Insurance pink slips and why you need one
4 minute read Published on Jul 4, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
Some driving documents only come up now and then. But your insurance pink slip isn’t one of them. It’s something you’re legally required to have on you every time you are behind the wheel.
You may get asked for it during a traffic stop to show that your vehicle is insured and that your coverage meets the legal minimum where you live. You may also need it after a collision, when registering a vehicle or when crossing certain borders. No pink slip means no proof of coverage, even if you are fully insured.
What a pink slip actually is
A pink slip is your proof of insurance card for your car insurance. You may also hear it called a liability slip or insurance card. “Pink slip” is just an informal term that has stuck over the years, even though the paper it’s printed on isn’t always pink these days.
Your insurer issues your pink slip when your policy starts or renews. It confirms that your vehicle is insured and includes the basics that police or registries may need to see, like your:
Insurance company
Policy number
Coverage dates
Vehicle details
Names of insured drivers
One thing that’s easy to forget is that pink slips expire. When your policy renews, your old card does, too. Producing an expired pink slip if you’re pulled over or involved in a collision can still lead to trouble, even if your coverage hasn’t lapsed.
Digital pink slips in Canada
Almost all provinces now allow digital proof of insurance, known as your Electronic Proof of Auto Insurance (EPAI). This means you can show your pink slip on your phone instead of handing over a paper card. However, there are some differences between provinces. For example, in both public insurer-run Manitoba and Saskatchewan, your proof of insurance is your vehicle registration certificate. Showing a digital copy of this certificate is generally accepted by most peace officers.
The only exception is in British Columbia (BC). While many provinces now allow electronic pink slips, BC still requires drivers to print and keep a paper copy in the vehicle, according to the ICBC. Your proof of insurance is your copy of your Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence. Here is a table for comparison:
Province or territory |
Digital proof accepted? |
|---|---|
Yes |
|
British Columbia |
No |
Manitoba |
Generally yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
|
Yes |
|
Yes |
|
Yes |
|
Yes |
|
Saskatchewan |
Generally yes |
If digital proof is accepted in your province, keep in mind that it needs to be accessible without an internet connection. Even then, still keeping a paper copy in your car’s glove box or wallet is a good idea in case your phone isn’t working or you’re driving outside your province or in the U.S.
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. Insurance laws and digital proof rules vary by province and territory and may change. Always confirm requirements with your provincial regulator or insurance company.
How to get your pink slip
If you are buying insurance for the first time, the process is fairly straightforward. All you need to do to get a pink slip is:
Choose coverage that meets your provincial requirements
Apply with your personal and vehicle details
Pay your premium
Receive your pink slip by mail, email, app or online portal
If digital proof is allowed where you live, you can usually access it the same day.
Where should you keep it?
Many drivers keep a paper copy in the glove box. It’s convenient, but it does carry privacy risks if your vehicle is stolen. If you can lock your glove box, this can help add additional security should your vehicle get broken into.
Even if digital proof is allowed in your province, some drivers may still prefer keeping both the digital version on their phone and storing the paper copy in a wallet, purse, glove box or at home. There’s no single right answer. All that matters is that you’re able to prove you have insurance when asked.
What if you lose your pink slip?
If you lose your proof, contact your insurance provider or broker as soon as you can. Generally, insurers can issue a replacement quickly and many can provide a temporary digital copy while a paper version is mailed.
How to add your digital pink slip to your phone
Some insurance providers will even let you save your proof of insurance directly to your phone’s wallet. Take a look:
Apple Wallet
Download your insurer’s app or open your policy email
Locate your proof of insurance card
Select “Add to Apple Wallet” if available
Confirm and save
Test access with airplane mode on
Google Wallet
Open your insurer’s app or PDF proof
Select “Save to Google Wallet” if supported
Follow prompts to add
Confirm offline access
Just keep in mind that not all insurers support wallet integration. However, a saved PDF or an in-app card may still be acceptable where digital proof is allowed.
What happens if you cannot show proof?
If you’re ever pulled over, police will usually ask to see your driver’s licence, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. If you can’t show proof, you may be charged with driving without insurance. Here's a comparison table showing how fines differ between provinces:
Province |
Fine for failing to produce insurance card |
Fine for driving without insurance |
|---|---|---|
$50 |
$5,000 to $25,000 |
|
$64 |
$325 up to $2,800 |
|
Nova Scotia |
||
$81 |
$598 |
In some cases, courts may reduce or dismiss a ticket if you later prove you were insured at the time. However, that isn’t guaranteed.
Contact BrokerLink today
If you still have questions about your insurance pink slip, connect with a BrokerLink insurance broker today. We are licensed experts in all things Canadian insurance and we can help answer any questions you have about pink slips and even offer you a free personalized car insurance quote.
You can reach us by phone, email or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.