1. Insurance Terms & Definitions/
  2. Insurance Terms Starting With P

Pro Rata Cancellation

What is a Pro Rata Cancellation?

Pro rata cancellation, a term commonly used in the insurance industry, refers to the termination of an insurance policy before its expiration date, where the insurer returns the unearned premium to the policyholder based on the exact proportion of the unused coverage period. The definition of pro rata cancellation encompasses a fair and equitable method of calculating the refund owed to the insured upon early policy termination. The meaning of pro rata cancellation may refer to the process through which policyholders receive reimbursement for the coverage they did not use.


Pro Rata Cancellation in More Detail

In the event of a pro rata cancellation, the insurer calculates the refund by determining the exact number of days the policy was in effect and then dividing it by the total number of days in the original policy term. This ratio is applied to the initial premium, resulting in the amount to be returned to the policyholder.

Pro rata cancellation is typically applied when the policyholder or the insurer decides to cancel the policy for valid reasons, such as the sale of the insured property or a change in the insured’s circumstances. By understanding the concept of pro rata cancellation, policyholders can better anticipate the financial implications of early policy termination and ensure they receive a fair refund for the unused portion of their insurance coverage.