How to Cancel Your Verizon Plan

Understanding Verizon's Contract Types and Cancellation Policies

Verizon offers several different types of service agreements, and understanding which one you have is the first step toward cancellation. The main categories include month-to-month plans, device payment plans, and legacy contracts with early termination fees. Each has different rules about how and when you can cancel.

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If you signed up for service before 2013, you might be on a traditional two-year contract. These agreements typically included a subsidized phone in exchange for a commitment period. If you cancel before the contract ends, Verizon can charge an early termination fee, which historically ranged from $175 to $350 depending on how much time remained on your contract. However, Verizon phased out two-year contracts for most new customers years ago.

Most Verizon customers today are on month-to-month plans or device payment arrangements. Month-to-month plans have no contract, which means you can cancel with minimal notice and no termination fees. Device payment plans are different—these allow you to pay off a phone over 24 or 36 months while keeping a month-to-month service agreement. You can cancel your service plan at any time, but you would still owe the remaining balance on your phone.

Verizon also offers business plans, which may have different terms than consumer plans. Some business accounts have multi-line agreements or special contracts that work differently than individual consumer accounts. If you're canceling a business account, the specific terms of your agreement matter significantly.

To identify your plan type, check your Verizon bill or log into your account online. Your bill should specify whether you're on a contract or month-to-month service. If you have a device payment plan, it will list the remaining balance. This information determines your next steps and what fees, if any, you might encounter.

Practical takeaway: Review your current Verizon bill or account to confirm your plan type before taking any cancellation steps. This prevents surprises about fees or outstanding balances.

Checking Your Account for Outstanding Balances and Final Charges

Before you cancel, Verizon will require you to pay any outstanding balances on your account. This includes current service charges, unpaid bills, and any device payment plan balances. Understanding what you owe helps you prepare for the final payment.

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If you have a device payment plan, the cancellation process doesn't automatically forgive the remaining phone balance. For example, if you financed a $800 phone over 24 months and you've paid 12 months of the 24-month plan, you still owe roughly $400 when you cancel service. This is separate from your service cancellation and must be paid in full or the account cannot be closed.

Verizon charges through the final day of service. If you cancel mid-month, you'll owe a prorated amount for the partial month. For instance, if your billing cycle runs from the 15th of each month and you cancel on the 25th, you'll pay for ten days of service. Verizon bills these final charges either to your existing payment method on file or by sending you an invoice, depending on your account settings and the amount owed.

Some customers have prepaid service credits or account credits from previous promotions or billing adjustments. These credits may offset final charges. If you've overpaid or have a credit balance, Verizon can refund this amount after your account closes, though the refund process may take several weeks.

To review your specific balance, log into your Verizon account online or call customer service at 611 from your Verizon phone or 1-908-559-4899 from another phone. A representative can provide an exact cancellation quote that shows all outstanding charges, device payment balances, and any credits.

Practical takeaway: Get a detailed cancellation quote from Verizon before committing to cancel so you know exactly what you owe and can plan payment accordingly.

Steps to Cancel Your Verizon Service Plan

Verizon provides multiple ways to cancel your service. You can cancel online through your account portal, by phone, or by visiting a physical Verizon store. Each method has different timelines and considerations.

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The online cancellation process begins by logging into your Verizon account at verizon.com. Navigate to the account settings or customer service section—this varies slightly depending on whether you have a phone plan, broadband service, or both. The website will guide you through a cancellation flow that asks you to confirm your request and review final charges. Online cancellation typically processes within one to two business days, but your service may not be disconnected until the end of your current billing cycle.

Phone cancellation is another straightforward option. Call Verizon customer service from your Verizon phone by dialing 611, or from another phone at 1-908-559-4899. A representative will verify your account information and walk you through the cancellation process. During this call, the representative may offer retention deals—discounts, credits, or other offers to keep you as a customer. You are not obligated to accept these offers. The representative will provide a confirmation number for your cancellation. Request that they email or mail you a written confirmation of your cancellation request.

If you visit a Verizon retail store to cancel, bring your account information or the phone number associated with your account. In-store cancellation provides immediate confirmation and allows you to ask questions face-to-face. However, store staff may also attempt retention offers during this process.

When you cancel, specify your desired cancellation date. Some customers request cancellation effective at the end of their current billing cycle, while others request immediate cancellation. If you cancel mid-cycle, you'll owe prorated charges. If you cancel at the end of your cycle, you'll avoid partial month charges.

Practical takeaway: Choose your cancellation method based on preference, but request written confirmation regardless of method. Keep this confirmation with your records for future reference.

Managing Early Termination Fees and Device Payment Obligations

If you have a traditional contract with an early termination fee, understanding this charge is essential. As of 2024, most new Verizon customers don't have contracts with termination fees, but customers who signed up several years ago may still be subject to these charges.

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Early termination fees are based on the remaining contract period. Historically, Verizon calculated these as $5 per month remaining on a two-year contract, with a minimum of $150. For example, if you had 18 months left on your contract, your fee would be $90. However, Verizon hasn't offered new two-year contracts in years, so these fees primarily affect long-standing customer accounts.

You can reduce your early termination fee by timing your cancellation strategically. If your contract expires in three months, waiting those three months eliminates the fee entirely. Alternatively, if you're switching to another carrier, that new carrier sometimes reimburses early termination fees as a customer acquisition incentive. Contact your new carrier to ask about this before canceling Verizon.

Device payment obligations work differently from contracts. If you're paying off a phone through Verizon's Device Payment Plan, you must pay the remaining balance when you cancel service. There is no fee for canceling early—just the outstanding device balance. If you owe $400 on your phone and you cancel service, you pay $400 and your account closes. You can sometimes continue the device payment plan after canceling service if you want, though this is uncommon.

If you purchased a phone outright without a payment plan or contract, you have no additional financial obligation beyond your final service charges. This scenario gives you the most flexibility for cancellation timing.

Practical takeaway: If you have an early termination fee, calculate whether waiting for your contract to end costs less than paying the fee plus service charges. Compare this against potential savings with a new carrier.

What Happens to Your Phone Number and Service After Cancellation

When you cancel Verizon service, your phone number is deactivated and enters a holding period. This is important if you plan to transfer your number to another carrier or if you want to maintain the number for future use.

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If you're switching to a different wireless carrier, you can port