicle impoundment. While commercial insurance can be delayed, you're completely unprotected in case of an accident. The most troublesome part is that a lapse exceeding three months leads to a 10% premium increase upon renewal, plus requiring a new vehicle inspection. Since insurance company systems take time to process, it's best not to wait until the last minute. I recommend renewing at least one week in advance—just five minutes on the mobile app—and definitely don't end up suffering like I did.
