Reader’s Question:

How will I be able to find out if a person has car insurance if I have their VIN number and license number? Can I get Information from the DMV?

Bill

Fresno, CA

State laws varies regarding private and public information however if you need to know if an individual has car insurance you first should contact your local DMV to check if you as a private citizen can obtain this information. The Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) should then be able to inform you if you can get this information from them or another state agency.

If you have been hit by a car and you have managed to obtain their VIN number and license plate number, perhaps this information was correct while their name and number was not, then you would also want to contact the law enforcement officer to make a report. It is no individuals legal right to no if another person is insured unless there is cause for the information.

In California you can make a request the insurance information by contacting the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Financial Responsibility Unit and submitting a form.