Take these steps to re-secure the auto insurance coverages that you need.

Whether you have missed a payment or forgot to renew your policy, there are many instances in which drivers have to deal with a lapsed auto policy. If you let your policy expire, it's important that you quickly secure car insurance again so you are safe (and legal) to drive. So, how you can you quickly get the coverage you need? Here are some of the things you can do after your auto policy has lapsed. Ask to Have Your Policy Reinstated One of the easiest and more straightforward ways to re-secure coverage is by contacting your insurance provider and requesting that your policy be reinstated. If you have forgotten to make a premium payment but have an otherwise good reputation with your insurer, your policy will likely be reinstated and the whole incident forgotten. However, if you have filed multiple claims and have a history of missed payments, your reinstatement request might be denied. In this case, you will have to get a policy with a new company. Some insurers will only reinstate your policy after you pay a surcharge€”it all depends on your individual insurance company. Keep in mind that your insurer is not required to reinstate your policy. Should you miss your reinstatement grace period or be considered too high-risk to insure, your company has rights to refuse you coverage. Ask to Be Listed on Another's Policy It's important to understand that having a gap in your auto insurance coverage is a bad idea. Insurance companies calculate your rates based on how many years of continuous coverage you have. If you let your coverage lapse for even a few months, this could negatively affect your insurability. To avoid this, you could ask a family member or friend if you can be listed on their auto insurance policy. So long as you are listed as a driver on some insurance policy, you will not be considered high-risk when you look to secure your own insurance in the future. These are some of the things you should do after your auto policy has lapsed.  Do you have additional questions regarding your auto insurance?  If so, contact the experts at Weeks & Associates Insurance Services in Thousand Oaks, California.  We are ready to assist you with all your personal coverage needs today.