Home Car insurance Coverage Do you need the VIN number for the insurance quote? Do you need the VIN number for the insurance quote? By Penny Gusner Penny Gusner Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s. | Updated on August 30, 2021 Why you should trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing honest and reliable information so that you can make the best financial decisions for you and your family. All of our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. We maintain strict editorial independence from insurance companies to maintain editorial integrity, so our recommendations are unbiased and are based on a comprehensive list of criteria. Car insurance companies want your vehicle identification number (VIN) when you’re applying for a car insurance quote so that they can pull up information about your vehicle. Giving auto insurers that information helps them provide more accurate quotes. Car insurance companies know that you may forget the exact make & model and other vehicle-specific details that can make a difference in your car insurance premium. That’s where the vehicle identification number comes in. Auto insurance companies decode the VIN and know in instant things like who made the car and the vehicle’s model, body style, safety features, engine type, and transmission type. That helps the insurer give you an accurate quote. If you don’t have your car’s VIN handy, most insurance companies allow you to input the data on your vehicle yourself. The insurer will double-check the information once the VIN is provided. Your VIN must be provided once you’re ready to purchase a car insurance policy. Your car insurance company will also use the VIN to ensure the car isn’t listed as stolen or has a branded (salvage) title. Also, many states require insurers to provide VINs to the department of motor vehicles, along with your insurance policy number, so that the state can spot uninsured vehicles. This is why it’s important to ensure that the VIN listed on your policy matches your vehicle. Also, insurance companies will want to know your driver’s license number, personal information, address, and Zipcode when you get a quote so it can gauge your driving record and accident history and provide you accurate insurance quotes. Getting the most accurate quotes helps you compare auto insurance companies, policies, and coverage. So, having your VIN number can help you save money on your auto insurance. Penny GusnerContributor   . .Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s. QuickTake Minimum car insurance requirements by state Can I insure a car that isn't in my name? Non-owner car insurance: How to get car insurance if you don't own a car What is liability auto insurance? 15 things you didn't know your car and home insurance policies cover How auto theft investigators work - and how to hire your own What is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage? Car warranties versus auto insurance How Does Gap Insurance Work and Do You Need it? Do you need full coverage on a financed car Veterans and military guide to insurance 5 questions to ask your car insurance agent The secret life of your car's VIN "Stacking" your UM/UIM auto insurance coverage 10 things that aren’t illegal but should be SR-22 insurance: What is it and how does it work? Auto insurance: How to make sure you’re not underinsured Full coverage auto insurance: What it costs to get covered Will my car insurance still cover my vehicle if I had it towed out of the road after hitting a deer? I have a witness to the event. Double-car insurance dilemmas How to cut your car insurance bill in half 12 things you don't know about car insurance that could cost you Untangling your insurance during a separation or divorce My wife was half asleep when she went out to scrape snow and ice off her car. She used a snow shovel, not realizing she picked up the one with the sharp metal blade at the end, so she scratched the car all over. Will her car insurance cover the damage? My car was rear-ended and totaled but it was paid out by my insurance company and I am left with a balance on my car. Can I make a claim with the other drivers insurance company to pay the balance? As I was backing out of the driveway I hit a parked car that was parked beside the curb in the street causing what looked like mild damage. My vehicle had no damage. Will I have to pay a deductible? Don't let other people drive your car Taking the slow lane by storm: Insurance for low-speed vehicles Car insurance for blind drivers (you heard that right) Would I lie to you about car insurance? Only if it pays off Insuring your tricked-out, souped-up car See more > In case you missed it Best Car Insurance Companies of 2023 Car insurance rates by state: The most expensive and cheapest states for car ins... Full coverage auto insurance: What it costs to get covered A complete guide to car insurance for seniors A complete guide to adding a teenager to your car insurance policy What to do after a car accident that’s not your fault Total warfare: What to do when your auto insurer totals your car Car insurance claims: Who gets the claims check? Buying and insuring a used car: Most and least expensive models to insure in 202... The Best Car Insurance for Bad Credit of 2021 The best car insurance companies for speeding tickets Car insurance after a DUI Guide to Car Insurance Discounts Proper insurance coverage for college-bound children How to read (and actually understand!) your auto insurance policy Car Insurance Companies New driver insurance grace period: What you need to know How much do insurance agents make Autonomous cars: 5 delightful and 5 distressing things Busted! Part 1: How insurance companies spot bogus claims Insurance options for rideshare drivers 10 things that are illegal but shouldn’t be 1/1