Will my insurance find out about my accident?
Asked by: Anastasia Wisoky | Last update: November 1, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (31 votes)
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.
What happens if you don't tell your insurance about an accident?
Not reporting the accident results in higher costs to the insurance company, and ultimately higher premiums for you.
Can insurance companies see your insurance history?
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.
Do insurance companies know if you have had an accident on Reddit?
He told me all auto insurances have people who call local PDs for accident reports. This part is true in some places. The slang term for them is "cappers". They regularly go sift through police incident reports (which are public records) looking for clients for lawyers.
Auto Insurance Claims Process: Not-At-Fault Accident
Can insurance companies see if you've had an accident?
Insurance companies can see pretty much everything related to your driving history on your driving record. This includes accidents, all traffic violations such as speeding tickets or crossing red lights, DUIs/DWIs, and more.
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 information do insurance companies have access to?
An insurer can only access your medical records if you give your permission for them to do so. If you agree to let them go through your medical history, they'll contact your doctor and will look at your records over the last five to ten years.
How many claims before home insurance drops you?
However, two claims in a five year period can cause your home insurance premiums to rise. Over two claims in the same period may affect your ability to find coverage and even lead to a cancelled policy. This also depends on what type of claims are being filed.
Does your insurance go up if someone hits you?
If you are involved in an accident and file a claim, even if it was not your fault, your insurance company may see you as a higher risk to insure and increase your rates. Consider speaking with a licensed insurance agent to see how much insurance could increase after an accident where you're not at fault.
Do you have to report an accident if it is not your fault?
You must inform the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if you were hit by another vehicle and the damage or bodily injury exceeds $1,000. According to state law, you must submit a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California form SR 1 demonstrating that you have proper insurance.
What not to say when filing a claim?
- “I'm sorry.”
- “It was all/partly my fault.”
- “I did not see the other person/driver.”
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.
Can I get new insurance after an accident?
If you are unhappy with your auto insurance provider, switching car insurance after an accident may be an option for you. You can discontinue your policy even if you have a current open claim or were at fault in an accident. In fact, you can seek a new insurance company anytime you are unhappy with your current policy.
What to do if someone falsely claims you hit their car?
Report the Incident
You don't want them to hear from the other party first. Be detailed: Provide them with all the information you've gathered—photos, videos, witness names, and details about the incident. Ask for advice: Your insurance company will guide you on how to proceed and whether further action is needed.
Can 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.
Can a patient choose not to use their insurance?
You may choose not to use insurance if the service you need isn't covered, or it's less expensive if you pay out of pocket. In most cases, providers and facilities must give you an estimate when you schedule care at least 3 business days in advance, or if you ask for one.
Is my car insurance public record?
It's possible to find out if someone has car insurance, either through insurance company channels or by checking with the DMV. Since insurance information isn't public record, you'll need to show that there is a reason you need to know about someone else's car insurance.
How long does insurance look at accidents?
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 do car insurance companies know about previous claims?
If you've ever switched insurance companies and wondered how your new insurer was aware of your previous accidents or claims, it's thanks to your CLUE report. CLUE reports are generated by the analytics company LexisNexis, which updates the database regularly with claims information reported from insurance companies.
What company reports accidents to insurance companies?
LexisNexis C.L.U.E. (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) is a claims information exchange. It collects and reports up to seven years of auto and personal property claims. It also provides insurance risk scores to help inform pricing and underwriting decisions for the insurance industry.
How do insurance companies find out about accidents?
Insurance companies use police reports to determine fault in accidents. They'll analyze the information in the report to find the responsible party.
Does reporting an accident affect insurance?
It's only when you file a claim that you may face a rate adjustment. By reporting the accident, you'll be covered if the damage or injuries are significant but if you don't need to make a claim, you've risked nothing.