Laws governing car insurance vary from state to state, and the carrying of an insurance identification card is no different. If you are pulled over by a law enforcement agent in N.J., for example, you’ll be requested to provide your driver’s license, car registration and insurance card; failure to produce an insurance card will result in a penalty. On the other hand, if you’re pulled over by a state trooper in Maryland, he’ll ask only for your license and registration. That might lead you to believe that it’s okay not to carry an insurance card, but you never know when you’re going to need to show proof.
It’s always a good idea to have evidence of your auto insurance coverage with you, either in your wallet or in your vehicle. Certainly, if you’re stopped for some reason and are given a ticket for failure to produce your insurance card (and you’ve got insurance) you can fight it. But is that worth the hassle, time and inconvenience? Probably not. And of course, if you’re in a car accident, you’re definitely going to want to have your insurance information handy.
When you drive out of state, you must conform to the driving laws of that state. If the production of an insurance card is one of those requirements – and you don’t have an insurance card as proof that you have car insurance – for all intents and purposes, you are an uninsured driver in that state.
Bottom line: Don’t leave home without your insurance card.
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