Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
How to Determine Which Insurer Covered the At-Fault Driver in New Hampshire
1. Review the Police or Crash Report
After a collision, law enforcement or an involved party must file a crash report with the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles under RSA 263:29. That report often lists the at-fault driver’s vehicle information and their insurer at the time of the crash. You can request a copy of the report online or by mail:
- Online: New Hampshire DMV Crash Reports portal
- By mail: New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, Records Department
2. Contact Your Own Insurer
Your insurer maintains records of all claims and may identify the at-fault driver’s policy through subrogation or collision coverage. Insurers routinely verify liability coverage for claim-handling purposes. Provide your claim number and ask if they can confirm the other party’s insurer and policy period.
3. Request Records from the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles
Under RSA 263:29, only crash reports go to the DMV. However, if you need verification of valid insurance at the time of the accident, you can:
- File a written request with the DMV Records Department for insurance verification
- Provide the at-fault driver’s name, vehicle plate number, and accident date
4. Use Discovery in a Lawsuit
If you file a personal injury or property damage suit, New Hampshire Superior Court Civil Rule 26(a) requires disclosure of insurance agreements that may cover the liability. You can serve a request for production of insurance policies or include an interrogatory asking for insurer details. This method yields certified copies of declarations pages and policy periods.
5. Contact the New Hampshire Insurance Department
The New Hampshire Insurance Department can guide you on complaints or inquiries about an insurer’s status. While they won’t release private policyholder data, they can confirm if a named insurer was licensed in the state at the time of the crash.
By combining these steps—reviewing the crash report, working with your insurer, and using formal discovery—you can confirm which company insured Jane Doe when the accident occurred.
Helpful Hints
- Keep all accident-related paperwork organized: crash reports, medical bills, and repair estimates.
- Act promptly: DMV records requests and discovery in litigation have strict deadlines.
- Verify the at-fault driver’s full legal name and vehicle identification number (VIN) for accurate DMV searches.
- Consider hiring a personal injury attorney to handle complex discovery and subpoenas.
- Check your own policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage under RSA 265-A:9 in case the at-fault driver’s insurer denies coverage.