How to check your car insurance expiry date online and offline

Did you know your car insurance policy comes with an expiry date? If you fail to renew your policy before it expires, you may face consequences such as penalties, registration issues, and unnecessary financial risk due to loss of coverage. Therefore, it becomes essential to set reminders and process the renewal work when the time comes.

But the one question we often get asked is how to check the policy expiry date, to avoid lapse in coverage. The good news is that a policyholder can find out the policy end date through both online and offline channels, whichever suits them best. The end goal is to ensure continuous coverage at all times. Here we’d like to add that while CTPL insurance is a must, comprehensive insurance is highly recommended for its coverage against damage from accident, theft, fire, flood, vandalism, etc. So, make sure to renew the policy and make alterations/additions as per your current needs and requirements.

Whether you’re a first-time car insurance policyholder or have several years of experience, this guide will help you check your policy’s validity. So, let’s begin.

Also Read: From confused to confident: Car insurance tips for first-time Filipino drivers

Car insurance in the Philippines - Clearing the basics

Before discussing how to check a car insurance expiry date, it is essential to understand the insurance plans on offer.

Starting with Compulsory Third-Party Liability (CTPL) insurance, this one is mandatory for all motor vehicles in the country, new or old. It is pretty affordable and so offers coverage limited to third-party bodily injuries or death.

Next up is the optional but highly recommended Comprehensive insurance. Compared to CTPL, this option is more expensive but offers broader coverage, including theft, natural disasters, fire, vandalism, and other risks.

What’s common between the two is that they both add to car owners' peace of mind and come with an expiry date.

Car insurance policy timeline

CTPL Insurance	Valid for one year, this must be renewed before the vehicle registration renewal at LTO.
Comprehensive Insurance	Usually valid for a year, but that can be customised as per the agreement with the insurer.

Checking the car insurance expiry date

Online way

Thanks to the digitisation of the Philippines' insurance market, tracking your policies has become much easier. Some of the common mediums to do so include - insurer’s website, mobile application, online portal, e-policy/digital copy, and LTMS Portal.

Let us now understand each of these online methods to check policy expiry one by one -

Insurance provider’s website	Almost all insurance providers in the Philippines have a website that allows clients to do several things, including checking the policy validity.
E-policy or digital policy copy	Some insurers have their own mobile application that enables policyholders to check policy status instantly.
Provider’s mobile app/online portal	At the time of purchasing/renewing the policy, providers often provide the e-policy via mail. This document mentions the start and end of the policy.
LTMS Portal	The information is updated, and the LTMS Portal also reflects insurance details.

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Offline way

In case an online method is not your way, then don’t worry, as you can easily check your policy’s expiry date through traditional methods.

Review policy documents	Obtain your policy’s hard copy, which should include the validity period on the front page.
Contacting the insurance provider	A good way to check the policy expiry date is to call the provider’s hotline or branch office number, give them your policy number, and get the details.
Contacting your agent or broker	Call your insurance agent and ask them to check the records, then set you a reminder before the policy lapses.
Checking LTO records	Your CTPL policy is tied to your car registration. So, you can check the LTO records to confirm the expiry date.

Key signs that your policy is about to expire

Registration renewal at LTO - Your car insurance expiry date usually matches your annual LTO registration renewal date. So, if your vehicle registration is up for renewal, it’s time to renew your CTPL as well.
Renewal reminders - Insurance providers often start sending renewal reminders to clients whose policies are soon approaching expiry date. This activity usually starts a month before the expiry date.
Premium billing cycle - If you pay policy premiums in instalments, then expect the last payment date to align with your policy expiry.

Also Read: No car, no problem: Why ‘Loss of Use’ coverage matters

Car insurance policy expired - Here’s what will happen

Without a valid car insurance policy, LTO won’t process your vehicle registration renewal request. Without which you won’t be able to drive in the Philippines legally.
There is a lot of legal risk associated with driving without a valid CTPL policy.
Driving with an expired policy could result in fines and penalties.
Suppose you get involved in an accident, even without an active insurance policy. In that case, you’ll have to bear all the expenses from your pocket (including medical bills, car repairs, legal fees, etc.)

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What about the grace period? Offered or not

There is a lot of confusion around the grace period - is it there or not? Well, legally, an insurance provider in the Philippines is not bound to offer a grace period to the client. It is an entirely independent choice, and therefore, several providers do not have a provision for a grace period. However, some do offer grace periods and allow clients to correct their mistakes.

Without a grace period	With a grace period
Policy expires immediately after the due date	The policy doesn’t expire after the due date; however, the coverage resumes after the payment.

Car insurance renewal - Process & requirements

Car insurance can be renewed in the Philippines in two ways - online and offline. Here we’ll be discussing both -

Offline process	Online process
Visit the insurer’s or the agent's office Present your old policy and vehicle documents Sign up for renewal Pay in cash or cheque	Visit insurer’s website, app, or third-party vendor site Enter your policy details Select renewal Submit required documents online Pay online

Commonly required documents -

Original and /or copy of your old insurance policy
Vehicle OR/CR
Driver’s license

Tips to never miss a car insurance expiry

Stay in touch with your insurance provider or agent. Regular communication keeps us updated about facts like the policy’s due date, etc.
Make sure to set a reminder on your phone - one month and 1 week before expiry.
Go with auto-renewal, it ensures convenient and hassle-free coverage continuity.

Also Read: Step-by-step guide to renewing your car insurance in the Philippines

Bottom line

The key is to ‘Stay updated to stay protected’. Being a car owner is not at all simple; you have several responsibilities, such as obtaining insurance and ensuring timely renewal to maintain continuous coverage. Focusing on the latter, you need to know the expiry date of the policy, because before that, the policy needs to be renewed, allowing you to enjoy continuous coverage.

While insurance providers send reminders to clients to renew their policies as expiry dates approach, it is also essential to set your own reminders to avoid penalties or, worse, a coverage gap.

Remember, car insurance isn’t just about compliance with the law, but it’s about enjoying every moment on the road without any worry.

FAQs

Q1. Is there a way to find out the car insurance expiry date for Filipino drivers?
Ans. Yes, there are several ways to check the policy expiry date, including checking the policy document or e-policy and calling the insurance agent or insurance provider.

Q2. Can I check the policy expiry date via the insurance provider’s app or website?
Ans. Yes, many insurance providers are going digital, allowing clients to procure essential information from the comfort of their homes.

Q3. What is the validity period of CTPL insurance in the Philippines?
Ans. Usually, CTPL insurance in the Philippines is valid for one year.

Q4. What will happen if I fail to renew the policy before the expiry date?
Ans. In such a case, your policy will expire, leaving you uninsured.

Q5. Does the LTO system register a car owner’s insurance expiry date?
Ans. Yes, usually the LTO system shows a car owner's CTPL expiry date.

Q6. Do insurance providers offer a grace period to policyholders for renewing their policy?
Ans. While insurance providers are not legally bound to offer a grace period to the policyholder, some providers provide one.

Q7. What documents are required for car insurance renewal?
Ans. Usually, you require the following documents to renew the license: Old policy, vehicle OR/CR, and a valid ID.

Q8. Is it possible to renew an insurance policy online?
Ans. Yes, most insurance providers in the country provide clients the facility to renew their policy online via apps, websites, and third-party apps.

Q9. Do insurance providers send policy renewal reminders to clients?
Ans. Yes, most insurance providers send reminders to the clients whose policies are approaching the expiry date. This is done via calls, SMS, and email.

Q10. Is it possible to switch insurance providers?
Ans. Yes, a policyholder is free to switch providers - it can be done mid-term or at the time of renewal.

Q11. Is comprehensive insurance also valid for a year?
Ans. Yes, typically, a comprehensive policy is valid for a year, unless stated otherwise.

Q12. Does a car insurance renewal affect the LTO registration?
Ans. Yes, a car owner can not get the LTO registration renewed without a valid CTPL insurance.

Q13. What will happen if I lose my insurance documents?
Ans. Don’t panic. Contact your insurance provider or agent and request a copy of the policy.

Q14. How much does it cost to renew CTPL insurance?
Ans. CTPL insurance is not costly. For private cars, it ranges from PHP 500 to PHP 650.

Q15. Where can I obtain CTPL insurance?
Ans. When renewing LTO car registration, you can purchase CTPL insurance from a LTO-accredited provider. Or you can get it from any trusted provider.

Q16. What is a Certificate of Cover?
Ans. The Certificate of Cover (COC) is a vital part of the CTPL policy; required by the LTO for processing vehicle CRS.

Q17. Does the CTPL insurance plan pay for damage to third parties’ property?
Ans. No. CTPL insurance only covers third-party bodily injuries or death.

Q18. Is it illegal to drive without an insurance policy?
Ans. Yes. While comprehensive insurance is optional, a car owner is required by law to get CTPL insurance.

Q19. Which car insurance plan is considered the most suitable?
Ans. While CTPL insurance is a must, a car owner is highly recommended to get comprehensive insurance with Acts of God coverage, as the Philippines frequently witnesses the fury of nature.

Q20. How does third-party liability insurance work?
Ans. The insurance provider covers the insured person against liability to a third person arising from the insured vehicle.

Also Read: How to switch providers when your car insurance is about to expire