Pinpointing Policy Number Placement on Insurance Cards

You'd think it'd be easy to find a policy number on your insurance card. But alas, no. Health insurance cards are notoriously confusing, and even an auto insurance card can be tough to decipher. Here are some pointers to help you locate that policy number on your insurance card.

Where is the policy number on your insurance card? 

Car insurance card 

Your auto insurance ID card should label and prominently display your auto policy number. The exact placement of the number varies by insurer. Progressive, for example, shows the auto policy number on the top left of the card. Allstate shows the policy number below your name and above the policy effective date.

If you're not sure which number is the policy number, rule out the other data points on the card. Those include the policy's effective date and expiration date; the year, make, and model of your car; your name and address; your insurer's name; and your car's VIN. The only numbers on the card that aren't dates will be the policy number and your car's VIN. The policy number is usually the shorter of the two. 

You can also locate the policy number on your policy declarations page. This is a one-page summary of your coverages that your insurer sends when you buy the coverage. Once you find your policy number on the declarations page, use a highlighter or pen to note the same number on your insurance card if it's not obvious.

Health insurance ID card 

The policy number on your health insurance card may be labeled as policy number, member number, member ID, customer ID, or ID number. It should be on the front of your card, close to your name. 

What's confusing about health insurance cards is they also contain several other numbers, such as your group number, issuer number, and Rx BIN number. The group number references the group plan you're on, such as your employer's health plan. The issuer number and the Rx BIN number tell your healthcare providers where to bill for your medical services and prescriptions.¹ 

About homeowners insurance cards

Many insurers don't issue ID cards for homeowners insurance, because you don't typically need to take your homeowners insurance information wherever you go. You can find your homeowners insurance policy number on your policy documentation, however. It's typically listed on the top of your declarations page, which also shows your coverage limits, policy effective dates, and the address of the dwelling. If your insurance offers an online portal or an app, you can also find your policy number with those resources.