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Most states in the U.S. require you to keep a current insurance card in your vehicle at all times, and they will levy hefty fines if you do not comply.
Identification
Failure to produce your insurance card can lead to fines and/or suspension of your driver's license. Although regulations vary slightly by state, in most cases an insurance card is the only proof of insurance that will be accepted by the police if you are stopped.
Illinois
In Illinois, failure to produce your insurance card can result in a $500 fine, suspension of your plates and registration and a $100 reinstatement fee once proof of insurance is produced.
New York
In New York, if your insurance lapses and you cannot produce a current ID card, you must turn in your plates immediately and pay $25 to reinstate them when you do get insurance again. If you continue to drive without a valid insurance card in New York, your license is suspended indefinitely.
Florida
Florida is the only state in the U.S. that does not require liability insurance, but you still have to show proof of auto insurance (including personal injury protection in that state), or you can lose your license and face a reinstatement fee of between $150 and $500.
Function
The insurance card proves that you carry the minimum liability coverage required in the state in which your auto is registered. Liability insurance pays for injuries to the passengers in the other vehicle (not yours) and damage to that other vehicle. Driving without liability insurance is illegal in most states in the U.S.
Prevention/Solution
You can easily print a current insurance card at home on the websites of most major insurance carriers, or obtain one within days by calling their customer service number and requesting a replacement card. Keep one in your auto and one in your wallet or in a file at home.
Source:
Illinois Department of Insurance: Required Auto Insurance Coverages
Florida DHSMV: Vehicle Insurance Questions and Answers
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