How to Find Out If Someone Has Car Insurance in Florida

Paul Brannon | April 13, 2022 | Car Accident

It’s standard practice for two drivers to exchange insurance information after a Florida car accident. This is the easiest way to report the accident and begin the claims process.

Florida state law requires all drivers to carry car insurance. Unfortunately, not every driver abides by this law. An uninsured driver might not want to admit to driving without insurance.

A driver might be insured but simply refuse to disclose their insurance information because reporting an accident can result in higher insurance premiums. Other times, a disgruntled driver may simply refuse to behave cooperatively after an accident.

Here’s how to find out whether someone has car insurance in Florida — even when the other driver is reluctant to cooperate.

Ask for Insurance Information

Before registering a car in Florida, every driver must show proof of insurance. Florida drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage. The required Florida PIP provides coverage for 80% of medical expenses up to $10,000, and the required PDL covers damage to another driver’s vehicle.

If you’ve been involved in a Florida car accident, the easiest way to find out if the other driver has insurance is simply to ask. Most drivers willingly exchange insurance information after an accident. A registered vehicle isn’t proof of insurance — an insurance policy might have expired or been canceled after the vehicle was registered.

In these situations, the other driver might be reluctant to admit they’ve been driving in Florida without the required insurance coverage. Breaking this law comes with consequences: an uninsured driver in Florida can have their driver’s license suspended for up to three years.

You have a few options when another driver doesn’t disclose their insurance information directly.

Talk to the Police

Calling the police after an accident is always the best policy. A police officer will come to the scene of the accident and create an official accident report. This report documents important details like who is at fault, injuries, and damage.

When you don’t get a police report, you run the risk of the other driver making false claims about the accident. They might deny fault or later claim injuries or vehicle damage that didn’t actually stem from the accident.

When another driver refuses to disclose insurance information, involving the police is your best option for getting a straight answer. A driver doesn’t legally have to provide you with proof of insurance, but they do need to show proof when asked by a law enforcement officer.

Speak with the DMV

Another option for identifying whether a driver has car insurance is to speak with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you didn’t get help from the police, this is the best way to identify another driver’s insurance information.

For this method to work, you’ll need to have the other driver’s license plate number. Since Florida drivers are required to show proof of insurance when registering a vehicle, the DMV should have their insurance information on file.

That doesn’t guarantee that the driver’s insurance policy is currently active, but the DMV can provide you with the insurance company information you’ll need to find out.

Call the Insurance Company

One final option for finding out if a Florida driver has insurance is to call their insurance company directly. For this to work, you’ll need to know the name of their insurance company as well as personal information like a driver’s license number.

If a driver doesn’t disclose insurance information at the car accident scene, make sure to take down their license plate number. Working with the DMV and speaking directly to their insurance company can bring the information you need.

Contact a Reputable Florida Car Accident Attorney

When all other options fail, a Florida car accident attorney can advise you on how to take action over car accident damages. Most law firms offer a free consultation, so it won’t hurt you financially to reach out for initial assistance.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Northwest Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243