The person's car was barely "brushed" not a scratch. He insisted on taking photos of our insurance proof, our vehicle plate#, the two autos as to the damage. Then he asked my husband for a photo of his driver's license. My husband refused.
He has filed a claim for this ridiculously small brush and my question: is it legal for him to request a photo of my husband's driver license?

Sure why not, it's good proof of identity.

THe other driver is legally entitled to all of the identifying information on the license... most people just write it down. If I was the other driver and he did not let me even see it... the first thing I would be doing is calling the police... I'd still get the information from them, because he would be handing it over to them.. The person driving the car isn't always the one who has the insurance on it. And if the insurance was found to be expired or the car stolen (yes some foolish people keep their insurance card and registration in their vehicle), they would know who to go after.

Fact is if your car hit their car... they are entitled to repairs for the damage... no matter how small they might seem to you. Its damage their car did not have previously.

You could take photos as well and give them to your insurance carrier explaining your side of things so they have a better idea of events. YOu did do that I hope.

Last accident I was in where an absent minded woman puttle out from her stop sign and hit me as I was driving by (I didn't have a stop sign) I took pictures of everything and sent them to my adjuster (as well as hers) in case she tried to claim otherwise. Even though it was her insurance that was required to pay in the end.

And many times there can be hidden damage thats not obvious at a casual glance depending on the exact circumstances of how the vehicles contacted.

... (yes some foolish people keep their insurance card and registration in their vehicle) ...

Foolish? It's the law. How do you figure it is foolish?

Since this is the electronic age, it is not uncommon to take pics of insurance, tags, licenses, etc. As long as the social security number is not on the license it should be okay.

Here is the checklist that GEICO advises when in an accident: https://www.geico.com/claims/claimsprocess/after-an-accident/
While it doesn't specifically mention Drivers License, it does say ID. With cell phone cameras as common as they are now, I think the other driver was smart to take photos of the IDs instead of writing it down. On the other hand, I can understand why, with Identity Theft as rampant as it is, you didn't want a photo of the license made. But you did need to provide proof that you are the person mentioned on the insurance.

Since you don't mention what state you are in, I'm not sure whether there is a legal requirement or not.

Foolish? It's the law. How do you figure it is foolish?

Its not the law to keep it in your car... the law is for the driver to have it on their person. Two very different things. In Europe you have a clear window holder where you have to keep the insurance information on the windshield but I'm not in Europe.

If your car is stolen...the thief will have your registration, name and home address....along with all your insurance information. Most of the time they claim they forgot their wallet or purse and if the car isn't reported stolen yet....they will be sent on their merry way. In fact I've been pulled over to be warned about a burned out tail light...had forgetten my wallet, but the information I gave verbally checked out and was sent away with a verbal warning for the defective bulb.

All the police I've known my entire life have said not to keep them in your car, but in your wallet or purse for that very reason. And I'm 53.

Registration should be kept on your person. But I believe, at least in NYS you are required to keep your insurance card in the vehicle.