The little card you receive in the mail from your car insurance company has a pretty big number listed on it — your car insurance policy number. This number comes in handy if you need to show proof of insurance and it quickly identifies your policy coverage details.
You should keep your policy number somewhere you know where to find it easily and if you should need it in an emergency. Many drivers may store it in a center console, a glove box or a wallet to ensure they can find it in any situation.
Learn more about your insurance policy number, where you can find it and when you might need to reference it.
- A car insurance policy number identifies what type of coverage you carry and its effective dates.
- Your policy number is listed on your proof of insurance card. You receive these in the mail when you start a car insurance policy or renew it.
- If you’re involved in an accident, are pulled over while driving or need to show proof of insurance, you need to know where to find your insurance policy number and provide it.
What is an insurance policy number?
Your insurance policy number is a unique identifier that attaches your car insurance policy to you and your personal driving record. A policy number is assigned to a policy by an insurance company once you have purchased insurance from them.
You will need your insurance policy number if you’ve been in an accident, at a traffic stop, when filing a claim with your insurer or if you need to show proof of insurance.
This number is a reference point for the insurance company and varies in length depending on the company, but is about 10-13 numbers long. Your policy number is listed on your insurance card along with other personal information, such as your car insurance company and its contact information and your personal contact information.
What does an insurance policy number look like?
After opening your car insurance policy, you receive some documents in the mail a few days later. In the envelope, you’ll find your policy, which includes coverage limits and your policy’s start and end dates. You’ll also find your proof of insurance card that lists your insurance policy number.
Your policy number is typically located at the top of your proof of insurance card. It will be labeled as the policy number and can feature a series of numbers and letters identifying your policy.
You can also find your insurance policy number listed on your car insurance policy declarations page and within your policy information breakdown.
Car insurance policy number example
It’s important to know what your insurance policy number looks like so you can quickly identify it in specific situations. Generally, when you need to show your proof of insurance car, you will need to do so quickly. Sometimes, you may need to read the numbers off over the phone.
For example, you may have been driving through an intersection when someone runs a red light and collides with your vehicle. When you’ve been involved in a collision accident like this, it’s easy to be rattled, possibly injured and react off of instincts.
Once the initial shock begins to wane and you’ve moved your vehicle to a safe location if you’re able, you will need to have your proof of insurance readily available for the police report and ultimately, your car insurance claim.
Remember, your coverage — for example, liability, collision and comprehensive insurance — will cover specific aspects of your accident, such as the other driver, medical expenses, vehicle and other property damage. These coverage details are accessible via your insurance policy number.
Other examples of when you may need your policy number are when filing a claim after your accident or when exchanging driver’s information with the other driver involved in your accident. it’s important you also get their car insurance policy number.
Where can I find my insurance policy number?
If you were to be holding your proof of insurance card, you would typically find your policy number on the front of your insurance card, along with the name of the insured individual(s), vehicle(s), effective date and expiration date. Your number could be listed on either the upper left or right side of your card, but will be identified with the title, “Policy number.”
Your proof of insurance card also lists the following information in addition to your insurance policy number: your name and address; your insurance company and their address and phone number(s); the year, make and model of your vehicle; your vehicle identification number (VIN); and the effective dates of your insurance policy.
These details are essential when proving you have current car insurance coverage. Your insurance policy number also helps your insurance agent locate you and your policy details in their system quickly.
How do I find my insurance policy number?
Knowing where to find your car insurance proof of insurance card is your first step to identifying your coverage. The second is knowing where to find your insurance policy number. If you’re in an accident, you will provide the policy number on your insurance card to the other party. With this number, the other person can call your insurance provider and place a claim.
But, what happens if your proof of insurance is not in your vehicle or wallet? You should be able to locate it within your car insurance company’s online portal, within your insurance policy documents or by calling your insurance company and providing them with personal information to look up your account.
Additionally, state agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), can verify that you have the required insurance by getting your policy number and checking with your insurance company that your policy is still valid. A policy number typically replaces a binder number, if one is issued.
If you haven’t shopped around for car insurance coverage in a while, it’s also a good idea to check your options. Before you decide on a company, get quotes from three companies to get the cheapest car insurance.
Here’s how to estimate your car insurance cost
Final thoughts
Your car insurance policy number is a unique identifier about 10-13 letters and numbers long. It is found on your proof of insurance card, which provides evidence of current car insurance coverage in your state. You can carry your insurance policy number in your vehicle and a copy in your wallet, you can also locate it online in your insurer’s portal or on your insurance coverage documents.
Your insurance policy number identifies your coverage amounts and can be used to file a claim after an accident or as proof of insurance if you’ve been pulled over. You may need to share it with another driver if you’ve been involved in a collision. Therefore, you should know exactly where to find it quickly and where to locate your insurance policy number.
Sources:
Department of Motor Vehicles. “Sample NY State Insurance ID Cards” Accessed July 2024.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.
Ask the Insurance Expert
John McCormick
Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Leslie Kasperowicz
Executive Editor
Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.