Auto insurance companies keep digital records of your insurance profile, including claims, for up to seven years. You can access these records by asking for them or going through a consumer reporting agency like LexisNexis. Your auto insurance history is important because it helps insurance companies determine your risk level and set your rates. If you've been paying high insurance rates and suspect there may be an error in your record, checking your auto insurance history can give you the opportunity to correct any details or omissions that are causing your insurance premium to be more expensive.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
How to check auto insurance history | Contact your previous insurance company or companies, or your state's Department of Motor Vehicles |
How to check auto insurance claim history | Ask your current or previous insurer for a letter of experience, or request a CLUE report from LexisNexis |
How long do insurance companies keep records of claims? | 3-7 years |
How to dispute incorrect information | Dispute it through LexisNexis |
What You'll Learn
Request a letter of experience from your insurance company
Requesting a letter of experience from your insurance company is a straightforward process. All you need to do is ask your insurance company for a letter of experience. It is a good idea to keep updated versions of the letter from all your providers.
An insurance letter of experience is a document that contains detailed information about your policy with a company and the claims they have investigated and settled. It is like a letter of recommendation or a reference letter for a job application. It serves as a letter of reference and provides insurers with important information about your insurance history.
The letter of experience will include the following information:
- The name of the person insured on the policy
- The current status of the policy
- The start and end dates of the policy
- All claims made against the policy, including 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)
The letter must be printed on the company's letterhead and signed by an authorized representative to be considered valid.
You can also request a letter of experience from your previous insurance company if you have switched providers. This will ensure you have an updated record of insurance and will be useful when shopping for a new provider, especially if you have moved to a new province or country.
Having a letter of experience can help you save money on your insurance premiums by qualifying you for discounts and lower rates. It provides proof of your insurance history, especially if you have had no claims or only old claims. This can make it easier for insurance companies to assess your risk as a potential client and may result in considerable savings on your premiums.
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Request a CLUE report from LexisNexis
To request a CLUE report from LexisNexis, you can either call them or request a copy of your report online. The CLUE report is free, and you are entitled to one copy every 12 months.
To request your report online, go to the LexisNexis website and fill out the Online Request Form. Once your request has been submitted, you will receive a letter via mail with details explaining how to access your report online.
If you prefer to mail in your request, you can download and print a request form from the LexisNexis website and send it to the following address:
LexisNexis Risk Solutions Consumer Center
P.O. Box 105108
Atlanta, GA 30348-5108
Alternatively, you can call LexisNexis to submit your request by phone. The phone number for requesting a CLUE report is 1-866-897-8126.
Your CLUE report will contain up to seven years of claims history for auto and home insurance policies. It will include information such as your insurance policy number, claims information (date and type of loss, and amount paid), and details about the covered property.
It's important to note that LexisNexis will need to verify your identity before providing you with your CLUE report. They will verify the information you provide with the information in their records, and they may not be able to comply with your request if they cannot confirm your identity.
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Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles
If you are unsure which insurance company you have used in the past, you can contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to obtain your auto insurance history. 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.
You can request a copy of your driving record through your state's DMV, either online or by submitting a written request. There may be a small fee for this service, depending on the state. It is recommended to check your driving record periodically to catch any errors, as insurance carriers base your rates on your driving record. If there are any mistakes or violations on your record, you can take steps to correct them.
Each state has its own procedure for correcting errors on driver records. For example, in California, if your driving record contains incorrect information about a traffic violation, you must request a correction by completing a Driver License Record Correction Request. For accidents, you would need to fill out a Traffic Accident Record Correction Request.
Once you have made any necessary corrections to your driving record or CLUE report, be sure to notify your auto insurance company so that they can pull the updated records and obtain accurate information to price your car insurance.
Checking your auto insurance history and driving record can help you identify any discrepancies or errors that may be impacting your insurance rates. By contacting your state's DMV and following the necessary steps, you can correct any inaccuracies and ensure that your records accurately reflect your driving history.
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Access your online account with your insurance company
If you are looking to correct your auto insurance history, accessing your online account with your insurance company is a good place to start. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Locate Your Insurance Company's Website
Begin by finding your insurance company's official website. You can do this by searching for the company's name on a search engine. Make sure to verify that the website is legitimate and secure before proceeding.
Step 2: Register for an Online Account
Once you are on the insurance company's website, look for an option to register or sign up for an online account. This usually requires providing personal information such as your name, date of birth, policy number, and vehicle details. Follow the instructions provided by your insurance company to complete the registration process.
Step 3: Log In to Your Online Account
After registering, you should be able to log in to your online account using the credentials you created during registration. Keep your login information secure and consider using a password manager for safe storage.
Step 4: Navigate to the Claims or Policy History Section
Once you are logged in, navigate through the website to find the section related to claims or policy history. This may be located under different tabs or menus, depending on the insurance company's website layout.
Step 5: Review Your Claims and Policy Details
Within the claims or policy history section, you should be able to view your past claims, coverage dates, and other relevant information. Carefully review this information to identify any discrepancies, omissions, or errors.
Step 6: Identify Information to be Corrected
As you review your auto insurance history, make note of any details that require correction. This may include incorrect claim information, inaccurate dates, or other inconsistencies. It's important to be thorough and cross-reference any physical documents you have related to your insurance coverage.
Step 7: Contact Customer Support
If you find information in your online account that needs to be corrected, the next step is to reach out to your insurance company's customer support. Most companies provide multiple ways to get in touch, such as email, phone, or live chat. Choose the option that is most convenient for you.
Step 8: Provide Details and Request Corrections
When communicating with customer support, clearly explain the discrepancies you have identified in your auto insurance history. Provide as much detail as possible, including dates, claim types, and any relevant documentation that supports your claim. Politely request that the insurance company corrects the inaccurate information.
Step 9: Follow Up and Verify Corrections
After making your correction request, be sure to follow up with the insurance company to ensure that the changes are made. Log in to your online account periodically to verify that the corrected information is now displaying accurately. If not, you may need to escalate the issue through the insurance company's customer support channels.
Remember that correcting your auto insurance history may take some time and persistence. Each insurance company has its own processes for handling these types of requests, so be sure to follow their specific guidelines. By regularly reviewing your online account and staying proactive, you can help ensure the accuracy of your auto insurance history.
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Request a Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) report
The Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) is a central database that stores information about insurance claims. It is used to prevent insurance fraud and helps insurance providers to calculate the cost of insurance premiums. It is important to check your CUE report to ensure that the information it contains is correct and to identify any fraudulent activity.
To request a CUE report, you can contact LexisNexis, which manages the database. You are entitled to one free copy of your CUE report every 12 months. You can request your report by phone, by calling the LexisNexis Consumer Center, or online, by visiting the LexisNexis website. The report will be available to you online for 30 days, but you can also download and save it to your computer.
Your CUE report will include details such as the amount the insurance company paid out, a description of the covered property, and specific vehicle information for auto claims. It is important to review your CUE report to identify any inaccurate or unrelated information that could be affecting your insurance premiums. If you find any mistakes, you can dispute them by contacting the LexisNexis Consumer Center, which will verify the information with the reporting insurance company and notify you of the results within 30 days. You can also add an explanation to an item in the report, which will be included in all future reports.
In addition to requesting a CUE report, there are other ways to check your auto insurance claims history. One way is to contact your previous or current insurance provider and request a letter of experience, which contains detailed information about your policy and any claims that have been investigated and settled. Another way is to access your insurance information through your online account, if your insurance provider offers this service.
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Frequently asked questions
You can get a copy of your auto insurance history by contacting your previous insurance company or companies. They can provide a printout of your history, often called a letter of experience. You can also contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, which may have information on your previous insurance policies.
There are two main ways to check your auto insurance claim history. One is to ask your previous or current insurer for a letter of experience, which shows detailed information about your policy and any claims. The second is to request a CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report from LexisNexis.
Insurance companies typically keep records of claims for around three to seven years.
If you have a history of at-fault claims or convictions, you will likely be placed in a higher risk class and pay a higher premium. If your claims are old, you may still qualify as a low-risk driver.
If you find incorrect information in your auto insurance history, you can dispute it through LexisNexis, which maintains the CLUE database of insurance claims.