If you buy an auto insurance policy from AAA, you’ll immediately have access to a digital insurance card via the AAA Mobile App that qualifies as legal proof of insurance
. You’ll also be able to print out your physical insurance card—you won’t have to wait for your local AAA Club to mail it. Forty-eight out of fifty states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of insurance, so you’ll need to carry proof of car insurance
whenever you drive if you live in one of them. But what counts as proof of insurance, and how can you get it from AAA? This article will explain how you can get proof of insurance from AAA, and what to do if you lose yours. What counts as proof of insurance?
When you buy or renew an auto insurance policy from AAA, you’ll be issued a digital insurance identification card which you can access via the AAA Mobile App. You’ll also receive an insurance declaration page
and a binder letter if requested. All of these documents will show the following information—your name and address, your policy number
, your policy's effective and expiration dates, and certain information about your automobile. These three documents all technically count as “proof of insurance”, but they actually have different uses. Your insurance ID card—either the digital one on your smartphone or a printed copy—is what you’ll show to the police if you’re ever pulled over or when you go to register your car at your local DMV.
Your insurance declaration page details your policy’s premium and coverage information and is mostly for your own reference. A binder letter is typically used only for court.
There are a few ways to get your insurance ID card with AAA to ensure you’re never caught without one. The police and DMVs in most states accept digital proof of insurance, which can be found in the form of an ID card via the AAA Mobile App.
MORE: Is it legal to show proof of car insurance on your phone?
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How to obtain proof of insurance from AAA
While this process may differ slightly across the country depending on your local AAA Club, you should be able to get your AAA proof of insurance in the following three ways:
If you just bought a AAA car insurance policy online, you can immediately download your electronic ID card via the AAA Mobile App. As well, you’ll be able to print a physical copy of your insurance ID card after logging into “MyAccount”. Once logged in, look under “Auto Policy” for “Print Proof of Insurance” to get a printable PDF of your ID card.
If you lost your AAA car insurance policy, you can go into your “MyAccount” and print a new one. Click on “Membership” and then tap on “Click to view new membership cards”. Then click on the icon saying “Looking for a replacement card?” to print a duplicate out. You can also email or call your local AAA Club to request a new ID card be sent to you through the mail. Your new AAA auto insurance ID card should get to you within 7 to 10 business days.
If you don’t have time to print a new card, you’ll still have your digital ID card via the AAA Mobile App. You can even download this card to your Apple Wallet for easy access. One thing to remember about digital proof of insurance is that the state of New Mexico
isn’t required to accept digital proof of insurance. In Massachusetts, due to the state’s vehicle registration process and the fact that insurance ID cards are not required, it is up to an officer’s discretion whether to accept digital proof of insurance.
MORE: The penalties for using fake proof of insurance
When do you need to show proof of insurance?
All states except Massachusetts
and New Hampshire
(which accept alternative forms of financial responsibility) require drivers to carry proof of insurance. Here’s where you will have to demonstrate proof of insurance: Law enforcement: If you’re ever pulled over by police, you’ll be requested to provide your driver’s license, vehicle registration
, and proof of insurance. You’ll face significant fines if you don’t have these documents with you, not to mention a price hike for your insurance premium. The DMV: You’ll need to show proof of insurance along with other documents when renewing your license plates
. Other drivers: If you’re found to be at fault in an accident, you’re required to provide other drivers with proof of insurance so they can make a bodily injury
or property damage
claim through your AAA policy. Lenders: If you apply for a car loan
, most lenders will require you to have car insurance. Employers: If you’re applying for a job that requires driving, your employers may ask for proof of personal liability insurance to go along with their commercial automobile insurance.
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