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genuine-badger-329

Other driver is texting me asking for my insurance info — do I have to give it to him?

So this happened about a week ago. I was rear-ended at a red light, cops came out, we both showed our insurance cards to the officer and everything got written into the report. Pretty standard stuff, or so I thought.

Now the other driver keeps texting me directly asking me to send him a photo of my insurance card. Says he "needs it to file his claim." I haven't responded yet because something about it feels off to me. The info is already on the police report — why does he need it straight from me?

I already called my insurance the day of the accident and opened a claim. My adjuster said they'd handle things from their end. I'm also a little sketched out because I don't know what this guy plans to do with a photo of my actual card.

My gut says I should just point him to the police report and let the insurance companies talk to each other, but I don't want to seem uncooperative or give him any reason to say I was being difficult.

Has anyone dealt with this? Do I actually have a legal obligation to hand over my card directly to the other driver after the fact, or is it enough that the info is already documented with the police? Just want to make sure I'm not accidentally making things worse for myself here.

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    curious-newt-168

    Went through almost the exact same thing last year. The police report has your carrier name and policy number on it — that's literally all the other driver needs to open a claim against you. I just told the guy to pull it from the report and never heard about it again. You don't need to send him anything directly.

    • 0
      brave-newt-958

      Former adjuster here. When there's a police report, we always pulled the third-party insurance info straight from there. A claimant coming to us with a photo someone texted them actually raises more questions than it answers internally — we'd still verify it ourselves. The other driver's insurance already has everything they need or will get it. His texting you feels more like pressure than necessity.

  • 0
    genuine-tern-845

    Don't send him a photo of your insurance card. Full stop. The report has the info. Sending a photo of the physical card just hands him extra personal data he doesn't need. Tell him to request a copy of the police report if he somehow doesn't have the info yet.

  • 0
    calm-sparrow-684

    I'd be cautious here. Sometimes the other party tries to get your info directly so they can pursue things outside the normal claims process or so they have it before they've even figured out how they want to play this. Let the insurance companies handle it — that's literally what you pay premiums for. Don't feel pressured just because someone is blowing up your phone.

    • 0
      calm-fox-643

      Honestly I'd just stop engaging with him directly altogether. You already opened a claim, right? Let your insurance handle him. That's what they're there for and it keeps you from accidentally saying something that could be twisted later.

  • 0
    bright-crow-475

    Generally speaking, your obligation to exchange insurance info is typically satisfied at the scene — and in your case it was handled by law enforcement, which is even more formal and documented. There's usually no ongoing legal duty to re-provide that information on demand afterward. That said, laws vary by state, so if you're uncertain, a quick free consult with an attorney wouldn't hurt. Either way, pointing him to the police report is a completely reasonable response.

  • 0
    sharp-tern-909

    Not legal advice, but in most states exchanging insurance at the scene — especially when police document it — satisfies your obligation. You're not generally required to keep providing it on demand after the fact. I'd recommend routing all further communication through your insurer and letting them engage with the other party. If he has a legitimate claim, his carrier will sort it out with yours.

  • 0
    patient-lynx-357

    Quick question — are you sure it's actually the other driver texting you and not someone else? Like, did you save his number from the scene? I only ask because there are scams where someone gets your plate, finds out there was an accident, and tries to fish for info pretending to be involved. Might be worth confirming before you reply at all.