Do car insurance companies investigate every claim?

Asked by: Consuelo Bernhard  |  Last update: November 16, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (11 votes)

Fraudulent claims raise the price of insurance for everyone, so it's in a company's best interest to verify that every claim is legitimate and accurate. Car accidents, personal injury, workplace injury and property damage are all common insurance claims that require an investigation.

Do car insurance companies always investigate claims?

Insurance companies have the obligation to conduct a full, fair and thorough investigation of a claim.

What triggers an insurance investigation?

Inconsistencies and delayed claims can trigger alarm bells, leading the insurance company to closely scrutinize the legitimacy of your case. The duration of your recovery is not only critical for calculating the compensation but also for evaluating the credibility of your claim.

Do insurance companies see all claims on a vehicle?

In regards to your insurance claims, though, insurance companies can see a CLUE report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) that tracks seven years of claims information, such as the type of claim and the payout that was made.

How long does it take for insurance to do an investigation?

Most insurance companies are typically given between 15 to 90 days to investigate a claim and accept or deny it, depending on the specific state regulations, the type of the claim, and the case's complexity. For instance: Straightforward property damage claims may be resolved more quickly.

Do Car Insurance Companies Investigate Claims? - CreditGuide360.com

15 related questions found

Are insurance investigations discoverable?

Consequently, documents prepared in the ordinary course of an insurance company's investigation to determine whether to accept or reject coverage and to evaluate the extent of a claimant's loss are not privileged, and, therefore, discoverable.

How long does it take for an adjuster to make a decision?

Typically, under the terms of the insurance policy and/or by state law, the adjuster must complete an initial review and send a response within a reasonable amount of time – usually on the order of 30 days.

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.

Can I cancel an insurance claim under investigation?

Before any payments are made, you can cancel a car insurance claim under investigation. Different reasons can lead you to this.

Do insurance companies inspect your car?

The insurance company will need to inspect the damage to your vehicle, document it, and provide you with an estimate for the damages that they will cover. This can happen at the scene of the accident, or at your home, work or a body shop.

How do insurance companies check claims?

The Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE), is the central database of motor, home, personal injury and industrial illness incidents reported by insurers which may give rise to a claim. This data is held for 6 years from the date the claim was closed.

What is one of the most common reasons for a claim being rejected by an insurance company?

9 top reasons your claim is denied
  • Incomplete information. Claims often get denied due to incomplete information. ...
  • Service not covered. ...
  • Claim filed too late. ...
  • Coding or billing error. ...
  • Insurer believes the procedure wasn't necessary. ...
  • Duplicate claim filed. ...
  • Pre-existing condition not covered. ...
  • Lack of pre-authorization.

What does it mean when a claim is being investigated?

What is the primary purpose of a claim investigation? The primary purpose of a claim investigation is to evaluate the legitimacy of an insurance claim by gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and reviewing records to determine whether the claim is legitimate or fraudulent.

How long do auto insurance claims stay on record?

The DMV will hold onto the record of the incident for around 3 years, depending on the severity of the accident.

What is a bad faith claim?

Looking for evidence that supports the insurance company's basis for denying a claim and ignoring evidence that supports the policyholder's basis for making a claim is considered bad faith. If an insurer fails to promptly reply to a policyholder's claim, that act of negligence, willful or not, is considered bad faith.

Do insurance companies talk to police?

Unless a police officer observed the accident, they don't report on who was driving, just who the drivers of each vehicle said the driver was. The insurance companies get the police reports if there's any doubt about liability.

How long do insurance investigations take?

Generally, the insurance company has about 30 days to investigate your claim. Pro tip: Your state's statutes of limitations will also determine how much time you have to file and settle a claim. The statute of limitations for insurance claims varies by state, as well as by claim type.

What questions do insurance investigators ask?

What to Expect from Insurance Adjusters After a Car Accident
  • Questions About the Involved Vehicles. ...
  • Questions About How the Car Accident Happened. ...
  • Questions About Shared Liability. ...
  • Questions About Vehicle Damages. ...
  • Questions About Your Injuries. ...
  • Insurance Tactics Used to Reduce Your Car Accident Insurance Payout.

How do insurance companies evaluate claims?

Injury evaluation requires an analysis of factors such as medical bills, surgeries, treatments, medications, medical devices, live-in care, disability costs, the nature and extent of your injuries, physical pain, your medical history, your age, and your occupation.

Will State Farm drop me for too many claims?

Yes, your car insurance company can drop you if you file too many claims. Most often, an insurer will send a nonrenewal letter prior to your next renewal period, advising that your insurance will be terminated at the end of the policy period.

What is the best insurance company for high risk drivers?

State Farm and Geico are among our top picks for high-risk drivers. Car insurance companies consider motorists with a history of at-fault accidents, speeding tickets or DUI convictions high-risk drivers and charge them some of the highest rates of any demographic.

What not to tell a claims adjuster?

Some key phrases to avoid saying to an insurance adjuster include: “I'm sorry.” “It was all/partly my fault.” “I did not see the other person/driver.”

Why do insurance companies drag out claims?

Insurance companies may purposely drag out the claims process, hoping that policyholders will grow frustrated and accept a lower settlement or even drop the claim entirely. This may include excessive paperwork requests, slow response times, or frequent requests for additional documentation.

How long does it take for adjuster to inspect car?

Usually, you'll hear from an insurance adjuster within three days of making the claim to discuss matters. If they need to survey the damage, it can be a few more days. If you use a repair garage that is affiliated with (or at least approved by) your insurance company, the process can speed up a bit.