Car insurance guide: Your pathway to quick identification
13 May 2025
12
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
Had an accident and need to find out the other party's car insurance? Or do you want to know more about the insurance history when buying a used car? This guide will show you the necessary steps and your rights.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The central call point for car insurers (0800 250 260 0) is the main contact for determining the opposing motor liability insurance after an accident.
For an inquiry at the Central Call, you need the license plate of the other party involved in the accident, the date of the damage, and the country where the accident occurred.
For data protection reasons, obtaining vehicle insurance data outside of a specific claims case is only very limited.
Why determining car insurance is crucial
Knowledge of the correct car insurance is essential in several situations. For example, after a traffic accident, the liability insurance of the person responsible for the accident is your first point of contact for settling the damage to your vehicle. Without this information, the claims process can be delayed by weeks. Even when purchasing a used car, prior insurance information can be useful for better assessing the damage-free class, even if it is not directly transferred. Quick identification of the insurance can thus save you time and considerable costs. In Germany, there is a legal obligation to take out car liability insurance for every registered vehicle.
This compulsory insurance ensures that accident victims aren't left with their costs. Annually, around 1.3 million inquiries are handled by the central call of car insurers, highlighting the relevance of this information point. Failure to determine or incorrect information can lead to significant financial disadvantages. Therefore, it is important to know the correct ways to obtain information.
Central Call of the Motor Insurers: Your first contact after an accident
The Central Hotline for Car Insurers is the official contact point in Germany to identify the opponent's motor third party liability insurance after an accident. This service is operated by the German Insurance Association (GDV) and is free of charge for accident victims. You can reach the central hotline 24/7, 365 days a year. For calls from Germany, the service number is 0800 250 260 0. From abroad, the central hotline can be reached at +49 40 300 330 300 (Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm).
To receive information, you usually only need three details: the license plate of the opponent's vehicle, the date of damage, and the country of the accident. When making a phone inquiry, you usually receive the information within a few minutes. An online inquiry is also possible via the central hotline's website; here processing can take up to 24 hours. It is important that only persons with a legitimate interest, such as those involved in the accident or their representatives, receive information. Misuse of this service can have legal consequences. The central hotline also assists with accidents involving vehicles insured in European countries. Knowledge of the General Terms and Conditions for Motor Insurance can additionally be beneficial here.
The following information is required for an inquiry at the central hotline:
License plate of the opposing party
Date of damage
Country of accident
For foreign damage: Country of origin of the opponent's vehicle
These precise details enable a quick allocation and provision of information by the central hotline.
Further Ways to Identify Insurance and Their Limits
Besides the central call system, there is theoretically the possibility to ask the previous owner of a vehicle directly about their car insurance. This is particularly relevant when buying a used car if you want information about the damage history or the previous insurance history. However, the previous owner is not obliged to provide you with this information. Data protection reasons play a crucial role in this.
A direct inquiry with insurance companies without a specific damage event and without the policyholder's consent is also not promising. Insurers are subject to strict data protection regulations and are not allowed to release their customers' data without further ado. The insurance number for vehicle registration (eVB number) serves as proof of insurance coverage for the registration office, but does not provide any information about the specific insurer of another vehicle. So if you want to find out the insurance of a vehicle outside of an accident situation, the options are very limited. The focus is clearly on claims settlement after an accident. Information about the vehicle's type class is publicly accessible, but not the individual insurance.
Case Studies: When and How You Need to Determine Car Insurance
The most common situation where you need to find out the opposing car insurance is after a traffic accident. Swift action is required here to be able to assert your compensation claims. Make sure you note down the license plate of the party responsible, the date, and location of the accident. With this information, you can, as described, contact the central call of car insurers. Another instance is purchasing a used car. Although you cannot directly view the policy of the previous owner, asking about previous damage and its settlement can provide insight. A trustworthy seller will usually provide information about this.
Investigating a hit-and-run situation is more difficult. However, if you have been able to note the license plate or parts of it, the central call is also an option here. The police will also begin investigations in such cases. It is advisable to be aware of the costs of car insurance to optimally arrange your own protection. Identifying the opposing insurance is the first step in the claim settlement and can significantly accelerate the process.
Situations in which finding out the car insurance is necessary:
Immediately after a traffic accident for claim settlement.
When purchasing a used car to assess the vehicle's history (limited possibility).
In the case of parking damage with a known perpetrator's license plate.
In the event of a hit-and-run, provided the license plate (even partially) is known.
To clarify liability issues when using car-sharing vehicles (here, special regulations often apply).
These examples illustrate the importance of knowing the right points of contact.
Expert Knowledge: Legal Fundamentals and Data Protection Aspects
The determination of car insurance through the Central Call for Insurers is legally grounded. The basis for this is Paragraph 8a of the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG). This law legitimises the Central Call as an information centre. Data processing is conducted in accordance with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It is ensured that only authorised individuals, such as accident victims or their representatives (e.g. lawyers, repair shops), receive information.
Our expert tip: Always document the course of the accident and the resulting damages carefully, ideally with photos and an accident report. This not only facilitates the request to the Central Call but also the subsequent claims settlement with the identified insurance company. Knowledge of the no-claims bonus classes is relevant for your own insurance but initially plays no role in identifying the opposing insurance company. Data protection is of utmost importance; therefore, obtaining information about a vehicle’s insurance without a valid reason, such as an accident, is not possible. The inquiry serves solely to initiate claims settlement.
After the Investigation: The Next Steps for Claim Settlement
Once you have received the name and contact details of the opposing party's motor liability insurance through the Central Call, you should contact them immediately to report the damage. The insurance company will then send you the necessary forms or explain the further procedure. It is important to adhere to all deadlines. As a rule, you should report the damage within a week. In the case of more complex damages or if liability is unclear, it may be sensible to involve an independent motor vehicle expert and possibly a lawyer. In cases of accidents where you are not at fault, the opposing insurance company is generally required to cover these costs, at least up to a certain damage amount.
Note that reporting to the Central Call does not constitute an official claim with the insurance company. It merely serves to identify the responsible insurer. Also clarify whether there are differences if the vehicle owner and policyholder are different. Prompt and complete communication with the insurance company accelerates the settlement process. Remember that the premium rate of the other driver's car insurance is irrelevant to your settlement.
Checklist for contacting the opposing insurance company:
Name and address of the policyholder (if known)
Registration number of the opponent's vehicle
Insurance number (if provided by the Central Call)
Date and time of the accident
Precise accident description
Photos of the accident scene and damages
Contact details of witnesses (if available)
Cost estimate or expert report (if already available)
These documents assist the insurance company in processing your case quickly.
Make use of support through digital insurance portals
Digital insurance portals like nextsure do not offer direct identification of other car insurances, but they can provide valuable support throughout the process regarding your own car insurance. For instance, after an accident, you can quickly view your own contract details or receive assistance in choosing a new, suitable fully comprehensive insurance. Many portals also offer guides and information on correct behaviour in case of damage. Using such platforms can help you stay organised and manage your own insurance matters efficiently.
Even when it comes to understanding insurance terms or optimising your own protection, digital offerings are a great help. At nextsure, we place importance on offering you transparent information and tailor-made solutions. This way, you are not only well-prepared in the event of a claim but also in the prevention and administration of your policies. However, the possibility to determine the insurance via a license plate is reserved for specialised agencies like the central call service.
Conclusion: Well-informed about the right car insurance
More useful links
Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) provides statistics on new vehicle registrations in Germany.
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) supplies tables on new vehicle registrations.
Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) offers statistics on the German insurance industry, particularly on the development of motor vehicle liability insurance.
Consumer Centre informs about the obligation for all vehicle owners to have car insurance.
FAQ
Which entity can help me find the opposing car insurance?
The Central Call of Motor Insurers is the official point of contact in Germany. You can reach them by phone at 0800 250 260 0 or online.
How long does it take to receive information from the Central Call?
You will usually receive information by phone within a few minutes. For an online inquiry, it may take up to 24 hours.
Can anyone inquire about someone else's car insurance?
No, only individuals with a legitimate interest, such as those involved in an accident or their representatives (e.g., lawyers, workshops), are allowed to make a request. Abuse is punishable by law.
What do I do after I have identified the opposing insurance?
Contact the identified insurance company immediately to report the damage and coordinate further action. The report to the central hotline is not a damage report.
Does the central call service also assist with accidents abroad?
Yes, the central call also identifies the responsible insurance company or claims representative in Germany for vehicles insured in the European Economic Area or Switzerland.
What role does data protection play in determining car insurance?
Data protection is very important. The Central Call Office operates in accordance with GDPR and § 8a PflVG. Information is only provided when there is a legitimate interest, primarily for handling claims after accidents.
