How to find insurance company by license plate?

Asked by: Dr. Jordane Halvorson  |  Last update: January 6, 2026
Score: 5/5 (4 votes)

You will have to fill out a Vehicle/Driver Record Information Request form, including details of the accident and why you need the information, such as an accident involving a hit-and-run driver. If you have the driver's license plate number, you can bring it to the DMV to find out the name of their insurance company.

How to find what insurance company someone is with?

The police will be able to check if the car insured by plate number, so it's important to get that information at the scene. Take a picture of it or write it down. Check with the DMV. The DMV may be able to provide you with the name of the other driver's insurance company if you can provide the plate number.

How can I find out if there is insurance on a vehicle?

Contact the DMV – The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) could be your last hope for locating insurance information for an at-fault driver. The DMV may choose not to help you, but they have access to every driver in the state. By providing a few details you could learn where to file your claim for damages.

Can you look up insurance by VIN number?

Steps to Perform an Insurance Lookup by VIN

Collect necessary information, including the VIN and vehicle details. Contact the insurance company, state your request, and provide the required identification. Review the received insurance history, focusing on policy details and claims.

Is car insurance a public record?

No, insurance policies are typically private documents and are not classified as public records. However, certain policy details may become accessible under specific circumstances, such as during legal proceedings, regulatory filings, or when required by law.

How to Find the Owner of a License Plate

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How do I find out what insurance I have?

HealthCare.gov, is a portal for finding information about your health insurance options. You can also contact HealthCare.gov at 1-800-318-2596 or go to https://www.healthcare.gov/contact-us/. If you have Medicare or Medicaid, visit the Medicare Web site or call the Medicare Help Line at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Can someone get my car insurance information?

You can ask your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a person's auto insurance information, but it may be protected under privacy laws. Therefore, you will need to give a verifiable reason for the request, or the DMV will deny it.

How to find insurance policy number without card?

Your insurance agent or company's customer service team can pull up your policy number in seconds. They'll just need to verify that it's really you first when you provide your birthdate, social security number or phone number.

Can you get car insurance with just a VIN number?

Do I need a VIN to get insurance? You can often get a car insurance quote without a VIN, but to purchase a policy, you will need the VIN of your vehicle.

Is there a free VIN lookup?

NICB's VINCheck is a free lookup service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle may have a record of an insurance theft claim, and has not been recovered, or has ever been reported as a salvage vehicle by participating NICB member insurance companies.

Can I find car insurance online?

Yes! Many insurance companies offer the option to buy car insurance online instantly, where you can get a quote, pay, and print proof of insurance in minutes. Before searching for car insurance quotes, it's important to understand the process of buying same-day car insurance online. Gather all necessary information.

Can my husband drive my car if he is not on my insurance?

Usually, yes. Your car insurance coverage should be able to extend to anyone else driving your car. Even if someone isn't listed on the policy, they can operate your vehicle. If you explicitly name someone as an excluded driver in your policy, however, none of this applies to them.

Can my son drive my car if he is not insured?

Most insurers cover someone else driving the policyholder's car with their permission once in a while. But, if you're going to start driving one of your parent's cars regularly, you'll need to be added or named on their auto insurance. You can't legally drive your parents' car without any insurance at all, either.

How to check if a car has insurance free?

Help From the Police

You can request information from the police about the other person's auto insurance if you have a legitimate reason such as being in a collision with another driver. Provide the license plate number and the incident report to the police officer.

Can you check if someone has an insurance policy?

Depending on your state of residence, you could search for a policy through the Department of Insurance website. You may also want to explore the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, MissingMoney.com, and the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.

Is insurance tied to VIN or license plate?

Typically, you just need to provide the vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and the vehicle's make and model. You may also be asked about the mileage and condition of the vehicle, depending on the insurer.

Can I get an insurance quote without VIN?

Yes, you can get a quote without a VIN. But you cannot purchase a policy without providing that number to your insurer.

What does a vehicle VIN number tell you?

The VIN number tells you when and where the car was built. It tells you the manufacturer, year, make and model, and the trim level including unique features and specifications. Your car's VIN number can be used to track recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts and insurance coverage.

How do I find my lost policy number?

The easiest way to find your policy number is by checking your document. Be it comprehensive insurance or third-party insurance, your policy number will be mentioned in your policy document. If you bought your car policy with the help of an insurance agent, you must contact them to know your policy number.

What if I don't have my car insurance card?

California: California requires all drivers to carry proof of insurance and show it to any law enforcement officer who requests it. However, if you receive a ticket for no proof of insurance when you indeed had insurance coverage at the time, you might be able to get that citation dismissed.

How to look up car insurance policy number?

Your policy number is located at the top of your billing statement.

Do I need to call the other driver's insurance company?

If you get into a car accident, you are under no obligation to call another driver's insurance company to work out the claim. All you need to do is talk to your insurance provider when you get into an accident or if someone else hits your car, and they will handle the claim on your behalf.

How long do accidents stay on your record?

In the state of California, most vehicle accidents will stay on your record for around 3 years. However, more serious traffic violations will follow you for longer. For example, a DUI conviction will stay on your record for 10 years.

What happens if a driver refuses to give insurance details?

Failing to abide by these requirements leads to penalties, including fines. More significantly, if a driver intentionally refuses to provide their insurance information, it can be considered a misdemeanor under California law. This can lead to further legal consequences, including potential criminal charges.