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How to Find if Someone Has Auto Insurance?

Running into a car accident can be an overwhelming experience. It can put anyone in this instant shock phase, and trauma depending on the severity of the accident. But after you get into a car accident, the first and the most crucial thing that you need to do is find out whether the other driver has auto insurance.

This is essential because if the other driver is at fault for the accident, then it is their legal obligation to compensate you for your medical bills, vehicle or property damage. Most states in the US require every car owner and driver to have liability auto insurance which is commonly known as PLPD insurance here in Michigan.

In Michigan about 20% of all drivers are uninsured or underinsured, so that’s why it’s even more important to confirm whether they have any auto liability insurance policy to cover your damages.

So, now the main question is, how to find out if someone has auto insurance? This article provides a step-by-step guide, plus it also explains what to do in case of a hit and run situation, and whether you can use someone’s license plate number to find if they’re insured.

Auto Insurance Information of the Other Driver that You Need to Know

Before you try to engage with the other driver or try to find out their insurance details by any other means, it is essential to know what auto insurance information you actually need, which includes the following.

Name
Contact Information (phone number, or email address)
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Car’s License Plate Number Insurance Policy Number

With this information, it will be easier for you to claim your auto insurance for the accidental damage. Your insurance company will request the other driver’s insurer to compensate for the auto liability. Based on their verification if the claim turns out legit, you will get covered for the damage caused by the other driver.

Step by Step Guide to Find Someone’s Auto Insurance Information

If you’re unaware of the steps that you need to take, or if you don’t know the right approach, then you may struggle claiming auto insurance to cover any medical bills, or vehicle damage. So, that’s why it’s crucial to know proper steps that’s both legal, and appropriate as follows.

Directly Ask the Other Driver for Their Insurance Info

The best and the most effective approach is to ask the other driver for their auto insurance information immediately on the spot of the accident. If they comply with you and share their insurance details, then you will have all the information you need to claim auto insurance. Don’t worry or feel hesitant to ask, it is your legal right, and it’s also a standard procedure that most drivers are well aware of.

Depending on the severity of the accident, either or neither of you may be in the physical condition to communicate or exchange insurance details. Moreover, if they’re reluctant to comply, or if they don’t provide their auto insurance details then you will have to resort to alternative methods.

Report the Accident Immediately to the Police

The safest approach here is to ensure everything is legally documented, and that’s why it’s crucial to call the police immediately after the accident. Later you can even request the police to provide the other driver’s license plate number and other required information to claim auto insurance.

Plus, auto insurance companies verify the legitimacy of insurance claims. So, if there’s a police report with all the evidence of the other driver being at-fault for the accident, it will boost your chances of getting the auto insurance coverage.

Contact Your Local DMV

If you couldn’t manage to collect the auto insurance information from the other driver who’s at-fault for the accident, your next best alternative would be to contact the DMV. Here’s the catch though, the DMV wouldn’t just provide the other driver’s auto insurance details based on your request and claim.

You will have to prove that you’re legally authorized to obtain this information by showing the police report and any other relevant insurance documents. Once you do so, the DMV will comply with your request and provide you with the required auto insurance information of the other driver.

Allow Your Insurance Company to Investigate

Once you claim your auto insurance, even if you don’t have the required information of the other driver, your insurance company will carry out its own investigation. They will reach out to the police and examine the police report to evaluate who was at-fault in the accident.

If it’s the other driver who’s at-fault, then your auto insurance company will take steps to find their required auto insurance information and then contact their insurance company to claim liability auto insurance.

So, if it’s necessary you can even rely on your insurance company to investigate to do all the hard work. But it may take a longer time depending on how they’re dealing with the investigation process.

What to Do in the Case of a Hit-and-Run Car Accident?

A hit and run car accident is a crime in Michigan, and every other state in the US. If the other driver evades the accident spot immediately after hitting your car, here’s what you should do.

Seek Help from the Police: As hit and run is a criminal act, once you report it to the police, they will investigate the situation based on which they will identify the vehicle and the driver. Later you can obtain their information from the police for claiming your auto insurance.
Hire a Private Investigator: Police investigation can take time as they are occupied investigating and dealing with several cases. So, if you need to know the driver, and their required insurance information, the most effective and quickest measure would be to hire a private investigator.
File a Lawsuit Against the Other Driver: If you’re certain, or if you have substantial proof that the other driver is responsible for the accident then you also have the option to sue them. By doing so, it is the court that will compel the other driver to compensate you for the damage either to their auto liability insurance or out of pocket.

What to Do if the Other Driver is Uninsured/Underinsured?

If you want to cover the damages using your auto insurance policy, then you will have to make sure you have alternative auto insurance coverages such as collision insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

If you don’t have these alternative auto insurance coverages in your policy, then you will have no option but to bear the rest of the expenses out of your own pocket. So, that’s why it’s crucial to stay prepared and ensure that you have adequate uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and collision insurance.

If you need to acquire additional auto insurance coverage to stay financially secure, you can consider reading the following guides.

If you’re looking for a cheap, and affordable auto insurance agency in Michigan, then you can consider checking out auto insurance solutions. If you live near Flint MI, Saginaw MI, or Mt. Pleasant MI, you can visit our regional office there to consult with an auto insurance agent concerning your query about PLPD insurance, and how to find the other driver’s insurance information.

Can License Plate Number Be Used to Find Someone’s Auto Insurance Information?

The license plate number is the most crucial resource to find someone’s auto insurance information. It is also easiest to note down, you can take a picture or record a video to instantly identify it.

If you failed to get the other driver’s license plate number, you could seek help from the police to retrieve it using surveillance footage from CCTV cameras in the streets, especially in cases of hit and run accidents.

But yes, with the license plate number, and a police report, you can easily find someone’s auto insurance information from the local DMV or even through your insurance company.

The Bottom Line

If you’re concerned whether you can find out whether someone has auto insurance, yes you can, and it’s completely legal as soon as you apply the right steps. If you’ve read the article this far, you already know what to do.

However, if you need help or advice to find someone’s auto insurance information or would like to know more about affordable auto insurance coverages for adequate financial protection in Michigan, please contact us for a free quote, and consultation.

Our auto insurance experts will carefully listen to your questions and concerns and promptly guide you to take the right steps and provide you suggestions to ensure you’re financially secure.

FAQ

How can I find out if someone has auto insurance?

You can directly talk to the other driver and ask whether they have auto insurance, and other necessary details. In case you’re unable to communicate with the other driver or if they are reluctant to comply then you can seek help from the police, your insurer, or a private investigator. You can use the police report, and your insurer’s documents to find the other driver’s auto insurance information from the local DMV.

Is car insurance a public record?

No, but they are accessible through legal channels such as the DMV, and your insurance company. However, for that you need legitimate reasons, and documents to prove your claim, mainly the police report or any other evidence such as a video to prove that the other driver is responsible for the accident.

Can I find someone's insurance info online?

No, due to privacy concerns you cannot access someone’s insurance info online. If you need to know whether someone has auto liability insurance, and other necessary information you will either have to contact the DMV or your insurer.

Can you look up car insurance by VIN Number or License Plate Number?

Yes, but you cannot do it yourself, the best way is to provide the VIN number or license plate number to your insurer, and they can search it up on the DMV database to find out whether someone has car insurance or not, along with other insurance related information.