I’ve had one weird experience where my phone was updating and wouldn’t open the insurance app, and the officer just kind of sighed and said, “You got a paper copy?” Luckily I did, but it made me realize how much we rely on tech working perfectly in those moments.
That’s exactly why I keep a paper copy, even if it’s a pain to remember to swap it out. I’ve never had an officer refuse the digital card in Illinois, but I’ve definitely gotten the side-eye when my screen was cracked. Honestly, I’d rather just hand over the paper and avoid the hassle. Has anyone actually gotten a ticket for having an outdated printout, or is that just an urban legend?
I’ve wondered about that too. I’ve heard stories about people getting warnings for outdated insurance cards, but I haven’t actually met anyone who got a ticket just for that. It seems like as long as you can prove you’re insured, most officers are reasonable, but I guess it depends on their mood or maybe the department. Has anyone ever had trouble with a digital card that wasn’t loading, like if your phone died or something? That’s my main worry...
I always keep a printed copy of my insurance card in the glove box, just in case. Digital cards are handy, but phones die or lose signal at the worst times. Had a buddy get pulled over and his phone was dead—officer was cool about it, but it could’ve gone the other way. Honestly, paper backup’s cheap insurance for peace of mind.
Honestly, I’m with you—paper backup just makes sense. I’ve seen folks scramble to pull up their digital card, only for the app to crash or the battery to die. Illinois does accept digital proof, but not every officer’s thrilled about it. Why risk a ticket over something so simple?
I’ve seen that too—folks frantically scrolling through their phones at the worst possible moment. I get the appeal of digital, but honestly, a paper card tucked in the glove box is just less stressful. Tech’s great… until it isn’t, right?
