Determine license plate insurance: your guide to quick claims settlement
26 May 2025
4
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
An accident has occurred, and you have the license plate of the other party involved – but how do you find out their insurance details? This article will guide you step-by-step on how to obtain the necessary information and what to keep in mind during the process. This way, you'll get to your rights and compensation more swiftly.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The central call for motor insurers (0800 250 260 0) identifies the opposing motor liability insurance free of charge based on the registration number, the day of the accident, and the country of the accident.
For the inquiry with the central call, you need the registration number of the accident opponent, the date of damage, and the country where the accident occurred; for foreign claims, also the country of origin of the opposing vehicle.
The information provided by the central call includes the name and contact details of the opposing insurance; the call does not replace the actual claim report.
Quick Facts: Find Insurance via License Plate
The central call for motor insurers is your first point of contact after an accident. It assists in identifying the opposing party’s motor liability insurance using the registration number. Annually, the central call handles around 1.3 million inquiries related to accidents. This information is generally free of charge for those affected by accidents. You only need three key pieces of information for a successful inquiry. This service is available 365 days a year. Knowing these facts significantly speeds up the claims settlement process. Next, we will examine the exact procedure in practice.
Practical Guide: Determine the Insurance of the Other Party Involved in the Accident
To identify the opposing insurance company, contact the Central Call of Auto Insurers. This can be done by phone at 0800 250 260 0 (toll-free from Germany) or online. Make sure you have at least three important pieces of information ready: the opposing party's license plate number, the accident date, and the country of the accident. For accidents abroad, the home country of the opposing vehicle is also required. Telephone inquiries often receive a response within minutes. Online inquiries or cases involving foreign elements can take up to 24 hours. It is important to note 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 damage report to the insurer. It merely serves to identify the responsible insurer. If the opposing party refuses to provide information, the police may be involved. They assist in establishing personal details. The information obtained in this way then allows for the inquiry to the central service. Knowing these steps is crucial to remain able to act after an accident. Now to the details, what exact information you receive and what to do in the case of a hit-and-run.
Request information: This data is provided by the Zentralruf
After a successful inquiry with the Central Call, you will receive specific information. This includes the name and contact details of the opposing vehicle's liability insurance. In the case of foreign claims, the responsible claims representative in Germany is also named. This information enables you to assert your claims directly with the right contact. The Central Call forwards your inquiry to the identified insurance, which should then get in touch with you. Please note that the Central Call itself does not handle claims settlement. It acts as an intermediary with a success rate of over 95 percent in providing quick information. The following data can often be helpful for a complete process, but is not always initially essential:
Your own official license plate number
Name and address of the driver and owner of the opposing vehicle (if known)
Brief description of the accident
Exact accident time
These additional details can expedite processing by the insurance. Next, we will examine the specific situation of a hit-and-run.
Special case hit-and-run: Should the insurance investigate anyway?
Even in the case of a hit-and-run, it is possible to identify the insurance, provided you were able to note the license plate number. Report the incident to the police immediately; this is an important first step. With the license plate, you can then make a request as usual to the central hotline of auto insurers. The police will simultaneously attempt to identify the fleeing driver. The success rate in identifying the owner via the license plate is very high. In Germany, thousands of hit-and-run cases are handled by the police every year. If the driver cannot be identified or the vehicle is not insured, the Road Accident Assistance 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 for road accident assistance. We will explore the legal foundations and expert tips in the next section.
Expert knowledge: Legal foundations and data protection
The determination of the opposing party's insurance via the license plate is based on clear legal regulations. The obligation to provide information by the central call 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 in this context. The processing of personal data is carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The insurers have also imposed codes of conduct that clarify the handling of data. Our expert tip: Always note the exact time of the call to the central call and the name of the employee. This can be helpful in case of any follow-up questions. The transmission of data is purpose-bound and restricted to the specific claim. Only the necessary data for claim processing is forwarded. The General Terms for Car Insurance (AKB) also regulate the obligations of the insured. A breach of the reporting duties can have unpleasant consequences. With this knowledge, you are well-prepared. Finally, we summarize the most important recommendations for action.
Recommended actions and your next step
After an accident, quick and correct action is crucial. Here are your essential steps to identify the opponent's insurance:
Secure the accident scene and provide first aid if needed. Always call 112 if there are injuries.
Note the license plate of the other driver, even in cases of hit-and-run.
Exchange information with the other driver if possible.
Contact the Central Call of Motor Insurers at 0800 250 260 0 or online.
Have the license plate, accident date, and country ready.
Report the damage after receiving the information on the opponent's insurance.
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 significantly facilitates later handling with the insurance companies. Good preparation and knowledge of the process can save you a lot of time and stress in serious cases. If you need assistance in choosing the right insurance coverage or in handling a claim, we are here to help.
More useful links
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) offers detailed statistics on the vehicle inventory in Germany, which are relevant for analysis and planning.
On the website of the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA), you can find the latest press releases on the vehicle inventory, providing insights into the latest developments.
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) provides interactive access to vehicle data and comprehensive statistics through its statistics portal.
FAQ
What data do I absolutely need for an inquiry at the central call?
You need at least the license plate of the opposing party, the date of the incident, and the country where the accident occurred. For accidents abroad, the country of origin of the opposing vehicle must also be provided.
Does calling the central hotline replace reporting the damage to the insurance company?
No, the Central Call Service only determines the responsible opposing insurance company. You must then report the actual claim yourself to this insurance company or through your representative.
What happens if the other party involved in the accident does not disclose their information?
In this situation, you should contact the police. They can determine the identity of the other party involved in the accident. With the registration number, you can then contact the central office.
Does the Central Call also help with accidents involving foreign vehicles?
Yes, the Central Call also identifies the responsible insurance company or their claims representative in Germany for accidents involving vehicles from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland.
Is the query to the central call line compliant with data protection regulations?
Yes, data processing is carried out based on legal regulations (e.g. § 8a PflVG) and in compliance with the GDPR. Only authorized individuals (those involved in the accident) are provided with information for the purpose of claims settlement.
What is the 'European Accident Statement' and why is it useful?
The European Accident Report is a standardized form that helps to record accident data in a bilingual and structured manner. It facilitates the handling of claims, especially in accidents involving foreign parties, as it exists in an identical format in many languages.
