CarInsurance.com Insights
- Your insurer will provide you with proof of insurance, usually in the form of a printed or electronically accessible ID card.
- Your car insurance coverage will run out once the policy period ends or if you fail to make your premium payments.
- Confirm your coverage status at the insurer’s website or through an app.
If you own a vehicle, it’s important to make sure you’re properly insured for legal compliance and financial protection. Nearly every state requires a minimum amount of auto insurance to register a vehicle and legally drive. Without insurance, you can face serious consequences.
Fortunately, verifying your auto insurance status is easy, and there are several ways to do it.
“The fastest way to see if your car is insured is to pull up a digital copy of your insurance ID card, or log on to your car insurer’s app. But if you recently changed carriers, it’s a good idea to call your former insurer just to make sure there wasn’t a lapse in coverage,” says Jordan Blake, director of communications and operations at Florida-based Shoreline Public Adjuster, which specializes in auto insurance claims.
You can also contact your insurance provider directly, check your car insurance by VIN number and utilize state resources, such as the Department of Motor Vehicle’s (DMV) online directory.
How to check if your car is insured
Do you know if my car is insured? It’s a question that can pop up in different scenarios. Driving without auto insurance is illegal in every state except New Hampshire. Beyond the legal compliance factor, if you’re in an accident while driving an uninsured vehicle, you’ll be financially responsible for any damage you cause.
When you sign up for car insurance, your insurer will provide documentation showing you have coverage and that it remains active. This document shows others that you have at least the minimum amount of insurance coverage required by your state.
It is important to have this information readily available if you are ever pulled over by police while driving. You might also need to provide it if you are in an accident or plan to lease a vehicle.
“Proof of insurance is an auto identification card provided by your insurer,” says Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute. “The ID card typically includes the policyholder’s name and contact information and vehicle information, including year, make, model and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It also lists the policy’s effective date and expiration dates. ID cards can be issued in paper form, printed from the insurer’s website, or in a digital version via a mobile app.”
Make sure to carry a paper copy in your vehicle — if you were in an accident and incapacitated, police officers couldn’t access your phone.
Alternative ways to verify insurance
If you’re having trouble verifying your insurance coverage, here are some other methods that might be helpful:
- State DMV insurance verification: Your state’s DMV will have your car insurance information on file. You can contact the DMV directly to determine if your car is adequately insured.
- Contact your lender if you have a loan or lease: If your vehicle is leased or financed, your lender will be able to tell you whether it is insured and what type of coverage you have.
- Ask the previous owner or dealer (if newly purchased): If you recently bought the vehicle, the previous owner or dealership may be able to tell you whether it is currently insured.
- State insurance databases (if available): Some state insurance departments maintain a database with insurance details for each driver, which you can use to check your coverage.
What to do if you discover you’re uninsured
If you figure out that your vehicle isn’t insured, here’s what you should do:
- Stop driving immediately: Driving without car insurance or proof of financial responsibility is illegal in all 50 states. If you’re not insured, you should stop driving immediately.
- Get quotes from insurers: You should get car insurance quotes immediately. Aim to get at least three quotes and compare them to see which insurer offers the best rate for the coverage you need.
- Consider same-day coverage options: Some insurance companies offer same-day car insurance coverage. If you need to drive immediately, research insurers offering same-day coverage so you don’t have to wait.
- Check state minimum requirements: It is important to understand your state’s minimum coverage requirements. Make sure to get a car insurance policy that meets the requirements, but remember that most drivers can benefit from choosing higher coverage limits for more financial protection.
Snippet: “Here’s what it means for you – avoid fines and legal trouble.”
State minimum insurance requirements
Each state has different minimum car insurance requirements. Most states require personal liability insurance, which covers your financial responsibilities when you cause an accident that results in another person’s injuries or property damage. Depending on where you live, you might also be required to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance or personal injury protection (PIP).
Tips to avoid a lapse in coverage
A common reason for being uninsured is a lapse in coverage. This can happen if your policy is canceled for non-payment or because you failed to renew it. A lapse in coverage can lead to higher insurance premiums in the future.
Here are some tips that can help you avoid a lapse in insurance coverage:
- Set up autopay: Putting your car insurance policy on autopay can help you avoid missing payments. Some insurers offer a small discount if you enroll in autopay or paperless billing statements.
- Track renewal dates: While most car insurance policies automatically renew, that’s not always the case. Make a note of when your policy expires so you remember to renew your coverage if necessary.
- Shop around before your policy expires: If you want to switch car insurance companies, shop around before your policy expires. You’ll want to purchase a new policy before your old policy expires to avoid a coverage gap.
Here’s some additional advice from Blake.
“Don’t be hung up by expiration dates. Your policy may be listed as ending on the 15th, for example, but that really means 12:01 a.m. on the 15th,” he says. “I always recommend setting a calendar alert a few days out from the expiration date so you remember to renew your policy. It’s five minutes that could save you thousands in the long run.”
Snippet: “Here’s what it means for you – lapses can raise your rates.”
When does car insurance run out?
When you purchase a car insurance policy, it will include a policy period that includes both the day the policy goes into effect and the day it ends, also known as the termination date. Most policy periods run for six months or one year.
Your insurance could also run out if you fail to pay your premiums. Even if you miss a car insurance payment, your coverage won’t end immediately. State laws require insurers to contact you before the company cancels your policy.
It is important to understand exactly when your coverage will no longer be in effect: If you don’t have coverage and are involved in an accident, you will be liable out of pocket for all damages.
What happens if my car is not insured?
Driving without car insurance is illegal in almost every state. Regardless of the reason for not being insured, it can have serious consequences.
“If a car goes uninsured, you’re not only potentially facing legal trouble and fines, you’re personally liable for every dollar of damage if you get into an accident,” Blake says.
If you drive without insurance, you could have your license or vehicle registration suspended. Then, you’ll have to purchase car insurance and pay a fine to reinstate your license and registration.
If you cause an accident while driving uninsured, you would be financially responsible for the other person’s losses. You could also be sued to recover the damages if you cannot pay out of pocket.
Steps to take after an accident
Another situation where you may need to determine if a vehicle is insured is after an accident, but this information isn’t public. If you get into an accident, here are the steps you should take.
File a police report
You should always file a police report, even for minor accidents. It will help if you have to file a claim. The police also gather information about vehicles and drivers, which can help find insurance information.
Gather information about the other driver
If you were in an accident, ask the other driver for their car insurance information. Then, call their insurance company at the scene to verify that their coverage is current.
Make sure to take the following steps after an accident:
- Collect as much information as possible about the other vehicle and driver.
- Jot down the license plate number and their driver’s license number, name, address and phone number.
- Take photos and video of the damage to both vehicles from numerous angles.
- Get witness statements and the contact information for witnesses.
- Stay at the scene and cooperate with the authorities.
How to handle uninsured drivers
Some states mandate drivers to purchase uninsured motorist coverage, while in others, it may not be an option. Where it’s offered, uninsured motorist bodily injury protection and uninsured motorist property damage protection can either be sold individually or as a package. Additionally, it can be combined with underinsured motorist coverage to protect against drivers with low liability limits.
Real-world insight: Experience of a driver involved in an accident who wasn’t sure if the other driver was insured adequately on Reddit“Is there a way to find out if someone is insured? While driving home to Philly for D.C., I was hit from behind. I thought I took a picture of the guy’s insurance card, but it was his registration instead. I have his DL and plate #. Can I file a police report over the phone with Maryland Police Department and get their insurance info that way? Or Contact Maryland’s DMV to inquire?”
Here’s a post from a concerned driver who suffered an accident and had doubts about the other driver:
Other drivers’ replies to this post included suggestions to contact his insurance company for help and file a claim with his carrier.
Source: Reddit
How to find the best and cheapest car insurance
Car insurance prices vary between insurers. To find the best cheap car insurance for your situation, it’s a good idea to shop around for coverage at least once yearly, or after a significant life event. Aim to get at least three quotes for an adequate comparison.
To find the cheapest and best car insurance, follow these proven tips:
- Shop around and compare car insurance quotes
- Bundle your policies
- Raise your deductible
- Save with teen and student drivers
- Compare insurance rates when buying a vehicle
- Improve driving record by avoiding tickets and accidents
- Drop coverage you don’t need
- Buy only state-required minimum liability coverage
- Opt for pay-per-mile insurance
- Ask about group insurance or an affinity discount
- Sign up for telematics
- Reduce your mileage
- Tailor your coverage to your needs while balancing cost and protection.
Key termsInsurance policy: The written documents of a contract for insurance between the insurance company and the insured. Such documents include forms, endorsements, riders and attachments.
Insurance card: A document issued by your insurance company that provides proof of active coverage and usually includes information such as the policy number, an expiration date, the effective dates of the policy, and your name or that of the insured party listed on the policy.
Lapse in coverage: A point in time when a policy has been canceled or terminated for failure to pay the premium, or when the policy contract is void for other reasons.
Premium: The price of insurance an insured person pays for a specified risk for a specified period of time.
Coverage: Protection and benefits provided in an insurance contract.
Deductible: Usually, a dollar amount the insured must pay on each loss to which the deductible applies. The insurance company pays the remainder of each covered loss up to the policy limits.
Claim: Any request or demand for payment under the terms of the insurance policy.
Frequently Asked Questions: How to check if your car is insured
Can the police check if I have insurance?
Yes, the police can check your car insurance status using information like your driver’s license number or license plate number. They will likely ask for proof of insurance if you get pulled over.
What if I lost my insurance card?
If you lose your insurance ID card, you can get a replacement. Many insurers offer digital ID cards, which you can print at home or access on your mobile phone through an app. You can also contact your insurer for a new ID card.
How often should I check my coverage?
It’s a good idea to check your insurance coverage once yearly or after a significant life event, like moving to a new state or insuring a teen driver. You can use CarInsurance.com’s online calculators and tools to determine how much you’ll pay based on factors like your location and vehicle type and how much car insurance you should get.
How do you find out if someone has auto insurance coverage?
Resources & Methodology
Sources
Experian. “What Do if Your Car Insurance Is Canceled.” Accessed August 2025.
— Mark Vallet contributed to this story.
