Do insurance companies share policy information?

Asked by: Susie Ziemann  |  Last update: April 20, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (8 votes)

Do auto and homeowners insurance companies share my information about 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.

Are insurance policies public information?

Some insurance policy details, like the existence of a policy and the insurer's name, can be found in public records. Confidential information includes policy limits and specific coverage details, which are generally not publicly accessible.

Are insurance policy documents confidential?

For example, in California, the terms of an insurance policy are confidential and proprietary between the insurer and insured.

Do insurance companies talk to each other after an accident?

Ideally, a representative from your own insurance company will speak to the other driver's insurer. But this doesn't always happen, especially if the accident was a minor one. So, communicating information about the accident may fall to you.

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.

Do Insurance Companies Share Claim Information?

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Do insurance companies share information with each other?

Do auto and homeowners insurance companies share my information about claims? Yes.

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.

Is it better to use your insurance or theirs?

After a car accident, you should notify your insurance company and file a claim, and not deal with the other driver's insurer. Except in rare circumstances, it is not wise to contact them. Your insurance company represents you, and the other driver's insurance company represents them.

Can other insurance companies see your claims?

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.

When someone hits you do you call your insurance or theirs?

You should call both, regardless of who you think is at fault. If it turns out the other driver is at fault, their insurance will pay, but it's helpful to have your insurance company involved.

What documents are considered confidential?

Here are some examples of confidential information:
  • Name, date of birth, age, sex, and address.
  • Current contact details of family.
  • Bank information.
  • Medical history or records.
  • Personal care issues.
  • Service records and file progress notes.
  • Personal goals.
  • Assessments or reports.

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 policies 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.

Is insurance policy private information?

When it comes to the information shared with your insurance company, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) applies. PIPEDA requires that all personal information collected by private companies must be kept strictly confidential.

Can I look up someone's insurance policy online?

Due to privacy and regulation laws, it's generally not possible to find someone's insurance information online. If you need to obtain another party's insurance after an accident, contact your state's DMV or your insurance company.

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.

What information do insurance companies share with each other?

Here are some examples of information shared by companies in the auto insurance industry:
  • Vehicle Information: Details about your vehicle, including make, model, age, and safety features.
  • Personal Information: Factors such as your age, gender, marital status, and location may affect rates.

Do insurance companies have a shared database?

This claims information service is traditionally called the “Index System” (or “Index Database”) and is used by most insurance companies to secure the claims history of every claimant. Therefore, when seeking attorney representation, it is very important to inform your attorney of your complete injury claims history.

Can a new insurance company see old claims?

A Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange report — commonly called a CLUE report — details personal property and auto insurance claims dating back up to seven years. When you're shopping for a new insurance policy, insurers will likely request a CLUE report to view your claims history.

Should I talk to the other person's insurance company?

After an accident, it's advised not to speak with the other driver's insurance company. You are not legally required to speak with the other driver's insurance company or give a recorded statement. They often employ tactics to use your statements against you, potentially minimizing your payout.

Can my husband drive my car if he is not on my insurance?

Usually, yes. Your car insurance coverage should be able to extend to anyone else driving your car. Even if someone isn't listed on the policy, they can operate your vehicle. If you explicitly name someone as an excluded driver in your policy, however, none of this applies to them.

Is it best to have all your insurances with one company?

The Bottom Line. Combining all of your policies with one insurance company can save you money compared to having a variety of carriers.

What should I not tell my insurance company?

The insurance adjuster doesn't need to hear your entire life story. Sharing personal anecdotes or irrelevant experiences might even hurt your claim. Stick to the facts and avoid extra details about your family, job history, prior injuries, or unrelated accidents.

Who is the most trusted insurance company?

Best car insurance companies
  • Best for customer satisfaction: Erie Insurance.
  • Best for seniors: Nationwide.
  • Best for liability insurance: Auto-Owners.
  • Best for claims filing : State Farm.
  • Best for bundling: American Family.
  • Best for accident forgiveness: Progressive.
  • Best for military members and veterans: USAA.

What do Insurance companies fear the most?

It's simple: Insurance companies' legal teams hate having to go before juries. Naturally, it's up to juries to apply the law in a fair and even-handed manner. However, it never helps insurance companies to be seen as the villains who are trying to get one over on people in genuine need.