Why does my Car Insurance company need to verify my VIN number?

Why does my Car Insurance company need to verify my VIN number? - Insurista, the insurance blog

If you're looking to buy a used car, it's important to check the vehicle's history first. You can get a detailed report of a car's history from several different sources. Remember that you need to verify everything about the used car you're willing to buy, otherwise, you may end up paying more car insurance premiums than you'd really need to.

Car insurers will request your VIN number to verify that vehicle has not been stolen

What is a VIN?
That is the one million dollar question. VIN stands for your Vehicle Identification number, it's a snapshot of the vehicle record history. When you're going to buy a car insurance policy, they often ask you several questions about the vehicle you're willing to insure. In that case, your car insurance company will find the full history through this car's VIN.

Why does my Car Insurance company need to verify my VIN number?

There are mainly 3 reasones why your car insurance company will ask for your Vehicle Identification Number:

1. Quoting your car insurance: If you car insurer knows your VIN number, they will be able to check the make, model, driving records, and other information that you as policyholder provide to your insurer is correct or not. Based on the information they find in your VIN number, they will increase or decrease your monthly premiums.

2. They can detect its staged vehicle tiles: That means they can verify if that car has covered any issues from this vehicle's records, such as if it has been stolen or has a branded title.

3. They follow the regulatory compilance: Some states require car insurance companies to report all the VIN numbers in order to find uninsured vehicles.

Will my VIN number increase my insurance premiums?

Your car insurance premiums may vary if you use your VIN number to get quotes, not it doesn't need to increase always. Your VIN number only helps to obtain the most accurate quote for your vehicle. However, many car insurance companies won't request your car's VIN number during the quotation process, so you can keep it private until you choose the right car insurance policy for your used car.

When will my VIN number be required to be verified?

When someone asks for your VIN number, in this case your car insurance company, they need to verify that vehicle's ownership, it may also be required when your documents are missing. Depeding in the state you live, you may need to verify your VIN number during the following circunstances:

Your vehicle has been transfered from 1 state to another.
Your vehicle's VIN has been damaged, altered or just missing.
The vehicle has a missing title, so that means it needs to request a new title registration.
Your car has been build or rebuild using salvaged or used parts.
The vehicle has been abandoned, so need a new title.
That vehicle is a composite, military, clasical or three-wheeled one.

Remember, there are some states that do not request your VIN number for these procedures, specially for vehicles that do not rquire titles. But, there are other states that really requests your VIN number, and they are really strict with this, a clear example may be Washington DC, which request all vehicles to be verified before they can registred.

Where can I do my VIN inspection?
Depending on the state you live, you may need to request it on different places, your VIN number verification may be done by military officers, policemen officers, DMV staff members, authorized mechanics, licensed dealers.

Where can I find my car's VIN number?
Free Carfax reports cannot be found anywhere on the internet, but you can come close at www.vinalert.com for one vehicle history report. The an alert database of VIN reports is more accurate and more up-to-date than carfax and autocheck.

Inside your vehicle

The first place to start is with the car's VIN (vehicle identification number). This number can be found on the dash, on the door jamb, or on the title. Once you have the VIN, you can plug it into several online databases that will give you a detailed report of the car's history.

Asking your local police station about an old car's vehicle owner

You can always go to your local police station and request they check that car's license plate, they may verify the previous car's owner's VIN number, but, they will only provide you some limited information about that vehicle record, such as whether that car had been stolen or not.

Conclusion

Car insurance companies will check your VIN number to crosscheck the information you're provided to them is correct. They will verify the car's make, model, and accident report, this way they will set a very accurate quote. However, many car insurance companies won't request your car's VIN number during the quotation process, so you can keep it private until you choose the right car insurance policy for your used car.

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