When apolicyholder(the insured) cancels a policy before its natural expiry date, insurers applyshort rate cancellation. Under short rate cancellation, the insurer refunds the unearned premiumminus a penalty. This penalty is applied because early cancellation disrupts expenses already incurred by the insurer, such as acquisition and administrative costs.

By contrast:

Pro rata cancellation (A)applies when theinsurercancels the policy — this provides the insured with thefullunearned premium refund, without penalties.

Half-term (B)is not a recognized cancellation method.

Partial-term (D)is also not an insurance cancellation method.

Thus, when the insured initiates cancellation, the correct method applied isshort rate.