Proof of insurance is a popular term used to refer to a physical form of proof that you have insurance coverage. This proof is usually in the form of a small card, around the size of 3.5 inches by 5 inches (although the size can vary with each insurer). This card should be kept in your vehicle which has the insurance coverage. Most drivers will keep this card in their glove compartment for easy access, but some will keep it in their wallet with their license knowing whenever they drive they will have it with them. It used to be that you didn’t need to have this proof of insurance card with you at all times, but now most traffic officers will request to see this card in addition to the license and vehicle registration during traffic stops or at the scene of an accident. If you fail to provide proof of insurance you will find yourself having to pay the consequences.

Where To Get Your Proof
To get your proof of insurance card, you must first purchase a policy. After a policy has been purchased, the insurer will send you or a new policyholder their proof of insurance card. For some drivers, waiting for the card to come through the mail isn’t soon enough because they need to drive immediately. These drivers and any other driver who does not want to wait for their proof should know that the Steve Bedgood Agency has a way to provide drivers with instant proof of insurance when they purchase their policy from us. This purchase can be made at our office located at 1500 Whitehall Rd. Muskegon, Mi. 49445.

Any driver who is looking to get proof of insurance immediately should make sure they take the time to learn the facts about the policy first. Purchasing the best policy from Farm Bureau Insurance will enable drivers to have a proof of insurance card  once the policy has been signed and paid for.

Penalties For No Proof
Occasionally there are a few officers who will let it slide when you forget to put a new proof of insurance card in your vehicle and you don’t have that card to show them. But this is very rare. More often than not, if you are without a proof of insurance card you will be fined or given a ticket. This can occur whether or not you actually do have auto insurance. Some officers do have the ability to check on a motorist’s insurance and can verify whether or not the driver is lying about having coverage. Certain states have all of this information listed in a database that can be checked by officers during traffic stops. It is illegal in every state to drive without any claimed financial responsibility and police officers are cracking down on those without it. Car insurance is a popular form of financial responsibility. It’s best to always be honest with an officer about insurance coverage and to carry the proof of insurance card in the vehicle at all times to prevent a tougher situation. An officer who discovers you have no proof of car insurance, and then no insurance, will suspend your license and your vehicle’s registration.

Reasons Immediate Proof Is Needed
Proof of coverage is needed any time you are pulled over for a traffic stop or when the you are involved in an accident (regardless of who is at fault). Proof of insurance shows the other driver in the accident you do have insurance and they can write down your car insurance information from the card if you do not have all of that information memorized. The officer at the scene of the accident will also want to write down that information on the accident report. At traffic stops, the police officer will want to verify that you are legally driving by having an insurance policy for the vehicle being driven.

At any time if you are found driving a vehicle that is not insured, your driver’s license and the vehicle’s registration will be suspended. In order to lift the suspension off the license and registration you must show proof of insurance to a court in addition to paying fines. The time it takes for you to purchase insurance and get your proof card will affect the length of time for you to start driving legally again, At the Steve Bedgood Agency we can get you coverage the same day you come in, apply and pay your premium.

You should remember two things when you drive: your license and your proof of auto insurance card. As long as a motorist has these things with adequate coverage on their car insurance policy, they are following the state law. If you need help finding great coverage, turn to our agency to get the best price we can offer and quick proof cards.

Tags: Consequences, Easy Access, Farm Bureau Insurance, Farm Insurance, Glove Compartment, Insurance, Insurance Card, Insurance Coverage, Insurer, Mail, Muskegon Mi, Policyholder, Proof Of Insurance, Traffic Officers, Traffic Stops, Vehicle Registration, Wallet, Whitehall Rd

This entry was posted on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 11:10 pm and is filed under Insurance Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.