The insurance card I showed the officer had my current policy number. The card had dates that were expired. However the policy was and still is current. I had several cards in the glove box and offered to find the card with more current dates just as the officer started to walk away. According to the state law for washington I must show the issued insurance card or the renewed card. Did I show proof of insurance. The court charges a $25 fee if I can prove I had insurance (easy case). But why pay the $25 when I can prove that I provided adequate proof.

c) When asked to do so by a law enforcement officer, failure to display an insurance identification card as specified under RCW 46.30.030 creates a presumption that the person does not have motor vehicle insurance.

RCW 46.30.030
Insurance identification card.


(1) Whenever an insurance company issues or renews a motor vehicle liability insurance policy, the company shall provide the policyholder with an identification card as specified by the department of licensing. At the policyholder's request, the insurer shall provide the policyholder a card for each vehicle covered under the policy.



According to rcw:

Adequate proof of insurance may be in the form of a letter from the insurance company, proof of insurance card, or copy of your policy, but it must include the following information:

The name of the individual listed on the infraction
The make and model of the vehicle listed on the infraction
The effective dates of the auto insurance policy
The name of the insurance company
A broad form policy which states that you have valid vehicle liability
insurance