Understanding Insurance Issues

What Is A VIN Number And Why Do You Need It For An Insurance Quote?

If you are buying a new or used car, one of the first things you will need to do is purchase car insurance for it. Car insurance is legally required to have in most states, and it is the only type of protection you can buy to protect yourself with the new vehicle you have. When you call for an insurance quote, the agent will probably ask you for the VIN number of the car. The VIN number is important for insurance purposes, and here are a few things to know about it.

What Is a VIN Number?

The first thing to know is what a VIN number is. VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number, and the number of your car is a unique number that is not assigned to any other vehicle. You can find the VIN number of your car on the registration or paperwork you received when you purchased the car, but you can also find it on your vehicle. A VIN number has 17 digits, and many cars have the VIN number on the engine, firewall, door, or dash panel. You can look at these parts of your car if you want to find the spot where the VIN number is on your vehicle.

Why Do Insurance Companies Need the VIN Number?

The second thing you should understand is why insurance companies want the VIN number of a car before they offer a quote. There are many reasons insurance companies want the VIN number, but the first reason is that the agent can input it while calculating a quote for you, and the agent can learn the specifics about your car. When the agent inputs the VIN number, he or she can learn exactly what features your car has, and this information helps agents create more realistic and accurate auto insurance quotes.

Agents also need the VIN number simply to verify the exact car they are insuring. Without the VIN number, the agent would have no idea if you really owned the car or if you wrecked the car. The VIN number of file with the insurance agency protects you and them.

If you are interested in getting a quote for a new or used car you are buying or for a car you have owned for years, you can do so by contacting an insurance company. When you make the call, have your VIN number ready.


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