Craig D. Rosenbaum | August 24, 2026 | Car Accidents
After a New York City car accident, you need to know whether the other driver has insurance. This information can affect where you file a claim and what compensation may be available.
New York requires drivers involved in certain accidents to provide insurance information. If you did not get it at the scene, there may be other ways to determine whether coverage existed when the crash happened.
Ask the Other Driver for Insurance Information
The easiest way to learn about another driver’s coverage is usually to exchange information at the accident scene. New York law requires drivers involved in accidents causing property damage or personal injury to provide certain identifying and insurance information.
Try to obtain:
- The driver’s name and contact information
- Driver’s license information
- Vehicle registration information
- Insurance company name
- Insurance policy or identification information
- License plate number
If possible, take a clear photograph of the other driver’s insurance identification card. This can reduce the risk of copying important information incorrectly.
Can the Police Help Me Get Insurance Information?
Calling the police can help document a serious accident and create a record of what happened. New York law requires law enforcement officers at the scene to request that physically capable drivers exchange required information and assist with that exchange.
If you were injured, needed emergency treatment, or could not speak with the other driver, you may not have collected insurance information yourself.
A police accident report can provide useful details for identifying the drivers and vehicles involved. However, do not assume that every police report will contain all the insurance information you need. Additional steps may be necessary to identify the applicable coverage.
Can I Request Insurance Information From the New York DMV?
The New York Department of Motor Vehicles provides a process for requesting insurance information related to a crash. Form FS-25, called “Request and Reply for New York Insurance Information,” can be used to ask the DMV for available coverage information.
The DMV requires specific details to conduct the search. Depending on the circumstances, you may need information about the vehicle and registrant, as well as an accident report.
The DMV may not be able to provide coverage information in every situation. For example, if the vehicle was registered outside New York, you may need to request insurance information from the state where it was registered.
What if the Other Driver Refuses to Provide Insurance Information?
A driver generally cannot simply leave a qualifying New York accident without providing required information. Depending on whether the crash caused property damage or personal injury, New York law requires drivers to stop and provide certain identifying and insurance information.
If the other driver refuses to cooperate, avoid escalating the situation. Contact the police and gather whatever information you safely can, including the license plate number, vehicle description, photographs, and witness information.
Do I Need to Report the Accident to the DMV?
Some New York accidents must also be reported to the DMV. A driver generally must file an MV-104 within 10 days when an accident causes an injury or death or more than $1,000 in property damage to any one person.
The MV-104 requests information about the drivers, vehicles, registrants, and insurance coverage involved in the accident.
Reporting an accident to your insurance company does not replace a required DMV report. Failing to meet applicable reporting requirements can create additional problems, so it is important to determine which rules apply after your crash.
What if the Driver Does Not Have Car Insurance?
Discovering that another driver was uninsured does not necessarily mean you have no options for recovering compensation. Your own insurance coverage may become important.
New York auto insurance policies generally include uninsured motorist coverage for bodily injuries caused by an uninsured vehicle. This coverage may also apply in certain hit-and-run accidents, depending on the circumstances and applicable requirements.
Insurance policies can have important notice and claim requirements, so acting promptly can help protect your rights. Keep records of your injuries, medical treatment, lost income, and other losses while your claim is being handled.
Contact the New York City Car Accident Attorneys at Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Finding insurance coverage after a New York City accident can become difficult when a driver refuses to cooperate, provides incomplete information, or does not have insurance.
Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers can investigate available coverage and explain your options for seeking compensation after a crash. Contact our New York City car accident lawyers today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help with your claim.
We have three convenient locations around Manhattan, NY, near you in New York City, The Bronx, and Brooklyn.
Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
100 Wall St 24th Floor, New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007
Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers – Bronx Office
1578 Williamsbridge Rd suite 3b, Bronx, NY 10461
(212) 514-5007
(917) 905-2339
Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
32 Court St #704, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(212) 514-5007
(917) 920-7332
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