How to Find Out If Someone Has Auto Insurance

Knowing whether someone has auto insurance coverage is important, especially if you have been involved in a car accident with them. It helps determine how you can proceed with insurance claims and compensation for any damage or injuries encountered during the accident. 
 
In most states, auto insurance is mandatory. So, drivers are required to carry some form of auto insurance as proof of financial liability. However, not every driver obeys this requirement which leaves others vulnerable in case of accidents involving uninsured drivers. Now the real question is how to find out if someone has auto insurance coverage.

In this article, our purpose is to provide simple and practical methods for finding out if someone has auto insurance coverage. Hopefully, after reading this, you’ll be able to handle the aftermath of a car accident in a much better way and ensure that you receive the necessary support and compensation.

Importance of Knowing Someone’s Auto Insurance Coverage

There are several reasons for knowing whether someone has car insurance coverage or not. First of all, it helps to decide how you should proceed after a car crash. If the other driver is at fault and has insurance, you can file a claim with their insurance company to cover the damages. In this way, you can avoid having to pay for repairs or medical bills out of your own pocket. 
 
Secondly, if you understand the insurance coverage of the other driver, you can easily assess your options for compensation. If the driver is uninsured or underinsured, you probably have to rely on your own insurance policy or pursue legal action to recover damages. 
 
In essence, having this information can make the claim process smooth. Plus, it ensures that you receive timely assistance and support in the event of an accident. 

How to Find Out If Someone Has Auto Insurance Coverage? 

Finding out if someone has auto insurance is the first thing you need to do, especially after a car accident. But how do you do that? Fortunately, there are several simple ways through which you can easily find out if someone has auto insurance coverage. 
 
Here are some simple ways to do so: 

• Ask the Other Driver Directly
• Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
• Seek Help from the Police
• Request Information from Your Insurance Company 

 
Ask the Other Driver Directly

The first thing you can simply do is to ask the other driver directly. It’s common for drivers to exchange insurance information. Typically, this includes the name of their insurance company and their policy number. If you have been involved in a collision, calmly approach the other driver, and nicely request their insurance details. Remember, you need to make sure that you have the name of the insurance company and policy number. It’s good to have the following information as well: 

• Name
• Contact Information (e.g., Phone Number, Email Address)
• Car License Plate Number
• Driver’s License information 

Since it’s a standard procedure, most drivers provide this information willingly. As soon as you get this information, you can quickly assess your options for filing insurance claims and seeking compensation for damages or injuries. 

Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles 

If you’re unable to obtain auto insurance information from the other driver directly, another option is to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV has records of vehicle registrations and insurance information, which can help verify whether someone has auto insurance coverage. 
 
To get access to this information, you’ll have to provide the DMV with some relevant details about the driver and the incident: 

• Their license plate number
• Driver’s license number
• Or the date and location of the accident. 

Note that the process may vary depending on location, so a reliable way is to contact your local DMV office. However, The DMV can reject your request if you provide them with any false information. If you have a legitimate reason, they will provide you with the required information. 

Seek Help from the Police

In situations where you're unable to obtain auto insurance information directly from the other driver, you can just go to the police and ask for help. Usually, after a car accident law enforcement officers are often come to the scene to evaluate the situation and file a report. 
 
When speaking with the police, you can request them to assist you in obtaining the other driver’s insurance details. Provide the officers with any information you have about the driver, such as their license plate number, driver's license number, or contact information. 
 
Police can use this data to investigate and obtain necessary auto insurance information from their records. Besides, having a police report documenting the accident can be helpful when you’re going to file an insurance claim and seek compensation. 

Request Information from Your Insurance Company 

If you cannot obtain auto insurance information from the other driver or through other means, another option is to reach out to your own insurance company for help. In some cases, your insurer can often help you access information about the other driver’s insurance coverage. 
 
When you contact your insurance company, make sure to assist them with any details you have about the accident and the other driver. Your insurance provider can use this data and investigate through various channels to obtain the necessary details. Even if they cannot find the information, they guide you on how to proceed with your claim and what steps to take next. 

What Information Do You Need for Auto Insurance Claims? 

When filing an auto insurance claim, having the right information is vital for a smooth process. Here is the necessary information that you need to provide: 

• Driver’s Name: You need to provide the full name of the person driving the vehicle at the time of the accident. This helps the insurance company identify who was involved in the incident.
• Contact Information: Email address and telephone number of the driver involved in the accident. Also, make sure to provide accurate contact information for a smooth claim process.
• Insurance Company Name: You need to have the name of the insurance company that provides coverage for the vehicle. This data is required for initiating the claims process with the correct insurer.   
• Insurance Policy Number:  It’s a unique identifier assigned to the auto insurance policy which serves as a reference for your coverage. This number is also essential when filing a claim with your insurance company.
• Vehicle Details: Make, model, and year of the vehicle involved in the accident. Note that giving accurate car information helps assess the extent of damage and determine coverage.
• Accident Details: The date, time, and location of the accident are needed. Plus, a description of how the accident occurred and the degree of damage or injuries.
• Police Report: If applicable, provide a copy of the police report filed at the scene of the accident. The police report contains key information about the incident, including statements from involved parties and witnesses. 

How to Deal with Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers 

So what you should do if the other driver doesn’t have car insurance? In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute, 14 percent, or about one in seven drivers are uninsured. However, this number varies depending on the state. In Michigan, for example, 19.6 percent of drivers don’t have an auto policy (2022). In this scenario, if you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, how do you get insurance coverage for the damage? 
 
There are several steps you can take in this situation. First, collect as much information as possible from the other driver, including their name, contact details, and vehicle information. Then, report the accident to the police and get a police report. 
 
Next, you should notify your insurance company about the accident and provide them with all the details along with the police report. If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurer to cover medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage. If you have collision coverage, it can also help pay for repairs, minus your deductible. 
 
In cases where the other driver is uncooperative or difficult to track (hit-and-run case), your insurer and the police can assist in the investigation. Also, you can take legal advice from your auto accident attorney as well to know other compensation options.  
 
Don’t have an auto insurance policy? Contact LA Insurance today to get an affordable full-coverage auto insurance quote or find an agent here for free consultation. However, if you’re looking for the most affordable insurance agency, L.A. Insurance is certainly the reliable choice.

Situations Where You Should Know Someone’s Auto Insurance Status

There are some circumstances where you should know whether the car owner has auto insurance or not. For instance, if you borrow a friend’s or family member’s car, you should verify that the vehicle is insured. Knowing this ensures you’re protected in case of unfortunate events like accidents. 
 
Also, if you lend your car to someone, you should confirm that they have a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance coverage. This way you can avoid complications if they get into an accident while driving your car. Besides, if you run a business that requires employees to drive, you should know their auto insurance status. Doing so can help you protect the company from liability in case of an accident. 
 
When participating in ridesharing carpooling, make sure the driver has valid insurance to protect yourself. Furthermore, in field trips or school events, school authorities should verify that parents or volunteers driving students have proper auto insurance.

Read More: Can You Cancel an Auto Insurance Claim After Filing it?

Key Takeaways

1. After a car crash, try to exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver.
2. Contact your state's DMV if the other driver is uncooperative or flees the scene.
3. If it’s a hit-and-run case, file a police report to investigate and track down the other driver’s information.
4. Contact your own insurer and get their assistance in finding the other driver's auto insurance information.
5. If you’ve uninsured motorist coverage on your policy, it can protect you when other driver lacks insurance.
6. Document everything. Take photos and collect witness statements at the accident scene to support your insurance claim.
7. Talk to your auto accident attorney if the other driver is uninsured.
8. Documents like the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin, bill of sale, and vehicle registration can be vital for proving ownership of your car. 

Frequently Asked Questions

 1. What Is a Crash Report? 

Ans: A crash report is an official report created by the police detailing the facts of a car accident. It includes information about the drivers, vehicles, witnesses, and accident scene. 

2. How To Find Out If Someone Has Car Insurance in Michigan? 

Ans: To check if someone has car insurance in Michigan, you can contact the Michigan Department of State with the driver’s license number, vehicle license plate, or VIN. Besides, filing a crash report and contacting your insurer can also help verify the other driver’s insurance status. 

3. What Should You Do If the Other Driver Refuses to Provide Insurance Information? 

Ans: If the other driver refuses to provide auto insurance information, you can report the accident to the police. The police can help obtain the necessary details. Also, you can contact your own insurance provider to learn what steps to take in this situation.