// exit guide · from HostGator's June 2026 Terms
How to cancel HostGator, get your refund and keep your files
HostGator's refund rules are stricter than its "30-day money-back guarantee" badge suggests, and an expired account is deleted permanently. Do these steps in order.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Refunds: within 30 days only, on 1- to 3-year terms, paid by card or PayPal. Monthly plans are excluded.
- $22.99 is deducted if your plan included a free domain.
- No refunds after 30 days, even on unused years of a 3-year plan.
- If the account expires, "all User Content will be permanently removed". Back up first.
- Request refunds by phone at (866) 964-2867 or live chat.
The refund rules, from the Terms of Service
- The guarantee covers basic shared, VPS, dedicated and reseller hosting fees if you cancel within the first 30 days of the initial term.
- It "does not apply to Services with a monthly term", domain registrations, setup fees or additional services.
- It is valid for PayPal and credit card payments only, and refunds are "at the sole discretion of HostGator".
- A free domain costs you $22.99 off the refund if you cancel within a year.
- Refunds are in US dollars at the exchange rate on the refund date.
Back up before you turn anything off
HostGator's Terms say that when an account expires, "all User Content will be permanently removed from the server", and that you are "solely responsible" for your own backups. Download a full backup while the account is active, and keep the email backup too if you use cPanel mail.
Don't forget the domain
Domains bought through HostGator renew 30 days before their expiry date, and the Terms say renewal notices are only a courtesy. If you're leaving, transfer the domain to another registrar or turn off its auto-renewal at least 30 days before it's due.
SOURCES
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