What to Do If Someone Refuses to Give Insurance Details After an Accident

Last Updated on December 10, 2025

If you are involved in an auto accident and the other driver refuses to provide their insurance information, all hope is not lost. It’s frustrating, but it does not automatically mean you’ll be stuck paying for everything out of pocket. The key is to stay calm, gather as much information as you can, and follow the right steps afterward.

Below is a step-by-step guide on what to do when the other driver won’t share their insurance details.

Key Takeaways

1. If the other driver refuses to give insurance details, stay calm, call the police, and gather as much information as you safely can (photos, license plate, witnesses).
2. You can still file a claim with your own insurer—even if the other driver is uninsured or uncooperative—and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may help pay for your injuries and damages.
3. A personal injury attorney can help you prove fault, deal with your insurance company, and pursue the other driver if they’re hiding coverage or assets.
4. Acting quickly and documenting everything at the scene greatly increases your chances of recovering repair costs and medical expenses, even when the other driver won’t cooperate.

Contact the Authorities Right Away

As soon as it’s safe, call the police so an officer can come to the scene. In many areas, you are required to report accidents that cause injury or a certain level of property damage. An officer can:

• Prepare an official accident report (creating a paper trail)
• Help identify the other driver and vehicle
• Request the other driver’s license and insurance information
• Take statements from both drivers and any witnesses

Once you’ve contacted law enforcement, you should also notify your auto insurer to report the accident. Even if the other driver is uninsured or refuses to cooperate, you can still file a claim with your own company and get the process started.

Be sure to tell your insurer that the other driver would not provide insurance information. Depending on your coverage, you may only end up paying your deductible and let your insurer handle the rest.

Document the Accident on Your Own

There is no guarantee the police will arrive quickly—or at all—especially after minor crashes. Even if an officer does respond, they may not document every detail that later becomes important. That’s why you should do your own documentation at the scene if it’s safe and you’re physically able.

Use your smartphone or a camera to:

• Take wide photos of the entire accident scene from multiple angles
• Photograph the damage to all vehicles involved
• Photograph road signs, traffic signals, skid marks, and weather/road conditions
• Take a clear picture of the other car’s license plate number

Also, write down or record:

• The other vehicle’s make, model, color, and any noticeable markings
• The time, date, and location of the accident
• Names and contact information of any witnesses

The more evidence you gather, the easier it will be for your insurer, the police, or an attorney to track down the other driver’s insurance information and determine what really happened.

Ask for Legal Help from a Personal Injury Attorney

In many cases, you won’t be forced to pay everything yourself—but you may need help to protect your rights. If you’re injured or facing significant property damage, consider obtaining legal assistance from a personal injury attorney.

An attorney can:

• Help gather evidence to show you were not at fault
• Handle communication and negotiations with your insurance company
• Help locate and pursue the other driver if they are identified
• Explain your options if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured

Don’t forget to review your own policy, or ask your attorney and insurer about uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage can apply to hit-and-run accidents and situations where the other driver is present but has no insurance or refuses to cooperate.

Using this coverage usually means filing a claim with your own insurer. Your rates may or may not change, depending on your state and company, but you’ll finally be using protection you’ve been paying for—possibly for years.

Reasons Why Another Driver Won’t Provide Insurance Information

It can feel suspicious or insulting when the other driver refuses to share their insurance details, but there are many reasons this happens—and most of them relate to risk on their side. Common reasons include:

• The driver doesn’t have auto insurance at all.
• The car is stolen or they are not the authorized driver.
• The driver’s license is suspended or revoked.
• The driver has been drinking alcohol or is otherwise impaired.
• The driver has multiple prior accidents or claims and doesn’t want another on their record.
• The driver fears that reporting the accident will cause their insurance rates to skyrocket.

Whatever the reason, you don’t have to diagnose their motives on the spot. Focus on calmly gathering information and letting law enforcement, your insurer, and (if needed) an attorney handle the rest.

Be Polite When Interacting With the Other Driver

Getting upset or aggressive rarely helps and can make the situation worse. Even if the other driver is uncooperative, it’s in your best interest to stay calm and professional. Avoid arguing about fault or making threats.

Instead, try to:

• Politely ask for their name and contact information
• Request to see their driver’s license and write down the number, if they allow it
• Ask for their insurance company name and policy number, even if they seem hesitant

If they refuse or the conversation becomes heated, don’t push it. You’ve already written down their license plate and vehicle information and contacted the authorities. Your auto insurance provider can often identify the policyholder using that information, and your uninsured motorist or other coverages may pay for your injury and property damage expenses regardless of whether the other driver cooperates.

If you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage and the other driver truly has no insurance, you may need to speak with an attorney about your options, which could include a personal injury lawsuit. A good lawyer can help you evaluate whether the other driver has assets or coverage that can be pursued.

Think Fast and Protect Yourself Financially

The faster and more thoroughly you act after an accident, the better your chances of avoiding major out-of-pocket losses. At a minimum, you should:

• Call the police and request a report
• Take photos and videos of the scene, vehicles, and any visible injuries
• Write down or photograph the other car’s license plate
• Gather witness names and contact information
• Contact your insurer promptly to report the claim

Sometimes, getting the license plate alone is enough to help track down the other driver’s insurance info. Being detailed and proactive gives your insurer and any attorney you hire a strong foundation to work from.

Finally, be honest and cooperative when sharing your own information. Your calm, straightforward approach may encourage the other driver to share more than they initially planned, and it helps strengthen your credibility with insurers and law enforcement later.

When in doubt, or if injuries and significant damages are involved, don’t hesitate to get legal help. Knowing an experienced attorney is handling the situation can make it much easier to get back to your normal life while the insurance and liability issues are sorted out behind the scenes.

FAQs

Final Word

When another driver refuses to share their insurance information, it’s stressful—but not hopeless. Stay calm, call the police, document everything you can, and report the accident to your insurer right away. Your own coverage (especially uninsured/underinsured motorist protection) and, when needed, help from an attorney can go a long way toward making sure you’re not left paying the price for someone else’s refusal to cooperate.