Totally get it—there’s just something about that battered old insurance card that feels right, even if it’s buried under fast food napkins. I tried going all-digital too, but like you said, you never know if someone’s going to give you grief for not having the real deal. On a road trip, I keep both because I’m paranoid... and because my glove box is basically a time capsule at this point.
My glove box is a disaster too—pretty sure there’s a fossilized ketchup packet in there somewhere. I get nervous about the digital-only thing, though. Once, my phone died right as I needed to show proof of insurance at a checkpoint. Had to dig through the mess for the paper card, and it was like winning the lottery when I found it. Has anyone actually gotten in trouble for not having the physical card, or is that just one of those urban legends?
I’ve actually seen someone get a warning for not having the paper card, but never a full-on ticket. Depends on the state and the officer, I guess. Some places are fine with digital proof, but others still want that old-school card. I keep both, just in case—learned the hard way after a car show when my phone had zero battery and the cop wasn’t impressed by my “vintage” registration folder.
Honestly, I’m with you on keeping both versions handy—learned that after my glovebox turned into a black hole for paperwork. If you’re like me and always losing stuff, here’s what I do: I keep a paper copy in the car (in a zip bag so it doesn’t get gross), snap a photo and email it to myself, and then save it in my phone’s files app. That way, even if my phone dies or the paper gets coffee stains, there’s a backup somewhere. It’s not foolproof, but at least I’m not totally out of luck if something goes missing. Some states are still weird about digital copies, though, which makes zero sense considering everything else is online now... but I guess rules are rules.
- Paper in the glovebox is a must, but honestly, I keep a second copy in the trunk too. Had a valet once “lose” my docs—never again.
- Digital backups are fine, but like you said, some cops just won’t accept them. Had one roll his eyes at my phone and demand paper.
- Zip bag is smart, but I use a hard plastic sleeve. Keeps everything crisp, even after a spilled latte.
- If you’re driving something high-end, you don’t want to get caught without proof—trust me, they’ll assume the worst.
- Bottom line: redundancy is key. I’d rather be over-prepared than stuck arguing roadside.
