How to Spot a Fake Insurance Card in 2024
Using a fake insurance card may sound like a tempting idea for people who don't want to pay for auto insurance, especially with the availability of free insurance card templates. However, providing fake proof of insurance can lead to some severe consequences. Law enforcement will typically tell if you are using a fake insurance card, which could lead to a fine of up to $2,000 or six months in jail. Therefore, it's safer to buy cheap auto insurance instead.
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Brad Larson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Sep 7, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Sep 7, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- While some fake auto insurance card templates can appear legitimate, you can usually spot fake insurance by looking at the details, such as policy jargon, selling licenses, or the history of an insurance company
- If your auto insurance coverage lapses, the auto insurance company is required to notify your state’s DMV, so law enforcement is usually aware of whether you are insured or not
- If you are caught using a fake insurance card, you could face fines up to $2,000 or six months in jail
Unfortunately, there has been a rise in the use of fake insurance cards. Sometimes, the use of a fake insurance card is caused by scammers posing as a real auto insurance company to collect money. However, other times, drivers choose to use a fake insurance card rather than pay for legitimate auto insurance.
While this can sound tempting for people who are facing financial difficulties, it’s not surprising to find out that using a fake insurance card can result in serious penalties that can be more expensive than paying for auto insurance. Read more below about how to spot a fake insurance card and why you should avoid using them by choice.
If you would like to avoid fake insurance cards, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool above to find a trustworthy insurance company in your area.
How can I spot a fake auto insurance card?
Sometimes, spotting fake car insurance cards is easy, but other times, it’s not. Here are some ways you may be able to tell if your insurance card (or someone else’s insurance card) is the real deal.
If you’re worried that someone is trying to sell you a fake auto insurance policy, you should check their licenses. Insurance companies and agents must have state licenses that prove they are legally able to sell insurance in that state. If they do not provide you with documentation that proves they are certified to sell, you can be sure that they are trying to sell you fake proof of insurance.
You may also want to check your auto insurance policy documents for industry jargon. You may be able to see this with split-limit or single-limit liability, collision or comprehensive coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, roadside assistance, and more. If your policy doesn’t include specific coverage information using the right language, be wary.
You should also pay attention to the name of the insurance company. If it has a funny name, or if you haven’t heard of it before, you should be a little more cautious. While there are many legitimate small auto insurance companies, you should check a company’s history and connections before making any decisions.
Auto insurance rates can also tell you a lot about legitimacy. Most auto insurance policies will cost at least $50 per month, and oftentimes more than that. Therefore, if a company quotes you extremely low rates, this could mean that they aren’t selling you enough coverage to meet your state’s minimum requirements or they are selling fake policies.
Unfortunately, it can be relatively easy to fall for scams or purposely fake an auto insurance policy using something like a blank fillable fake car insurance card template. However, both of these situations can get you in a lot of trouble, especially if you are involved in an accident.
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Can I get away with using a fake insurance card?
In most cases, no, you cannot get away with using fake car insurance papers or cards. While it may be difficult for law enforcement to spot a fake insurance card with visual inspections, there are ways that they can find out about your lack of auto insurance.
Law enforcement and the DMV are highly likely to find out about lapses in coverage relatively quickly. If your coverage lapses, your auto insurance company must report it to your state’s DMV. Therefore, you will be placed on a list of uninsured drivers, which is available throughout the United States.
If you use a fake insurance card template and later end up in an accident, it will soon become obvious that you don’t have real auto insurance. Even if you can prove that you were scammed into buying what you believed was a real policy, it can still result in you having to pay for any claims or face other penalties.
What are the penalties for using a fake vehicle insurance card?
Using a fake insurance card or fake insurance policy number is considered insurance fraud. On top of that, you can also get in trouble for not meeting your state’s minimum insurance requirements to drive legally.
Auto Insurance Minimum Liability Requirements by State
State | Coverages | Limits |
---|---|---|
Alabama | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/25 |
Alaska | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 50/100/25 |
Arizona | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 15/30/10 |
Arkansas | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | 25/50/25 |
California | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 15/30/5 |
Colorado | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/15 |
Connecticut | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) | 25/50/20 |
Delaware | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | 25/50/10 |
District of Columbia | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist (UM) | 25/50/10 |
Florida | Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | 10/20/10 |
Georgia | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/25 |
Hawaii | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | 20/40/10 |
Idaho | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist (UM) | 25/50/15 |
Illinois | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | 25/50/20 |
Indiana | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | 25/50/25 |
Iowa | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) | 20/40/15 |
Kansas | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/25 |
Kentucky | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist (UM) | 25/50/25 |
Louisana | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 15/30/25 |
Maine | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) | 50/100/25 |
Maryland | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 30/60/15 |
Massachusetts | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) | 20/40/5 |
Michigan | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 20/40/10 |
Minnesota | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 30/60/10 |
Mississippi | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/25 |
Missouri | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/25 |
Montana | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | 25/50/20 |
Nebraska | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/25 |
Nevada | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) | 25/50/20 |
New Hampshire | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | 25/50/25 |
New Jersey | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) | 15/30/5 |
New Mexico | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/10 |
New York | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) | 25/50/10 |
North Carolina | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 30/60/25 |
North Dakota | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/25 |
Ohio | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | 25/50/25 |
Oklahoma | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/25 |
Oregon | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/20 |
Pennsylvania | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) | 15/30/5 |
Rhode Island | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/25 |
South Carolina | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/25 |
South Dakota | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/25 |
Tennessee | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | 25/50/15 |
Texas | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | 30/60/25 |
Utah | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/65/15 |
Vermont | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) | 25/50/10 |
Virginia | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) | 25/50/20 |
Washington | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/10 |
West Virginia | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability | 25/50/25 |
Wisconsin | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) | 25/50/10 |
Wyoming | Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist (UM) | 25/50/20 |
If you are caught using a fake insurance card, you may have to pay a fine of up to $2,000 and face up to six months in jail. In addition, you may be required to have compulsory, noncancellable auto insurance in the future.
How can I find cheap car insurance?
For drivers who are facing financial difficulties, using a fake auto insurance card template may seem easier than having to pay for auto insurance premiums. However, this could end up costing more in the future. For example, if you’re caught using a fake insurance card, you may be required to buy SR-22 insurance, which is typically more expensive than other types of insurance.
Therefore, it is safer to take the time to look for affordable auto insurance rates and improve your financial situation so that you can afford a real auto insurance policy.
Fortunately, there are ways to save on your auto insurance. For instance, if you don’t drive a lot, you may look for a pay-per-mile option that could be cheaper than buying a policy that assumes an average amount of travel.
If you can’t reduce your mileage, you could simply choose a policy that limits add-on coverages and just provides the bare minimum required in your state. However, keep in mind that these policies may have higher deductibles if you are in an accident and won’t cover damage to you or your vehicle if you are at-fault.
Finally, shopping around and comparing your options is one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting the best rates. Therefore, you can enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool below to avoid using a fake insurance card and instead find a reputable company near you.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fake insurance card?
A fake insurance card is a fraudulent document that appears to be an authentic proof of insurance coverage but is, in fact, counterfeit or forged.
Why would someone use a fake insurance card?
There are several reasons why someone might use a fake insurance card. It could be an attempt to avoid penalties for driving without insurance, deceive law enforcement officers during traffic stops, or gain access to certain services or benefits that require proof of insurance.
How can I spot a fake insurance card?
There are several key indicators that can help you identify a fake insurance card:
- Check for spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, or inconsistent formatting.
- Verify the insurance company’s name and contact information by contacting them directly.
- Compare the card’s design and layout to legitimate insurance cards.
- Look for security features such as holograms, watermarks, or unique patterns.
- Confirm the policy number, effective dates, and coverage details with the insurance company.
- Be cautious if the insurance card seems unusually cheap or hastily made.
Are there any specific security features I should look for on an insurance card?
Legitimate insurance cards often have security features to prevent counterfeiting. Some common security features include holograms, watermarks, unique patterns, or special ink that changes color when viewed from different angles. However, the presence of security features alone does not guarantee the authenticity of an insurance card, so it’s important to cross-reference the information with the insurance company.
What should I do if I suspect someone is using a fake insurance card?
If you suspect someone is using a fake insurance card, you should report it to the appropriate authorities. Contact your local law enforcement agency, state insurance department, or the insurance fraud division to provide them with the necessary information and evidence.
Can insurance companies help in identifying fake insurance cards?
Yes, insurance companies can assist in verifying the authenticity of insurance cards. If you have doubts about the legitimacy of an insurance card, contact the insurance company directly using the contact information provided on their official website or through a trusted source. They can confirm whether the policy and coverage details are genuine.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Brad Larson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.