Catania and Catania | February 19, 2025 | Car Accidents
After a car accident in Florida, drivers are to share insurance information. If your question is how to find out if someone has car insurance, the able attorneys at Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers can guide you through the process of obtaining the details.
Per Florida’s public records, the only way one can verify if someone has car insurance in Tampa, FL, is directly by asking the driver or from a police report provided that the police are involved or even a request to the FLHSMV. Florida State requires each and every one of its drivers to carry minimum coverage; however, this does not rule out that after an accident, one may need to ascertain with certainty that the other party actually has insurance.
One of the easiest ways to obtain this is by asking the driver at the scene. If he or she is able to provide an insurance card, it is wise to instantly check the given insurance with a call to the provider listed. If the other driver is resistant, hostile, or suspiciously hesitant to provide this information, law enforcement officers can document their insurance on the report. In Tampa, this report can be requested through the Florida Highway Patrol or the Police department. Another option is to submit a request through the FLHSMV, which maintains insurance records for registered vehicles. If you were involved in an accident and need confirmation of the other party’s coverage, your insurance provider may also assist by running a claim check.
When Do You Need Someone Else’s Car Insurance Information?
Florida uses a no-fault system of car insurance. This means your first — and sometimes only — source of compensation after a car accident will come from your auto insurer.
Everyone in Florida must buy personal injury protection (PIP) coverage within their auto insurance policy. You can claim benefits under this coverage anytime you get injured in an accident, regardless of fault.
Florida restricts your right to sue the at-fault driver after an accident. The state wants you to rely on your PIP benefits to cover your medical expenses and lost income.
But if you suffer a serious injury or your losses exceed your PIP coverage, Florida allows you to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. For most drivers, this means you will file a claim against their liability insurance policy. To do this, you need to know the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier and policy number.
Safety Ways to Get Insurance Information
Ensuring your safety while obtaining insurance details is crucial. If you are in an accident, remain calm and move to a safe location before addressing insurance matters. Approach the other driver respectfully and ask for their insurance card, taking a photo for accuracy. If tensions are high or the other driver is uncooperative, avoid confrontation and wait for law enforcement to arrive. The responding officer will collect necessary details, which can later be accessed through an official police report.
If law enforcement is not involved, you may still verify insurance details through legal channels. Contacting the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles allows you to request insurance verification if you have a legitimate reason, such as involvement in an accident. Additionally, your own insurance provider can assist in obtaining the other driver’s coverage details if a claim is being processed.
Verifying insurance is particularly important in hit-and-run accidents, where the responsible driver may attempt to flee the scene. If this occurs, try to record the vehicle’s license plate and any distinguishing features before reporting it to law enforcement. Florida has strict penalties for hit-and-run drivers, which may aid in locating the individual and determining their insurance status.
3 Ways to Find Out If Someone Has Car Insurance
Florida law indirectly requires drivers to disclose their car insurance information after an accident.
Under Florida law, you must provide the other driver with your:
- Name
- Address
- Registration number
- Driver’s license
In most situations, you will also show the other driver your insurance card. But a car accident can injure and disorient you. You might not think to ask the other driver for their insurance card or the other driver might not offer it.
Three ways you can find out whether the other driver has car insurance include:
1. Ask the Responding Officers
Florida law requires you to report an accident to the police if the accident causes:
- Death
- Injury
- Damage of at least $500
When the responding officers arrive, they will investigate the crash. They will also manage the accident scene.
Florida law requires police officers to instruct the drivers to exchange information, including:
- Vehicle owner’s name and address
- Vehicle license number
- Name of the vehicle’s insurer
If you have trouble getting the other driver’s insurance information or want to avoid confrontation, ask the police officer for help. The officer can instruct the driver to give you the information or get the information for you.
2. Get It from the Police Accident Report
Florida police officers must prepare and file a crash report for every accident that kills or injures a person or disables a vehicle. This crash report identifies the vehicles and people involved in the accident and describes what happened.
The crash report can provide critical information about the accident if you need to file an insurance claim or lawsuit, including:
- A list of citations and criminal charges resulting from the accident
- Names and addresses of witnesses who saw the accident
- Each driver’s insurance information
You can get a copy of your crash report using the Florida Crash Portal.
3. File an Insurance Request Form
Suppose you did not get the insurance information at the accident scene, and it does not appear in the crash report. In that case, you can request it directly from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
FLHSMV only discloses car insurance information to:
- People involved in the crash
- Lawyers for people in the crash
- Insurers for people or vehicles in the crash
Anyone in these categories can file an Insurance Request Form with FLHSMV to get a driver’s insurance information.
What Information Do You Need to File an Insurance Claim?
According to United Policyholders, to file an insurance claim, you need the other driver’s name, insurance provider, policy number, vehicle details, and a police report if applicable. Ensuring you collect accurate and complete information at the accident scene is essential to avoid complications when filing a claim.
The key details necessary for a successful claim include:
- Full name and contact information of the other driver
- Insurance company name and policy number
- Make, model, and license plate number of the involved vehicles
- Location, date, and time of the accident
- Police report, if applicable
- Photos of vehicle damages, accident scene, and any visible injuries
- Witness statements and their contact details
Providing timely and complete documentation to your insurance company can expedite the claims process. Many insurers require a claim to be reported within a specific timeframe, so acting quickly can prevent unnecessary delays.
If you sustain injuries in an accident, it is also crucial to keep a record of medical expenses, doctor’s visits, and any rehabilitation costs. Florida follows a no-fault insurance system, meaning your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance will cover medical expenses regardless of fault. However, if injuries are severe, you may have the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Using the Insurance Information
Your injury lawyer can use the insurance information to file a compensation claim. This claim should cover any economic losses that your PIP benefits failed to cover and your non-economic losses like pain and suffering. You will be entitled to greater compensation in a claim against the at-fault driver.
What to Do If Your Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Safe Driving Academy opines that, in such a case, when the driver who hit you is not covered, you should report to the police, check with your own policy for your uninsured motorist coverage, and seek legal advice. Florida drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection coverage, which may cover medical expenses from the accident regardless of fault. However, an uninsured at-fault driver might be challenging to deal with.
If you find that the other driver is not carrying insurance, it is very important that you file an official police accident report. It can serve as a crucial piece of documentation if you sue or claim through other avenues. Check your own policy for UM, which pays for medical expenses and property damage.
If there is insufficient insurance to cover the damages, you may be able to hold the at-fault driver liable. You may have to seek compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. Attorneys who regularly handle Tampa car accident claims can review your options and determine the best course of action.
If you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage, you may need to look at other options. Florida law also provides that victims of uninsured motorists may seek compensation in a civil action. A successful lawsuit may permit you to recover damages. Still, of course, it will be necessary to determine if the at-fault driver has enough personal assets to satisfy a claim.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Tampa, FL
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Tampa, FL, and need legal help, contact our Tampa car accident lawyers at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers
Bank of America Plaza
101 E Kennedy Blvd #2400
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 222-8656
We also provide legal assistance throughout the Tampa Bay Area including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Bradenton.
