How much could YOU save?
Request free quotes; find out now.
  • Someone may have
    just saved up to
    $927/yr
    on car insurance.
    Actual quote delivered: 3 hours ago
    Quote Range: $927-$1,854/yr
    Age: 45 Sex: Female
    State: Florida Tickets: 0
    Number of Quotes: 3
    Vehicle: 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE
  • Someone may have
    just saved up to
    $970/yr
    on car insurance.
    Actual quote delivered: 3 hours ago
    Quote Range: $496-$1,466/yr
    Age: 54 Sex: Male
    State: Washington Tickets: 0
    Number of Quotes: 4
    Vehicle: 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA GL
  • Someone may have
    just saved up to
    $1,019/yr
    on car insurance.
    Actual quote delivered: 2 hours ago
    Quote Range: $678-$1,697/yr
    Age: 32 Sex: Male
    State: Florida Tickets: 1
    Number of Quotes: 3
    Vehicle: 1995 GMC VANDURA G2500
  • Someone may have
    just saved up to
    $938/yr
    on car insurance.
    Actual quote delivered: 2 hours ago
    Quote Range: $938-$1,876/yr
    Age: 41 Sex: Female
    State: Florida Tickets: 0
    Number of Quotes: 3
    Vehicle: 2000 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO
  • Someone may have
    just saved up to
    $1,057/yr
    on car insurance.
    Actual quote delivered: 1 hours ago
    Quote Range: $1,306-$2,362/yr
    Age: 22 Sex: Male
    State: Florida Tickets: 1
    Number of Quotes: 3
    Vehicle: 1999 FORD MUSTANG
We Scour. You Save.
We search the web to find the very best deals and money-saving tips. Then, we send them right to you.
Get insurance now:
Car Insurance Resources:
Get Free Quotes Now
Save With CarInsurance.com!
Car Insurance Learning Center  Learning Center  Auto Insurance Questions & Answers   Questions & Answers  Professional Answers   Auto Insurance Answers

Do you need to carry the car insurance card with you (e.g. in your wallet)? Or is it OK for it to be in the car? I carry the car I mainly drive and the other car.

State laws differ but typically you must just have proof of insurance, your insurance card normally, available to be shown upon request by law enforcement, the DMV and other state entities. Also if you were in an accident than you and the other driver should show your insurance cards when trading information.

For example the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) notes that since 2006, all insurance companies are required to report insurance status information to DMV for all private use vehicles (CA Vehicle Code 16058) and law enforcement and court personnel have access to DMV records to verify that your California registered vehicle is currently insured (CVC 16058.1).The CA DMV though specifically and emphatically states that even with these laws in place one must still carry proof of insurance in their vehicle at all times.

The New York Department of Motor Vehicles also notes that one should keep an insurance card with the vehicle. If a police officer requests your proof of insurance, you must show your Insurance Identification Card in NYS.

[Let CarInsurance.com help you find affordable auto insurance now.]

Even if your specific state's statutes and law do not expressly say that the insurance card must be in a vehicle with a person while they are driving, it is always advisable to carry the car's insurance card with the vehicle in case a law enforcement officer requests proof of insurance or if you must provide this insurance information to others after being in an accident.

As long as you have proof of insurance to show when requested it normally does not matter if you keep it in your wallet or in the car itself. If you loan out your car to others it would make sense to keep the insurance card in your vehicle so that the driver borrowing your car has proof if they need to show it to law enforcement. Also there is the chance that you could leave your house without your wallet or have your wallet stolen and just happen to need to show your insurance and be unable to do so. Failure to show proof of insurance can end up with you paying fines or at least the hassle of going to court to show that you did have insurance in effect on the day of the traffic stop or accident.

Free Auto Insurance Quotes





Some insurance companies provide you with 2 insurance identification cards for your vehicle. This way you can carry one on you personally, in your wallet, while the other one stays with the vehicle.

You can contact your state's DMV or insurance regulator for them to advise you on your state's laws regarding carrying proof of insurance (an insurance identification card).If you want to shop around discount auto insurance.

Share this article with:

Related Questions
Car Insurance Related Do I need a non-residence car insurance card while visiting Canada?
Car Insurance Related I recently got a ticket for Driving Without Insurance / With Insufficient Insurance but I have insurance. I got my insurance company to send me a letter showing the days I had coverage. What do I have to do to get this fixed in court?
Rate, add comments, or add help about your situation and this question.
Help us improve the largest car insurance website!

poor 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

 excellent
Tell us why you rated this car insurance question and answer this way. You can add any helpful insurance comments to this page:
Visitor Comments
No visitors have commented on this answer.
Question Details
This car insurance answer was last updated 5:01 PM Jun-23.
This Compare Quotes question was asked 10:18 AM June-16-2009.
Keith requested this car insurance help from CarInsurance.com experts.
Rated 10 out of 10 based on 1 votes.
Compare Quotes Category
Print Car Insurance Answers Print this car insurance question and answer
Email Car Insurance Answers Email this auto insurance answer
Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided are for information purposes. They are not intended to substitute informed professional advice. These responses should not be interpreted as a recommendation to buy or sell any insurance product, or to provide financial or legal advice. Please refer to your insurance policy for specific coverage and exclusion information. Please read our Terms of Service.
©2012 QuinStreet Insurance Agency, Inc. - Online Insurance Marketplace™
CarInsurance.com Feedback Survey