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Almost every state (New Hampshire is an exception) requires you to have liability insurance to drive, and you may be asked for proof of insurance if you're pulled over, get in an accident or buy a car. Your auto insurance provider should give you proof of insurance when you buy, renew or update your policy.
What Is Proof of Insurance?
Proof of insurance is documentation that confirms you have at least the minimum required auto insurance for your state. Depending on your insurance company and preferences, you might receive this proof as:
- A card in the mail
- An electronic card that you can print
- A digital card in the insurance company's app
- A digital card that you can add to a digital wallet
In addition to proof of insurance, some people need a certificate of financial responsibility, which is also called an SR-22—or an FR-44 in Virginia and Florida. Generally, this is a requirement for high-risk drivers, such as someone who was convicted of a DUI or DWI, driving without a license, driving without insurance or who recently was at fault in multiple accidents.
Your insurance company will file the SR-22 with your state's department of motor vehicles (DMV), or the similarly named department in your state, and add it to your policy. The filing is how the insurance company proves to your state's department that you have the required liability coverage.
An SR-22 could increase your premiums for several years, and some insurance companies don't offer SR-22s even if they offer auto insurance. You may want or need to shop around for a new policy if you need a certificate of financial responsibility. You also might have to contact your insurance company to remove the SR-22 once it's no longer required, generally after three later.
How to Get Proof of Insurance
You can get proof of insurance directly from your auto insurance company by:
- Mail: Companies will generally mail you a copy of your insurance card unless you've signed up for paperless services.
- Print: If you have paperless services, the company might email you a copy or show you a copy in your online account. You can print it if you want an insurance card in your wallet or glove box.
- Digital device or wallet: Many insurance companies also let you view your insurance card from their app or add it to your digital wallet.
The District of Columbia and every state except New Mexico permit the use of electronic copies, in addition to paper copies, as valid proof of insurance.
Learn more >> Do You Need Car Insurance?
When Do You Need to Show Proof of Insurance?
There are several common situations when you'll need to show proof of insurance, including when you:
- Get pulled over: A police officer will generally ask for your license and proof of insurance.
- Get in an accident: You may want or need to exchange insurance information with the other people involved in the accident.
- Buy or lease a vehicle: You almost always need insurance to drive a car, and dealers might not release a vehicle that you buy or lease until you show them proof of insurance.
- Register or renew vehicle registration: When you initially register your vehicle or need to renew your registration.
Sometimes, rental car agencies might ask for proof of insurance or require you to purchase coverage when you want to rent a vehicle. Review your policy or contact your agent to find out how much coverage your policy offers.
Learn more >> How Does Credit Card Rental Car Insurance Work?
What's Included on Your Auto Insurance Card?
Your auto insurance card may look different depending on your insurance company, but a proof of insurance card (physical or digital) usually has the following information:
- Your name
- The insurance company's information
- The policy number
- The vehicle's year, make, model and VIN
- Additional drivers (if applicable)
- Effective and expiration dates
Digital versions may be automatically updated when you renew your policy. If you receive or print a physical copy, be sure to replace your expired insurance card with your new card whenever you renew.
What to Do if You Lose Your Auto Insurance Card
Contact your insurance agent or the insurance company to get a replacement if you lose your insurance card. In the meantime, see if you can get a digital copy to take a picture of, print or add to a digital wallet. Or, install the insurance company's app to see if it offers digital proof of insurance. You may want to take a screenshot so you can show the proof of insurance if you get pulled over and don't have cell service.
Penalties if You're Caught Without Proof of Insurance
You could get a ticket if you're pulled over and you don't have proof of insurance, either because you don't have an insurance card, the card is expired or because you can't access it online.
You might be able to get the ticket dismissed by proving to the court that you had insurance at the time. Review the applicable court's rules as some might require an original letter from your insurance company with specific information—others might accept a copy of your valid insurance card. Even if the court dismisses the ticket, you may still need to pay a fee to have the case dismissed.
The penalties for driving without insurance (not just without proof) can be much more severe. You may have to pay a ticket plus additional fines, do community service, get points on your driving record, and have your license suspended or vehicle impounded. Repeat offenders could even face jail time.
Learn more >> Does Car Insurance Cover the Car or the Driver?
The Bottom Line
You generally need to have insurance and be able to produce proof of insurance to legally drive a vehicle. If you own the car and bought the insurance, ask the insurance company to send you an insurance card or use one of the digital options—just make sure it'll work if you don't have reception. When you're borrowing a car, ask the owner if there's proof of insurance in the glove box or ask to take a picture of their insurance card.