Are You Entitled to Know the Other Driver’s Insurance Information After a Car Accident?

After a collision, one of the first questions people ask is whether they have the right to know the other driver’s insurance information. This concern is understandable. Without that information, it becomes difficult—sometimes impossible—to make a proper claim, open a case with the insurer, or protect yourself from unexpected liability disputes.

Where people often get confused is this: you are entitled to some insurance information, but not all of it. The law requires disclosure of the insurance carrier and policy number, but it does not require the at-fault driver—or their insurer—to disclose the policy limits outside of litigation. That distinction matters far more than most people realize.

What You Can Obtain Without Litigation

Every driver involved in a crash must provide basic identifying insurance information. This includes the name of the insurance company and the policy number. That information is essential for opening a claim, confirming that the driver is insured, and moving the process forward. Even if the other driver refuses to cooperate, the police report almost always contains this information, and your attorney can obtain it directly from the insurer during the claims process.

There is no legal basis for an insurer to withhold the carrier name or policy number once a claim is presented. Those details are mandatory.

What You Cannot Compel Without Litigation

Policy limits are a different matter entirely. The amount of coverage available—whether the policy is $15,000, $100,000, or $1 million—usually cannot be forced into the open unless a lawsuit has been filed. Some insurers choose to disclose limits voluntarily in serious injury cases, and many defense attorneys will disclose limits early to facilitate negotiation. But that is a strategic choice on their part, not a legal requirement.

As a result, an injured person can be stuck negotiating blindly. You may know who insures the at-fault driver and the policy number, but you may have no idea how much coverage is available to pay for your medical care, lost wages, and future needs.

Why Policy Limits Matter

Policy limits often determine whether your claim can settle early or whether litigation becomes necessary. If an insurer refuses to disclose limits and your injuries are significant, your attorney may recommend filing suit simply to force disclosure and evaluate whether there is enough coverage to resolve the case. In other situations, the inability to confirm limits can delay negotiations or lead to unnecessary low-ball offers.

Knowing policy limits early would streamline resolution in many cases, but because insurers are not required to reveal them, filing a lawsuit is sometimes the only way to gain clarity.

The Bottom Line

You are absolutely entitled to the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier and policy number. You are not entitled to their policy limits outside of litigation, and that lack of transparency can directly affect your case strategy.

If you have been injured in a collision and need to obtain the insurance information necessary to protect your claim, or if an insurer is withholding key information that may impact settlement, our firm can help you evaluate the next steps—including whether litigation is warranted to secure the information you need.

CONTACT PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES TODAY

Obtaining a settlement that adequately covers your immediate and future needs can be a challenging task, even when there's clear evidence of wrongdoing and negligence by the offending party. In such cases, an experienced attorney can provide crucial assistance in navigating the legal complexities involved. If you have been injured in an accident, contact Phillips & Associates at (818) 348-9515 for a free consultation today. We will work diligently and aggressively towards securing the best possible outcome in your case.