Typically, when you are stopped by a law enforcement officer and requested to provide proof of insurance, you are given the option to either present a valid insurance card or provide the officer with your insurance policy number and company information. If you fail to do so, the officer may decide to impound your car.
When your car is impounded, it will be towed and stored in a vehicle impound lot until you can provide proof of insurance and pay the towing and storage fees. The longer your car remains in impound, the higher the associated costs will be. To retrieve your car, you will need to present proof of insurance and pay all applicable fees and charges.
It's important to note that California law also requires drivers to maintain continuous auto insurance coverage. If you let your insurance lapse for any reason, you may face additional penalties, including a suspended license and registration, and increased difficulty obtaining insurance in the future.
To ensure that you are always in compliance with the law, it's essential to keep your car insurance policy in force and be prepared to provide proof of insurance when requested by a law enforcement officer.
