One of the most important and mandatory documents of a vehicle is the insurance policy. Securing your car with an insurance policy number avoids any unforeseen financial liabilities.
The law mandates that a four-wheeler should be insured at least with third-party insurance, and it should be a valid one as well. There may be situations when you may require the policy number to access the coverage details.
While it may not be necessary to know the policy number at all times, you will have scenarios when you have to retrieve it.
Your insurance policy number is the unique number your insurance company uses to identify your account.
It’s written on your insurance card and bills and statements you receive from your insurer. The most common scenarios in which you’ll need your policy number are after a car accident if you’re pulled over, and any time you want to contact your insurance provider.
This article provides a car insurance policy number, where you can find yours, and why you even need it.
In addition, there are frequently asked questions to clear up any confusions you might have in reading this article.
What is a Car Insurance Policy Number?
Every insurance policy has an identification number assigned to it when created. This identification is called the insurance policy number and will be attached to nearly all paperwork related to your policy.
This insurance policy number is a valid and unique way for your car to be identified at every instance. The number would also show your car’s insurance policy you have taken out.
A car insurance number is basically a nine to the thirteen-digit number found on your insurance card or bills and statements associated with your insurance account.
If you own multiple cars with different insurance policies, the odds are that you would have a different card for each vehicle.
However, it is common for only the last digit of the policy numbers to be different.
You Should Check Out; 15 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies Review 2022
Who needs a Car Insurance Policy Number?
So far, as you have a car and have taken out an insurance policy on it, you need an insurance policy number. You hold your auto insurance policy benefits just from knowing your car insurance policy number.
You can often look up your policy number if you forget it. However, suppose you have just been in a car accident.
In that case, you may need to provide the other drivers with your auto insurance information.
Your car insurance policy number is also another way to keep proof of your vehicle insurance. If you need a means of identification for your car, your car insurance policy number could be it for you.
Keeping proof of insurance in your vehicle may be a good idea. Proof of insurance could be an insurance ID card, certificate of insurance form, or even your policy.
Each of these documents will include your insurance policy number. By keeping proof of insurance in your vehicle, you do not have to panic searching for your policy number if you get in an accident.
Don’t Fail to Read; Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive In 2022?
How to Find your Car Insurance Policy Number
Besides outlining your coverage options, the policy documents you receive when setting up your policy should also contain your auto policy number. The other ways through which you can find your insurance policy number are:
You can find your car insurance policy number online: You can visit your insurance provider’s website and access your account to retrieve the details. Details such as the registration number of the car, registered mobile number, car’s registration number or email address to access the car insurance policy document are important for this process.
You can find your car insurance policy number offline: By visiting the branch and asking them to check. However, most insurance companies use the internet to make their products more accessible to customers and have an online presence to cater to different requirements.
You can find your car insurance policy number through the VAHAN Service: The VAHAN web portal is a platform with a database of vehicle details. For example, you can check the engine details, chassis number, owner details and check the insurance status of a particular vehicle through its registration number.
You can find your car insurance policy number by checking on the Insurance Information Bureau: The Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) maintains a database of vehicle insurance in India and vehicle records in a digital format.
You can log in to their web portal to access the vehicle insurance policy number. Also, if you have met with an accident involving a third party, you can check the status of the other party’s insurance policy.
Check your insurance card: Your proof of insurance card will have your policy number listed. The format for an auto insurance policy number is usually nine to 13 digits long and looks similar to this: “Policy # [your 9 to 13-digit number here].”
Go through your premium bills: Premium statements often have the policy number printed on them. In addition, both paper and digital statements typically have your policy number listed in a similar format as on your insurance card.
Look at your insurance declarations page: The insurance company should provide paperwork detailing your policy’s coverage options when purchasing your policy. This paperwork will often have the auto policy number printed on it.
Log into your account: You can likely find your policy number if you have an online account with your insurance company. First, go to the company website and log into your account. Once you are logged in, you may see your policy number listed with your account information.
Contact your insurance agent: You can always contact your insurance agent during your carrier’s business hours. Inform them of who you are and request your policy number. They may require some proof of identification, so be ready just in case.
Importance of a Car Insurance Policy Number
There are several reasons your car insurance policy number is important, especially in states where you must have a car insurance policy. The importance of a car insurance policy number is:
Protection During Accidents
You would need your car insurance policy number when you have been in a car accident. If you get involved in an accident with another driver, you’ll exchange insurance information, including the policy number.
Useful for Filing Claims
Each driver will use the information when filing a claim. You would also be required to provide your insurance card to the police if they come to the accident scene and file a police report. It’s a good idea to have the police come to the scene of an accident, as their police report will serve as an aimed record of what happened and where.
Helps You Comply With Police Laws
When police pull you over, you are pulled over; you would be required to provide your car insurance policy number. This is for the police to make sure you comply with your state’s mandatory insurance coverage laws.
Contacting Your Insurer
You would need your car insurance policy number when contacting your insurer. In addition, your insurance company will most likely ask you for your policy number whenever you contact them, such as if you call to change your policy or cancel your policy altogether.
Changing Insurance Plan
When you want to renew or change your insurance plan, while renewing the car insurance plan, you may require the policy number to access the converge and renew it accordingly. Also, when you choose a new insurance company and transfer the existing insurance to the new insurer, the new insurer may ask for it.
Verification Purposes
Your car insurance policy number is also used for verification. Mostly when you may have to produce the policy document, you are stopped by allowed personnel or police to check the validity of the insurance.
Applying For Documents
Your car insurance policy number is also important when applying for duplicate documents. While it is easier to check or retrieve the policy document online, carry a physical copy of the document. You may need a duplicate car insurance policy while travelling long journeys, especially when travelling beyond the state where the vehicle is registered. To get the duplicate copy, you may require the policy number.
Buying Used Car
Your car insurance policy number is also important when buying a used car. To see if the vehicle you are buying is insured and if the insurance is valid, you can trace the insurance policy status online by searching through the registration number of the vehicle.
What Do You Do If You Lose Your Car Insurance Policy Number?
If you lose your proof of insurance card, most insurance companies will mail you a paper copy and let you print out new cards from your online account.
However, it is recommended that you keep two copies- a digital copy on your phone and a paper one.
In most states, you can use electronic proof of insurance on your smartphone. However, it’s also good to have a paper copy as a backup.
Plus, having a paper copy means you won’t have to entrust a police officer with your smartphone when you are pulled over.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my car insurance policy number?
The easiest way to find your car insurance policy number asides from checking your card is through VAHAN. First, visit the official website of VAHAN e-services and go to the tab ‘Know Your Vehicle Details’, enter a mobile number to log into an account or create an account, and fill in the details like the car’s registration number and enter the verification code.
What is an insurance policy number?
An insurance policy number is a unique identifier that attaches a car insurance policy to a specific individual. A policy number is assigned to a policy by an insurance company once you have purchased insurance from them. The other person can call your insurance provider and place a claim with this number.
How can I check my car insurance policy?
You can check this online. But, first, visit the IIB website, enter the details of your vehicle as you are prompted to do so, click the “SUBMIT” button and then view the policy details, which should now be available to you.
Which number is the policy number?
This number is always on the front of the card. So, for example, if you’re the policyholder, the last two digits in your number might be 00, while others on the policy might have numbers ending in 01 02.
Is the insurance policy number the same as the ID number?
Yes. Your health insurance policy number is typically your member ID number.
How many digits is an insurance policy number?
Most policy numbers are between 8 and 10 digits. The placement of the policy number will change depending on which provider issued the card. For example, many car insurance cards list the policy number around the centre of the card, and the number will usually have the words “policy number” in front of it.
Conclusion
Your car insurance policy number may be more important than you think. This is because car insurance companies will use your policy number to locate your account.
It is important to know where to find it since you may need it to access critical account information.
You may also need to give it to your insurer, police or a fellow driver in the event of a car accident. I hope this guide on a car insurance policy number has enlightened you greatly.
References
- policybazaar.com/motor-insurance/car-insurance/articles/ways-to-find-your-car-insurance-policy-number/
- quotewizard.com/auto-insurance/car-insurance-policy-number
- insurancedekho.com/car-insurance/details-by-registration-number
Recommendations
