How to Track Vehicle Insurance Using License Plate Information After a Roadside Incident
Encountering road hazards can be stressful, especially when they result in vehicle damage. Recently, I experienced such an incident on a California highway when a traffic cone, dislodged from the back of a truck ahead, struck my vehicle’s front bumper. Fortunately, I captured the event with my dashcam, which allowed me to record the truck’s license plate number.
After the collision, I promptly submitted the license plate details to my insurance provider. However, they faced some challenges: they were unable to identify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) directly from the license plate. To assist them, I utilized various online resources to retrieve the VIN and provided this information.
This experience has led me to wonder: can an insurance company or claim adjuster determine the other driver’s insurance details solely based on their license plate number? My primary aim is to file a claim with their insurance rather than covering the costs out of pocket, including my deductible.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, consider the following steps:
- Providing clear, unaltered documentation—like dashcam footage and photos—to your insurance company.
- Using trusted online tools or databases to identify vehicle details tied to license plates.
- Consulting with your insurer about the best course of action for verifying the at-fault party’s insurance coverage.
Has anyone else navigated a comparable scenario? Sharing your experience and insights can help others understand the process and what to expect when trying to identify a vehicle owner’s insurance information using only a license plate.
