Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes and not legal advice.
Detailed Answer
Under Utah law, individuals can identify the insurer covering an at-fault driver through official records and legal procedures. Follow these steps to locate the insurer:
Step 1: Obtain the Official Police Crash Report
Request a certified copy of the crash report from the law enforcement agency that responded to the accident. Utah Code §41-6a-401(7)(a) mandates that these reports include insurance details provided by the driver.
Step 2: Review the Insurance Information on the Crash Report
The crash report should list the at-fault driver’s insurer name, policy number, and effective dates. Verify that the report reflects the date of the accident to ensure the coverage was active.
Step 3: Contact the Utah Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)
If the crash report lacks complete details, you can request a certificate of insurance from the Utah MVD. Under Utah Code §31A-22-305, the MVD maintains proof of financial responsibility filings.
Step 4: Issue Civil Interrogatories or a Subpoena
In a pending lawsuit, use civil discovery tools such as interrogatories or subpoenas to compel the at-fault driver or insurance companies to disclose policy details. Utah Rules of Civil Procedure allow these methods prior to trial.
Step 5: Submit a GRAMA Request for Government Records
If law enforcement or MVD records are incomplete, file a request under Utah’s Government Records Access and Management Act. See Utah Code §63G-2-203 for procedures on obtaining public records.
Step 6: Consult an Attorney if Records are Unavailable
If the above steps fail to identify the insurer, an attorney can file a motion to compel or use other legal remedies to access the necessary information.
Helpful Hints
- Keep copies of all requests and responses in writing.
- Confirm the effective policy dates overlap the accident date.
- Pay any required fees for copies of official records promptly.
- Check commercial databases that aggregate vehicle crash data.
- Act quickly—some records may have limited retention periods.