How to check another vehicle after an accident

If you've been in a road traffic accident, you may need to know whether the other vehicle is insured and, crucially, who insures it, so your own insurer can pursue a claim. This is exactly what a third-party enquiry is for. Unlike checking your own car, it's a paid service and it's strictly limited to genuine accident situations.

At the scene: what to collect first

The quality of your claim depends on the details you gather at the time. Before you do anything else, safely record:

• The other vehicle's registration number — the single most important detail.
• The date, time and location of the incident.
• The make, model and colour of the other vehicle.
• The other driver's name and contact details, if they'll share them.
• Photos of the scene, both vehicles, and any damage.
• Contact details of any witnesses.

The third-party enquiry, step by step

1. Confirm the vehicle detailsUse our free vehicle checker to confirm the registration matches the car and to see its MOT record.
2. Start the third-party enquiryGo to the third-party section of the askMID service and indicate that you're the injured party — not an insurer or broker.
3. Enter the incident detailsProvide the other vehicle's registration along with the date, time and location of the accident.
4. Pay the administration feeA small fee applies to a third-party enquiry. This covers the release of the insurer details.
5. Receive the insurer detailsThe service returns the insurer of the other vehicle, so your own insurer can contact them.
6. Pass everything to your insurerHand over the insurer details plus your scene notes and photos promptly — early, accurate information moves a claim along far faster.

What you'll get — and what you won't

A third-party enquiry is designed to return the insurer's identity for the vehicle involved, which is the piece your own insurer needs. It isn't a way to obtain the other person's private details directly, and it won't hand you policy documents. Your insurer handles the contact between the two parties from there.

What if the other vehicle is uninsured?

If the check shows the other vehicle has no valid insurance, you're not out of options. Claims involving uninsured (or untraced) drivers can be made through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), which exists specifically to compensate victims in these situations. Your own insurer can guide you through it. It's also a reminder of why cover matters so much — see the penalties for driving without insurance.

Before you drive again

After an incident, it's worth confirming your own cover is still active and correctly recorded, especially if anything about your policy changed. Our is my car insured? guide walks through a free personal check, and if your details aren't appearing, see insurance not showing on askMID.