Insurance information shown to a law-enforcement officer is not transmitted to the BMV or noted on your driving record.
Key takeaways
- A COC verifies financial responsibility for a specific past accident or citation and a specific vehicle.
- The insurance provider submits the COC electronically to the BMV.
- The 90-day period runs from the date the BMV mails its verification request.
- A COC verifies past coverage; an SR-22 provides proof of future financial responsibility.
- State Form 55434 applies to qualifying employer-owned or rental vehicles and must reach the BMV at least seven days before the suspension date on the notice.
Why did the Indiana BMV send an insurance-verification letter?
The Indiana BMV requests proof of insurance after an auto accident for which it receives an accident report. It sends a verification request to the mailing address on file with directions for providing proof.
Showing insurance information to an officer does not satisfy the BMV request. If the accident report lists incorrect vehicle information, the BMV instructs the driver to contact the officer who wrote the report and request a correction. See our guide to correcting factual errors in an Indiana crash report.
What should you do after receiving the request?
- Read the notice. It identifies the accident or offense date, vehicle information if provided, and a customer identification number.
- Contact the insurance provider. Ask it to submit the COC electronically through the BMV’s Electronic Insurance Forms Submission system.
- Use matching information. The accident or citation date on the COC must exactly match the applicable record, or processing may fail.
- Confirm processing. A successful electronic submission page confirms receipt, but does not guarantee that the proof fulfills the requirement.
- Review your driver record if necessary. Other suspensions or reinstatement requirements may prevent reinstatement.
The official BMV proof-of-financial-responsibility page[1] explains the request and electronic filing process.
COC versus SR-22: what is the difference?
| Document | What it shows | Who files it | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Compliance (COC) | Financial responsibility for a specific past accident or citation and a specific vehicle. | The insurance provider submits it electronically. | Responds to a BMV request about the past incident. |
| SR-22 | Proof of future financial responsibility. | The insurance provider submits it electronically. | May be required to regain driving privileges after certain suspensions. |
If a matching COC is not received within 90 days, the BMV says driving privileges will be suspended indefinitely unless it receives a matching COC. The BMV also says receipt of an SR-22 will stay that suspension and allow driving privileges to be regained. Other suspensions or reinstatement requirements on the driver record may still prevent reinstatement.
The BMV’s Electronic Insurance Forms Submission FAQs[2] define the COC and SR-22.
What if you were driving an employer or rental vehicle?
State Form 55434 is for a driver who was operating an employer-owned vehicle in the course of employment or a rental vehicle during the rental term. An administrator of the employer or rental company that manages its automotive insurance policies completes the form.
The form instructs the employer or rental company to mail the completed affidavit directly to the BMV so that it is received at least seven days before the suspension date listed on the financial-responsibility notice.
Use the official Affidavit—Proof of Financial Responsibility for Employer or Rental Vehicle[3]. The BMV warns that use by drivers who were not operating a rental or company vehicle is considered fraudulent and may result in suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send the BMV a copy of my insurance card?
No. Showing proof to an officer does not relieve you from providing proof to the BMV, and the COC must be submitted through the insurance provider.
When does the 90-day deadline start?
The COC must be received and processed within 90 days after the BMV mails its request for financial-responsibility verification.
What if my driving privileges are already suspended?
The BMV says the suspension may be removed from the driver record when the insurance provider electronically submits a COC covering the incident date and vehicle involved.
What information must match on the COC?
The accident or citation date must exactly match the applicable record. The BMV also identifies the accident or citation date, vehicle year, and vehicle make as common mismatch points.
Do I need both a COC and an SR-22?
They serve different purposes. A COC verifies financial responsibility for a specific past accident or citation and vehicle; an SR-22 provides proof of future financial responsibility.
Delventhal Law Office can review the notice and related documents. Learn about the firm’s Fort Wayne car-accident practice, read Chad Delventhal’s attorney profile, or request a free case evaluation.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Do not send confidential or time-sensitive information until the firm confirms representation.
