Unveiling Your Auto Insurance History: A Comprehensive Guide

There are several ways to obtain your auto insurance history. One way is to contact your previous insurance company or companies, which can provide a printout of your history of coverages and claims, often called a letter of experience. If you can't remember your previous insurance company, you can try contacting your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, which may have information on your previous policies. You can also request a copy of your Claims Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report, which contains your auto insurance claim history from the past seven years. This can be done through consumer reporting agency LexisNexis, either online or by phone.

Contact your previous insurance company

To obtain your auto insurance history, one of the most common ways is to contact your previous insurance company or companies. They can provide you with a history of your auto insurance coverage and claims, which is often called a "letter of experience". This document will include detailed information about your policy, such as the names of the insured, the current status of the policy, the policy's start and end dates, all claims made, claim details, and more. It is important to note that insurance companies keep digital records of your insurance profile, including claims, for up to seven years. Therefore, your previous insurance company should be able to provide you with a comprehensive overview of your auto insurance history during your time as their customer.

If you are unable to remember which insurance company you have used in the past, you can try contacting your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). They may have information on your previous insurance policies and can also provide a copy of your motor vehicle record (MVR), which can help clarify any questions about tickets or accidents.

Additionally, if you specifically need your claims history, you can request a CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report from LexisNexis. This report will provide a summary of your auto insurance claim history, including all claims that insurers have paid or denied, and serious inquiries you have made. You are entitled to one free copy of your CLUE report from LexisNexis each year.

Request a CLUE report from LexisNexis

To get your auto insurance history, you can request a CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report from LexisNexis. This is a summary of your auto or home insurance claim history that insurance companies consult when taking on a new customer. The CLUE database lets insurers see any claims that a new customer has filed within the last seven years.

You can request a copy of your report from LexisNexis Risk Solutions online, by phone, or by mail. Here's how:

Online:

You can request your CLUE report online by visiting the LexisNexis Personal Reports website or the LexisNexis Risk Solutions Consumer Disclosure website. After submitting your request, you will receive a letter via US Mail with details on how to access your report online.

By Phone:

To request your CLUE report by phone, call LexisNexis at 866-312-8076 or 866-897-8126.

By Mail:

To request your CLUE report by mail, download and print the Printable Request Form from the LexisNexis Risk Solutions Consumer Disclosure website. Complete all the sections of the form and send it to the following address:

LexisNexis Risk Solutions Consumer Center

P.O. Box 105108

Atlanta, GA 30348-5108

It's important to note that LexisNexis will verify the information you provide with the information in their records. If they cannot confirm your identity or match your request with the personal information they have, they may not be able to fulfil your request.

Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles

If you are unable to remember which insurance company you have used in the past and need to get your auto insurance history, you can contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV may have information on your previous insurance policies and can provide a copy of your motor vehicle record (MVR). This can help clear up any questions about tickets or accidents.

The process for checking your driving record can vary depending on the state you live in, but it generally involves determining the type of driving record you want, completing the appropriate application, providing proof of identification, and paying any applicable fees. Many states allow you to request a driving record online, while some may require an in-person application.

It is important to note that different types of driving records may be used for different purposes, such as background checks or court appearances. For example, a residential history record lists your residential driving history, while a certified true copy is a complete driving record designed for official use by government and state agencies, as well as courts.

By contacting your state's DMV, you can take the necessary steps to obtain your auto insurance history and MVR, which can provide valuable information about your driving history and help resolve any uncertainties.

Ask your current insurer for a letter of experience

A letter of experience is a document that contains detailed information about your insurance policy. It is written by an insurance company that has covered you in the past and acts as a letter of recommendation. It includes details about the claims you filed, how the company investigated them, and how they were settled.

To obtain a letter of experience, simply ask your insurance agent for one. It will be printed on the company's letterhead and signed by an authorized representative. The letter will include the following information:

• The names of the insured on the policy
• The current status of the policy
• The policy's start and end dates
• All claims made against the policy
• Claim details such as the type of claim and the date it was filed
• Any fault determination
• Any injuries claimed
• Information on why the policy ended (if applicable)

A letter of experience is useful when shopping for a new insurance provider, especially if you have moved to a new province or country, were uninsured for a period of time, or were not the primary insured person on a previous policy. It can help you get quotes back faster and may even result in discounts and lower premiums.

Check your driving record

Checking your driving record can be done in several ways. The easiest and fastest way is through your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or its equivalent in your state. Many states make driving records available online, but if you need an official record for court or employment, you’ll generally have to order one through the mail or request it in person.

The cost of obtaining a driving record varies from state to state, ranging from free of charge to $25, depending on the type of record requested. You can usually find your state's DMV website by searching for your state's name followed by "Department of Motor Vehicles" or "Department of Licensing". Once on the website, look for a link to access driving records, which is often found under a "Drivers" or "General Information" tab, or by using the website's search function. You will then need to enter personal information, such as your name, driver's license number, and social security number. Some states may also require you to create an account. Finally, you will need to pay a fee, which can usually be done online using a debit/credit card or directly from your bank account.

If your state does not offer driving records online, you may need to visit a DMV office in person or request a copy of your record through the mail. Some states may also allow you to obtain an unofficial copy of your driving record through a private company, such as DMV.org, although this option may be more expensive and less reliable.

It is important to note that driving records are typically protected by state privacy laws, and anyone wishing to view your record will generally need your permission. Additionally, a driving record is different from a motor vehicle report (MVR), which includes information on your vehicle, such as accidents and violations.

Frequently asked questions