Glossary term
Prior insurance
Prior insurance: Whether you were insured immediately before the new policy. No prior insurance is rated like a lapse by many insurers.
Where this term matters
Guides and entries on this site that use the term.
Guide
How a Coverage Lapse Raises Car Insurance Rates
Why a gap in coverage—even a short one—raises premiums, how insurers treat no prior insurance, and how to restart without overpaying.
Entry
Adding a Teen Driver to Car Insurance: Rates, Rules, and Savings
Learn how adding a teen driver affects car insurance rates, why premiums surge for inexperienced operators, and four actionable steps to lower your costs.
Entry
How to Get Car Insurance After a Coverage Lapse: Practical Steps and Costs
Understand what happens after a car insurance lapse, how insurers price coverage gaps, and practical steps to secure an affordable policy again.