Auto Insurance Policy Number Defined (2024)

Your auto insurance policy number acts to identify your policy with the insurance company. Each company organizes these numbers differently, but your number is specific to your policy. You can find your policy number in many locations. However, the simplest way to make it easily accessible is to carry your auto insurance ID card in your wallet and keep a copy in your vehicle.

Read on to learn more about your insurance policy number, how you can use it, and where you can compare online auto insurance companies for the right policy.

What is an insurance policy number?

Understanding your car insurance policy is important. Your policy contains an array of elements that make it specific to you. For example, you choose dates, coverages, monetary limits, and applicable auto insurance discounts when you purchase a policy. Those elements affect your monthly rates and the process for filing a claim. Your policy number encompasses everything under one unique identifier, tying you and your policy to the insurance company. It acts similarly to your social security number.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Where can you find your insurance policy number?

Once you purchase an insurance policy, you will find your policy number in several locations. The most common areas include the declarations page, your auto insurance ID card, and billing invoices.

Declarations Page

Your car insurance declarations page explains the details of your policy, including the types of coverage in your policy and the monthly and annual rates.

The declarations page is the first page in your auto insurance policy documentation. You’ll likely find the policy number at the very top on the right side.

You can think of this page as a summary of your insurance policy, and refer back to it for your policy number and information on deductibles and coverage.

Auto Insurance ID Card

Every insurance company designs its auto insurance ID cards differently, but there are certain elements you will find on them all. These elements include:

• Your name and contact information. If you are not the policyholder, your name may appear as a person covered by the policy.
• Policy term dates. This includes the start and expiration date for the policy.
• Policy number. You can typically find this near the top.
• Your vehicle information. This includes the make and model, as well as the VIN.
• Insurance company information. You can usually find the name and contact phone number of the insurer at the top.

Your proof of insurance should arrive in the mail shortly after you purchase a policy, but you can access it online immediately.

Billing Invoices

Any time you receive an invoice or mailer from the insurance company, your policy number should be at the top. This includes your monthly policy rate invoices. You typically have the option to go paperless and receive your bill via email.

Do insurance policy numbers differ across companies?

Every insurance company creates its own policy identifier method. Larger companies with more policyholders may need more digits to accommodate all the policies. Some may use a sophisticated system with coding embedded into the policy number or include a combination of numbers and letters. As a result, the sequence may appear random to you, but have specific meaning to the insurer.

Can you use your insurance policy number to identify an insurance company?

Unless you are well-versed in the policy number guidelines of most insurance companies, you will find it challenging to identify a company by someone’s policy number. Sometimes companies use letters at the beginning of the policy number to identify the state of issuance, but the numbers that follow represent the policyholder more than the company.

What is the difference between a VIN and an insurance policy number?

Every auto manufacturer assigns a vehicle identification number to each vehicle produced. It acts as a code that explicitly represents the vehicle. You’ll find the VIN for your vehicle under the windshield, typically on the driver’s side. It contains 17 numbers and letters with specific meanings:

• Digits 1-3 identify the manufacturer
• Digits 4-8 identify the vehicle’s features
• Digit 9 acts as a fraud certification
• Digit 10 identifies the vehicle’s model
• Digit 11 identifies the assembly plant
• Digits 12-17 identify the specific vehicle after assembly

While you must provide this number when purchasing a policy, it is not the same as a policy number.

What about your account number?

Part of the purchasing process for an auto insurance policy includes providing sensitive information, such as your social security number and your bank information. Some companies may use an account number to separate that personal information from your policy information. Others may only use your policy number to identify all of your data.

The important takeaway is that your VIN will never be your policy number, but your account number and policy number may be the same, depending on the company.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

How do you use an insurance policy number after an accident?

If you experience a car accident, one of the first things you do is exchange insurance information with the other party. In no-fault states, you will file a car insurance claim with your insurance company to recover damages, regardless of who is responsible for the accident. However, most states adhere to the at-fault policy. In that case, you use the other party’s policy number to file a claim with their insurance company. Either way, you need the policy number to access the coverage and receive compensation.

How can you find your insurance policy information online?

Every insurance company offers online access to all the information about your auto policy. Familiarize yourself with your insurer’s website for easy access to your coverage information and policy number. You can use the website to file claims, make policy changes, and access your insurance ID cards. Many companies even have an app that you can download to your smartphone. You can print your ID card or save it on your phone for a digital copy.

The Purpose of the Insurance Policy Number on Insurance Cards

Have you ever wondered, “What is the insurance policy number on my card?” That number identifies your individual policy so your insurance company can verify that it is servicing the right policy. Now if you’re asking, “does the insurance policy number on my card make affordable auto insurance available?” If you have a excellent driving record, it can as your insurance policy can run a check on your policy and confirm if you are eligible for certain discounts.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Insurance Policy Numbers: Overview

Your policy number identifies your policy and proves that you have coverage in place, and may vary from company to company. Make sure you know where to locate it in case of an accident or a stop by the police.

Have you ever wondered how an insurance representative can find your policy no matter when you call? Auto insurance laws dictate that every driver must have an insurance policy and with a policy comes an insurance policy number.

Your insurance information can be found by conducting a car insurance policy number lookup because your insurance number is unique to your policy. You’ll see that your insurance number is listed on your bills, insurance documents, and, most importantly, on your insurance card. This series of numbers can be particularly useful — especially after an accident.

But will the insurance policy number on my card make affordable auto insurance easier to obtain? Your insurance policy number actually plays quite an important role when shopping for insurance.

If you’ve ever thought, “Do I need the insurance policy number on my card for auto insurance quotes?” the answer is no, but you will need it when you go to cancel your prior coverage.

Enter your ZIP code to get free quotes if you want to know, “Will a new company give me a different insurance policy number on my card?”

What is an insurance policy number?

The computer-generated string of 8 – 10 digits on your insurance card is your car insurance policy number. If you’re not sure what to look for, here is a car insurance policy number example: 12345678

If you have multiple cars on your policy, you may see the same number on the insurance cards for both of them or you should see a slight variation like 12345678-1 for the first car and 12345678-2 for the second. This lets your insurance company zero in on the exact vehicle you’re calling about and can make your phone call far more streamlined.

If you’re taking a look at your insurance card, you may see another long assembly of numbers on it. Don’t worry, that’s not a fake car insurance policy number. That’s actually the vehicle identification number (VIN) of your car, and this serves as a way to identify your individual vehicle.

You can differentiate your insurance policy number from your VIN because the VIN will contain 16 characters made up of both letters and numbers. It will also be located by the listed make and model on your card.

When do drivers need their insurance policy number?

You may not think that your insurance policy number is important, but there are actually three times that you’ll need to know where to find your insurance card.

If you’ve been in an accident, the next step you’ll need to take after checking yourself for injuries is to get your insurance card out so you can exchange your insurance information with any other drivers involved. If it was a particularly bad accident, you may even have to give your insurance information to the police.

The police will also need you to hand over your insurance card if you’ve been pulled over. Driving without insurance is illegal, but driving without proof of insurance can also be a problem. There are state registries that track insurance, but they aren’t always accurate. So it’s essential to always have a card on hand.

If you’re in need of an incentive to avoid driving without insurance, just take a look at the consequences that can come with such a charge in your state:

Driving Without Auto Insurance: 1st & 2nd Offense Penalties by State

State	First Offense Penalties	Second Offense Penalties
Alabama	Fine: Up to $500; registration suspension with $200 reinstatement fee	Fine: Up to $1,000 and/or six-month license suspension; $400 reinstatement fee with four-month registration suspension
Alaska	License suspension for 90 days	License suspension for one year
Arizona	Fine: $500 (or more); license/registration/license plate suspension for three months	Fine: $750 (or more within 36 months); license/registration/license plate suspension for six months
Arkansas	Fine: $50 to $250; suspended registration/no plates until proof of coverage plus $20 reinstatement fee; the court may order impoundment	Fine: $250 to $500 fine — minimum fine mandatory; suspended registration/no plates until proof of coverage plus $20 reinstatement fee. The court may order the car to be impounded
California	Fine: $100-$200 plus penalty assessments. The court may order the car to be impounded	Fine: $200-$500 within three years plus penalty assessments. The court may order the car to be impounded
Colorado	Fine: $500 minimum fine; 4 points against your license; license suspension until you can show proof to the DMV that you are insured. The courts may add up to 40 hours of community service	$1,000 minimum fine, and a license suspension for four months, four points against your license. The courts may add up to 40 hours of community service
Connecticut	Fine: $100-$1000; suspended registration/license for one month (show proof of insurance) with $175 reinstatement fee	Fine: $100-$1000; suspended registration/license for six months (show proof of insurance) with $175 reinstatement fee
Delaware	Fine: $1500 minimum fine; license/privilege suspension for six months	Fine: $3000 minimum fine within three years; license/privilege suspension for six months
Florida	Suspension of license and registration until reinstatement fee is paid and non-cancelable coverage is secured; $150 fee for first reinstatement	Suspension of license and registration until reinstatement fee is paid and non-cancelable coverage is secured; $250 fee for the second reinstatement
Georgia	Suspended registration with a $25 lapse fee and a $60 reinstatement fee. Pay any other registration fees and vehicle ad valorem taxes due	Within five years: Suspended registration with a $25 lapse fee and $60 reinstatement fee. Pay any other registration fees and vehicle ad valorem taxes due
Hawaii	$500 fine or community service granted by a judge. Either license suspension for three months or a required non-refundable insurance policy in force for six months	Fine: $1500 minimum fine within five years; either license suspension for one year or a required non-refundable insurance policy in force for six months
Idaho	Fine: $75; license suspension until financial proof. No reinstatement fee.	Fine: $1000 maximum fine within five years and/or no more than six months in jail; license suspension until financial proof. No reinstatement fee.
Illinois	License plate suspension until $100 reinstatement fee and insurance proof	License plate suspension for four months; $100 reinstatement fee and insurance proof
Indiana	License/registration suspension for 90 days to one year	Within three years: license/registration suspension for one year
Iowa	Fine: $500 if in an accident; Otherwise, fine: $250; community service in lieu of fine. Possible citation/warning if pulled over plus removal of plates and registration possible when pulled over without insurance and reissued upon payment of fine or completed community service, proof of insurance, and $15 fee; possible impoundment when pulled over	N/A
Kansas	Fine: $300 to $1000 and/or confinement in jail up to six months; license/registration suspension; reinstatement fee: $100	Fine: $800 to $2500 within three years; license/registration suspension; reinstatement fee: $300 if revoked within previous year, otherwise $100
Kentucky	Fine: $500 to $1000 fine and/or sentenced up to 90 days in jail; license plates and registration revoked for one year or until proof of insurance is shown	Within five years: 180 days in jail and/or $1000 to $2500; license plates and registration revoked for one year or until proof of insurance is shown
Louisiana	Fine: $500 to $1000; If in a car accident, fine plus registration revoked and driving privileges suspended for 180 days	N/A
Maine	Fine: $100 to $500; suspension of license and registration until proof of insurance	N/A
Maryland	Lose license plates and vehicle registration privileges; pay uninsured motorist penalty fees for each lapse of insurance — $150 for the first 30 days, $7 for each day thereafter; Pay a restoration fee of up to $25 for registration	N/A
Massachusetts	Fine: $500 to $5000 fine and/or imprisonment for one year or less	Within six years: License/driving privileges suspended for one year
Michigan	Fine: $200 to $500 fine and/or imprisonment for one year or less; license suspension for 30 days or until proof of insurance; $25 service fee to Secretary of State	N/A
Minnesota	Fine: $200 to $1000 (or community service) and/or imprisonment for up to 90 days; License and registration revoked for no more than 12 months	N/A
Mississippi	Fine: $1000; driving privileges suspended for one year or until proof of insurance	N/A
Missouri	Four points against driving record; the driver may be supervised; suspended until proof of insurance with $20 reinstatement fee	Four points against driving record; the driver may be supervised; suspended for 90 days with $200 reinstatement fee.
Montana	Fine: $250 to $500 fine and/or imprisonment for no more than 10 days	Fine: $350 and/or imprisonment for no more than 10 days — within five years; license and registration revoked until proof of insurance and payment of reinstatement fees within 90 days
Nebraska	License and registration suspension; reinstatement fee of $50 for each; proof of insurance to remain on file for three years
Nevada	Fine: $250 to $1,000 depending on the length of lapse; registration suspension — until payment of reinstatement fee and, depending on circumstances, an SR-22 (proof of financial responsibility) if lapsed more than 90 days; reinstatement fee: $250	Fine: $500 to $1000 depending on the length of lapse; registration suspension — until payment of reinstatement fee and, depending on circumstances, SR-22 (proof of financial responsibility) if lapsed more than 90 days; Reinstatement fee: $500
New Hampshire	Not a mandatory insurance state. Proof of insurance may be required as the result of a conviction, crash involvement, or administrative action. If you are required to file proof of insurance and vehicles are registered in your name, you will be required to file an SR-22 Certificate of Insurance.	N/A
New Jersey	Fine: $300 to $1000; license suspension for one year; pay surcharges for three years in the amount of $250 per year	Fine: up to $5000; two-year license suspension; 14-day, mandatory jail term, and an additional mandatory 30 days of community service
New Mexico	Fine: up to $300 and/or imprisoned for 90 days; license suspension	N/A
New York	Fine: up to $1500 if involved in accident plus $750 civil penalty; license and registration suspension – revoked for one year; suspension of the license if without insurance for 90 days; suspension lasts as long as registration suspension; Suspension of registration: equal to time without insurance or pays $8/day up to thirty days for which financial security was not in effect, $10/day from the thirty-first to the sixtieth day $12/day from the sixtieth to the ninetieth day and proof of security is provided. Or for the same time as the vehicle was operated without insurance.	N/A
North Carolina	Fine: $50; registration suspension until proof of financial responsibility but 30-day suspension if in a car accident or knowingly driving without insurance; $50 restoration fee plus license plate fee	Fine: $100 within three years; registration suspension until proof of financial responsibility but 30-day suspension if in a car accident or knowingly driving without insurance; $50 restoration fee plus license plate fee
North Dakota	Fine: up to $1500 and/or 30 days in prison; 14 points against license plus suspension; Proof of insurance must be provided for one year; license with a notation requiring that person keep proof of liability insurance on file with the department. The fee for this license is $50, and the fee to remove this notation is $50.	Fine: up to $1500 and/or 30 days in prison; 14 points against license plus suspension; license plates impounded until proof of insurance (provided for one year) plus $20 reinstatement fee; license with a notation requiring that person keep proof of liability insurance on file with the department. The fee for this license is $50 and the fee to remove this notation is $50.
Ohio	License/plates/registration suspension until requirements are met, and a $100 reinstatement fee is paid; maintain special high-risk coverage on file with the BMV for three to five years; If involved in an accident without insurance: all above penalties and a security suspension for two years and an indefinite judgment suspension (until all damages are satisfied)	License/plates/registration suspension for one year; $300 reinstatement fee; maintain special high-risk coverage on file with the BMV for three or five years; if involved in an accident without insurance: all above penalties and a security suspension for two years and an indefinite judgment suspension (until all damages are satisfied)
Oklahoma	Fine: $250; jail time up to 30 days; license suspension with $275 reinstatement fee. Police can seize license plates and assign temporary plates and liability insurance — in effect for 10 days and can also impound the vehicle. The cost of the temporary coverage is added to the administrative fee and any fines paid for plates to be returned. If the car is impounded, the owner must also pay towing and storage fees.	N/A
Oregon	Fine: $130-$1000 ($260 is the presumptive fine); If involved in an accident — at least a one-year license suspension; proof of financial responsibility required for three years	N/A
Pennsylvania	Registration suspended for three months (unless lapse was for less than 31 days and the vehicle not operated during that time); $88 restoration fee plus proof of insurance required to get it back; $500 civil penalty fee is optional in lieu of registration suspension plus $88 restoration fee — can only use this option once within a 12-month period	N/A
Rhode Island	Fine: $100 to $500; license and registration suspension up to three months; reinstatement fee: $30 to $50	Fine: $500; license and registration suspension up to six months; reinstatement fee: $30 to $50
South Carolina	Fine: $100-$200 or 30-day imprisonment; failure to surrender registration and plates when insurance lapses; license/registration suspended until proof of insurance plus $200 reinstatement fee	Fine: $200 and/or 30-day imprisonment — within 10 years; license/registration suspended until proof of insurance plus $200 reinstatement fee
South Dakota	Fine: $100 and/or 30 days imprisonment; license suspension for 30 days to one year; filing proof of insurance (SR-22) with the state for three years from the date of conviction. Failure to file proof will result in the suspension of vehicle registration, license plates, and driver's license.	N/A
Tennessee	Pay $25 coverage failure fee within 30 days of notice; if not paid, then an additional $100 coverage failure fee with suspension or revocation of registration plus reinstatement fee of no more than $25	N/A
Texas	Fine: $175 to $350 fine; plus, pay up to a $250 surcharge every year for three years (may be reduced with certain requirements)	Fine: $350 to $1000; pay up to a $250 surcharge every year for three years (may be reduced with certain requirements); suspend the driver's license and vehicle registrations of the person unless the person files and maintains evidence of financial responsibility with the department until the second anniversary of the date of the subsequent conviction; Impoundment: for 180 days and cannot apply for a release of the car without evidence of financial responsibility and impoundment fee of $15/day.
Utah	Fine: $400; license suspension until proof of insurance (maintained for three years) and $100 reinstatement fee	Fine: $1000 — with three years; license suspension until proof of insurance (maintained for three years) and $100 reinstatement fee
Vermont	Fine: up to $500; license suspended until proof of insurance	N/A
Virginia	Fine: The driver may pay a $500 Uninsured Motorists Vehicle fee to drive without insurance at your own risk. If this fee is not paid in lieu of insurance, all driving and vehicle registration privileges will be suspended until a $500 statutory fee is paid, proof of insurance is filed for three years, and a reinstatement fee (if applicable) is paid	N/A
Washington	Fine: Up to $250 or more	N/A
West Virginia	Fine: $200 to $5000; license suspended for 30 days with reinstatement fees, unless there's proof of insurance and $200 penalty fee	Fine: $200-$5000 fine and/or 15 days to one year in jail — within five years; license suspended for 90 days and registration revoked until proof of insurance.
Wisconsin	Fine: up to $500	N/A
Wyoming	Fine: up to $750 fine and up to six months in jail	N/A

You will also need your insurance policy handy if you’re calling your insurance company’s 24-7 customer service line. That way you can know that the representative is looking at your policy and that there are no miscommunications.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

What should drivers do if they lose their car insurance policy number?

If you lose your insurance card, there’s no need to panic. You have multiple options when it comes to recovering your insurance card. These days, many insurance companies allow you to access a digital copy of your insurance card via the company’s mobile app or website.

If you like having a physical copy on hand, you can also request that a new insurance card be emailed to you so you can print it out at home or you can have it physically mailed to you.

While having a digital insurance card is incredibly convenient, you should be sure to keep at least one hard copy in your car’s glove box. With this spare on hand, you can rest assured that you’ll have proof of insurance even if your phone battery were to die. The same rule would apply if you did not have good cell signal or if you’re driving through areas with stricter laws about physical cards.

When do drivers need another driver’s policy number?

While being able to provide your own insurance information is very important after being in an accident, it is imperative that you gather the other driver’s information too — especially if they were the ones who caused the accident.

If another driver damaged your vehicle, you’ll need to, at the very least, get the other driver’s:

• Insurance policy number
• Full name
• Insurance company

You should also, if you can, take a picture of the other driver’s insurance card, but if you can’t do that, be sure to clearly write down all the information and safely store it.

You will need this information to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. Filing a claim with the other driver’s insurance company will not count against your insurance history, and you’ll be able to get the repairs you need.

Do drivers need to provide their policy number when switching auto insurance companies?

If you’re considering switching insurance companies, the thought, “Will a new auto insurance company want the insurance policy number on my card?” has probably crossed your mind. The new insurance company will need your old policy number to help you cancel the aforementioned policy.

Some companies offer a template letter you can send to your old insurance company to cancel your old policy. Some insurance companies provide phone numbers. Like other businesses, they want the chance to keep your business. Regardless of what their individual practices are, laws are in place in each state to protect your right to cancel within certain constraints.

When getting started with a new insurance company, you will give a new insurance number. As soon as your policy purchase is finalized, you will give a temporary insurance card. Another copy will be sent out to you a few days later. One key is to make sure your new policy starts as soon as your old policy stops to avoid any gaps in coverage.

You may be asking yourself, “Will my insurance policy number on my card make auto insurance rates cheaper?” Well, in a way it could.

For example, if you didn’t have any accidents on your record when your insurance company pulls up your policy at renewal time, you could be offered an accident-free discount.

Below, you can see a list of common car insurance discounts that you could potentially earn when you give your insurance policy number to your insurance representative:

Common Auto Insurance Discounts

Vehicle Discounts	Driver/Customer Discounts	Personal Discounts
Active Disabling Device	Claim Free	Emergency Deployment
Adaptive Cruise Control	Continuous Coverage	Family Legacy
Adaptive Headlights	Defensive Driver	Family Plan
Anti-Lock Brakes	Driver's Education	Federal Employee
Audible Alarm	Driving Device/App	Further Education
Automatic Braking	Early Signing	Good Student
Blind Spot Warning	Full Payment	Homeowner
Daytime Running Lights	Good Credit	Life Insurance
Economy Vehicle	Loyalty	Married
Electronic Stability Control	Multiple Policies	Membership/Group
Farm/Ranch Vehicle	Multiple Vehicles	Military
Forward Collision Warning	New Customer/New Plan	New Address
Garaging/Storing	Occasional Operator	New Graduate
Green/Hybrid Vehicle	Online Shopper	Non-Smoker/Non-Drinker
Lane Departure Warning	On-Time Payments	Occupation
Newer Vehicle	Paperless/Auto Billing	Recent Retirees
Passive Restraint	Paperless Documents	Stable Residence
Utility Vehicle	Roadside Assistance	Student Away
Vehicle Recovery	Safe Driver	Student or Alumni
VIN Etching	Seat Belt Use	Volunteer

As you can probably tell, some of the best discounts come when you exhibit safe driving practices and keep your moving violations to a minimum.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

The Car Insurance Policy Number Explained

Now remember, the next time you ask yourself, “Do I need the insurance policy number on my card to buy auto insurance?” the answer is, yes, you do, especially if you would like your new insurance company to take on the task of canceling your old policy for you.

Your insurance policy number serves to identify your individual policy out of the hundreds that your insurance company may service. It can help avoid confusion when you call to make changes to your policy, and you should always get other drivers’ insurance policy numbers if you are ever in an accident and need to file a claim with their company.

While you can access your insurance card through your insurance company’s mobile app, you should also keep a physical copy in your glove box in case of emergencies.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption