Verify Auto Insurance Coverage: Texas-Style

Texas has a high number of uninsured drivers, with an estimated 14.1% to 20% of Texas drivers uninsured. Texas law requires drivers to show proof that they can pay for any accidents they cause, and most drivers do this by buying auto liability insurance. If you want to verify that another driver has insurance in Texas, you can ask the driver for their insurance information, file a police report, check with the DMV, or contact your insurance company. The Texas DMV and police have access to TexasSure, an online insurance verification system, to check if a vehicle is insured.

Verify a driver's insurance by asking for their insurance information

Texas law requires drivers to show proof that they can pay for any accidents they cause. This is usually done by purchasing auto liability insurance. After an accident, it is important to collect the other driver's insurance information to verify their coverage. This includes the driver's name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver's license number, and license plate number. You should also collect the make, model, year, and color of the vehicle.

If the other driver refuses to provide their insurance information or flees the scene, you can take the following steps to verify their insurance coverage:

• File a police report: The police will be able to check if the car is insured by running the license plate number.
• Contact the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): The DMV may be able to provide the name of the other driver's insurance company if you provide the license plate number. You will need to provide a valid reason for requesting this information, such as being involved in an accident with the driver.
• Contact your insurance company: Your insurance company can assist you in tracking down the other driver's insurance information.

It is important to note that insurance information is not public record, and you must have a legitimate reason, such as being involved in an accident, to request this information. Texas has created a program called TexasSure to reduce the number of uninsured motorists in the state. TexasSure is a database of insured drivers in Texas that can be accessed by authorized users such as law enforcement and the DMV.

File a police report to check if a car is insured

If you've been in a car accident in Texas, it's important to file a police report, even if the accident was minor. This is because Texas law requires drivers to show proof that they can pay for any accidents they cause. A police report will help your insurance claim by providing evidence of fault, which will determine who pays for damages and injuries.

If the other driver refuses to give you their information, or if they drive off, you should call the police. Give them as much information as you can, especially the license plate number, as this will help the police identify the other driver. You should also record the make, model, and color of the car.

You can also go to the Texas DMV in person to find information on the other driver. However, you will need a valid reason to ask for insurance information, such as being the victim of a hit-and-run. A police report will be useful in these cases.

The Texas DMV and insurance companies have also designed a website called TexasSure, which is a database of insured drivers in Texas. Only authorized users, such as police officers, can access this information. However, you can contact the Texas DMV or your insurance company to verify insurance information for you.

It's important to report a car accident to the police as soon as possible, as this will help speed up the claims process.

Check with the Texas DMV

If you want to verify a driver's insurance information in Texas, you can contact the Texas DMV. Visiting the Texas DMV in person is a good first step to take to find information on the driver. However, you will need a valid reason to ask for insurance information, such as being the victim of a hit-and-run or a driver refusing to provide insurance details after an accident. Having a police report or accident report filed will strengthen your case.

To make the process easier for the DMV, it is best to collect as much information as possible about the driver and their vehicle. This includes the driver's name, address, phone number, driver's license number, license plate number, and vehicle information (make, model, year, and colour). The more information you have, the easier it will be for the DMV to check the driver's insurance status.

The Texas DMV works in partnership with other state agencies, including the Texas Department of Insurance, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Department of Information Resources, to maintain accurate records and reduce the number of uninsured motorists in the state. This collaboration ensures that insurance information is readily accessible to the DMV and law enforcement agencies.

While you can visit the Texas DMV in person, you can also submit a request for insurance information. The DMV maintains records of registered vehicles in Texas and can verify if a vehicle is currently insured, even if they do not provide the insurance information directly.

Contact your insurance company to track down the other driver

If you've been in a collision with another driver and they refuse to give you their insurance information, or they drive off after the accident, there are steps you can take to track them down. Firstly, it is important to collect as much information as possible at the scene, including the driver's contact details, insurance and driver information, as well as their vehicle's make, model, year, and colour. If the other driver refuses to provide this information or flees the scene, write down as many details as you can, paying particular attention to their license plate number.

The next step is to contact your insurance company and inform them of the situation. They will guide you through the process and may be able to help track down the other driver's insurance information. Your insurance company will be motivated to find the other driver, as they will want to collect against them and their insurer to get their money back and reimburse your deductible.

You can also involve the police by filing a report. The police can use the license plate number to run a check on the vehicle's owner and track down their insurance policy. Additionally, you can visit the Texas DMV in person to verify the other driver's insurance information. However, you will need a valid reason, such as being the victim of a hit-and-run or the other driver refusing to provide their insurance details. A police report will strengthen your case in such situations.

Remember, it is crucial to act promptly and gather as much information as possible at the scene of the accident. This will make it easier to track down the other driver and their insurance company, ensuring you can file a claim and receive the compensation you may be entitled to.

TexasSure: An online insurance verification system

TexasSure is an online insurance verification system designed to reduce the number of uninsured drivers in Texas. It is a joint project between Texas' departments of motor vehicles, insurance, public safety, and information resources. The system quickly identifies vehicle owners without mandatory insurance coverage, helping to cut costs for responsible Texans, who collectively pay almost $900 million a year to protect themselves against uninsured drivers.

Texas law requires drivers to show proof that they can pay for any accidents they cause, which is usually done by purchasing auto liability insurance. After purchasing insurance, the insurance company will report coverage information to TexasSure. When a driver receives their insurance policy, they should check that the VIN on their vehicle matches the one on their policy and vehicle registration. If there are any discrepancies, the insurance company should be notified immediately.

TexasSure is only accessible to authorized users, such as law enforcement officers and vehicle registration offices. However, members of the public can verify insurance coverage by contacting the Texas DMV or the police, providing a valid reason for the request, such as a hit-and-run or a driver refusing to provide insurance information.

Frequently asked questions