Here's what you need to know...
Your policy number is a unique identifier that represents your account with an insurance carrier
Every insurance carrier uses a unique sequence of letters and numbers to assign policy numbers to each policy. Some companies assign a different policy number to each vehicle and others assign a single policy number for all of the cars insured under a single policyholder’s name
Insurance companies issue you a new declarations page every time your policy renews. If you’re looking for your policy number, the first place to look is on your latest declarations page
Your auto insurance ID cards that you’re legally required to carry with you at all times will include your policy number
You can also find your policy number by logging into your account online or by calling your company directly and verifying your identity by giving your name and address
When you start to get quotes for auto insurance, all of the quotes that you’ve solicited will be saved in the carrier’s system for a limited amount of time.
These quotes are pulled up by using a quote reference number or your full name. After you decide on a policy and you apply for insurance, you’ll be given an official policy number.
Enter your zip code above to compare car insurance rates from multiple companies today!
A policy number is a lot like an account number. It is a unique identifier that can consist of both letters and numbers and that will be used only to pull up your account information through a specific carrier.
If you are trying to find your policy number to pay a bill or to file a claim, here are a few places that you can look:
What does a car insurance policy number look like?
It’s difficult to locate your policy number if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Generally, your policy number will be nine to ten digits long, but that’s not a cut and dry rule.
A carrier that uses letters in their sequence of digits will use them either before or after a combination of numbers. Letters are often used as a state identifier.
Unfortunately, since every carrier sets their own sequence for policy numbers, it’s hard to say what your policy number will look like unless you know which carrier you’re insured through. Here’s how some policy numbers look through some popular carriers:
GMAC – alphabetical code precedes numerical digits
Mercury – alphabetical code that comes after numerical digits
AMIG – numerical format that consists of up to 13 digits
Farmers – eight numerical digits
Allstate – nine numerical digits
Find Your Current Declarations Page
Every time you buy auto insurance, the company will issue you a set of documents.
These documents include your declarations page, the disclosures, your insuring agreement, and the policy booklet. These are all documents that you should file away so that you can reference when you have questions about your coverage, the terms of your policy, or your premiums.
The first place to look for your policy number would be at the top of your latest declarations page.
Every company has a different declarations page layout, but almost every reputable company will print your personalized policy number on the top right corner of the declarations page.
Reference Old Paperwork
If you can’t find your current declarations page, you may be able to locate your policy number by pulling out old documents that you have filed away.
Make sure that you haven’t switched carriers or allowed your policy to lapse in the past or the number that you find might be invalid. Some of the document to look for include:
Expired declarations page (as long as it’s the same cars)
Billing statements
Claims history letters
Old claims determination letters
Old requests for documentation under the same policy
Finding Your Policy Number On-The-Go
If you need your policy number to contact your company or to give to another party, you might not have access to your files. The quickest way to find your account information on-the-go is to reference your auto insurance ID cards. Most people keep these cards in their glove compartments or in their wallets.
Access Your Account Online
A majority of companies that sell insurance in today’s modern marketplace offer their clients the convenient feature of accessing their accounts online. If you’ve registered for online account access in the past, you can log in and find your account information in the portal. All you need is your user ID and your password.
Contact Your Company Directly
If all else fails, you can call your insurer and ask for your policy number by phone.
When you call the customer service department, the agent will ask for your full name, your address, and the last four of your social. Some companies have a variety of way that policies can be located through the search tool.
Go down the list of ways to find your policy number. If you discover that your policy has canceled, it’s best for you to start getting auto insurance quotes immediately. Make sure to compare rates quickly before you make a choice. Use an intelligent rate quote tool online, and you can get instant quotes.
Enter your zip code below for the best car insurance rates for your budget today!
References:
http://www.mass.gov/ago/consumer-resources/consumer-information/auto-and-vehicle-insurance/unders…
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/autoinsurance/12-things-your-auto-insurance-agent-knows-that-you-…
https://www.irmi.com/online/insurance-glossary/terms/d/declarations.aspx
http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=1523&q=251214
http://carinsurance.about.com/od/PolicyFundamentals/a/The-Importance-Of-The-Declaration-Page.htm
http://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb020.html
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm