How to Track Insurance Details Using a Vehicle’s License Plate After an Accident
Encountering unforeseen road hazards can be frustrating—especially when they lead to damage to your vehicle. Recently, I faced such a situation on a California highway when a traffic cone dislodged from a truck behind me and struck my car’s front bumper, causing noticeable damage.
Luckily, I had a dashcam rolling, which captured the incident clearly. From the footage, I was able to record the license plate number of the offending vehicle. I promptly shared this information with my insurance provider. However, I soon learned that they couldn’t locate the vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) solely through the license plate, so I turned to various online tools to obtain the VIN and provided it to my insurer.
This experience raises an important question: Can an insurance adjuster or the insurance company identify the other driver’s insurer and coverage details based solely on the license plate number? Ideally, I’d prefer to have the responsible party’s insurance cover the damages, rather than bearing the deductible myself.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, consider these steps:
– Use online license plate lookup tools cautiously—they can sometimes provide vehicle registration details.
– Always report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible, providing any evidence such as dashcam footage.
– Inquire whether your insurance can pursue subrogation after identifying the liable party.
– Keep detailed records of all communications and evidence related to the incident.
Has anyone else experienced a similar situation? Sharing your insights or advice could be invaluable for those navigating the complexities of auto accident claims based on license plate identification.
