Can insurance companies see old claims?

Asked by: Virgil Franecki  |  Last update: January 12, 2026
Score: 5/5 (20 votes)

Insurance companies look at a property's past claims and use that as a factor in deciding how much you'll pay for homeowners insurance. They get this data from the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE). You can, too.

Do insurance companies see past claims?

Yes. There are specialty consumer reporting agencies that collect and report information about the insurance claims you have made on your property and casualty insurance policies, such as your homeowners and auto policies.

Can insurance companies see if you've had an accident?

Insurance companies can see pretty much everything related to your driving history on your driving record. This includes accidents, all traffic violations such as speeding tickets or crossing red lights, DUIs/DWIs, and more.

Are insurance claims discoverable?

The California Supreme Court opened the door to the discovery of other claim files in Colonial Life & Accident Co. v. Superior Court. (9) There, the insured sought the names ofother insureds whose claims were assigned to a particular adjuster to look for a pattern in the way the claims were handled.

How long do insurance claims stay on record?

For minor accidents, the record retention period typically spans three years from the date of the accident. Notably, if you were not deemed at fault, it is illegal for insurance companies to increase your premiums in California.

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How far back can insurance claims go?

The answer varies depending on the state. In California, the retention period can be anywhere from two to ten years, depending on the type of procedure or healthcare provider. However, an insurance claim medical report should only look as far back as the injury in question.

Is there an insurance claim database?

Most home and car insurance companies regularly submit claims information to the CLUE database, which is maintained by LexisNexis. For instance, when a homeowner files an insurance claim for an incident like fire damage or criminal activity, most insurance reports are entered into the CLUE database.

Can insurance find out about claims?

Insurers use the CUE database to check if any incidents have occurred with different vehicles so if you fail to tell your insurer, they can usually find out anyway. The price will usually rise at renewal, or when you're buying a new policy, rather than at the moment you make a claim.

Are insurance claims confidential?

In every state, the federal HIPAA Privacy Rule requires health care providers and health insurers to protect patients' privacy. The rule includes two special protections that restrict disclosure of protected health infor- mation (PHI) and provide for confidential communications.

Can insurance companies see your history?

An insurer can only access your medical records if you give your permission for them to do so. If you agree to let them go through your medical history, they'll contact your doctor and will look at your records over the last five to ten years.

How far back does insurance look?

You typically won't be charged for anything that happened beyond three years ago, however, insurance companies will still pull five years of driving history from your Motor Vehicle Report (MVR).

What information do insurance companies have access to?

Insurance companies need specific details to assess your injury claim accurately. They can't access your entire medical history, but they can request records directly related to your case including: Treatment Histories: Details of the medical care you have received for the injury.

How do I remove an accident from my insurance record?

While some insurance companies will offer a promotional program called "accident forgiveness" in situations where drivers are not found at fault, you cannot remove an accident occurred from a driving record. Your driving abstract is not like a criminal record that can be sealed or expunged.

Does claim history affect insurance?

Yes, a comprehensive claim might increase your rate, depending on your insurer and state. Comprehensive claims include non-collision events like car theft, car vandalism, car fire, chipped/cracked windshield, hitting an animal, and acts of nature.

How does insurance verify claims?

Insurance claims investigations rely on evidence, interviews, and records to conclude whether a claim is legitimate or illegitimate. There are several types of insurance investigations depending on the claim being made.

How long do accidents stay on your record?

In the state of California, most vehicle accidents will stay on your record for around 3 years. However, more serious traffic violations will follow you for longer. For example, a DUI conviction will stay on your record for 10 years.

Do insurance companies share claims history?

Every insurer scopes out your recent claims history as well as the claims history for the home when you switch insurance companies or purchase a new policy. This helps them price your policy. You should note, however, that not every insurer looks through your entire claims history.

Are insurance claims files discoverable?

California Courts have recognized for years that insurance claims manuals are discoverable and admissible at trial. (See, e.g., Glenfed Development Corp v. Superior Court (1997) 53 Cal.

Can your company see your insurance claims?

The short answer is generally no. In most cases, your employer cannot view the specific details of your health insurance claims.

How many claims are too many for car insurance?

Every insurance company sets its own benchmark for triggering a cancellation, but it is more likely that you'll face cancellation or non-renewal if you've made three or more claims within a three-year period. Most cancellations occur within the first 60 days of a policy, usually due to non-compliance.

What to do if someone falsely claims you hit their car?

Report the Incident

You don't want them to hear from the other party first. Be detailed: Provide them with all the information you've gathered—photos, videos, witness names, and details about the incident. Ask for advice: Your insurance company will guide you on how to proceed and whether further action is needed.

How long do insurance companies keep records?

As a general matter, seven years is usually sufficient for insurance agencies to maintain client records–that is, seven years after the policy ends or claims can no longer be filed.

Can insurance companies check claims?

More and more insurers are checking claims on CUE when you buy a policy. It is therefore likely that they will also check your claims history when you buy a policy or if you make a claim.

How long do claims stay on Clue?

No other sources of data, such as credit reports, criminal records, civil lawsuits, or legal judgments are incorporated into C.L.U.E. reports. How long is loss history kept in the C.L.U.E. database? The database contains up to seven years of personal property claims history.

Can you look up past insurance claims?

The extensive database contains information about all the claims you've made in the past seven years and claims that were filed on the property even before you lived there. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, you can get free copies of reports from many of the specialty consumer reporting agencies.