Incorrect Insurance Information for the Other Driver After a Car Accident
Discovering that the other driver gave you or the police the wrong insurance information after a car accident can be a stressful and confusing situation. It happens more often than you might think—sometimes it’s an honest mistake, other times it’s intentional. Either way, it can create major obstacles when you’re trying to get compensated for your damages. In Texas, which follows the at-fault system, you must go after the at-fault driver’s insurance to recover for your injuries and property damage. If the information is wrong, your claim can stall or even be denied, which is why quick action and proper documentation are essential.
Why Wrong Insurance Information Happens
There are several reasons this issue occurs. The other driver might have given outdated paperwork if they recently changed insurance companies. Sometimes officers at the scene mistakenly write down a wrong policy number or company name on the crash report. And in other cases, the other driver may deliberately provide false information to avoid responsibility, especially if they don’t have valid coverage.
Regardless of the reason, you should never assume it’s the end of your claim. With the right steps—and legal help—you can still track down the correct insurance company or pursue other sources of recovery.
Step 1: Verify and Double-Check Everything
Start by carefully reviewing your police report and any documents exchanged at the accident scene. Make sure all the information matches up—names, license plates, insurance company, and policy numbers. If something doesn’t look right, call the insurance company listed on the report. Ask them to confirm whether that policy was active on the date of the crash and whether it covered the vehicle involved.
If the company can’t locate the policy or says the policy number doesn’t exist, that’s a clear sign the information is wrong. In that case, you’ll need to take the next steps to locate the correct insurer or prepare for the possibility that the driver was uninsured.
Step 2: Contact the Other Driver (If Possible)
If it’s safe and appropriate, try reaching out to the other driver directly. Sometimes, they’ll realize they made a mistake and give you the correct information. Ask them to send a photo of their current insurance card showing the policy number, company name, and effective dates.
If the driver ignores you, becomes hostile, or refuses to cooperate, that may indicate that they don’t actually have valid insurance. At that point, it’s time to bring in legal help.
Step 3: Have an Attorney Locate the Correct Information
An experienced personal injury attorney can use legal tools that aren’t available to the public to identify the correct insurer. Lawyers can run searches based on the driver’s name, license plate, or VIN number to uncover valid coverage.
If that still doesn’t work, your attorney can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Once the lawsuit is filed, the defendant must disclose their insurance information under oath. If they fail to do so, they risk a default judgment against them—which means you can potentially recover damages directly from them.
Your attorney can also contact the police department to see if the crash report can be supplemented or corrected, though this isn’t always guaranteed.
Step 4: Use Your Own Insurance as Backup
If you can’t confirm valid insurance for the at-fault driver, you may still have coverage under your own policy. Texas drivers can purchase Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for exactly this type of situation.
UM coverage applies if the other driver didn’t have insurance or gave false information.
PIP coverage can pay your medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident.
Even if the other driver lied or disappeared, these coverages can protect you financially and ensure you’re not left paying out of pocket.
Step 5: Move Quickly and Keep Documentation
The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to fix the issue. Insurance companies work on strict timelines, and police departments don’t keep uncorrected reports forever. Keep copies of everything—accident photos, correspondence with insurers, the crash report, and medical records.
If you delay too long, witnesses may become unreachable, or the other driver may change contact information or even move away. Acting quickly, preferably with a lawyer’s help, ensures you have every opportunity to prove fault and recover compensation.
