Hit and run. Tracing the driver?

Hello again. I need help tracing a driver.

The story...I was riding my bike (push bike) when I was hit and knocked off by a Landrover. He had to stop which he didn't like. Police were called and they came very quickly. He was breathalysed but must have passed because he then drove off at speed.
He didn't give me any contact details. Police gave me his insurance details but refused to tell me anything else. They obtained these from their computer, not the driver.
Does his refusal to give me his details count as hit and run?

Then the fun starts. This was on a Saturday. I contacted his insurers on Monday who initially refused to talk to me. RSA said he had no policy with them. I went back to Police who told me he was with LV. I contacted LV who told me that cover was only taken out on Sunday, so they couldn't help. (I wonder if he told them about this incident?) I am left wondering why the immediate change of company.

I went back to RSA who eventually found the cancelled policy. Because this is not a car on car the claim is classed as "Special". They now won't tell me anything, they just waffle and stall.

The guy who hit me caused damage to my bike and gear - approx £1500 so not a vast fortune - which I would like to get back. My idea is to send him the bill and if he doesn't pay go via Small Claims Court. He remains liable even if his insurance won't pay out.

My question is can I find out his address form his registration number? I've heard that info can be obtained from DVLA but I've no idea how to go about this.

Can anyone give me guidance?

You can request driver details from the DVLA using form V888.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/661...

Thank you. That's the sort of info I am after.

Yes, print it off, complete option B and then stick it in the post with a cheque.

So did he have a valid insurance policy at the time of the accident?

If yes...I would have thought that you can, and are entitled to, make a claim against his insurance irresepective. Or in other words, his insurance is liable for you losses and is obliged to process that irresepctive of what he says or does.

Also, I would write to his insurance company with your claim and have them confirm receipt of this (assuming they are unhelpful on the phone).

If no... go to police that he was uninsured.

If you have the registration number you can try this form (Information you provide has to be accurate and costs £10) to find insurance policy number and provider

https://www.askmid.com/default.aspx?pg=f29b1fdc-45...

I have a police incident number. I "think" he has been sent on a driver awareness course, but plod won't tell me anything.
I am not a legal expert but as I understand things he remains liable. He legally has to have insurance. That doesn't mean that the insurance will be interested in my claim. He walked away from them the day after the incident. Why? The insurance are not talking to me - "We will get back to you" is all I can get from them. I have no relationship with his insurance. I suspect he won't tell them anything so they are kicking it into the long grass. He won't have told his new insurers so he gets away scot free.

I know this is an unusual way of doing things, but it has been done before and successfully.

He nearly killed me; if he had done so then he would have been on trial, not his insurance co. We all know that insurance won't pay out if they can avoid it.

He is liable for my losses.

Thanks. I have his insurance details but they are not interested.

For £1500??? Nobody is interested in this amount.

I think that you are wrong here. If he had valid insurance at the time of the accident, then the insurance company is legally liable for your losses and have a legal duty to process your claim, provide a claim reference, and pay out if it deems your claim valid.

I guess in the paperwork there is a clause that says that the insurer agrees to carry the liability and losses of the insured.

A reputable insurance comoany is not going to risk ther reputation by trying to mess you around, what the insurer wants is to see the full picture in clear writing with supporting information to make an informe decision.

so... write to the insurer with all your information, recorded delivery, and state that you want to make a claim against the insurer of AB 123 REG and that you want a claim number issued in writing to your address.

(***note I have no legal training, just my logical thoughts)