Learning how to read an insurance card is easier than you think. It’s important, too. Your insurance card can explain how your health insurance works. It can help you understand where to seek care and how much you might have to pay for care.
Coverage amounts, networks, and co-pays
This information helps you understand how much you might have to pay for certain types of care.
Coverage amounts
The “coverage amount” tells you how much of your treatment costs the insurance company will pay. This information might be on the front of your insurance card and is listed by percent.
You might see several percent amounts listed together. For example, if you see 4 different percent amounts, they could be for:
- Office visits
- Specialty care
- Urgent care
- Emergency room care
If you aren’t sure or have questions about what the percentages mean, check your plan materials, or call your insurance company.
Most of us don’t necessarily need our insurance cards very often, but when we do, it’s important to have them in hand. Your insurance card has a policy number that is only used for your account. If you get into an accident or if the police pull you over, this acts as your proof of insurance. In this blog, we will cover all about the car insurance policy number, how to find it, and when you’ll need it.
What is a policy number?
A policy number is like an ID number. Most car insurance cards have a number with eight to ten digits that is your policy number. If you have more than one car, you might have them all listed on one card, or each car might have its own number or card.
Most ID cards don’t have all the details of your coverage, like the types or amounts, on them. Instead, the number stands for all the different coverage levels you’ve bought. So even if you buy your car, home, etc., from the same company, each policy will have a different policy number.
When you drive, you must keep your ID card in the car as proof that you are insured. The police can call the card number to ensure you’re covered. If you lose it, you can just call your provider and ask them to help you find your ID number or get a new ID card.
Where can I find my car insurance policy number?
The insurance cards from different companies will look different. No matter who gives the card, it will have a policy number on it. The number of digits in most policy numbers is between 8 and 10. Depending on which company made the card, the policy number will be in a different spot.
Many car insurance cards have the policy number in the middle, and the words “policy number” are usually written in front of the number. So before you get behind the wheel, you need to have this card with you, either in your hand or on your phone. Usually, you’ll get two cards from your insurance company for each car on your policy.
You might find it helpful to put one card in each car and have the main driver keep the other one in their wallet or somewhere safe at home. All of the cars on your policy have the same policy number.
When do I need my car insurance policy number?
When you go to the DMV to register your car or get a new license plate, they will ask to see proof that you have insurance. Some states don’t follow this rule, so check the DMV website in your state to see what they need.
After a car accident, you and the other driver will exchange information about your insurance, including the policy number. The information will be used by each driver when they file a claim. You’ll also have to give the police your insurance card if they come to the accident scene to file a report. Whenever there’s an accident, it’s usually a good idea to call the police. Their report will be an unbiased record of what happened and where.
If the police pull you over, you’ll also have to give them the number of your insurance policy. The police will also check to see if you have the required insurance coverage in your state.
When you call your insurance company, they will probably ask for your policy number. This could be the case if you call to make changes to your policy or to cancel it altogether. But your insurance company can usually find your policy number using other information, like your address or Social Security number.
What to do if I lost my car insurance policy number?
If you lose your insurance policy number, you can ask your insurance company for a new insurance card at any time. Most companies make it easy to order new copies of your insurance card online. Many offer digital versions that you can print right from their app or insurance website.
We suggest keeping a copy of your insurance card in your car’s glove compartment, a copy at home, and a screenshot on your phone. So, you’ll always have your insurance information with you.
Does my car insurance policy number change with my car?
Your policy number won’t change as long as you stay with the same insurance company. Your policy number will stay the same with that company, even if you change cars every year or keep the same one forever.
You’ll get a new policy number when you switch auto insurance companies. If you don’t renew your insurance before the renewal date and the insurance company has to make you a new plan, your policy number could also change.
What if more than one person is on my insurance policy, do we each get a unique number?
If you insure more than one car or more than one person, the policy number will probably change for each car and driver. Most of the time, this means that one number on the insurance card has changed.
When do I need someone else’s policy number?
You would only need to know the number of someone else’s insurance policy if you were in an accident with that person. When you hit another car, you should both give each other your insurance information. Taking a picture of someone’s insurance card on your phone is a simple way to remember what insurance they have.
If the person doesn’t know or have their insurance policy number with them, you can take a picture of their driver’s license or call your insurance company and give them the person’s name, license plate number, and the name of their insurance company.
What if I don’t have all the other driver’s information?
You might not have gotten all the facts about the other driver’s insurance policy, especially if you were under a lot of stress after an accident. You might have written the number down wrong or forgotten to write down which insurance company they use.
If that’s the case, try to get in touch with the other driver first. Hopefully, they’ll be able to tell you everything you need to know. If you can’t reach the other driver and the police were at the scene of the accident, you can go to the police station and ask for a copy of the police report. You have the right to a copy of any police report that has your name on it. This report will have the insurance information for the other driver.
If neither of these works and you know the driver’s name and policy number but not the name of the company, you might be able to find them by calling around. 72% of the market is made up of the top 10 largest auto insurance companies in the U.S., so it’s likely that you’ll be able to find them just by going through the list. Your own insurance agent may also know the number, so don’t be afraid to ask.