Verify Auto Insurance Coverage: Quick Guide

Verifying your auto insurance coverage is a simple process, but it's important to know how to do it to ensure you're complying with the law and have the necessary financial protection in place. There are several reasons why you might need to verify your auto insurance coverage, including when borrowing a car, owning a business with company cars, or when going through a divorce. The process differs slightly depending on whether you're checking your own coverage or someone else's, and it's generally easier to verify your own insurance. This usually involves contacting your insurance company or checking your online account. However, checking someone else's insurance typically requires collecting specific information about the driver and their vehicle, such as basic contact details, driver's license number, license plate number, and vehicle identification number (VIN). Once you have this information, you can contact the insurance company, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or the police to verify the insurance coverage. In some states, the police can use online systems to verify insurance coverage during traffic stops or accident investigations. Additionally, there are online platforms and services available to help verify auto insurance coverage.

Contact the insurance company

If you want to verify another driver's insurance coverage, you can contact their insurance company. However, before you do so, you need to collect the relevant information about the other driver and their insurance policy. This includes:

• Basic contact information
• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• License plate number
• Driver's license number
• The driver's name
• The name of the insurance company
• The insurance policy number

Once you have this information, you can call the insurance company to check that the driver has active insurance through that provider.

If the other driver is uncooperative or you are unable to get the necessary information, you can contact the police, especially if you have been in an accident. The police can take down insurance and driver information and provide you with documentation for your insurance claim.

You can also contact your insurance company for help in tracking down the other driver's insurance information.

Ask the vehicle owner for proof

If you are the owner of a vehicle, you are required by law to have auto insurance. If you are not the owner of a vehicle but are borrowing it, it is your responsibility to verify that the owner has valid insurance coverage. This is because, in the event of an accident, you could be held liable if the vehicle is uninsured.

Asking the vehicle owner for proof of insurance is a straightforward process. The owner should be able to provide you with an insurance ID card or another document from their insurance company. This proof of insurance will include the following information:

• Policy number
• Policy effective dates
• Covered vehicle details
• Policyholder name

In some cases, the owner may need to provide an SR-22 form, also known as a certificate of financial responsibility. This form is typically required if the owner has a history of driving violations, such as DUIs or DWIs.

It is important to note that you should not drive the vehicle if the owner cannot provide valid proof of insurance. Driving without insurance is illegal and can result in fines, license suspension, or even jail time, depending on the state.

If you are unable to obtain proof of insurance from the vehicle owner, you can take the following steps:

• Contact the insurance company directly: You can call the insurance company or visit their website to verify the owner's insurance coverage.
• Request proof of insurance from the owner: If the owner claims to have insurance but cannot provide proof, ask them to contact their insurance company and obtain the necessary documentation.
• Refuse to drive the vehicle: If the owner is unable to provide valid proof of insurance, it is best to refrain from driving the vehicle to avoid any legal consequences.

Utilise online resources

Online resources can be a quick and convenient way to verify auto insurance coverage. Here are some ways you can utilise online platforms to check insurance coverage:

Online Platforms

Some online platforms provide services to verify auto insurance coverage. You can enter the vehicle's details, such as the license plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN), to check if a car is insured. This method is particularly useful if you have been in an accident with another driver and need to verify their insurance coverage. These platforms offer a convenient way to access this information without having to make multiple phone calls or visits.

Insurance Company Website

If you are checking the insurance coverage on your own vehicle, you can verify it by logging into your insurance company's website. Most insurance companies allow policyholders to access their policy information online. Simply log in to your account on the insurance company's website or mobile app using your login credentials. Once logged in, you can view your policy details, including the type of coverage, policy limits, and expiration date. This method is quick and easy, allowing you to confirm your insurance status in just a few clicks.

State or Local Government Websites

In some states or localities, government websites may provide tools to verify auto insurance coverage. For example, Illinois has implemented the Illinois Insurance Verification System (ILIVS), which allows vehicle owners to electronically verify their insurance coverage. This system is accessible through a dedicated website, where vehicle owners can log in and check their insurance status. Such systems are designed to improve compliance with mandatory auto insurance laws and reduce the number of uninsured motorists.

Insurance Company Websites for Third-Party Verification

If you need to verify the insurance coverage of another driver, you can visit the website of their insurance company. By providing the necessary details, such as the policy number and driver's information, you can confirm if their insurance is active. This method is useful when the other driver is cooperative and provides you with their insurance information. However, if the driver is uncooperative, you may need to explore other options, such as contacting the police or the DMV.

Utilising online resources can be a convenient and efficient way to verify auto insurance coverage, whether for your own vehicle or another driver's. These methods can save you time and provide quick access to the information you need to ensure you are properly insured or to take the necessary steps after an accident.

Contact the police

If you are involved in a collision, it is essential to obtain the correct auto insurance information from the other driver. While this is usually a straightforward process, there may be instances where the other driver refuses to provide their insurance information or flees the scene. In such cases, contacting the police is the best course of action.

The police can help in several ways. Firstly, they can take down the other driver's insurance and personal information, such as their name, contact details, insurance company, and policy number. This information will be crucial when making insurance claims. Secondly, the police can verify the other driver's insurance coverage. They have access to real-time electronic systems connected to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that allow them to check the validity of a driver's auto insurance. This is possible either by running the driver's license plate number or through the use of Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology.

Additionally, filing an accident report with the police is often necessary to obtain insurance information from the other driver. The police will take statements from both drivers and any witnesses, as well as request proof of insurance from both parties. This report will also be useful if you need to file a claim with your insurer, especially in hit-and-run cases.

In some states, the police can directly verify auto insurance coverage through online systems. For example, states like Montana, Nevada, Texas, and Wyoming have implemented online insurance verification systems that allow law enforcement officers to access up-to-date databases of insured motorists. These systems aid in traffic stops and accident investigations, helping to identify uninsured vehicles efficiently.

Therefore, contacting the police is a crucial step to take when verifying auto insurance coverage, especially in situations where the other driver is uncooperative or in cases of hit-and-run accidents.

Ask the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

To verify auto insurance coverage, you can ask the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV monitors insurance coverage through the Insurance Verification Program. This program compares vehicle registration information with liability information from insurance carriers. When no insurance is found, the vehicle owner is required to provide policy information to the DMV for verification.

If you want to verify another driver's insurance coverage through the DMV, you will need proof of why you want to check their coverage, such as a police report of a crash involving the driver. The DMV will verify coverage if you provide the proper information and a police report.

In some states, such as Nevada, the DMV will first send a Verification Request if they cannot verify coverage or if there appears to be a lapse in coverage. You must respond within a specified time frame, usually around 15 days. If the DMV can confirm continuous coverage, the process ends. However, if there has been a lapse in coverage or if coverage cannot be confirmed, the DMV will send a notification that your vehicle registration will be suspended.

At least five states, including Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming, use online systems to verify if a vehicle is insured. These systems allow law enforcement officers to access up-to-date databases of insured motorists during traffic stops or accident investigations. For example, Nevada's Nevada Liability Insurance Validation Electronically (NV LIVE) program periodically asks insurance companies if vehicles have current liability insurance coverage.

Frequently asked questions