How long do you have to keep old insurance statements?

Asked by: Astrid Grimes  |  Last update: September 24, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (72 votes)

You should keep your car insurance documents and policies as long as your policy is active and until all open claims are resolved. Most car insurance policies last six months to one year, and if you have no open claims, you can discard your documents when the policy ends and you get a new one.

How long should you keep insurance policy statements?

In general, you should keep insurance policy paperwork until the policy has expired and all claims (if any were filed) have been settled.

How long should you keep health insurance statements?

As a rule of thumb, it's advisable to keep medical documents for at least 1-3 years after payment or the resolution of any insurance disputes. This time frame ensures that you have ample documentation to support any late-coming claims or inquiries from insurance companies.

How long should I keep certificates of insurance?

How Long is a Certificate of Insurance Good For? It would be safest to hold on to any COI you get indefinitely since you do not know when a problem may arise for a job either carried out on your premises or that you completed for someone else. Keeping proof of the COI will help address any issues at that point.

Should I shred insurance statements?

When it comes to insurance, consider keeping current documentation and updated proof of insurance as long as you're paying on the policies, and they remain active. Any time you receive any new/updated policy information, consider shredding the outdated documents.

How Long Do I Need to Keep Auto Insurance Policies? : Auto Insurance FAQs

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Is there any reason to keep old insurance policies?

In general, if you don't have any open claims, you don't need to keep old, expired insurance policies. However, if you have any open claims or have been involved in an incident that may result in a claim, keep all paperwork related to the incident and your policy until the claim is resolved.

Should I shred 20 year old bank statements?

Yes, you should shred 20-year-old bank statements. They're well beyond the recommended retention period of 3-7 years for tax and audit purposes. Shredding ensures your personal and financial information remains confidential, protecting against potential identity theft or fraud.

What documents should I keep and for how long?

Pay stubs (keep until reconciled with your W-2) Property records / builder contracts / improvement receipts (keep until property sold) Sales receipts (keep for life of warranty or life of the item on large purchases) Warranties and instructions (keep for life of product)

How many years do insurance companies keep 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 long to keep title insurance documents?

Your title insurance policy is in effect as long as you own the property. The policy is valid for the length of your home ownership and will help you if a title problem occurs. Hold on to the document as long as you own the property. This will protect you, and your heirs, from title risks.

How many years of statements should I keep?

According to the IRS, you should keep your records for three years from the date you file your original return or two years from the date you paid the tax. Yet, the IRS may ask about returns filed in the last three to seven years, which is why it's always a good idea to keep your bank statements for longer.

How long should you keep copies of medical bills?

Medical bills should be retained for at least a year, and for tax purposes, they should be kept for three years to align with IRS audit regulations. Ongoing treatment bills should be preserved until the issue is resolved. Prescriptions have a different retention period, with the slips not requiring long-term storage.

Do I need to keep old medicare statements?

Save your Medicare Summary Notices and related statements until they are no longer useful. But, don't just throw them in the trash-- be sure to shred them. Shredding important documents like your MSN and other health care bills will ensure that thieves cannot get their hands on your private information.

Should I keep my 20 year old tax returns?

Three years is the general recommendation

The general rule for keeping copies of your tax records is to store them for at least three years. Having a paper trail is the best way to protect yourself if the IRS scrutinizes your financial history.

Do I need to keep health insurance statements?

Keep all medical bills and EOBs on file, comparing related items for accuracy. Securely store EOBs in chronological order for future reference. In the event of chronic or serious illness, keep EOBs for five years after the last treatment date, or seven years after you've claimed the medical tax deduction.

How long should I keep utility bills?

One year is the standard, in case of billing errors or disputes. I'd probably go ahead and make it a little longer. Keep them for one year. Really, I think you should just get the electronic statements where available.

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 long do you have to keep client documents?

This is consistent with a California Rule of Professional Conduct which requires an attorney to maintain all records of client funds and other properties that the client provided to the attorney for at least five years.

What does twisting mean in life insurance?

Twisting in insurance is when a producer replaces a client's contract with similar or worse benefits from a different carrier. Insurance producers that sell the types of products most at risk for twisting and churning tend to be those who're licensed in life and annuities.

Can I throw away old credit card statements?

You'll put yourself at risk of fraud or identity theft if you simply throw away private documents, such as financial statements. Invest in a cross-cut shredder that will eliminate all traces of your personal information, or search for free shredding events in your community.

What records need to be kept for 7 years?

How long to keep records. Records must be kept for 6 years from the end of the financial year they relate. In essence this means you need to keep all records for 7 years (as it's 6 years plus a year to count for the financial year). HMRC has begun a compliance check into your Company Tax Return.

Should I shred my utility bills?

After paying credit card or utility bills, shred them immediately. Also, shred sales receipts, unless related to warranties, taxes, or insurance. After one year, shred bank statements, pay stubs, and medical bills (unless you have an unresolved insurance dispute).

What papers can I throw away?

Toss after a year (and after your taxes are filed):
  • Cell phone.
  • Cable, telephone, internet and other streaming service statements (unless you're deducting them for work or home office-related expenses)
  • Brokerage statements.
  • Credit card bills.
  • Pay stubs.
  • Social Security statements.
  • Utility bills.

How long should I keep credit card statements?

Documents that should be shredded include the following: Credit Card Statements: Keep them for 60 days unless they include tax-related expenses. In these cases, keep them for at least three years.

Should I shred everything with my name and address?

Even if they steal your shredded documents, it's not worth it for them to try to piece them back together. As a general rule, you should always shred unneeded documents that contain your Social Security number (SSN), signature, account numbers, phone number, birthdate, passwords, PINs, and full address.