Imagine you’re involved in a hit-and-run crash. The only information you can get is the license plate number. You have no idea if that person has car insurance coverage. What can you do?

Unfortunately, this scenario plays out often. Although nearly every state plus the District of Columbia has minimum car insurance coverage requirements, uninsured drivers remain an issue in the U.S.

The Insurance Research Council in a 2021 study estimated 12.6% of motorists don’t have car insurance and states like Mississippi have about twice that percentage.

So what can you do? Here’s how to find out if someone has auto insurance coverage. 

How to find out if another car is insured?

If you’re in a crash and the other driver stops, get as much information about the other driver as possible. The more information you get, the better chance you will get a claim paid through their insurance.

One way to get this information is to ask the other driver for their insurance information directly.

Get the information — even if the crash was not major or you’re not sure who’s at fault. Injuries, like whiplash, don’t always appear until after you’re home. You can jot down the information or snap a photo.

If the other driver refuses to share information, wait for the police to arrive, provided they were called. They will get the information for their accident report form and share it with both parties. An officer will cite the other driver if the person doesn’t have insurance.

If you’re involved in a hit-and-run crash, try to get the license plate number — even a partial plate will help track down the at-fault driver.

Information you need after a car accident

Information you will want to get includes:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Insurance provider
  • Car insurance policy number
  • Drivers license number
  • License plate or registration number

Don’t forget to write down a description of each car, including year, make, model and color.

It’s also a good idea to write down the exact location and how it happened while it’s still fresh in your mind.

What to do if another driver doesn’t have insurance coverage?

If you’re in a crash and find the other driver doesn’t have insurance, don’t panic.

American Family Insurance said calling the police is a crucial first step. Not only will they navigate the situation, but more details in the report will be important as you try to recover funds to cover your damages.

You also want to get the other driver’s information, document details and photos from the scene and remember not to accept any cash.

That last bit of advice might seem a little silly, but uninsured motorists know that they’re driving with a risk. That risk comes with high fines, so they might try to pay out of pocket for your damages.

You don’t know the full extent of the damages or your injuries at the scene of the accident, so it’s wise to avoid accepting a cash deal.

Learn more about Is car insured?

Fines for not having insurance

States vary by the fines allowed against drivers without insurance.

Here’s a sampling to show the different levels:

  • Alabama — up to $500
  • Arizona — $500 minimum
  • California — $100 to $200
  • Florida — $30
  • Hawaii — $500
  • Indiana — up to $1,000
  • Minnesota — $200 to $1,000
  • New York — $500 to $1,500
  • Pennsylvania — $300
  • Vermont — $47 to $622
  • West Virginia — $250 to $5,000

Some states also allow license and registration suspensions and vehicle impoundments and that let judges give jail time for driving without car insurance.

For instance, in Kansas and Maryland you can be sentenced to jail for driving without insurance.

How to find an insurance company by license plate?

To check if a car is insured by a license plate, a good place to start is the police. 

They can run a search through their system by license plate number. Police can likely tell you if another driver has car insurance and if they have enough coverage.

You can also reach out to your DMV. For legitimate reasons, insurance information will be divulged with a license plate search. You can either go in person or online to find the needed forms.

Another option is to call your car insurance provider. If you provide them with the license plate number, they will investigate to find the car owner and reach out to their insurance company or the owner.

What to do after a hit and run accident?

The first thing you need to do is try to get the license plate number or part of it.

Nationwide Insurance said it’s important to write down other important details, such as:

  • Type of car and color
  • Time of day
  • Exact location
  • Direction cars were headed

Take pictures of the vehicle damage.

Next, call the police. The police can run license plate searches and try to find a driver that way.

If you could only get part of the license plate number but didn’t call the police, there is still a little bit of help tracking down the other driver.

If you have a legitimate reason to ask, you can go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles office and request that they look up the plate number. If it’s a hit-and-run, that is considered a legitimate reason.

Also, don’t forget to call your car insurance company. They will begin the claims process. While your policy will cover some of the damage, it might not cover everything.

In addition to your deductible, your limits may not be high enough. This is where having the optional uninsured/underinsured motorist policy comes into play.

“This coverage may protect you against drivers who don’t have liability insurance or the money to pay for injuries and damages they cause,” according to Nationwide.

How to shop for car insurance if you don’t have coverage?

Let’s say you find that you don’t have car insurance coverage. What can you do?

Most car insurance carriers have an online presence so allow you to get an insurance quote, connect you with an agent and even purchase without having to leave the comfort of your couch. You can also use carinsurance.com to get quotes.

You’ll want to make sure to get an insurance quote from at least three car insurance companies for a proper comparison. Decide the liability limits you need, as well as what optional coverages and deductibles you’re willing to pay.

Remember to look for discounts, such as bundling your home and auto with the same insurance company.

If you’re not comfortable purchasing online, find an agent in your town who can do the legwork for you. Most major carriers also offer telephone services, where they can walk you through purchasing the right policy for your needs.

One word of warning — you may pay higher car insurance rates if your coverage lapses. That makes getting quotes from multiple companies vital to find the most affordable coverage possible.