Does insurance claim verification look at the VIN or license plate?
3 Answers
Insurance claim verification checks both the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and license plate. The related introduction of vehicle maintenance records helps you understand whether your vehicle needs servicing, as well as the maintenance and repair records at 4S shops. It allows you to query records such as maintenance history, repair history, mileage, recall records, accident records, whether the vehicle has been flooded or burned, and other details. The query scope covers any 4S shop nationwide, excluding repair shops, and all records can be checked. The compulsory insurance policy will state the license plate number, VIN (vehicle identification code), and engine number, all of which are relevant to these three identifiers. Every vehicle has a unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is equivalent to a person's ID card and is not duplicated. Car insurance premiums are calculated based on the VIN to determine the vehicle's purchase price and purchase time. Vehicle condition information is reflected in three dimensions: accident data, maintenance data, and usage data. Car insurance claim process: accident occurrence, reporting, inspection, damage assessment, price verification, loss verification, claim verification, and payment. Accident occurrence: Provide insurance documents, present the vehicle registration and driver's license, present the policyholder's ID card, present the insurance policy, fill out the accident report form, and detail the accident circumstances. Reporting: Generally, insurance companies require reporting within 48 hours of the incident. Inspection and damage assessment: Inspectors complete on-site inspection and examination within one working day after receiving notice from the insurance company's internal staff. Receipt and review of claim documents: The business department and internal staff of each insurance branch review the claim documents submitted by the client, organize the claim documents and stored materials, and submit them to the property insurance department's claim verification section. Calculation and review: The claim verification section's staff reviews the materials submitted by the internal staff upon receipt. For documents with complete procedures, they sign for receipt on the handover log. All claims must be calculated within three working days and submitted to the claim verification section's supervisor for review. Approval: Claims within the authority of the property insurance department are submitted to the manager in charge of claims for approval. Claims beyond the department's authority are reported level by level. Settlement and case closure: The claim verification section's staff assigns a number to the claim that has completed the approval process, submits the payment receipt and calculation sheet to the finance department for payment. After the finance department confirms the payment, all documents except the red copies of the payment receipt and calculation sheet are retrieved.
I've been driving for many years and often help friends with their car insurance matters. When it comes to claims, insurance companies mainly look at the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) because that thing is the vehicle's unique ID, engraved under the windshield or on the door frame, and never changes—no worries about theft or license plate swaps. Of course, they also note the license plate, but it's just a registration identifier that can expire or be forged. For example, last time I helped a neighbor with a rear-end collision, the insurance company directly asked for the VIN instead of the license plate, to check the vehicle's history like accident frequency or repair costs. I suggest you take a quick glance at the VIN location every time you get in the car, snap a photo with your phone and save it. In case of an accident, don’t panic—just give the VIN to the claims adjuster first, which can also avoid delays in paperwork—safe and hassle-free. Remember, the VIN and license plate are both printed on the insurance policy, so keeping a copy is always a good idea.
Last year, I had a minor scrape and was quite anxious while waiting for the claims adjuster's call. The first thing they asked for was the VIN, not the license plate. I was puzzled—why? They explained that the VIN is as reliable as steel, unlike a license plate which becomes invalid when you change cars, making it impossible to detect if someone else misuses it. Since then, I've learned my lesson: every time I wash my car, I check the VIN on the insurance card for quick reference. License plates are mostly just auxiliary for locating registration status; real identity verification relies on the VIN. Now, before getting in the car, I make it a habit to keep the vehicle manual handy, which clearly shows the VIN location. This makes claims much smoother—even without the license plate, it’s no problem. Learning this simple tip is really useful for car owners in critical moments.
