You just got hit. Your heart's racing. Your car's damaged. And now you're standing on the side of the road wondering: does this person even have insurance?
It's one of the most stressful questions you can ask after an accident. Because if they don't, everything just got more complicated. Your medical bills, your car repairs, your lost wages: all of it could be on you if the other driver is uninsured.
Here's the good news: California has systems in place to help you figure out if someone has insurance. And if they don't, you still have options. Let's walk through exactly how to check if the other driver is covered, what to do at the scene, and how to protect yourself if they're driving without insurance.
Quick Checklist: What to Obtain and Check After an Accident
Use this list while you're still shaken up. It keeps you in control. It also protects your claim from day one.
- Get the other driver's full name and phone number.
- Get their license plate number and driver's license number.
- Get their insurance company name and policy number.
- Take photos of their insurance card (front and back).
- Take photos of their driver's license.
- Take photos of the license plate.
- Call the police if they refuse proof of insurance.
- Push for a police report. It locks in their insurance status.
- Request the police report as soon as it's available.
- Verify coverage through the California DMV if police do not respond.
- Submit Form SR19C to the DMV if you need official insurance details.
- Use the DMV's online insurance verification with the plate or last five VIN digits.
- Contact the other driver's insurance company directly if you have their info.
- Save every photo, note, and witness statement for your UM claim.
Start at the Scene: Get Their Information (Even If They Say They're Insured)
Step 1: Get their identity and vehicle details.
The moment the crash happens, your first job is to collect information. Don't assume the other driver is telling you the truth about their coverage. People lie. They panic. They give you fake insurance cards.
Step 2: Get their insurance details and photograph everything.
Here's what you need to get before anyone leaves the scene: the driver's full name, phone number, license plate number, driver's license number, and their insurance company name and policy number. Take photos of their insurance card, their driver's license, and their license plate. If they refuse to show you their insurance card or claim they "forgot it," that's a red flag.
Step 3: Call the police when anything feels off.
If the other driver seems evasive or you have any doubt about their insurance status, call the police immediately. A police report will document everything, including whether the driver provided valid proof of insurance. In California, driving without insurance is illegal, and officers can verify coverage on the spot through their systems.
The Police Report Is Your Best Friend
Step 4: Get the police report and use it as your proof.
If police respond to your accident, they'll ask every driver for proof of insurance. That information goes directly into the official accident report. Once the report is filed, you can request a copy from the California Highway Patrol or your local law enforcement agency.
The report will include the other driver's insurance information: or it will clearly note if they were uninsured. This document is critical. It's official proof of what happened, who was involved, and whether the at-fault driver had coverage. Insurance companies rely on these reports to process claims.
You can typically request a copy of the report within a few days of the accident. Some agencies let you request it online. Others require you to visit in person or mail in a request form. Don't wait too long: the sooner you get that report, the sooner you can start your claim.
Use the California DMV to Verify Insurance
Step 5: Verify coverage through the California DMV.
What if the police didn't come to the scene? Or what if you suspect the insurance card the other driver showed you was fake? You can verify their coverage yourself through the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
California law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance. The DMV keeps records of who's insured and who's not. You can submit Form SR19C (Financial Responsibility Information Request) to your local DMV office. On the form, you'll provide either the driver's license number or the vehicle's license plate number. The DMV will pull up the registered driver's insurance information and send it to you.
You can also use the California DMV's online Insurance Verification system. Just enter the license plate number or the last five digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the system will tell you if the vehicle is insured. It's fast, it's free, and it gives you peace of mind.
Why Your Insurance Company Might Not Tell You Right Away
Here's something frustrating: even if you file a claim with your own insurance company, they might not immediately tell you whether the other driver has coverage. Why? Because they're doing their own investigation.
Insurance companies want to verify everything before they pay out. They'll contact the other driver's insurer, request policy details, and confirm coverage dates. This process can take days: or even weeks. In the meantime, you're left in limbo, not knowing if the other driver's insurance will cover your damages.
This is why it's so important to do your own due diligence. Don't just wait around for your insurer to figure it out. Request the police report. Submit the DMV form. Contact the other driver's insurance company directly if you have their information. The more proactive you are, the faster you'll get answers.
What If the Other Driver Doesn't Have Insurance?
Here's the harsh reality: one in six California drivers is uninsured. That means there's a strong chance you'll eventually be in an accident with someone who has no coverage. When that happens, you have two main options.
Option 1: File a claim under your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage.
This is optional coverage in California, but if you have it, it's a lifesaver. UM coverage pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering when the at-fault driver has no insurance. It basically steps in and acts like the other driver's insurance policy.
Option 2: Sue the uninsured driver directly.
But here's the problem: most uninsured drivers don't have assets. They can't afford insurance, so they probably can't afford to pay you out of pocket either. You might win a judgment against them, but collecting that money is a whole different battle.
This is why we always tell our clients to carry UM coverage. It's the only real protection you have against uninsured drivers. Without it, you're stuck hoping the at-fault driver has money: and most of the time, they don't.
California's 30/60/15 Minimum Insurance Law
California requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance. The state uses a 30/60/15 structure. That means $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage.
Here's the problem: those minimums are almost never enough. If you're seriously injured in a car accident, your medical bills alone could exceed $30,000. Add in lost wages, future medical care, and pain and suffering, and you're looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. The at-fault driver's $30,000 policy won't even scratch the surface.
This is another reason why UM coverage is so important. If the at-fault driver only has minimum coverage and your damages exceed their policy limits, your UM coverage can fill the gap. It's the difference between getting fully compensated and being left holding the bag.
What to Do If You're Hit by an Uninsured Driver
Option 1: Use your UM coverage and force your insurer to pay.
If you discover the other driver is uninsured, don't panic. You still have options. File a claim with your own insurance company under your UM coverage if you have it. Provide them with all the information you collected at the scene, the police report, and any photos or witness statements.
Your insurance company will investigate the accident just like the other driver's insurer would. They'll review the evidence, determine fault, and calculate your damages. If they approve your claim, they'll pay for your medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits.
Option 2: Sue the uninsured driver and chase every recoverable dollar.
If you don't have UM coverage, your only option is to sue the uninsured driver. This is where having an experienced personal injury attorney makes all the difference. We know how to track down assets, file liens, and pursue every available avenue to recover compensation for you. We've handled hundreds of uninsured motorist cases across all 58 California counties, and we know how to fight for our clients when the odds are stacked against them.
Don't Wait: Insurance Companies Won't Make This Easy
Insurance companies don't want to pay you. Even your own insurer will look for reasons to deny or reduce your claim. They'll delay investigations, question your injuries, and argue that you weren't as hurt as you say you are.
This is why you need someone in your corner who knows how to fight back. At Fairmont Law Firm, we handle every aspect of your claim so you don't have to deal with the insurance companies. We investigate the accident, verify the other driver's coverage, negotiate with adjusters, and take your case to trial if necessary.
We've recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. We don't get paid unless you win. And we're available 24/7 to answer your questions, no matter where you are in California. If you've been hit by an uninsured driver: or if you're struggling to get answers about the other driver's coverage: contact us now for a free case evaluation.
You Deserve Answers: And You Deserve Compensation
Getting hit by an uninsured driver feels like getting punished twice. You didn't do anything wrong, yet you're the one left dealing with the financial fallout. It's not fair. And you shouldn't have to navigate this mess alone.
Whether the other driver has insurance or not, you have rights. You deserve to be compensated for your medical bills, your lost income, your pain, and everything else this accident has cost you. We fight to make sure you get every dollar you're owed.
Call Fairmont Law Firm today. Zero fee until we win. We serve all 58 California counties. Let's get you the answers: and the compensation( you deserve.)