Lyles Insurance
  • Home - Lyles Insurance
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Request A Quote

Help! A Vin Number mismatch is causing a snag in buying Auto Insurance

8/27/2017

15 Comments

 
Picture
​Nothing can be more frustrating than being stuck from getting auto insurance coverage because of a VIN number mismatch. While it doesn’t happen often, as an auto insurance agent, I’ve seen it happen enough.  This article might be able to help you resolve those issues, depending on where the problem stems from.  It only takes one digit being off to trigger a mismatch.


     The good news is that going through the “5 Best things to do first suggestions” will solve most of the issues.  Also, you’d be surprised to learn how much a Vin number can tell you about a certain vehicle.  The bad news is that this won’t help everyone (this is especially true of vehicle models older than 1981, the year American Vin numbers were first standardized).  But this will help the majority of you, and you’ll probably learn some interesting things along the way.  You will learn the anatomy of a Vin number.  But of course, we should begin with the list of “5 Best things to do first” suggestions, as they correct most of the problems.


5 Best things to do first suggestions:


1. Double check the Vin # on paper.  The most accurate place to look is on the title itself.  Or if your vehicle is financed, check the Vin number on your loan contract.  If that isn’t handy, check your state vehicle registration papers.


2. Double check the Vin # on the vehicle itself.  The two most common places to look on any vehicle are the corner of the driver’s side dash right under the windshield, and also a sticker placed inside the driver’s side door.


3.The letters “I”, “O” and “Q” are never on Vin numbers.  This sounds simple enough, but the I,O and Q errors come up frequently. If you see the letter “I” as in Indiana, it’s probably the number “1”. The letter “O” is probably a zero.


*** Note: The only exception to this I-O-Q rule is with state assigned VIN#’s. For example, most state assigned VIN#’s in Michigan start with the letters “MI”. But this mostly applies to special types of vehicles (such as kit cars, assembled vehicles, and off-road vehicles). This won’t apply to 99.9% of you.


4. The 10th Digit is the most common error and very easy to double-check. The 10th digit corresponds to the year of the vehicle, which is very easy to look up. See table below… Does the letter or number match the correct year?    

Picture
*** Note! Also make 100% sure that you have the vehicle’s year correct. I have seen several instances where the Vin # was in fact accurate, but the owner gave the incorrect year of the vehicle to their auto insurance agent. For example, an owner may think his/her vehicle is a 2015 model when in fact it’s a 2014 model. This will flag most VIN verification systems and come back as “10th digit mismatch”……  Check your title or loan contract and make sure that you have the model year correct.




5. Check for visual and verbal errors made when writing or speaking. 


  • Visual errors: It’s very easy to misread characters of VIN #’s. For example, the number “2” can look similar to the letter “Z”, 5 can look like S, 8 can look like B, etc.  This is especially true if the VIN# was handwritten.

  • Verbal errors: It’s very easy to confuse characters when listening also. Nine letters all rhyme with the word “free”, 8 sounds a little like H …… You get what I mean. Go back and have the letters repeated in the form of “A as in apple, B as in basketball, C as in Charlie, etc”.

  • Sometimes, you can also get lucky by substituting characters that are commonly misread or misheard.




     Just by checking closely on these 5 things above, the vast majority of errors will be figured out. If you still haven’t solved the problem, don’t give up. Your vehicle’s manufacturer can help you with other digits to help pinpoint the problem digit. It’s just takes a bit of research, most of which can be easily searched online…. Learning the anatomy of a Vin number might help you in that regard…..




Anatomy of a VIN number


  • A VIN# always has 17 characters, which are a combination of letters and numbers.

  • The 1st digit is the vehicle’s country of origin. Here are the most common:

  • 1,4, or 5 = USA, 2= Canada, 3= Mexico (or Cayman Islands), J= Japan, K= Korea, E= England, W= Germany, Z= Italy. For a complete list, search for the World Manufacturers Index.




  • The 2nd digit is the manufacturers code. Here are the most common:

  • A= Audi or Jaguar, B= BMW, 4= Buick, 6= Cadillac, 1= Chevrolet, C= Chrysler, B or D= Dodge, F= Ford, 7= GM Canada, G= General Motors, H= Honda, L= Lincoln, D= Mercedes Benz (can also be Dodge), M= Mercury, N= Nissan, 3= Oldsmobile, 2 or 5= Pontiac, P= Plymouth, 8= Saturn, T= Toyota, V= Volkswagen or Volvo.




  • Digits 3-8 are specific to your manufacturer, so you’ll have to look them up. Fortunately, most manufacturers make this easily available online. A quick search will usually pull up the info you're looking for..




  • The 9th digit is known as the “check digit”. It is designed for computers to tell when there’s an error, of if every digit is correct. My advice is to skip and ignore this one. Calculating it is not that difficult. It just takes a little decoding and a few minutes of pain in the ass middle school level math.....  But it doesn’t help you solve anything because it can’t tell you which digit is off. So why bother?




  • The 10th digit is the model year code. This is usually the BINGO digit in finding the problem. I’ve already discussed it earlier.




  • The 11th digit is the plant code, which tells exactly where your vehicle was made. This will only help you if you know exactly where your vehicle was made. You will then have to look up your manufacturer's plant codes, and see if they match up.




  • Digits 12-17 are your vehicle’s sequence production number. These amount to your vehicle's fingerprint....  Again, these are specific to your manufacturer. But if you have paperwork that shows your vehicle’s sequence production number (abbreviated SP.#), you can double check to make sure those digits match the last six digits on your VIN#. If those numbers don't match up, you might have big problems!




Summary:


        There is no sure-fire way to solve all VIN# mismatch problems, because there’s no way of knowing where the error derives….. But this article will go a long way in helping you figure it out. I hope I have helped you… or at least, you learned something interesting.



Get an Auto Insurance Quote with Lyles Insurance


Call me for a Quote




Related Blog Articles:

​Video: Guide for correcting invalid VIN numbers

​Video: Why Anonymous Online Auto Insurance Quotes are Useless

​Video: 8 Common Auto Insurance Advertising Pitches and What They Don't Tell You

Why getting an Anonymous Online Auto Insurance Quote is a waste of time
15 Comments
Genevieve devroey
8/13/2018 09:30:51 pm

Hi Dan,

I wondered if you could help us. We have a uk registered van which we have shipped to the USA so we can drive around for 3 months before shipping back. We are having trouble with our VIN number... I have checked the above and our year letter doesn’t reflect the date of the model but I think this is just a UK/USA difference. Can you help advise us on what to do!? We’re already in the country and are completely stuck ☹️

Thanks

Gen

Reply
Dan Lyles
8/14/2018 10:59:26 am

two things to try:

1. look up the 10th number/letter that corresponds to the U.S. system, and sub that for the original 10th digit.

2. it could be that the vin is correct, but you're mistaking about what year the van is... believe it or not, I've had several of my customers make this mistake.... so make sure that you are certain the year is correct.

Reply
Alice link
8/2/2021 05:24:26 am

Such a nice and interesting post.
Need help to make some changes to your scanned documents like Bank Statements or other documents?/
-- Any Statements from any US/Canadian Bank can be fixed.
-- Quick turnaround, most within 24 hours
-- Over 12 years experience helping individuals and businesses fix their papers!
---- Fast and discreet - email or call us for a discussion.
We can edit Bank Statements, Pay Stubs, t-4 slips, Mortgage Statements, Credit Card Statements and more! Contact us for further details. Offering a 15% discount on Bitcoin payment.
LiveChat: https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickpapersfix@gmail.com
Website: http://scanneddocumentediting.com

Reply
Charlie link
8/2/2021 05:42:49 am

I would definitely recommend this to others.
Problems with your Bank Statements or other documents? We can edit scanned documents like Bank Statements, Paystub, Pay slips, Credit Card Statements or any other document for you./
-- Any Statements from any US/Canadian Bank can be fixed.
-- Quick turnaround, most within 24 hours
-- Over 12 years experience helping individuals and businesses fix their papers!
---- Fast and discreet - email or call us for a discussion.
Contact us for further details. Offering a 15% discount on Bitcoin payment.
LiveChat: https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickpapersfix@gmail.com
Website: http://editscanneddocument.com

Reply
Ellie link
8/2/2021 05:51:48 am

This is a really wonderful post. I would definitely recommend it to others.
Problems with your Bank Statements or other documents? Do you want to change Bank Statements?/
-- Any Statements from any US/Canadian Bank can be changed.
-- Quick turnaround, most within 24 hours
-- Over 12 years experience helping individuals and businesses fix their papers!
---- Fast and discreet - email or call us for a discussion.
Get professional help if you want to change something in your Bank statement, Pay stubs, t-4 slips . Offering a 15% discount on Bitcoin payment.
LiveChat: https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickpapersfix@gmail.com
Website: http://changingbankstatements.com

Reply
Emily link
8/2/2021 05:59:55 am

Thank you for sharing this valuable information. I would definitely recommend it to others./
So guys; Do you want to edit the Bank Statement PDF or any other document? These guys saved me from a lot of trouble. You can contact them at any time.
-- Any Statements from any US/Canadian Bank can be changed.
-- Quick turnaround, most within 24 hours
-- Over 12 years experience helping individuals and businesses fix their papers!
---- Fast and discreet - email or call us for a discussion.
Get professional help if you want to edit PDF for Bank Statements, Paystubs, Payslips, Form W-200 or T4 Slips. Offering a 15% discount on Bitcoin payment.
LiveChat: https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickpapersfix@gmail.com
Website: http://bankstatementpdf.com

Reply
Lucy link
8/2/2021 06:00:44 am

Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information with us./
Are you stuck with PDF Bank Statements or PDF Credit Card Statements? If you need help with Bank Statement PDF Edit for proof of income or proof of address, we can help you with edits.
-- Any PDF edit for US or UK Bank Statements, Pay Stubs, Payslips, T4, W-200 or any other documents.
-- Quick turnaround, most within 24 hours
-- Over 12 years experience helping individuals and businesses fix their papers!
---- Fast and discreet - email or call for a discussion.
Quickly get PDF editing services for Bank Statements, Paystubs, Payslips, Form W-200 or T4 Slips. Offering a 15% discount on Bitcoin payment.
LiveChat: https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickpapersfix@gmail.com
Website: http://bankstatementpdfedit.com

Reply
Luna link
8/2/2021 06:05:27 am

Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information with us.
Are you stuck with Editing Bank Statements or Credit Card Statements?/ If you need help with Editing Bank Statements or any other documents, we can help you with it.
-- Any US or UK Bank Statements, Pay Stubs, Payslips, T4, W-200 or any other documents editing can be done.
-- Quick turnaround, most within 24 hours
-- Over 12 years experience helping individuals and businesses fix their papers!
---- Fast and discreet - email or call for a discussion.
Quickly get editing services for Bank Statements, Paystubs, Payslips, Form W-200 or T4 Slips. Offering a 15% discount on Bitcoin payment.
LiveChat: https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickpapersfix@gmail.com
Website: http://editingbankstatements.com

Reply
Novelty Dmv Experts link
9/8/2021 08:42:20 am

Hi there, I found your website by means of Google while looking for a
similar matter, your site got here up, it looks great.
I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hello there, simply turned into aware of your blog through Google, and found
that it is really informative. I’m going to be careful for brussels.
I will appreciate when you proceed this in future. Numerous people shall be
benefited out of your writing. Cheers

Reply
Eoin Smeed link
6/16/2022 09:22:46 am

We are here to thank you so much for sharing this helpful information with us. It’s such a beneficial for visitors. Thank you for sharing this valuable information with us. All of our products have designed to be used for Novelty, Education and Entertainment purposes only. It’s such a beneficial for visitors. So you can contact us given links for more information.
LiveChat:https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickpapersfix@gmail.com

Website: http://replacebankstatements.com

Reply
Shane Miller link
6/16/2022 01:25:19 pm

I read a lot of posts. But the topic you covered in this is the most comprehensive & helpful. If you need any help with your Bank Statement, you can contact us for details. You can Call us for professional help from anywhere, anytime. We are available 24/7hrs.
LiveChat:https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickpapersfix@gmail.com

Website: http://fakebankstatements.net

Reply
Ben Curran link
7/17/2022 03:35:18 pm

Your Blog is very Helpful and Professional. Thank you so much for sharing this informative post. We can work on bank statement editing services for you from a bank statement editing of our own or you can provide your own bank statement PDF or Scanned copy for editing as per your needs.
You can Call us for professional help from anywhere, anytime. We are available 24/7hrs.
LiveChat:https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickpapersfix@gmail.com

Website: http://fakepaystubs.net

Reply
Martin Bravo link
7/17/2022 03:43:29 pm

Nice Post! We are a team of expert designers who possess expertise in producing great quality bank statement PDF, bank statements PDF services, paystubs PDF, utility bills PDF and tax returns PDF using your provided documents or creating our own. Because we help our customers to use the bank statements PDF services for educations and entertainment purposes.
LiveChat:https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickpapersfix@gmail.com

Website: http://changingbankstatements.com

Reply
Steve Latham link
7/17/2022 03:50:21 pm

Hello guys! I’m here to thank you for sharing this beneficial information with us. Contact us on WHATSAPP for quick response. You can also start a LIVE CHAT session to place an order without any hassle. We recommend you to contact us even after placing the order using our forms
Contact with us:
LiveChat:https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickpapersfix@gmail.com

Website: http://bankstatementedit.com

Reply
Tim David link
7/17/2022 04:06:19 pm

This is an Excellent & interesting post. It’s such a beneficial for visitors. Contact us on WHATSAPP for quick response. You can also start a LIVE CHAT session to place an order without any hassle. We recommend you to contact us even after placing the order using our forms.
You can Contact us at:
LiveChat:https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickpapersfix@gmail.com
Website: http://bankstatementediting.com

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    Dan Lyles is an Independent Insurance Agent serving Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia..

    Archives

    March 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    December 2011

    Categories

    All
    Things You Must Know When Buying Snowmobile Insurance In Michigan

    RSS Feed

Lyles Insurance copyright 2020
  • Home - Lyles Insurance
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Request A Quote