[email protected] [email protected] | June 12, 2025 | Car Accidents
If you’ve been in a car accident, one of the first things you’ll need to know is whether the other driver has insurance. Unfortunately, not every driver is upfront—or honest—about their coverage.
Whether you’re dealing with a hit-and-run, an unresponsive driver, or just want to verify what someone told you at the scene, you may be wondering: How can you find out if someone has car insurance?
This guide explains how to look up car insurance information and what to do if the other driver isn’t cooperating.
Start With the Police Report
After any accident, always call law enforcement. Not only is this required in many cases, but it also provides a documented record of the crash, including details about insurance.
In most situations, the officer will:
- Collect insurance information from all drivers involved
- Include the policy numbers and providers in the crash report
- List driver and vehicle details that help with insurance verification
If you didn’t get the other driver’s policy info at the scene, the police report is often the best place to start.
Contact the Florida DMV
In Florida, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) maintains a system for DMV insurance verification. This system tracks whether registered vehicles have valid insurance on file.
While the DMV won’t disclose someone else’s full policy details, they may be able to confirm whether a car is insured and who the carrier is, depending on your reason for asking.
You can visit www.flhsmv.gov for more information on what’s available and how to request it.
Ask the Insurance Company Directly
If you have the name of the other driver’s insurance company, you can try contacting them directly. While they won’t give you personal policy details, they may confirm coverage if you were involved in the crash and have a legitimate claim.
When contacting the provider:
- Be ready with the driver’s name, policy number (if known), and accident date
- Provide your own contact info and police report number
- Request verification of active coverage at the time of the crash
Clear communication and documentation can make it easier to confirm whether the other driver was insured.
Use License Plate Tools With Caution
You may have heard that you can check if a car is insured by its number plate. While there are online services that claim to verify insurance by plate number, many of them are unofficial and may not be reliable.
Florida does not offer a public portal to instantly check someone’s coverage using a license plate. However, some legal or private investigators may have access to more advanced tools for this purpose.
It’s best to be cautious about third-party websites promising quick answers. Legal resources often warn against relying on unverified platforms for sensitive data.
What if the Driver Is Uninsured or Flees the Scene?
If the driver admits they have no insurance—or you can’t track them down—you may need to explore alternative paths. These might include:
- Filing a claim under your uninsured motorist coverage
- Working with your own insurer to cover medical or repair bills
- Exploring legal action to recover losses from the at-fault driver
A personal injury lawyer can discuss how uninsured or hit-and-run crashes are handled in Florida and what legal options are available to you.
Can a Lawyer Help You Find This Information?
An attorney can often help you check insurance on a vehicle more effectively by:
- Requesting the police report quickly
- Communicating directly with insurers
- Using legal tools to compel disclosure during a case
- Exploring all available insurance coverage sources
Legal professionals are familiar with how to negotiate with insurance companies and can help if the other party is not cooperating.
Don’t Guess—Verify
If you’re trying to figure out how to find out if someone has auto insurance, don’t rely on guesswork or what the other driver said at the scene. Use the tools available—starting with the police report and Florida DMV—and get help if needed.
Whether you’re pursuing a claim or just seeking peace of mind, confirming insurance status is a key step in protecting your rights after a crash. For help, contact Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer.
Contact the Clearwater Car Accident Law Firm of Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a car accident lawyer in Clearwater. We have convenient locations in Florida: St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Law Office
840 Beach Dr NE Suite 202
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Safety Harbor Law Office
202 9th Ave S Suite A-2
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
(727) 787-2500