With 15 years of immersion in the world of personal finance, Ashley Kilroy simplifies financial concepts for individuals striving toward financial security. Her expertise has been showcased in reputable publications including Rolling Stone, SmartAsse.
Ashley Kilroy Insurance WriterWith 15 years of immersion in the world of personal finance, Ashley Kilroy simplifies financial concepts for individuals striving toward financial security. Her expertise has been showcased in reputable publications including Rolling Stone, SmartAsse.
Written By Ashley Kilroy Insurance WriterWith 15 years of immersion in the world of personal finance, Ashley Kilroy simplifies financial concepts for individuals striving toward financial security. Her expertise has been showcased in reputable publications including Rolling Stone, SmartAsse.
Ashley Kilroy Insurance WriterWith 15 years of immersion in the world of personal finance, Ashley Kilroy simplifies financial concepts for individuals striving toward financial security. Her expertise has been showcased in reputable publications including Rolling Stone, SmartAsse.
Insurance Writer Les Masterson Deputy Editor, InsuranceLes Masterson is a deputy editor and insurance analyst at Forbes Advisor. He has been a journalist, reporter, editor and content creator for more than 25 years. He has covered insurance for a decade, including auto, home, life and health. Before cove.
Les Masterson Deputy Editor, InsuranceLes Masterson is a deputy editor and insurance analyst at Forbes Advisor. He has been a journalist, reporter, editor and content creator for more than 25 years. He has covered insurance for a decade, including auto, home, life and health. Before cove.
Written By Les Masterson Deputy Editor, InsuranceLes Masterson is a deputy editor and insurance analyst at Forbes Advisor. He has been a journalist, reporter, editor and content creator for more than 25 years. He has covered insurance for a decade, including auto, home, life and health. Before cove.
Les Masterson Deputy Editor, InsuranceLes Masterson is a deputy editor and insurance analyst at Forbes Advisor. He has been a journalist, reporter, editor and content creator for more than 25 years. He has covered insurance for a decade, including auto, home, life and health. Before cove.
Deputy Editor, InsuranceUpdated: Nov 7, 2023, 3:59am
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
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Before you head out on the road, make sure you have your driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance in your car. Most states have a minimum auto insurance requirement. Your proof of insurance proves you have current and valid auto insurance up to the state minimum.
To ensure you have the current and correct documentation with you at all times, here’s what you need to know about proof of insurance.
Whether you’re registering for a new vehicle, renewing your license to get a real ID, in a car accident or getting pulled over, you may have to provide proof of insurance. This document is proof that you have a current and valid auto insurance policy.
You can show your proof of insurance on a printed card from your insurance company or an electronic version from your insurance company’s mobile app.
If you are pulled over by the police, it’s acceptable to show an electronic copy of your proof of insurance in 49 states and Washington, D.C. New Mexico is the only state that does not recognize an electronic copy during a traffic stop.
Most insurers will provide some basic information on an insurance ID card. This information can include:
Proof of insurance indicates that you’re carrying at least the state-required minimum amount of coverage. But the document typically does not state the exact types of coverage (such as collision and comprehensive insurance) or the policy limits.
Your insurance company will provide proof of insurance after you buy a policy. Depending on the insurance company, you will receive immediate proof of insurance via fax or email once you make your first premium payment.
You may also receive this document electronically. In fact, 49 states and the District of Columbia allow drivers to provide a digital copy of their insurance card. The only state that may not accept electronic proof is New Mexico.
If you don’t receive your proof of insurance, make sure you reach out to your insurance company to get the appropriate documentation.
The police and the department of motor vehicles aren’t the only ones who may require proof of insurance. If you’re applying for a new auto insurance policy, you may need to provide proof of insurance from a current insurance provider. If you have a gap or “lapse” in coverage, you could pay higher car insurance premiums.
Car insurance companies see a lapse in coverage as a higher risk. In general, the longer you can show you’ve been consecutively insured, the less you can expect to pay for your premiums.
Your new insurance company might go directly to your old insurance company for proof of insurance. However, if your new company is unable to get that information from the previous insurer, they might ask you for proof of insurance. It’s a good idea to keep copies of your proof of insurance, just in case.
To legally drive on public roads in all 50 states, you must show financial responsibility, meaning you have the ability to pay if you cause property damage or injuries in a car accident. Most people show financial responsibility by purchasing liability car insurance.
If you’re unable to provide proof of insurance, you could face fines or even jail time, depending on the state. Generally, you can contest a ticket by mailing a copy of your proof of insurance or by attending the court hearing with proof that you were insured on the date the officer pulled you over. While the charges could be dismissed, you may have to pay a fine or court fees.
If you receive a ticket for not providing proof of insurance, make sure you respond to all correspondence. If you fail to do so, some states may revoke or suspend your license and registrations if you can’t prove you’re insured.
Many states use an electronic insurance verification system to identify uninsured drivers. Essentially, if they run verification on your information and discover your vehicle registration and insurance don’t match, the violation may be reported to the DMV for administrative action. For example, in California, if your insurance documents don’t match, you must contact your insurer right away to have the information corrected and resubmitted.
Keep in mind, failure to provide proof of insurance is a completely different offense than driving an uninsured vehicle. Driving without insurance is a far more serious offense, which can result in paying fines, having your driver’s license suspended, paying license reinstatement fees, paying higher rates for auto insurance or even jail time.
In some states, you can be required to have an SR-22 certificate, which is a form filed by an insurer with the state that shows you have the required amount of liability insurance.
Depending on the state, you typically need to get an SR-22 certificate if you:
Filing an SR-22 isn’t expensive. It’s typically about $25, depending on your state and insurance company. However, your car insurance rates may increase substantially because of the reason you’re being required to have an SR-22, such as a DUI conviction.
Drivers with an SR-22 usually need to keep it for at least three years. The specific length varies by state. Your SR-22 may not automatically drop off your policy at the end of the period. If it’s still on your policy and you fulfilled your requirement, check with your insurance company and ask it to remove the SR-22 and any fees associated with the certificate.
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