Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Detailed Answer
When you need to identify the at-fault driver’s insurer in Vermont, start by obtaining the official police crash report. Under Vermont law, law enforcement agencies must collect insurance information from each driver at the scene. This report will normally list the name of the insurer and policy number for the at-fault driver. You can request the crash report from the investigating agency or county sheriff’s office according to 23 V.S.A. § 1121 (23 V.S.A. § 1121).
If the police report lacks clear information—or if you need additional confirmation—you can contact the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Under the financial responsibility statutes, every Vermont-registered driver must file proof of insurance with the DMV. You can submit a public records request for proof-of-insurance filings under 23 V.S.A. § 805 (23 V.S.A. § 805).
Another option arises if you file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. During the civil discovery process, you can serve interrogatories or requests for production on that driver to obtain the insurer’s name and policy details. You can also serve a subpoena on the insurance company once you know its identity to request the policy declarations or coverage limits.
Lastly, if you have the vehicle’s VIN, some third-party services aggregate insurance data, but their records may not always be complete or up to date. Use these privately compiled reports only as a supplement to the official crash report and DMV filings.
Helpful Hints
- Order the crash report promptly so you capture insurance data before reports are purged.
- Include the crash report number and date when contacting law enforcement or DMV.
- Review the insurer’s policy declarations to confirm that coverage was active on the accident date.
- If you suspect the driver was uninsured or self-insured, check with the Vermont DMV for a certificate of self-insurance.
- Keep copies of all correspondence and document the date you submitted records requests.