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License, registration, and proof of insurance: these are three things that responsible drivers know they need to have on them (or rather, in their glove box) at all times when they’re on the road. What exactly constitutes proof of insurance?
Your proof of insurance documentation is that little card given to you by your insurance carrier that shows you indeed have insurance on your vehicle. It is sometimes referred to as an auto insurance card, a vehicle insurance card, or a binder. If you never file an insurance claim, the piece of paper is all you get for your money, other than peace of mind. It is a big "if" though; most people do not go a lifetime without ever filing a claim. Your auto insurance card will contain the following information:
Vehicle insurance cards are issued for every insured, drivable vehicle with liability insurance coverage. Vehicles in storage or towed do not generally get issued insurance cards.
Your car insurance card is typically mailed to you in the same package as your insurance declaration page and other policy information. You can also obtain a car insurance card by going to your insurance agency, logging onto your insurance carrier's website, or calling customer service.
You should receive your car insurance card when you purchase a new policy, and with every renewal, you should receive a new insurance card either in the mail or by email. Insurance cards are typically sent out 30 to 45 days in advance of your renewal.
If you are caught without proof of insurance, the first thing you'll try to do is show some other form of proof. A declarations page, maybe a payment receipt, but none of those will work. Nothing can replace your car insurance card. The law requires you to carry a car insurance card in the vehicle you are driving. More than likely, substitutes will not be allowed when proof of insurance is required.
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): You may need to provide the DMV with proof of insurance when you register a new vehicle or renew your existing vehicle's license plates.
Police officers: Have your vehicle insurance card ready in case you get pulled over. The first thing an officer usually says is, "license and registration, please." If you do not provide your insurance card, you are likely to receive a stiff fine. Many states have increased the penalty for not providing proof of insurance. Electronic proof of insurance has become acceptable in many states.
Claimant: After an accident, someone, whether it is the other person involved in the accident or the police officer, will want to see your proof of insurance. Your proof of insurance has all of the information needed to trade information with the other driver and potentially fill out the police report. Many insurance carriers provide a smaller version of your proof which can be exchanged with another person. It is not considered proof, but it is handy for exchanging information after an accident.
Insurance companies: Insurance companies want to see proof of prior insurance, and a declaration page is usually required. To simplify, proof of insurance in this article refers to insurance cards only. ID cards usually won't cut it in this scenario.
Lenders: Lenders usually want to be listed as the loss payee on your insurance policy. They are also looking for proof of insurance. Again, the proof a lender is looking for is a declaration page and not insurance ID cards.
Insurance companies usually issue two proofs of insurance per vehicle: one to keep in your vehicle at all times and one to use to provide proof to the Secretary of State. Sometimes you need to mail out your vehicle insurance card, and having an additional copy makes the process a lot easier.
Have you recently changed your address, or is there a typo in your VIN number? You need to have your proof of insurance updated. Contact your insurance agent, sign into your online policy, or call your carrier's customer service number and get your proof updated. A wrong VIN number can cause the most problems when getting your license plates renewed and dealing with a police officer.
An insurance card is one of those things that are easy to lose. Insurance companies issue them so early before your renewal, and they are usually tucked into an envelope with multiple pages of paperwork, making them easy to overlook. If you have lost your insurance card, you need to contact your agent, print a new one online, or call the customer service number immediately. Car insurance cards can usually be emailed, faxed, or printed online, so you can get access instantly.
Some states do allow you to use electronic car insurance cards. Mobile apps for your cell phone can allow you to access your current proof directly from your insurance provider. You can then easily access the documentation and show it to a police officer and or the Department of Motor Vehicles. Check with your state by searching your state name and "electronic proof of insurance."
If your insurance company offers virtual insurance cards, you will access them through the company's mobile app. Once you find the card within the app, look for an option to add it to your phone's wallet. Once you've added it to your wallet, you can easily access it along with the rest of your Apple Pay cards.
Many credit cards offer rental insurance coverage when you use them to pay for rental cars. Chase is one example of a credit card that offers rental car coverage, but many others also cover rentals, especially credit cards that specialize in travel perks.
Keep in mind that this coverage typically kicks in after other sources of reimbursement have been exhausted. Check with your credit card provider to learn more about your coverage options.
