No matter where you are in the world, if you want to drive a car legally, you must have car insurance. This protects a driver against any liability they might have, in case of an accident. It is also there to help a driver be compensated, in the event they were not liable, rather victim to an accident. Insurance, ensures the car, the people, and any property that become damaged in an accident are compensated. The amount of damage covered varies from policy to policy. In the United States, there is no federal mandate requiring insurance but left to the states to decide. The policies are broad, vary from country to country. Across the globe, car insurance is something all drivers deal with.
You just got a new set of wheels, and you want to get driving. Before you hit the road, you will need to get some paperwork together for your insurance company. It is in your best interest to shop around with various companies, to get the best rate. The work you do now will pay off when you have more money every month. The list we will go over is fairly complete, but note that there may be other specific documents required that are not listed.
The List
Driver’s License Number
This is most important, in that, you are proving that you can legally drive. Without a driver’s license, it may be difficult to obtain car insurance. It is possible to be insured and not have a license, but you will have to work with each individual insurance company on your situation.
VIN Number
All insurance companies will require your VIN number or vehicle identification number. This number is what separates your car, from all other cars like it. The insurance will be applied to your specific car, truck, motorcycle or SUV. This will also let the insurance company know exactly what kind of car you are driving. Insurance policies are dependent on the vehicle you drive. If you say you are driving a Toyota Camry, but really are driving a Ferrari, they will check to make sure you are being honest.
Vehicle Registration
This is the proof your vehicle is legally registered to be driven, in your state or country. Insurance companies will rarely insure a car, that has not been legally verified and registered to drive on the road. There are policies however that protect the value of cars, not to be driven. For example, these could be collector cars, or cars that are in restoration.
Current Insurance Declaration
This is only true if you currently have insurance. If you have had a lapse or a gap of not having insurance, you will not be able to provide a current declaration. Please note that the cost of insurance may be higher for you if you have not had coverage in the past 6 months.
Social Security Number
This is for United States drivers only, as other countries do not require (or have) a social security number. This is proof that you are a citizen, and legally allowed to be driving. There may be other specific requirements depending on the country, territory or municipality. It is possible to obtain car insurance on a visa, but check with the insurance company to be sure. Because of the way that insurance rates work in the U.S., your social security number could be used to pull your credit score as well.
Financial Documents
You may have to provide your insurance company with bank information. Some companies will offer a discount if you use paperless autopay. Other companies will require it. This will be dependent on the insurance company, but have your bank account and routing number close, just in case.
Proof of Discounts
Some insurance companies offer discounts, if you bundle with other services. They may offer good student driver discounts, or perhaps the company you work has a partnership with an insurance company. No matter the reason, you will need proof of these partnerships. If you have home insurance, with the same company you are purchasing car insurance through, you will have to provide proof of that. A good student? The insurance might want to see a copy of the report card. You may have to provide a copy of your proof of employment, to get that company discount.
There may be other specific requests required that are not on this list. Your insurance company will let you know if there is anything else needed. Get these things in order, make your calls and remember to shop around. You will be on the road in no time!