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Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:59 pm
by SA-TX
Hello LEOs,
After reading a thread about a member having has truck broken into at DFW airport, this thought occurred to me (as my car is at DFW right now): is it a wise idea to have paperwork with your home address on it in the vehicle? Would it be less risky to only carry it in a wallet/purse.
What do you do/what would you advise?
Thanks in advance and thank you for your service!
SA-TX
Re: Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 8:01 pm
by TexasJohnBoy
Not an LEO, but I do not keep my insurance in the car, it's in my wallet. Same with the wife, I dont want someone to break in, find a home address and then get a garage door opener to take to that address myself...
Re: Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 8:05 pm
by SA-TX
TexasJohnBoy wrote:Not an LEO, but I do not keep my insurance in the car, it's in my wallet. Same with the wife, I dont want someone to break in, find a home address and then get a garage door opener to take to that address myself...
Exactly my concern (as a garage door opener sits attached to my sun visor, in my car, at DFW). Sigh.
SA-TX
Re: Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 8:17 pm
by Jusme
TexasJohnBoy wrote:Not an LEO, but I do not keep my insurance in the car, it's in my wallet. Same with the wife, I dont want someone to break in, find a home address and then get a garage door opener to take to that address myself...
Ditto, mine is in my wallet, because it covers me in any vehicle I drive.
Re: Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 7:01 am
by RoyGBiv
I keep a photo-copy of my insurance card on my phone.
Don't forget that all those oil change receipts you keep in the glove box also very likely have your home address on them.
Re: Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 7:31 am
by jmorris
Jusme wrote:TexasJohnBoy wrote:Not an LEO, but I do not keep my insurance in the car, it's in my wallet. Same with the wife, I dont want someone to break in, find a home address and then get a garage door opener to take to that address myself...
Ditto, mine is in my wallet, because it covers me in any vehicle I drive.
Hmm. Mine is not a card. 5"x8.5" (about a half-sheet) and is specific to one vehicle. I have one for each vehicle. I am covered in any vehicle, it's just my proof of insurance is for one vehicle.
Re: Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 7:53 am
by Jusme
jmorris wrote:Jusme wrote:TexasJohnBoy wrote:Not an LEO, but I do not keep my insurance in the car, it's in my wallet. Same with the wife, I dont want someone to break in, find a home address and then get a garage door opener to take to that address myself...
Ditto, mine is in my wallet, because it covers me in any vehicle I drive.
Hmm. Mine is not a card. 5"x8.5" (about a half-sheet) and is specific to one vehicle. I have one for each vehicle. I am covered in any vehicle, it's just my proof of insurance is for one vehicle.
I haven't had to show my insurance in a while since it is available to LEO on their computers. I also have a photo of my insurance info on my phone, on the off chance that I lose/forget my wallet one day. Mine lists all three of my vehicles and my policy covers me in any vehicle I drive (within the U.S)
Re: Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 7:56 am
by lildave40
With technology now adays I have it on my phone as well as my goggle drive.
Re: Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:01 am
by C-dub
I was advised by a LEO many years ago and another friend that had their vehicle stolen, that it was a bad idea to keep insurance papers or anything else with your address and any personal information in your vehicle. Some reasons are obvious and more of an issue now with identity theft and all, but for some, if your vehicle is stolen it will be a bit more difficult to contact your insurance company to report it stolen without the phone number on the paper. Not everyone puts that number into their phone. Nor do many also put their policy number in their phone and instead rely on it being there on the paper that is now in their stolen vehicle.
Re: Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:17 am
by jmorris
lildave40 wrote:With technology now adays I have it on my phone as well as my goggle drive.
I do have a pdf of it on my phone, I was just pointing out mine was not a "card" and was specific to a vehicle. The pdf has both cars.
Re: Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:41 am
by Glockster
All of which begs the question as to when TX is going to join many other states in simplifying the sizing. I have a SUV for which I have a registration receipt that is 8.5x11". And I tow a trailer, same size registration receipt. And my Progressive insurance "card" is 5.5x8". I simply don't have room in my wallet for that. Why oh why can't we simply go to all electronic, or something significantly smaller.
Re: Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:46 am
by PUCKER
Glockster wrote:All of which begs the question as to when TX is going to join many other states in simplifying the sizing. I have a SUV for which I have a registration receipt that is 8.5x11". And I tow a trailer, same size registration receipt. And my Progressive insurance "card" is 5.5x8". I simply don't have room in my wallet for that. Why oh why can't we simply go to all electronic, or something significantly smaller.
I do not believe you are required to carry the registration receipt, unless it is a commercial vehicle (my memory may be failing me). The sticker itself is proof (windshield sticker on vehicle and sticker on plate of trailer).

Re: Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:48 am
by Pawpaw
lildave40 wrote:With technology now adays I have it on my phone as well as my goggle drive.
Does that make it easier to see?

Re: Carry insurance card in vehicle - bad idea?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 9:31 am
by techenigma
I have in my glovebox in all my vehicles but have the mobile app that has it all