How far back do insurance companies keep records?

Asked by: Laisha Hoeger  |  Last update: November 7, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (53 votes)

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.

How long do insurance companies keep your records?

How Far Back Does an Insurance Claim Go? How long are medical records kept? 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.

How far back do most insurance companies go?

In most cases, the motor vehicle report that your insurance company reviews will go back between three and five years. It's worth noting that some incidents could stay on your record for a longer period of time. Drug and alcohol-related convictions, for instance, might stay on your driving record for 10 years or more.

How long do insurance companies look back on your record?

In California, accidents typically stay on your driving record for a period of three years from the date of the accident. During this time, the accident will be considered a public record and, therefore, accessible by insurance companies, potential employers, and law enforcement agencies.

How far back can insurance companies audit?

Typically, they might seek medical records from the last 5-7 years. That's the general timeline for medical record checks, but insurance companies can go back even further when exploring other facets of your past, such as driving history or previous insurance claims.

How Far Back Can Insurance Companies Check Driving Record? - CountyOffice.org

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How far back do they go when you get audited?

Generally, the IRS can include returns filed within the last three years in an audit. If we identify a substantial error, we may add additional years. We usually don't go back more than the last six years. The IRS tries to audit tax returns as soon as possible after they are filed.

What triggers an insurance audit?

Discrepancies or inconsistencies in the information reported to your insurance provider, such as discrepancies between payroll records and reported wages, can trigger an audit. Inaccurate or incomplete data raises red flags and may prompt further scrutiny from auditors.

Can insurance companies see old claims?

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.

Do insurance companies know how long you've had your license?

In the state of California, how long you've had your license continuously is a rating factor that insurance companies use when determining rates. Should your license ever be suspended, that clock starts over. For more on rating factors, see the links below. Have a question?

How far back does Progressive look at your driving record?

Progressive gets your driving record from your state's DMV or LexisNexis, and they check the past 3 years for accidents and moving violations. If you were cited for a moving violation or got into an accident mid-policy, your rates will not change until your next renewal.

How far back do insurance companies look for pre existing conditions?

To determine if a condition is pre-existing, insurers examine medical history, treatment records, and diagnosis reports. They may use “look-back periods,” which are specific timeframes—typically six months to a year before coverage begins—to review medical history.

How long does an accident stay on your record?

In general, an accident in California can remain on your driving record for three years. If you've been involved in an at-fault accident in California, car insurance companies can increase your premium as you're deemed a riskier driver. Note, that California has banned increased premiums for no-fault accidents.

How far back does Geico look at his driving record?

Geico gets your driving record from your state's DMV or LexisNexis, and they check the past 5 years for accidents and moving violations. If you were cited for a moving violation or got into an accident mid-policy, your rates will not change until your next renewal.

How long does a homeowners insurance claim stay on your record?

Home insurance claims stay on your record between five and seven years. 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 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.

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.

Can insurance companies see if your license is suspended?

Can auto insurance companies see if your license is suspended? Yes. Like how they communicate with your insurer when you receive a speeding ticket, your department of motor vehicles (DMV) will electronically inform your insurance company of your license suspension.

How many claims are too many for homeowners insurance?

How many home insurance claims are too many? If you've filed more than three claims in the last year, you'll likely face higher premiums, and it may become more difficult to get insurance coverage at all (via Money Crashers).

How long do insurance companies retain 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.

Which of the following could be found in the previous insurer report?

The Previous Insurer Report (PIR) typically includes the former insurance carrier's name, any at-fault losses, and a record of any tickets or moving violations for individuals purchasing car insurance.

How far back does an insurance audit go?

Insurers usually conduct audits before a policy ends or annually. Insurance providers can typically audit three years into the past, but this varies by state. A workers' comp insurance audit isn't something to be scared of, but it is something to be prepared for.

What raises a red flag for an audit?

Overestimating home office expenses and charitable contributions are red flags to auditors. Simple math mistakes and failing to sign a tax return can trigger an audit and incur penalties.

What shows up in audit log?

Audit logs can be used to show that your organization met certain benchmarks (e.g., password security for CIS) during a specific time period. Audit logs contain detailed historical information that can be used to reconstruct the timeline of a system outage or incident.