Have Proof of Business Auto Insurance Ready and Available
Just about every state in the country requires individuals to have compensation in place for property damage that they may cause with their vehicle and either bodily injury liability for injuries caused to others and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to pay for an injury suffered by the policyholder regardless of who is at fault.
States will enforce these laws, known as the Financial Responsibility and No-Fault laws. Although there are a few different ways to satisfy these laws, such as making a cash deposit with the state or obtaining a surety bond for a specified amount, most motorists purchase auto insurance and maintain coverage through an insurer.
Although not all states require it, it may be a good idea always to carry proof of car insurance while operating an automobile. Suppose a person is involved in a traffic accident. In that case, they will need to swap policy information following the incident, so having the documentation readily available can make it a whole lot easier and faster to go through the claims process.
In many states, it will asked for by a law enforcement officer upon arrival at the scene of the collision, and in many cases, not having proper proof will give the officer the assumption that you do not have coverage, which may result in a fine and the need to appear in court with the documentation necessary; both of which can be avoided by simply carrying that piece of paper.
Additional Information about Proof of auto insurance:
When a motorist purchases an automobile policy, the carrier or representative of the insurer should provide temporary proof of insurance, also called identification cards, as soon as the transaction is complete, and the finalized documentation should be mailed to the residence of the newly insured. On the identification cards, most states require that particular information is stated on the documentation; in most cases, states require that the cards show the name of the insurer, a policy number, the effective date and expiration date of the coverage, the name of the insured, a description of the year, make and model of vehicles including the “VIN.” The policyholder is responsible for ensuring that all information is correct.
Motorists should make themselves aware of whether or not they are required by law to have proof on them at all times while driving because fines can get quite expensive and become a hassle if caught without the proper documentation (even if the state does not require identification cards to be carried it is probably a good idea to do so anyway.)
States that require motorists to have policies on them at all times will allow law enforcement officers to ask for identification cards at routine traffic stops. If unable to furnish the driver, they can be cited. According to the Washington State Department of Licensing, those who are caught operating an automobile without coverage can be fined at least $450, which can be close to the amount it would cost to purchase a policy. It may be wiser always to have the documentation ready and never risk driving uninsured.