Your car insurance policy number is an 8–13-digit alphanumeric code that allows you to reference your policy any time you need to make changes or use your coverage.
Stephanie is a DC-based freelance writer specializing in personal finance. Her work covers insurance, loans, real estate investing, retirement, and more.
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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Your auto insurance policy number is an important identifier that allows you to not only reference your policy but also access your coverageif you’re involved in an auto accident, need proof of insurance, or want to make changes to your policy. These alphanumeric characters are unique to your policy and can often be found on any official insurance documentation.
Here’s a look at what car insurance policy numbers are, what purpose they serve, and when you’ll need to know yours.
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What is a car insurance policy number?
When you purchase auto insurance, you’ll receive a unique identifier number for that coverage. This is your car insurance policy number. Depending on your insurer, this number may be anywhere from eight to 13 characters long and may include a mix of numbers and letters. It serves as a way of identifying and referencing your policy without needing to use personal details, such as your name, address, or vehicle identification number (VIN).
This assigned number stays with your policy for as long as you remain a customer of that insurer. This number will usually apply to all the vehicles listed on that policy, too, so you may have multiple cars sharing the same auto insurance policy number.
How to find your car insurance policy number
You can usually find your policy number printed on any official documentation your insurer provides. Whether it’s a bill, an official policy notice, or even in your car insurance company mobile app, this identifying number is usually front and center.[1]
The most common place to find this number is on your proof of insurance card, which includes other relevant information and is provided when your policy is first issued. You’ll get another copy each time your coverage renews. It’s always a good idea to keep this auto insurance ID card in a safe place for future reference.
You may also find your policy number on your:
Monthly billing statement
Insurance declarations page
Coverage renewal paperwork
Insurer’s website
Digital ID card (electronic proof of insurance) on a mobile device
Good to Know
If you can’t locate your policy number, you can also call your company or insurance agent and request it. You may first need to verify your identity with the insurer by providing your name, address, Social Security number, phone number, or other information before they’ll offer the policy number to you.
When you need your car insurance policy number
Your car insurance policy number is important to have available any time you get behind the wheel of a car or call to speak with your insurance company. In some situations, you may even be required to provide this number. These situations include:
When registering a car with the department of motor vehicles (DMV): You’ll be asked to provide proof of insurance coverage, including your policy number.[2]
If you’re involved in a car accident: You may need to share your personal information and policy number with the other driver, especially if you’re at fault.
When buying a vehicle from a car dealership: You’ll usually be asked to show proof of coverage before you can drive the vehicle off the lot.
If you’re pulled over by a police officer: You’ll need to provide proof of valid, state-required minimum coverage.
If you ever need to reference your insurance policy terms: This includes when you’re considering new insurance products, verifying your policy obligations, shopping for discounts, or tracking your policy period.
When you use your own vehicle for work purposes: Your employer may ask for (and record) your proof of insurance.
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Drivers have found policies from Orion Indemnity Company, GEICO, Sun Coast, and more, for rates as low as $34/mo. through Insurify
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 31, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 31, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 31, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 31, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
When you need someone else’s policy number
At times, you’ll also need to obtain someone else’s car insurance policy number. This could be so you can record the number as proof, file an insurance claim, or simply to verify valid coverage.
The most common situation when you’ll need someone else’s policy number is if you’re involved in a car accident. It’s imperative to obtain the other driver’s information — including their name, driver’s license number, auto insurance policy details, license plate number, and contact information — if they’re at fault. Even if they’re not at fault, though, or if fault is still being determined, you may want to gather this information to have on hand.
How to find someone else’s policy number
Sometimes — especially in a high-stress environment, like after an accident — you might find that you didn’t get all the necessary information from the other driver(s). Whether you copied the policy number wrong or forgot to note which insurer they use, you’ll need to track this info down.
Start by reaching out to the other driver if you have their contact information. If law enforcement came to the scene, you can also request a copy of the police report, usually in person, by phone, or by mail. This document should include the other driver’s contact and/or insurance information.
In some jurisdictions, police reports are considered public record. In most states, though, you will only be entitled to a copy of a police report if you were involved in the crash and the report has your name on it. Finally, if you’re out of options and have only the driver’s name and policy number, you may be able to call around to see if you can find the company.
Car insurance policy number FAQs
Want to learn even more about car insurance policy numbers? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic.
How many digits are in an insurance policy number?
Depending on your state and insurance company, your insurance policy number may be eight to 13 digits long. It may contain a combination of numbers and letters, as well.
How can you check your policy number?
You can find your policy number on most insurance-related correspondence, including your auto insurance card, billing statement, car insurance declarations page, or even the home screen of your insurer’s mobile app. You can also call your insurer to request your policy number by phone or via online chat.
Is it possible to change your car insurance policy number?
Your car insurance policy number will typically remain the same for as long as you hold your policy. But if your coverage ever expires or is canceled or you switch insurers, your policy number will likely change.
What do you do if you lose or forget your car insurance policy number?
If you can’t locate your insurance policy number, you can simply look at your insurance card to find this information. You can usually find this number on your billing statement, on coverage declarations page, or even shown in your insurer’s mobile app. If necessary, you can also call your insurance company to request your policy number.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Stephanie is a DC-based freelance writer and Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI). She primarily covers personal finance topics such as insurance, loans, real estate investing, and retirement. Her work can be found on CBS, FOX Business, MSN, Yahoo! Finance, Business Insider, and more. When she isn't helping people plan for their financial futures, she is traveling, hiking with her kids, or writing for her own website, TomorrowsDollar.com. She can be reached on Twitter @stephcolestock
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.