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How can you tell if your car is insured?

Is there a way to tell whether or not your car is insured? My uncle gave me one of his old cars and I'd love to drive it! The only problem is, I don't know if it's insured or not.

avatar
Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“How exciting! Luckily, there are a few ways to find out if your uncle’s car has insurance.
The simplest way to know if the car has insurance is to check with your uncle. If he knows the
car insurance company
but isn’t sure if the car is insured, you can check for a policy on the provider’s website. If your uncle has an online account, it’ll give you all the information you need about the policy.
If that doesn’t work, try not to worry! There are other options. Here are some of the best ways to make sure your car is insured:
  • Look for papers in the car. Many car owners put their insurance papers in the car in case of accidents, mechanical breakdowns, or other unexpected incidents. Even if you find old documents, they can point you in the right direction.
  • Ask for an insurance quote. When providers give you a quote, they access online reports that show any current or previous carriers. If you are insured, it’s likely that it’ll show up when a provider tries to set you up with a new policy.
  • Reach out to your Secretary of State or DMV. Both often keep track of in-state car insurance records. Give them a call and ask if they can help you find an existing policy.
If you try these methods and still can’t find an existing policy, then it’s probably time to
find a new one
.
If you want help making the process as quick and easy as possible, try
Jerry
. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app helps you gather and compare affordable quotes in minutes!”
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