Lost the insurance card that State Farm mailed you? Don’t worry, you still have proof of insurance at your fingertips—as long as you’ve got the State Farm app.

Written by R.E. Fulton

Reviewed by Kathleen Flear

Updated on Nov 20, 2023

Table of Contents

What counts as proof of insurance?
How to obtain proof of insurance from State Farm
FAQs

If you purchase an auto insurance policy from State Farm, you’ll have immediate access to a digital insurance card that qualifies as legal

proof of insurance

. You’ll also receive a physical card in the mail, and you can request a copy from your State Farm agent at any time.

If you live in one of the 48 states that require drivers to purchase liability insurance, carrying proof of insurance is a must. But what counts as proof of

car insurance

—and how can you get it from State Farm? This guide covers all the ways to get proof of insurance coverage: by mail, online, or through the mobile app.

MORE:

What you need to know about State Farm car insurance quotes

What counts as proof of insurance?

After purchasing your new insurance policy, State Farm will issue you an

insurance declaration page

, insurance identification card and, if requested, a binder letter. All documents show the effective and expiration dates of your policy along with the name and address of the insurance company, your

policy number

, and certain information about your car.

While all three documents associated with your State Farm policy qualify as proof of insurance—they are not all used for the same situation. A binder letter is typically required for court, the declarations page gives drivers detailed premium and coverage information, and the insurance identification card is what you will need for law enforcement and the DMV. As such, your ID card is what you will need to have available anytime you drive your car.

Luckily, there’s more than one way to get your insurance ID card. Law enforcement and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in most states accept electronic proof of insurance in the form of an ID card on your mobile app.

MORE: The penalties for using fake proof of insurance

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How to obtain proof of insurance from State Farm

Here’s how to get a copy of your insurance information from State Farm:

If you recently purchased a policy online, you can download temporary insurance cards along with your auto insurance binder through your confirmation email or your My Account page. The temporary card will be valid for 30 days from the start of your policy.

If you lost the paper card State Farm sent in the mail, you can view, print, or email your ID card by going to your online account, selecting “Auto Policy,” and clicking “View/Print Documents.” This will open an electronic document that you can view, print, or email to yourself or another person.

If you want to request another copy of your ID card, you can click “Request Cards” on your Auto Policy page or enter your date of birth and policy number on this

online form

. You can also call an insurance agent at any time to request a copy.

If you need your insurance card right now and don’t have time to print it, you can access a digital ID card at any time through the State Farm mobile app. The only states that aren’t required to accept digital proof of insurance are

New Mexico

—and Massachusetts, where it is up to law enforcement’s discretion whether to accept it or not because insurance ID cards aren’t needed due to the state’s vehicle registration process.

MORE: Is it legal to show proof of car insurance on your phone?

When do you need to show proof of insurance?

Every state requires drivers to carry proof of insurance, except for

New Hampshire

and

Massachusetts

, which accept other forms of proof of financial responsibility. You may need to show your proof of insurance to:

Law enforcement: At traffic stops, police will request your vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and your driver’s license. If you don’t have any of those three, you could face steep fines in addition to an insurance rate increase.

The DMV: Any time you renew your

license plates

, you’ll need to provide proof of insurance along with your other documents.

Other drivers: If you’re at fault in an accident, other drivers will need to see your insurance card so that they can file a

bodily injury

property damage

claim with State Farm.

Lenders: When you apply for an

auto loan

, your potential lender will need to see that you have car insurance.

Employers: If your job involves driving, your employer may ask for proof of personal liability insurance on top of their commercial automobile insurance.

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FAQs

Can I use a PDF as proof of insurance?

Yes—as long as it’s a PDF of your insurance card, and unless you’re in New Mexico.

What is the best way to show proof of insurance?

You can’t go wrong with a physical insurance ID card. It’s the traditional way to show proof of insurance, and it’s accepted in every state. However, if you’ve lost your physical card, digital proof of insurance through your insurance company’s mobile app should work, too—unless you’re in New Mexico.

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