Auto Insurance Claims: Finding And Filing Them Efficiently

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 by going through a consumer reporting agency like LexisNexis. There are two main ways to check your car insurance claims: getting a letter of experience from your past or current insurer, or requesting a copy of your CLUE report from LexisNexis. A letter of experience is a document that contains all information about your policy, including the claims you've made. A CLUE report is a summary of a person's auto or home insurance claim history that all major insurance companies consult when taking on a new customer. It includes every claim you've filed in the last seven years, even if you weren't issued a ticket or found at-fault.

Ask your insurer for a letter of experience

When applying for a new job, companies usually ask for references to check your character, work ethic, and overall employment history. A letter of experience for insurance is similar to a work reference letter, but it pertains to your policy history alone. It is a document that contains all the information about your policy, including the claims they've investigated and settled.

A letter of experience for insurance will help you get quotes back faster when shopping for car insurance. It will also help your potential insurance company get an idea of your previous insurance and claims history, and help them assess your risk as a potential client.

You should provide a letter of experience if any of the following apply to you:

• You've recently moved to a new province or country.
• You weren't the primary insured person on a previous policy.
• You were uninsured for a period of time.

To obtain a letter of experience, you can request one directly from your auto or home insurance company. It is recommended to request a letter of experience each time you switch providers to ensure you have an updated record of insurance.

A letter of experience will typically contain 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 like 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 must be printed on the company's letterhead and signed by an authorized representative to be considered valid.

Request a CLUE report from LexisNexis

Requesting a CLUE report from LexisNexis is a straightforward process. LexisNexis is a consumer reporting agency that provides information solutions to businesses and governments. Their CLUE database records up to seven years of auto insurance claims history.

To request your CLUE report, you can use any of the following methods:

• Online: Visit the LexisNexis website and fill out their electronic request form. After submitting your request, you will receive a letter via US Mail with details on accessing your report online.
• Phone: Call LexisNexis at (866) 312-8076 or 1-866-897-8126 to request your report.
• Mail: Download and print the Printable Request Form from the LexisNexis website. Complete all the necessary sections and send the form to the following address:

> LexisNexis Risk Solutions Consumer Center

> P.O. Box 105108

> Atlanta, GA 30348-5108

Email: Send an email to LexisNexis at [email protected] to request your report.

It's important to note that you are entitled to one free copy of your CLUE report from LexisNexis each year. This report can provide valuable information about your auto insurance claims history and help you identify any errors or omissions that may impact your insurance rates.

File a police report

Filing a police report is not always necessary when making an insurance claim, but it is beneficial. A police report provides an official, detailed, and unbiased description of the accident, and it can help speed up the claims process. It is particularly useful when there is major damage to vehicles, injuries, or extenuating circumstances, such as a driver fleeing the scene.

If you are involved in a minor accident, you may not need to file a police report. However, it is always best to get one if you can. A police report can help prove the validity of your account of the accident and protect you should any issues arise.

If the police do not come to the scene of a minor accident, you can still file a report yourself. Go to your local police station and make sure to gather as much evidence as possible, including photos, videos, and information about the accident, such as the date, time, and location. Get the names and badge numbers of any officers you speak to.

• Get the name, phone number, and license information of the other driver(s).
• Gather their insurance information, including the policy number and carrier.
• Note any environmental factors, such as the weather and road conditions.
• Draw a diagram of the accident.
• Ask for statements from any witnesses.
• Notify your insurance company as soon as possible.

Check with the DMV

Checking with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is a reliable way to access your driving record, which is a major factor in determining your car insurance premiums. The DMV can provide you with copies of your driving records, usually for a fee. The process for checking your driving record may vary depending on the state, but it generally involves determining the type of driving record you need, completing an application, providing proof of identification, and paying any applicable fees.

In some states, such as South Carolina, obtaining a copy of your driving record points summary is free, while there may be a fee for viewing your three-year or ten-year driving record. Other states, like North Carolina, charge a small fee for a three- or seven-year driving record, which is commonly used by insurance companies and employers.

It's important to note that different types of driving records may be used for different purposes, such as background checks or court appearances. For example, North Carolina offers a residential history record, certified true copies, complete extract copies, and limited extract copies, each serving a specific purpose.

Your driving record can include a history of minor and major traffic violations, accidents, and arrests for serious violations like driving under the influence. It's worth mentioning that pending charges for traffic violations typically won't show up on your driving record.

By checking your driving record through the DMV, you can gain valuable insights into how insurance companies assess your risk as a driver, which can help you understand your insurance premiums and explore options for more affordable coverage.

Contact your insurance company

Contacting your insurance company is the easiest way to check your claims history. They keep digital records of your insurance profile, including claims, for up to seven years, and you can access these records by asking for them. It is recommended to check your auto insurance claims history periodically, especially when renewing your policy or considering a new insurance provider. Reviewing your claims history ensures its accuracy and helps you understand how it may impact your insurance rates. Checking once a year or when any major changes occur is a good practice.

When checking your auto insurance claims history, you will typically need to provide the following information:

• Policyholder's full name
• Vehicle information (make, model, year)
• Date of birth of the policyholder
• Date range for the claims history you want to access (if applicable)

Make sure to have these details ready when contacting your insurance company. You can also access your claims history through online account access if your insurance company offers this feature.

If you have been in an accident with another driver and they refuse to provide their insurance information or leave the scene, you can contact your insurance company and inform them of the situation and accident details. If you have full coverage, your insurance company will begin the process of repairing your vehicle while they track down the at-fault party. Your insurance company has the resources to help you through this process.

You can also contact your insurance company if you need to verify another driver's insurance information after a hit-and-run. If you have collision or uninsured motorist coverage, your insurance company might still reimburse you for damages.

Frequently asked questions