
If electronic insurance policies have been implemented in your region, it is not necessary to display the compulsory traffic insurance decal on your vehicle; however, if electronic policies have not yet been adopted, the decal must be displayed. According to Article 95 of the Road Traffic Safety Law: "Motor vehicles driven on roads without displaying inspection qualification marks or insurance marks, or without carrying the vehicle license or driver's license, shall be detained by the traffic management department of the public security authority. The parties concerned shall be notified to provide the corresponding plates, certificates, marks, or to complete the necessary procedures. Penalties may also be imposed in accordance with the provisions of Article 90 (a warning or a fine ranging from 20 to 200 yuan)." As of 2022, provinces and cities that have abolished the compulsory traffic insurance paper decal include: Beijing, Shanghai, Shandong, Shanxi, Guangdong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Hebei, Sichuan, and Gansu. Compulsory Traffic Insurance for Automobiles: The full name of compulsory traffic insurance is "Compulsory Liability Insurance for Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents." It is a mandatory liability insurance where the insurance company compensates within the liability limits for personal injuries, deaths, and property losses of victims (excluding vehicle occupants and the insured) caused by road traffic accidents involving the insured motor vehicle. Premiums are based on nationally unified rates. However, the price of compulsory traffic insurance varies depending on the vehicle type, primarily influenced by the number of seats. Compared to the over 20 exemption clauses in commercial third-party insurance, compulsory traffic insurance covers a much broader range, including losses caused by intentional actions of the victim, the insured's own property losses, related arbitration and litigation costs, and certain indirect losses from accidents. Moreover, regardless of whether the insured vehicle is at fault in an accident, compulsory traffic insurance will provide compensation within the liability limits, with no deductible or exemption. Introduction to Electronic Insurance Policies: An electronic insurance policy refers to a digital policy issued by an insurance company with an electronic signature, utilizing digital signature software and enterprise digital certificates that comply with the PKI system. An insurance policy, abbreviated as a policy, is the formal written proof of an insurance contract between the insurer and the insured. It must fully record the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of both parties to the insurance contract. The content recorded in the insurance policy serves as the basis for both parties to fulfill the contract. The insurance policy is proof of the establishment of the insurance contract. Advantages of Electronic Insurance Policies: Saves paper resources, eliminating the need to print insurance proof decals; Saves time and is convenient, unrestricted by time or location, with information universally accessible online anytime, quickly and easily; Allows for reissuance and resending, eliminating worries about loss. If a paper version is needed offline, it can be printed or mailed; Facilitates management, as electronic unification makes it easier for insurance companies and traffic police departments to manage the insurance information of various vehicles.

Nowadays, the compulsory traffic insurance decal is mostly no longer mandatory to display, especially for young people like me who are always on their phones. After seeing the government promote electronic policies, I just check my insurance info directly through WeChat or Alipay. Traffic police can check your insurance status by entering your license plate number, saving you from having an ugly piece of paper on your windshield that blocks your view. But it’s best to keep a screenshot of your electronic policy on your phone or have it bound to an app, just in case you get pulled over in rural areas or places with poor signal—you can quickly show it for convenience. The trend is definitely moving toward full paperless, which is eco-friendly and hassle-free. I’d suggest not throwing away old decals yet; keep them just in case the new policies aren’t fully implemented. In any case, check your local traffic regulations for the latest updates first.

In the past, drivers had to display the compulsory traffic insurance label on their vehicles to be compliant. However, significant changes have occurred in recent years, with electronic verification gradually becoming the mainstream. Having driven for over a decade, I've noticed that traffic police now mostly use systems to scan license plates for verification, eliminating the need for physical paper proof. Nevertheless, enforcement can vary in older urban areas or remote regions, so it's advisable to keep the label in the glove compartment or download a local traffic app to link your insurance. The key is to ensure your insurance remains valid and doesn't expire, as fines can be hefty otherwise. Stay updated with announcements from local traffic authorities, as regulations differ significantly between cities and shouldn't be generalized.

Compulsory traffic insurance is mandatory by itself, but the practice of displaying the insurance sticker has now been largely digitized and is no longer necessary. From my experience, I always worry about oversights in vehicle-related matters, so I keep the insurance app open for quick access to display the policy if needed. The promotion of electronic insurance policies not only reduces paper waste but also simplifies the process. For instance, before a trip, I usually check whether my insurance is active and valid using navigation software or the car owner app in my vehicle. There's no need to fuss over whether to display the sticker or not—the key is ensuring your car is properly insured and that you can easily access and present proof via your phone. Don't let minor concerns distract you from keeping track of your insurance renewal dates.


