Proof of insurance
Most states accept it on your phone. Keeping a paper copy is still the sensible move.
Proof of insurance is the document showing you carry the coverage your state requires. You'll be asked for it at predictable moments, and at one unpredictable one.
When you'll need it
- A traffic stop
- After an accident, to exchange with the other driver
- Registering or renewing registration on a vehicle
- A vehicle inspection, in states that require one
- Buying, selling or financing a vehicle
- Some rental and car-sharing arrangements
What counts
An insurance identification card issued by your insurer, showing the policy number, effective dates, insurer, named insured and vehicle.
Most states accept electronic proof displayed on a phone, though requirements vary. Your insurer's app usually stores it, and it's worth checking that it's downloaded rather than only available online — coverage on the roadside is not guaranteed.
The detail people miss
ID cards are issued per policy term. The card in your glovebox may show a term that has already ended, even though your coverage renewed and is perfectly valid.
An expired card at a traffic stop is an avoidable problem. Replace it each renewal — most insurers email a new one, and it takes a minute.
What proof isn't
- A payment receipt or bank statement
- A quote or an application
- A binder that has since expired
- A declarations page alone, in some states
- A photo of a card from a previous term
Keep it in two places
One in the vehicle, one on your phone. Phones run out of battery and get damaged in exactly the circumstances where you need the card.
If you carry an SR-22 or similar filing, keep documentation of that too.
Common questions
In most states, yes, though requirements vary. Make sure the card is downloaded in your insurer's app rather than only available online — signal on the roadside isn't guaranteed.
Not necessarily. Cards are issued per policy term, so a renewed policy is valid even if the old card isn't. Replace the card each renewal to avoid an unnecessary problem at a stop.
No. Proof means an insurance identification card showing policy number, effective dates, insurer, named insured and vehicle.
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This page is general information, not advice about your specific circumstances. A licensed insurance professional can tell you what’s actually available to you.
General information only, not insurance advice. Coverage, availability, and terms vary by insurer and by state, and are subject to underwriting. Quote My Policy LLC is a licensed insurance producer. Nothing here binds coverage.