Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a Connecticut attorney for guidance.
Detailed Answer
When you need to find out which insurer covered the at-fault driver in a Connecticut motor vehicle accident, follow these steps:
1. Review the police or DMV crash report
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-109, law enforcement agencies must file a written crash report with the Department of Motor Vehicles within 72 hours of certain collisions. That report typically includes each driver’s insurance company and policy number. You can request a copy of the report from:
- Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles: portal.ct.gov/DMV
- Local police department or Connecticut State Police
2. Check your own insurance correspondence
If you reported the accident to your insurer, they likely conducted a subrogation investigation. Subrogation allows your insurance company to identify the at-fault driver’s insurer using the vehicle identification number (VIN) and industry databases. Ask your claims adjuster for the at-fault insurer’s name and contact information.
3. Contact the at-fault driver directly
If the driver provided an insurance card at the scene, you can call the company using that phone number. Connecticut law (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-112) requires every driver to carry proof of liability insurance and to present it upon request by a party involved in an accident.
4. Use the Connecticut Insurance Department resources
If you have a policy number but not the insurer’s name, you can contact the Connecticut Insurance Department at portal.ct.gov/cid. They can confirm whether an insurer is licensed in Connecticut and may help you find a contact.
5. File a discovery request in an injury lawsuit
If you have filed a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, you can use formal discovery under the Connecticut Practice Book to compel the driver to disclose their insurance policy information.
Helpful Hints
- Act quickly. Insurance policies can be canceled, and records may get harder to access over time.
- Keep detailed notes from the accident scene, including names and badge numbers of responding officers.
- Obtain written confirmation of the insurance details you receive, such as a declaration page or letter from the insurer.
- Verify policy limits and effective dates to ensure coverage was in force at the accident time.
- Consider hiring an attorney to handle discovery and communication with insurance companies.