How Proof of Insurance Works and Why You Need It

Key Takeaways

• Drivers in the United States are usually required to have bodily injury and property damage liability insurance.
• State laws require drivers to have proof of insurance in their car.
• Most states allow you to use electronic forms of proof of insurance.
• Driving without proof of insurance puts you at risk of tickets and fines.

What Is Proof of Insurance ?

Uninsured motorists are a major trouble in the United States, where about 13 % of drivers are estimated to lack policy. If you ’ re hit by an uninsured driver, then you could be on the hook for your own hospital bills and cable car repair costs.

To try to reduce the number of uninsured drivers, 49 states require drivers to carry at least a certain minimal amount of bodily injury and property damage indebtedness coverage. It can pay the other driver ’ s medical bills, vehicle repair costs, and early expenses if the policyholder is found to be at blame in an accident .

In Ohio, for case, drivers must carry a minimal of $ 25,000 in bodily wound coverage per person, $ 50,000 in bodily wound coverage per accident, and $ 25,000 in property damage coverage. This is expressed in an insurance policy as 25/50/25. Drivers can buy more liability coverage than the minimal if they wish to, and that ’ s frequently a good idea if they have significant assets to protect in the event of a lawsuit .

Some states besides require that drivers carry other types of policy, such as aesculapian payments coverage or personal injury protective covering, which can cover injuries to the policyholder and any passengers .

New Hampshire is the only state that doesn ’ thymine ask drivers to buy car policy, although it powerfully recommends it .

To prove that you comply with your state ’ s jurisprudence, you are supposed to carry proof of indemnity with you whenever you ’ re behind the wheel. If you are stopped by police, they can ask to see your proof of policy along with your license and registration. You will besides need it if you are always in an accident .

proof of indemnity can be in the shape of an insurance ID card or other text file from your insurance caller. To meet the proof of insurance requirements, your ID batting order or form must show the policy numeral, policy effective dates, covered fomite, and policyholder name .

What Is an SR-22 ?

In accession to the standard proof of indemnity, some drivers will need an SR-22 shape, besides known as a certificate of fiscal responsibility. In Virginia and Florida, the form is known as an FR-44 .

For model, you could be ordered by the submit or a pronounce to get an SR-22 if you have been convicted of a DUI or DWI, have had several speeding tickets in a short time, or have a asperity license .

The SR-22 international relations and security network ’ t a freestanding indemnity policy. It ’ s a form that must be filed with your country to prove that you meet its minimal car liability requirements .

Your indemnity company will typically file the SR-22 form for you electronically, although in some cases, it may need to be sent through the mail .

How to Get Proof of Insurance

When you purchase a car insurance policy, the insurance company will typically send you proof of insurance right away. You may besides be able to download a irregular policy card to use until the hard copy arrives .

You ’ ll receive a fresh insurance card every time your policy regenerate, or whenever you make changes to your coverage. When you receive a raw policy card, shred and throw out your old tease and put the newly one in your vehicle so you can prove that your indemnity is up to date. You may besides want to photograph or make a photocopy of your latest batting order and keep it apart from your cable car, just in case .

In most states, proof of indemnity is besides available in electronic form. so if you ’ re stopped by jurisprudence enforcement, you can show them a digital indemnity tease on your smartphone .

What to Do If You Lose Your indemnity card

If you lose your policy card and indigence to get proof of insurance, you have a few options :

• Download the insurance company’s app. Many insurance companies have apps that allow you to access digital copies of your insurance cards. 
• Access your account online. If your insurance company doesn’t have an app, then you may be able to download and print out a card by logging into your account on its website. 
• Contact your agent. Call your insurance agent and ask them to send you an updated copy of your insurance card.

Penalties If You ’ ra Caught Without Proof of Insurance

If you are stopped by police and don ’ t have proof of indemnity with you, then the officeholder can write you a slate. Depending on your state, you could be subject to fines and other penalties .

For the specifics, visit your state ’ sulfur department of motive vehicles website for information about its minimum policy requirements and the penalties for not having proof of policy .