How to Find Your Auto Insurance History

When you are looking for new options for auto insurance, you may need to access your auto insurance history and claims record. Whenever you file an auto insurance claim, the claim becomes an item on your record of claims, regardless of size, fault, or type of claim. Below, we’ve detailed how to find your auto insurance history.

Your claims history is one of the most relevant factors in determining your level of risk and therefore, your auto insurance rates and premiums when shopping for car insurance.

Once you have an item on your car insurance claims record, only the auto insurance company that made the entry can make changes to that item on your car insurance history records. This record is called a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange report or CLUE report.

Learn more about auto insurance claims and how to find auto insurance history reports below and make sure to enter your ZIP code into our free comparison tool above to make sure you are getting the best rates from the best car insurance companies!

Car Insurance History Check: Why do insurers use claims history information?

The claims record is one of the most important tools that insurers have to determine whether an applicant for car insurance is a responsible driver with a record of safety.

You may question the relevance of your past claims history to your current car insurance application, as they are settled and in the past. In particular, you may wonder why claims in which you were not at fault are included in an assessment of the risk that you pose.

However, any claims in the past few years are considered highly important for your application for car insurance and the rates available to you.

By comparison shopping online for auto insurance, you can compare the rates and coverage options available to you. Various insurers can present their available rates for you to consider when choosing your next auto policy.

When you apply for auto insurance, the insurer doesn’t know you personally; instead, they need to rely on an objective record to determine the price of the auto insurance policy available to you. Several records an insurer will review include your driving record and your claims record. In certain states insurers are also allowed to check your credit score.

Accessing your claims record can help an insurer to understand what kind of driver you are, across insurance companies and over the years. By accessing your claims record, car insurers can offer you a rate based on that record.

Car Insurance History Report: The Impact of Previous Claims on Future Insurance Premiums

If you have a clear claims record and have never been in a car accident, you don’t need to be concerned about your claims record being included in your risk assessment.

A clear record of claims can only work to help lower your car insurance rate.

However, if you do have a record of claims, you may be concerned about the potential impact on your affordable auto insurance. According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurers use a variety of factors to determine the price of each policy.

The first way in which your claims record may impact your application for car insurance is determining your eligibility for certain rate classes.

If you have been determined to be at fault in claims or if you have been convicted of traffic and driving infractions, there are certain low-risk classes for which you may be ineligible.

On the other hand, if all of your claims are old, you still can be considered a preferred, low-risk driver.

Another factor related to the claims record is the application of surcharges to your insurance policy.

These surcharges are applied automatically and are a form of car insurance penalty for at-fault claims, traffic infractions, and tickets. The amount of the surcharge is related to the seriousness of the incident and whether any injuries resulted.

Surcharges don’t last forever, however; if the issue is over three years old, you can rest assured that you are free and clear. These kinds of claims can only have an impact on your auto insurance premium for 36 months. After that, the surcharge drops away.

Car Insurance History Report: Letter of Experience

Sometimes, a new potential insurer may request something called a Letter of Experience from a previous insurance. This document contains information about your auto insurance policy with a specific company and the claims filed, settled, or investigated.

These letters are infrequently requested because most information is available on a centralized report on the Claims Loss Underwriting Exchange.

The letter would fill in missing information on the CLUE report or would be requested if you challenge information on that central report.

The letter includes some major items about your car insurance policy and the claims you filed.

The specific details include:

• Named of the insured
• Policy number
• Status of the policy
• Inception and termination dates of the policy
• Date and type of the claim
• Determination of fault
• Driver operating vehicle
• Any claimed injuries
• Whether the complaint is open or closed
• Total payout amount

As you can see, it might be good to know how to find previous insurance information. Below you will see how to find old car insurance policies.

How to See Your Auto Insurance History Report

How do you find old car insurance policies? Like your credit report, you can access and order your own CLUE report through Lexis-Nexis. Your CLUE report is the same kind of report that any insurer will see when considering your application.

You can also use this report if necessary for disclosing to potential employers where driving history is relevant. You can order a free copy of the report online or do so over the phone. When doing so you will have 30-day online access to the report.

It is important to know that if necessary you can file a dispute with Lexis-Nexis on the record.

While contacting each insurer may provide you with the most detailed information, your CLUE report provides an overall look at your car insurance history and is used by insurers to determine your insurance premium. It could also be worth it to check the insurance history of a car.

Whether through auto liability insurance or more comprehensive coverages, maintaining adequate insurance is important. If you are looking for affordable coverage options, you can compare the prices for car insurance available to you by shopping online. Various car insurance companies will present options to you for you to find the best value and coverage options to meet your insurance needs.

Don’t miss out on our free insurance comparison tool below! Just enter you ZIP code below and start comparing online quotes for auto insurance now!