How to Spot a Fake Insurance Card in 2024

Unfortunately, there has been a rise in the use of fake insurance cards. Sometimes, the use of a fake insurance card is caused by scammers posing as a real auto insurance company to collect money. However, other times, drivers choose to use a fake insurance card rather than pay for legitimate auto insurance.

While this can sound tempting for people who are facing financial difficulties, it’s not surprising to find out that using a fake insurance card can result in serious penalties that can be more expensive than paying for auto insurance. Read more below about how to spot a fake insurance card and why you should avoid using them by choice.

If you would like to avoid fake insurance cards, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool above to find a trustworthy insurance company in your area.

How can I spot a fake auto insurance card?

Sometimes, spotting fake car insurance cards is easy, but other times, it’s not. Here are some ways you may be able to tell if your insurance card (or someone else’s insurance card) is the real deal.

If you’re worried that someone is trying to sell you a fake auto insurance policy, you should check their licenses. Insurance companies and agents must have state licenses that prove they are legally able to sell insurance in that state. If they do not provide you with documentation that proves they are certified to sell, you can be sure that they are trying to sell you fake proof of insurance.

You may also want to check your auto insurance policy documents for industry jargon. You may be able to see this with split-limit or single-limit liability, collision or comprehensive coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, roadside assistance, and more. If your policy doesn’t include specific coverage information using the right language, be wary.

You should also pay attention to the name of the insurance company. If it has a funny name, or if you haven’t heard of it before, you should be a little more cautious. While there are many legitimate small auto insurance companies, you should check a company’s history and connections before making any decisions.

Auto insurance rates can also tell you a lot about legitimacy. Most auto insurance policies will cost at least $50 per month, and oftentimes more than that. Therefore, if a company quotes you extremely low rates, this could mean that they aren’t selling you enough coverage to meet your state’s minimum requirements or they are selling fake policies.

Unfortunately, it can be relatively easy to fall for scams or purposely fake an auto insurance policy using something like a blank fillable fake car insurance card template. However, both of these situations can get you in a lot of trouble, especially if you are involved in an accident.

Can I get away with using a fake insurance card?

In most cases, no, you cannot get away with using fake car insurance papers or cards. While it may be difficult for law enforcement to spot a fake insurance card with visual inspections, there are ways that they can find out about your lack of auto insurance.

Law enforcement and the DMV are highly likely to find out about lapses in coverage relatively quickly. If your coverage lapses, your auto insurance company must report it to your state’s DMV. Therefore, you will be placed on a list of uninsured drivers, which is available throughout the United States.

If you use a fake insurance card template and later end up in an accident, it will soon become obvious that you don’t have real auto insurance. Even if you can prove that you were scammed into buying what you believed was a real policy, it can still result in you having to pay for any claims or face other penalties.

What are the penalties for using a fake vehicle insurance card?

Using a fake insurance card or fake insurance policy number is considered insurance fraud. On top of that, you can also get in trouble for not meeting your state’s minimum insurance requirements to drive legally.

Auto Insurance Minimum Liability Requirements by State

If you are caught using a fake insurance card, you may have to pay a fine of up to $2,000 and face up to six months in jail. In addition, you may be required to have compulsory, noncancellable auto insurance in the future.

How can I find cheap car insurance?

For drivers who are facing financial difficulties, using a fake auto insurance card template may seem easier than having to pay for auto insurance premiums. However, this could end up costing more in the future. For example, if you’re caught using a fake insurance card, you may be required to buy SR-22 insurance, which is typically more expensive than other types of insurance.

Therefore, it is safer to take the time to look for affordable auto insurance rates and improve your financial situation so that you can afford a real auto insurance policy.

Fortunately, there are ways to save on your auto insurance. For instance, if you don’t drive a lot, you may look for a pay-per-mile option that could be cheaper than buying a policy that assumes an average amount of travel.

If you can’t reduce your mileage, you could simply choose a policy that limits add-on coverages and just provides the bare minimum required in your state. However, keep in mind that these policies may have higher deductibles if you are in an accident and won’t cover damage to you or your vehicle if you are at-fault.

Finally, shopping around and comparing your options is one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting the best rates. Therefore, you can enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool below to avoid using a fake insurance card and instead find a reputable company near you.