Hello everyone,
I sold my car in early 2024 and hadn’t used it since 2023. When I cleaned it out before selling it, I may have accidentally left an old insurance card inside.
The person I sold the car to didn’t register it until 2025. In late 2025, they were involved in an accident and committed fraud by using my insurance card as if it were theirs, even though they were never on my policy and the car was not insured under my name at that time.
I only found out about the accident because my insurance company contacted me. I told them the car was sold in 2024, the vehicle was no longer insured by me, and the driver was not on my policy. I filed a Release of Liability, and the DMV has confirmed the car is no longer registered in my name.
Despite this, I’m now getting demand letters and calls from the other party involved in the accident. I tried calling their lawyer, but they were extremely unhelpful and rude. I don’t have any current information on the person I sold the car to since the sale happened in early 2024.
I’m getting overwhelmed and frustrated by the constant calls and mail for an accident I had nothing to do with, and I’m not sure how to go about handling this.
Someone I sold my car to used my insurance info in a car accident
byu/morval1310 inInsurance
Posted by morval1310
3 Comments
Write a letter to the lawyer who’s harassing you explaining the situation and send it certified mail with a return receipt. Include a copy of the release of liability and the bill of sale if you have it. Stop with the phone calls that don’t do anything.
How did who ever they shared the card with not see it was expired? I’m with State Farm and it seems like every time I turn around my wife is giving me a new insurance card.
This won’t help in your current situation but I’ll put it here for you and anyone else.
If there’s a notice of ownership transfer to file with your state, do it ASAP. Clean out your vehicle and remove any toll tags. If your state allows you to remove the plates, then do it every time; no exceptions.
I have a few general recommendations when selling a vehicle. Personally, anyone unwilling to complete these steps doesn’t get to buy my vehicle. I recommend you get (and keep in your records indefinitely) the following from the buyer:
* bill of sale signed & dated by both of you
* sign and date title (take a picture)
* picture of driver license
* picture of insurance (if available)
* phone number
* email address