Forgot Who Insures Me – How Do I Find Out Who My Insurer Is?

Last Updated on October 4, 2023

It’s easy to forget the name of your insurance company – especially if you recently switched or have multiple vehicles.

To find the name of your insurance company, look for your insurance card or check your credit card statements and other paperwork.

If you’re unable to find the name of your insurer through your own paperwork, then contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about how to find the name of your insurance company.

Key Takeaways:

  • You can find the name of your insurance company by checking your vehicle, bank statements, online accounts, lender, or DMV.
  • Knowing your insurance information is important to avoid lapses or overlapping coverage, provide proof of coverage to law enforcement, handle accidents and claims, rent cars, and buy new vehicles.
  • Car insurance is a legal requirement in most states and a necessity for financial protection and peace of mind.
  • If you are driving uninsured, you should buy car insurance from a local provider as soon as possible.

6 Ways to Check Your Current Insurance Company

If you can’t remember the name of your insurer, then here are six ways to check:

Check your Glove Compartment, Dashboard, Seat Pockets, & Other Parts of Your Vehicle

Most drivers keep their registration and insurance information in their dashboard or elsewhere in their vehicle.

Assuming you haven’t already done so, check your glove compartment, dashboard, trunk, seat pockets, and other parts of your vehicle where a piece of paper could hide.

In most cases, your vehicle registration document lists your insurer. Or, you might find registration documentation and separate insurance paperwork.

Check the expiration dates on the paperwork to verify this is your current, active insurer.

Check your Bank Statements or Credit Card Statements

Every one month, six months, or 12 months, your insurer could be charging your payment information for your premiums.

Check your bank or credit card statements and look for the name of your insurer. In most cases, your bank or credit card statements state the name of the company clearly.

If you see a debit for “GEICO” every month with an identical amount of money, for example, this is likely your car insurance premium.

Call the Insurer

If you think you have a policy with GEICO, then just call GEICO. They can look up your policy number, policy information, and other information using your name and birthday.

If you found paperwork in your vehicle or regular payments each month, for example, with the name “GEICO” on it, then consider calling the company to verify you have an active policy with the right vehicle.

Login to the Insurer’s Website or Mobile App

All major insurers have online accounts where you can adjust policies, change information, view policy status, and more.

If you believe you have an insurance policy with one or two insurers, try logging into their online accounts or mobile apps using your email address. After logging in, you’ll be able to view any active policies you have with that company.

Contact Your Lender

If you are leasing or financing a vehicle, you must carry valid car insurance. Your lender will have your insurance information on file.

Contact your dealership, lending agency, or bank to verify your insurance information.

Contact the DMV

If you were unable to identify your insurer with the methods listed above, then contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

The DMV keeps a record of each driver’s insurance and registration on file. If your insurance lapses, the DMV may assess penalties, suspend your license, or cancel your registration.

Contact the DMV and provide them with your personal information, license plate number, VIN, and any other required information. The DMV should be able to look up any active insurance information you have on file.

Do I Need Auto Insurance?

Let’s say you go through the processes above and find you don’t have insurance. You have no insurance paperwork in your vehicle, no payments deducted from your account, and no insurance information on file with lenders or the DMV.

In this situation, you may consider whether you need insurance or not.

Car insurance is a legal requirement in virtually all states. Even drivers in New Hampshire, the one state where insurance is not technically required, typically carry car insurance for their own protection.

Additionally, drivers who lease or finance vehicles do not own their vehicle outright, which is why lenders require full coverage car insurance. If you are leasing or financing your vehicle, then you must carry full coverage car insurance.

For legal reasons, financial protection, and peace of mind, you need auto insurance. If you cannot find your insurer and are driving uninsured, then buy car insurance from a local provider.

Why You Need to Know Your Insurance Information

Why is it important to know your insurance information? Why do you need to know your policy expiration date and the name of your insurance company?

Knowing your insurance information is an important part of being a responsible driver. It’s also important for legal reasons, claims, and more.

Some of the reasons you need to know your insurance information include:

Avoid Lapses or Overlapping Coverage: You don’t want to be under-insured or over-insured. If you don’t know your active policy information, then you could have a lapse in coverage, leaving you without insurance for a length of time. Or, you could be over-insured, carrying two policies on a single vehicle for an overlapping period.

Provide Proof of Coverage to Law Enforcement: If you are pulled over or go through a vehicle check stop, you may need to provide proof of insurance information to the law enforcement officer. If you don’t know the name of your insurer or have any corresponding documentation, you could face fines or penalties. You must carry your driver’s license, registration, and insurance information with you when driving.

For Accidents & Claims: If you collide with another driver, you need to swap insurance information. If you don’t know the name of your insurer or have any documentation, you cannot provide insurance information to the other driver. Knowing your insurance information makes it easier to process claims and handle accidents.

For Rental Cars: When you rent a vehicle, the rental car agency may ask for your insurance information. You can turn down the rental car agency’s coverage and substitute your own insurance. However, if you don’t know your own policy or expiration date, then you could be driving the rental car without sufficient coverage.

For Financing, Auto Loans, & New Car Purchases: Lenders, car dealerships, and other financing groups may need your insurance information. If you’re shopping for a car loan or buying a new vehicle, for example, then you need the name of your insurance company.

Final Word

It’s easier than ever to keep track of auto insurance information.

Keep insurance paperwork in your vehicle or maintain digital copies on your phone (or both). Knowing your policy number, insurance company, and expiration date is important for a variety of reasons.

James Shaffer
James Shaffer James Shaffer is a writer for InsurancePanda.com and a well-seasoned auto insurance industry veteran. He has a deep knowledge of insurance rules and regulations and is passionate about helping drivers save money on auto insurance. He is responsible for researching and writing about anything auto insurance-related. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bentley University and his work has been quoted by NBC News, CNN, and The Washington Post.
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