Proof of insurance is documentation from your insurer proving you have an active insurance policy that meets state requirements. It is used when you’re pulled over, in an accident, leasing a vehicle, or otherwise requested to show it. Proof of insurance is often in the form of an ID card, printed or electronic, provided by your insurer.
The insurance professionals at Assurance Total Protection, a Progressive Insurance local agency, can help you with your proof of insurance needs.
What’s included on your auto insurance card?
Most insurers, including both Nationwide and Progressive, will display some basic information on your car insurance card, such as:
- Name and address of the insurance company
- NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) number or “Company Number”
- Effective date and expiration date
- Policy number
- First and last name of the “named insured”
- Year, make, model, and VIN for the insured vehicle(s)
Your proof of insurance card generally represents that you carry at least the minimum amount of coverage your state requires by law. However, your insurance card will not show your coverage selections and limits. That information can be viewed on your policy’s declarations page, which lists your policy’s key details like coverages, limits, and deductibles.
Ways to obtain your Nationwide or Progressive auto insurance card
Fax: Call us and we can fax your insurance card to your home, office, car dealership, DMV/BMV, or anywhere you choose.
Mail: If you don’t have access to a computer or fax machine, we’re happy to mail your insurance card. Keep in mind that you could lose your paperless discount if you elect to receive your car insurance card via mail.
How to show proof of insurance
In all states, you can show a hard copy of your proof of insurance when requested by police officers, the DMV or BMV, and others. Most states also allow you to show digital ID cards as proof of insurance. If you carry a printed version of your card, be sure to replace it with the most updated version when your policy renews.
Can you show proof of insurance on your phone?
Some insurers, including Nationwide and Progressive, provide a digital insurance card that you can access on a smartphone or tablet via an app or by logging in to your account. Nearly every state allows you to show that electronic proof of insurance on your phone (your digital ID card).
Digital insurance cards give you the ability to show proof of insurance directly on a mobile device if you are in a car accident, pulled over, registering a car, etc. While not all insurers provide digital insurance cards, their legalization by the state typically means that if you have one, you don’t have to worry about carrying a piece of paper in your wallet or glove compartment.
