Determine insurance from the number plate: Your guide to swift claims settlement
26.05.25
10
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
An accident has happened, and you have the other party’s vehicle registration number – but how do you find out which insurer they are with? This article shows you step by step how to obtain the necessary information and what to bear in mind. This way, you can get to your rights and compensation more quickly.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The Central Office of Motor Insurers (0800 250 260 0) identifies the other party’s motor liability insurer free of charge using the registration number, the date of the accident and the country in which the accident occurred.
For enquiries to the central hotline, you will need the other party’s registration number, the date of the claim, and the country where the accident occurred; for accidents abroad, you will also need the country of origin of the other vehicle.
The information provided by the central hotline includes the name and contact details of the other party’s insurer; the call does not replace the actual claim notification.
Quick facts: find insurance by number plate
The Central Service for Motor Insurers is your first point of contact after an accident. It helps identify the other party’s motor third-party liability insurer using the vehicle registration number. Every year, the Central Service handles around 1.3 million accident enquiries. The information is generally free of charge for accident victims. You only need three key pieces of information for a successful enquiry. This service is available 365 days a year. Knowing these facts significantly speeds up the claims settlement process. Next, we look at the exact process in practice.
Practical guide: identifying the other party’s insurer
To identify the other party’s insurer, contact the central call service for motor insurers. This can be done by phone on 0800 250 260 0 (free from Germany) or online. Have at least three important pieces of information ready: the other driver’s registration number, the date of the accident and the country where it happened. In the case of accidents abroad, the country of origin of the other vehicle is also required. Telephone information is often provided within a few minutes. Online enquiries or cases with an international connection can take up to 24 hours. It is important that only those involved in the accident, or their representatives, have a legitimate interest in the information. A call to the central service does not replace the actual claim notification to the insurer. It serves solely to identify the responsible insurer. If the other driver does not disclose any details, the police can be called in. They can assist in establishing the personal details. The information obtained in this way then makes it possible to enquire via the central service. Knowing these steps is crucial to remaining able to act after an accident. Now for the details of exactly which data you will receive and what to do in the event of a hit-and-run.
Get information: this data is provided by the central enquiry service
After a successful enquiry to the Zentralruf, you will receive specific information. This includes the name and contact details of the other party’s motor liability insurer. In the case of foreign claims, the responsible claims settlement representative in Germany will also be named. This information enables you to assert your claims directly with the correct party. The Zentralruf forwards your enquiry to the identified insurer, which should then contact you. Please note that the Zentralruf itself does not handle claims settlement. It acts as an intermediary with a success rate of over 95 per cent in providing prompt information. The following details are often helpful for complete processing, but are not always strictly required at the outset:
Your own official vehicle registration number
Name and address of the driver and owner of the other vehicle (if known)
Brief description of the accident
Exact time of the accident
These additional details can speed up processing by the insurer. Next, we look at the specific situation of hit-and-run.
Special case: hit and run — still identify the insurer?
Even in the event of a hit-and-run, it is possible to identify the insurer, provided you were able to note down the registration plate. Report the incident to the police immediately; this is an important first step. With the registration plate, you can then, as usual, submit an enquiry to the central call centre for motor insurers. In parallel, the police will try to identify the fleeing driver. The success rate in identifying the owner via the registration plate is very high. In Germany, thousands of hit-and-run cases are dealt with by the police every year. If the driver cannot be identified or the vehicle is not insured, the traffic victims' assistance scheme may step in under certain circumstances. Always document the damage and any possible witness statements carefully. This is particularly relevant in hit-and-run cases for your own comprehensive insurance or the traffic victims' assistance scheme. We will explore the legal basis and expert tips in more depth in the next section.
Expert knowledge: Legal foundations and data protection
Identifying the other party’s insurer via the number plate is based on clear legal provisions. The Central Call Service's duty to provide information is anchored in § 8a of the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG). This ensures that accident victims can assert their claims. Data protection plays an important role here. The processing of personal data takes place in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Insurers have also adopted codes of conduct that specify how data is handled. Our expert tip: Always note the exact time of the call to the Central Call Service and the name of the staff member. This can be helpful if there are any follow-up questions. Data transmission is purpose-bound and limited to the specific claim. Only the data necessary to process the claim are passed on. The General Conditions for Motor Insurance (AKB) also regulate policyholders' obligations. A breach of the reporting obligations can have unpleasant consequences. Armed with this knowledge, you are well prepared. Finally, we summarise the key recommendations for action.
Recommendations for action and your next step
After an accident, acting quickly and correctly is crucial. Here are the key steps to help you identify the other party’s insurer:
Secure the scene of the accident and provide first aid if necessary. Always call 112 if anyone is injured.
Make a note of the other party’s licence plate, even in the event of a hit-and-run.
Exchange details with the other party if possible.
Contact the Central Call Centre of the German Motor Insurers on 0800 250 260 0 or online.
Have the licence plate, date of the accident and country of the accident ready.
Report the claim once you have received the details of the other party’s insurer.
Document everything carefully (photos, notes, accident report).
Our expert tip: Use the European Accident Report to record all relevant facts in a structured way. This makes later handling with the insurers much easier. Good preparation and knowledge of the process can save you a lot of time and stress in an emergency. If you need support choosing the right cover or handling a claim, we will be happy to help.
More useful links
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) provides detailed statistics on vehicle stock in Germany, which are relevant for analyses and planning.
On the website of the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), you will find up-to-date press releases on vehicle stock that provide insights into the latest developments.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) provides interactive access to vehicle data and comprehensive statistics via its statistics portal.
FAQ
What information do I absolutely need for a request to the Central Call Service?
You need at least the other party’s number plate, the date of the accident and the country in which the accident occurred. For accidents abroad, the country of origin of the other vehicle must also be provided.
Does calling the central hotline replace the claim notification to the insurer?
No, the central service merely identifies the responsible opposing insurer. You must then submit the actual claim notification yourself to that insurer or via your representative.
What happens if the other party in the accident does not disclose their details?
In this case, you should call the police. They can establish the other party’s personal details. With the registration number, you can then contact the central hotline.
Does the central call centre also help with accidents involving foreign vehicles?
Yes, the central call service also identifies the responsible insurer or its claims settlement representative in Germany in the event of accidents involving vehicles from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.
Is the enquiry via the central call service compliant with data protection regulations?
Yes, data processing is carried out on the basis of legal provisions (e.g. § 8a PflVG) and in compliance with the GDPR. Only authorised persons (parties involved in the accident) receive information for the purpose of claims settlement.
What is the "European Accident Report" and why is it useful?
The European Accident Report is a standardised form that helps to record accident details bilingually and in a structured way. It makes claims handling easier, especially in accidents involving foreign parties, as it exists in an identical format in many languages.
