Can insurance companies see previous claims?

Asked by: Lamar Hauck  |  Last update: April 18, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (58 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.

Can insurance companies see your claim 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.

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.

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?

California law expressly provides for discovery of information about the evidence and contents of any insurance agreement under which a carrier may be liable to satisfy all or part of a potential judgement or to indemnify or reimburse payments made to satisfy the judgment.

How do Insurance Companies Know about Previous Claims?

40 related questions found

Are insurance claims confidential?

California Insurance Code Sections 791 - 791.27, the Insurance Information and Privacy Protection Act (IIPPA), provide protections for one's personally identifiable information, which is generally provided to an agent, broker or insurance company in order to apply for insurance or submit a claim.

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.

What information do insurance companies have access to?

Insurance companies often request your medical information to assess claims and determine coverage. They may access various records, including treatment histories, diagnostic reports, and medication lists. Knowing which records are accessible helps protect your privacy and ensure your information is used appropriately.

How long does an accident stay on 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.

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.

Can other insurance see 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. They may also collect and report on your driving record.

How long do claims stay on insurance 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.

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.

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.

Do insurance companies do background checks?

One of the most proactive things an insurance company can do is perform routine background checks for pre-employment screening and/or agent/broker checks. It's the premiere screening strategy to help stave off crimes before they occur.

Do insurance companies track you?

Most major car insurance companies today offer programs for the purpose of tracking your driving. However, such programs are completely voluntary. Your insurance company can't track your vehicle unless you agree. Let's say you opted into such a program, but you want to drop out.

How do insurance companies find out about accidents?

Insurance companies use police reports to determine fault in accidents. They'll analyze the information in the report to find the responsible party.

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.

What's the worst type of collision?

Head-On Collisions

By far the deadliest accident type is the head-on collision. Head-on collisions consider both vehicle's speed at the time of the crash, which means even an accident at lower speeds can be catastrophic.

Can insurance companies see your history?

An insurance company does not have the right to your medical information unless you grant their request. In some cases, however, the insurance company might attempt to access your medical records through a subpoena or a court order. This allows them to bypass the need for your written permission.

Do insurance companies share claims history?

Yes, insurance claims are public record, but not everyone can see them. Homeowners, insurance companies and lenders can request copies of CLUE reports.

What do insurance companies know about you?

Information about your driving habits, sometimes referred to as “Driving data” or “Driver behavior information,” may be shared with insurance companies and used to alter your premiums.

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.

What information can insurance companies access?

The Power of Integrated Information Management for Insurance Companies. Insurance companies have records for just about everything — customer information and policy details, rates and underwriting procedures, marketing material, and licensing records. The list goes on, and on… and on.

How do companies check your insurance?

Proof of insurance is documentation that proves your insurance policy is legitimate and up-to-date. Employers may use this evidence to verify your information, including your: Names of those insured under the policy. This includes you and anyone else insured under the active policy.