Proof of insurance is a type of ID card which confirms you're holding a valid and current insurance policy. What counts depends on which state you're in.

Written by Bonnie Stinson

Reviewed by Kathleen Flear

Updated on Mar 23, 2023

Table of Contents

What is it?
Which states allow it?
Why you need it
Insured but no proof of insurance
How to retrieve
Lost proof of insurance

Load full table of contents

Insurance companies provide a physical or digital card that will serve as proof of your insurance policy.

It can live in your glove box (next to the tissues and chapstick) or it can live on your smartphone. Both can be verified by police, although not every state allows digital proof.

It’s not enough to say you have insurance—you’ve gotta prove it. You need proof of insurance if you get in an accident, if you’re pulled over, or if you’re trying to register a vehicle.

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What is proof of insurance?

Proof of insurance is evidence that you hold a valid and current insurance policy that covers both you and the vehicle.

Instead of calling your insurance company directly, police officers and car dealerships simplify the process by checking your ID card to verify your coverage.

Most often, your proof of insurance looks like an ID card. It will show info related to you and your policy. Companies often issue two cards per vehicle, which lets you keep one in the vehicle at all times.

Here’s what proof of insurance usually contains:

Your name

Your address

All covered drivers

Vehicle year and make

Name of insurance company

The dates of coverage

Your unique policy number

You may also use a proof of coverage letter from your insurance company. In many states, it’s acceptable to use an electronic form of the ID card or letter to prove you have coverage (more on this below).

Proof of insurance does not show optional coverages like accident forgiveness or comprehensive insurance. It will only show that you have met your state’s minimum requirements. To find the full coverage amounts and types, go online or call your agent.

MORE:

What is temporary car insurance? Do I need it?

Which states allow digital proof of insurance?

There are 46 states in which you can carry digital proof of insurance. The exceptions are

, and

State	Allows Digital Proof of Insurance?
Alabama	Yes
Alaska	Yes
Arizona	Yes
Arkansas	Yes
California	Yes
Colorado	Yes
Connecticut	Yes
Delaware	Yes
Florida	Yes
Georgia	Yes
Hawaii	Yes
Idaho	Yes
Illinois	Yes
Indiana	Yes
Iowa	Yes
Kansas	Yes
Kentucky	Yes
Louisiana	Yes
Maine	Yes
Maryland	Yes
Massachusetts	No
Michigan	Yes
Minnesota	Yes
Mississippi	Yes
Missouri	Yes
Montana	Yes
Nebraska	Yes
Nevada	Yes
New Hampshire	No
New Jersey	Yes

In Massachusetts, your insurance information is already printed on your car registration, so it’s a moot point. And in New Hampshire, most drivers aren’t required to have car insurance.

To get your digital proof of insurance, see if your provider has a mobile app. Once you’re logged in, you should be able to pull up your digital ID card within the app. Otherwise, you can screenshot the ID card and save it to your phone.

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Why you need proof of insurance

Car insurance is mandatory in nearly every state. To drive legally, you need coverage!

What happens if you don’t have proof of insurance? Driving without insurance could result in fines, a suspended license, vehicle impoundment, or even jail time in extreme cases.

In case of car accident

If you are involved in a car accident, it’s helpful to have proof of your insurance on hand. This allows you and the other party to exchange information and understand what might be covered.

In case you get pulled over

If you get pulled over for a moving violation, you will need to show the officer proof of insurance. Otherwise, you could be ticketed for the traffic violation as well as for the lack of insurance.

At the DMV

You will need to show proof of insurance at the DMV when you renew your license plate or register a vehicle.

It’s wise to maintain insurance coverage even if you don’t own a vehicle or aren’t driving frequently. A lapse in coverage may cause companies to view you as a high-risk driver, which can increase your premiums.

MORE:

Standard types of car insurance

What if I don’t have proof of insurance—but I am insured?

You wouldn’t be the first person to misplace your card! Or perhaps you’re driving a friend’s vehicle or your phone died and you can’t open the app to pull up your ID card.

If you can’t prove that you have coverage, you could get a ticket. You can, however, contest the ticket later if you did have coverage but didn’t have the proof.

Promptly provide proof of insurance and an explanation to the court. Don’t procrastinate! You may have to pay fines and you could lose your license and registration if you fail to provide this proof in a timely manner.

MORE: Is it legal to show proof of car insurance on your phone?

How do I get instant proof of insurance?

As soon as you purchase a car insurance policy, the company typically sends you a package in the mail that contains your ID card and other policy information.

Every time your policy renews, you will receive an updated proof of insurance.

MORE: The penalties for using fake proof of insurance

Help! I lost my proof of insurance

If you lost your proof of insurance, don’t worry! It’s all too easy to lose that tiny ID card.

Call up your insurance company or go online to request a new proof of insurance document. If you’re in a state that allows digital proof of insurance, use your carrier’s mobile app and you’ll never lose your ID card again.

Of course, you will never have to worry about losing proof of insurance again if you have

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And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price.

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