Ever wonder: “Is my car insured?” Checking that your vehicle is adequately insured is crucial for legal compliance and financial protection. To verify your auto insurance status, you can contact your insurance provider directly, access your policy details through online accounts or mobile apps, check car insurance by VIN number, and review physical documents like your insurance card.
Additionally, utilizing state resources such as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) online tools can help confirm your coverage.
- 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.
Does my car have insurance?
Is my car 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.
You must also provide auto insurance information to register a car, renew the plate and change ownership.
Real-world insight: Experience of a driver involved in an accident who wasn’t sure if the other driver was properly insured on RedditHere’s a post from a concerned driver who suffered an accident and had doubts about the other driver:
“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 instead it was his registration. 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?”
Replies to this post from other drivers included suggestions to contact his insurance company for help and file a claim with his carrier.
Source: Reddit
What information do I need to verify my car insurance status?
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.
How to find out if a car has insurance
When it comes to finding out if a vehicle is insured, there are a few things you can quickly check to find insurance details. After that, the search may get a bit more complicated.
Either way, the more information you have about the vehicle, the better. If possible, track down the:
- VIN number (vehicle identification number)
- License plate information
- Vehicle registration
Suppose you have access to the vehicle and the owner’s financial records because you inherited a car or are helping a relative. In that case, you may be able to determine whether the vehicle is insured with very little effort.
Look in the vehicle for proof of insurance
Most people have at least one auto insurance card in their car. Even if it’s expired, there’s a good chance the vehicle is still insured with the same company.
Check locations like the glove box, center console, visor or any other place where car insurance information may be stored. If you find proof of insurance, call the insurer to ensure coverage is current.
Review financial documents
If you’re taking over your parents’ or other family members’ finances, reviewing their financial documents will often help you track down the insurance company’s information. If you see a monthly or annual payment to an insurance company, call them to ensure the insurance policy is current and ask about the coverage details.
Check the vehicle owner’s email
If possible, review the vehicle owner’s emails for correspondence from insurance companies. Contact the insurer for more car insurance policy details if you find anything.
Finding the car insurance company is still possible if you can’t access the vehicle’s inside or the owner’s financial records. It will just require a bit more legwork.
There’s no national insurance or vehicle information database in the U.S. because insurance is regulated at the state level.
Get an insurance quote
If you have the vehicle’s VIN number and some basic details, an insurance agent may be able to help you out. You can check car insurance by VIN number because insurers typically run a CLUE report on a vehicle when writing a new car insurance policy to determine coverage lapses.
A CLUE report shows insurance details for a specific vehicle or person. However, not all insurance companies participate in CLUE, so this might not work.
Ask the state DMV
The Department of Motor Vehicles may track insurance coverage information. In most cases, they check car insurance by number plate, so you’ll need the vehicle’s license plate or VIN. You may have to pay a fee, and your state might now allow this due to privacy concerns.
Check with major auto insurance companies
There is a good chance that the vehicle is insured by a national insurance provider like Progressive, Allstate, State Farm or numerous other insurance companies that operate in your state.
Call a variety of insurers to see if there’s already a car insurance policy in place. You’ll need some basic information, such as the VIN or license plate number or the name and basic details of the vehicle owner.
Check with local police
The police department can check whether a vehicle is insured based on the license plate, but that’s only after an accident with the driver. You must file a request proving that there was an accident.
How to find out if a car is insured 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.
“Immediately after an accident, the first step is to collect as much information as possible at the scene of the accident. Get the names of and contact information for everyone involved in the crash, including witnesses,” Friedlander says. “Ask the other driver or drivers for a driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance ID card. Also get the makes and models of the vehicles involved, as well as license plate numbers. Note the location of the accident, time of day and the weather conditions.”
Note that, due to privacy laws, “it is very unusual for any state to have a list of drivers and their associated auto insurance status. If in a wreck, you can ask the other driver at the site of the wreck for a picture of their insurance info,” says James Brau, Joel C. Peterson professor of finance at Brigham Young University. “If the person refuses to show their insurance info you can call the police to the scene and have them ask for it. In some states, the DMV or insurance bureau may be willing to provide the information in the case of a wreck.”
Again, getting the other driver’s insurance information is essential if you’re involved in an accident. Here are a few tips on what information to gather after an accident.
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 a wide array of information about vehicles and drivers, which can help find insurance information.
“File a police report, even if law enforcement can’t come to the accident scene,” Friedlander adds. “Head to the nearest police department, or their website, to file an incident report. Having an official report can help in case the other driver decides to sue for damages or medical injuries, or there is more damage done to your vehicle than initially thought. And you will need to have the police report when making your insurance claim.”
Gather information about the other driver
If you were in an accident, ask the other driver for their car insurance information. Call their insurance company at the accident scene to verify 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.
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.
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.
Usually – although not always – your insurer will offer the option to renew your policy before the term ends.
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?
If you let your policy lapse, renew it immediately. You’ll pay higher rates due to the coverage lapse, but driving without insurance is illegal in almost every state.
How to find the best and cheapest car insurance
Ask Friedlander and he’ll tell you that the American car insurance market is ultra-competitive.
“Insurers want your business. So, it’s smart to shop for coverage at least annually to compare costs,” he says. “We advise getting at least three quotes. You can shop for coverage through local exclusive and independent insurance agents or use online tools to easily compare rates.”
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.
FAQ: Is my car insured?
How often should I check if my car is insured?
If your car insurance policy period has not ended and you are making your premium payments, you shouldn’t have to regularly check to ensure your policy is still in effect.
While car insurance companies can cancel your policy before the term ends, many states only allow them to do so for specific reasons. And if insurer decides to cancel your policy, it will have to let you know before it does.
Can I verify my car insurance status through my insurance provider’s website?
Most insurance companies today allow you to check your insurance status anytime online. The insurer might also offer an app to check your coverage. If, for some reason, you have trouble confirming your car insurance status online, call your insurer.
Is there an online tool to confirm my car insurance coverage?
The best way to confirm your car insurance coverage is to use your insurer’s website or app. You can also call your insurer directly to confirm your coverage status.
Can I check if someone else’s car is insured?
Insurance information isn’t public, so you can’t access it without a valid reason. However, if there’s been an accident, here are some options:
Ask the driver for their insurance details. The easiest way is to request the information directly from them. Usually, they will comply, but if they refuse or leave the scene without sharing it, make sure to note the vehicle’s make, model and license plate number.
File a police report. If the other driver doesn’t provide their information, report the incident to the police. They can check if the vehicle is insured using the license plate number.
Check with the DMV. In some states, the DMV can help by identifying the other driver’s insurer if you have the license plate number. You’ll likely need to submit a request explaining the reason, such as an accident. Let your insurance company handle it. If you have full coverage, notify your insurer, and they will handle it. Insurance companies often handle these cases through subrogation, where they pay your claim and seek reimbursement from the other party’s insurer.
Can you ever drive without car insurance?
No. Driving without insurance is illegal in every state except New Hampshire – and drivers in New Hampshire must prove financial responsibility in the event of an at-fault accident.
Can you pause your car insurance?
No, you cannot pause your car insurance. You can decrease your liability limits or drop coverages at any time, however. If, for example, you’re going overseas for an extended period – such as six months – you could cancel your collision coverage since you wouldn’t be driving your vehicle. However, if you still have a lien on the vehicle, you must maintain full coverage – including collision – in most cases.
How do you find out if someone has auto insurance coverage?
Resources & Methodology
Sources
Experian. “What Do if Your Car Insurance Is Canceled.” Accessed January 2025.
— Mark Vallet contributed to this story.
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