You hear the term instant car insurance, but is it really instant? Instant car insurance allows you to get a quote, pay for the policy and print out your proof of insurance - all in one sitting. With some companies they will take the first payment over the computer and take you to a screen to print your insurance card and insurance policy.

The insurance card you print from your printer at home may not be pretty - but it is real and legal. Many people worry that if they have a home-printed insurance card, authorities will not believe it is real. Keep in mind that the auto insurance company did not just show you a screen with your card, the company also sent the information about your policy electronically to a database where officers can access your insurance records. These advances in law enforcement technology allow insurance companies to offer instant car insurance and the ability to print out proof of insurance documents right from home.

When you print out your card be sure to double check all of the information on the card. Make sure everything is spelled correctly and that all Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) are correct. Make sure your effective dates are correct when you print out the card. If anything on the card is printed incorrectly, call customer service immediately to make sure the correct information is on your policy.