Do insurance companies have access to accident reports?

Asked by: Darrell Jenkins MD  |  Last update: May 8, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (26 votes)

Police departments do not automatically send any documentation to insurers following wrecks, crash reports included. In fact, yours or the other motorist's insurer wouldn't even know about it unless: You or the other driver involved call the insurance company to report the incident.

Can insurance companies see accident reports?

Whether it's through police reports, the other driver filing a claim, or even witness statements, insurance companies have many ways to find out about accidents.

What information do car insurance companies have access to in the US?

Auto insurance companies primarily want information about drivers to determine rates. These agencies will verify your age, vehicle type, driving record, past claims, and more data to come up with premiums for your policy.

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.

What is the Oregon law on car accidents?

Fault and Negligence Laws in Oregon

After an auto accident, a common question is who was responsible and who will pay for damages. Oregon is an at-fault state, which means that someone will be determined to have been most to blame for the accident. That person will be responsible for paying for property damages.

Insurance360 | How Do Auto Insurance Companies Investigate Accident Claim?

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How do I look up an accident report in Oregon?

Call DMV Customer Assistance at 503-945-5000 (Statewide Relay TTY 711)​ and request DMV send (mail/fax/email) you the accident report; or. Pick up a paper form from a DMV field office or your local law enforcement department.

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 insurance companies look up police reports?

Insurers can access a range of information from police records to assess the risk profile of an individual. They review this data to evaluate an individual's driving history and determine the likelihood of future accidents.

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.

What data do insurance companies have access to?

Here are seven of the most important customer data types in insurance:
  • Personal information. This includes a wide range of data points and is usually collected when a customer first applies for coverage. ...
  • Policy information. ...
  • Claims history. ...
  • Payment history. ...
  • Interaction history. ...
  • Signatures. ...
  • Agent information. ...
  • Attachments.

Do car insurance companies have access to DMV records?

Car insurance companies usually check the past 3-10 years of your driving record to determine a quote. Insurance companies typically can get your driving record from your local DMV or LexisNexis. You can check your own driving record online, in person, by phone, or by mail through your local DMV.

What are insurance companies not allowed to ask you?

If you're applying for health insurance, pregnancy status or plans to have children shouldn't come into the conversation. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition, and insurers cannot deny coverage or charge higher premiums due to it.

What information do car insurance companies have access to?

The majority of insurance companies request a motor vehicle report (MVR) and a comprehensive loss underwriting exchange (CLUE) report to verify the accuracy of a new customer's driving record. When a police officer files an accident report or issues a ticket, that gets included on your MVR report.

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.

Do I have to tell new insurance about an accident?

When you get a car insurance quote, you are typically asked to disclose any recent accidents or traffic violations you previously had. A pending or open claim with your current insurer could jeopardize your ability to get coverage with a new company until that claim is resolved.

Do insurance companies share information with police?

Insurance companies will often provide the reports, with the policyholder's authorization, to assist police in completing their official accident report and determining fault. However, without consent from the insured driver or owner of the vehicle, an insurance company cannot release the claim details or report.

Can other insurance companies see your 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.

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.

Are insurance claims public knowledge?

Yes, insurance claims are public record, but not everyone can see them.

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 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 do insurance companies find out about accidents?

Gather Evidence and Police Reports To Determine Accident Facts And Fault. Insurance companies will go over accident evidence, such as police reports and damage to automobiles involved in the accidents.

Is Oregon a no-fault state?

Oregon is not a “no fault” state. Oregon follows a “fault” based system. In Oregon, the person who was “at fault” for causing the accident is responsible for any damages or harm resulting from the accident. This would include injuries, damage to vehicles, lost income, etc.

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.