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How do you check if your car has insurance?

How can I check if a car has insurance? My mom offered to let my son borrow her car until he gets his own. We want to add him to her insurance policy, but she can’t remember if it has insurance.

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Will Baldwin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Adding your son to your mom’s insurance
is important, so it’s good you’re looking into it right now.
In terms of figuring out if the car is currently insured or not, you have a couple of options.
  • Look for
    proof of insurance
    : Check the glove compartment or anywhere your mom keeps important documents. Most people keep their insurance card in the car, which would give you an idea of whether the car is insured.
  • Review bank statements: If you check her bank or credit card statements, you should see a charge from a
    car insurance company
    . From there, you can reach out to the insurance company to find out whether the policy is active.
  • Check her email: Search for keywords like potential company names, insurance, car insurance, or insurance policy.
  • Contact the DMV: Most states require car insurance companies to report insurance to the DMV. With the VIN, the DMV can typically tell you whether the car has insurance or not.
If none of this works, your mom may need to sign up for a new policy. Make sure she tells the agent about the circumstances. Typically, prior insurance information will come back in reports that insurance companies pull when starting a policy. If the car is still insured, she has the option to continue with another company or contact her prior insurance.
Should your mom want to look at other insurance providers, try
Jerry
! Jerry gathers top quotes from up to 50 insurance providers, like Nationwide and Allstate, to provide the best rates for the coverage you need.
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