Past Auto Insurance: How To Find Out Yours

If you want to find out about your past auto insurance, there are several options available to you. One of the easiest ways is to contact your previous insurance company or companies and request a history of your auto insurance coverages and claims, often called a letter of experience. If you can't remember your insurance company, try searching for old insurance policy documents, which will state the insurer and their contact details. You could also check your email accounts for electronic documents or your bank statements for payments to insurance companies. If you purchased insurance through a broker, they may have records of your policies. Alternatively, you could contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, which may have information on your previous insurance policies, or order a copy of your insurance history report from a company such as LexisNexis or CGI.

Contact your previous insurance company

If you're trying to find out about any past auto insurance you had, one of the best things you can do is contact your previous insurance company or companies. They can print out a history of your auto insurance coverages and claims, or lack thereof, often called a letter of experience. This will include details such as the names of the insured on the policy, the policy's start and end dates, all claims made against the policy, and claim details like the type of claim and the date it was filed.

If you can't remember the name of your previous insurance company, don't panic. You can try contacting your former insurance agent, who may still have files containing details about your former insurance company. If they sold products for several companies, they may have to search their computerized files. To help them remember, advise them of any characteristics that may have differentiated you from the average customer. For example, tell them if you had young drivers on your policy or if you had moving violations.

You can also try calling the corporate offices of the insurance company with which you think you had coverage. Tell them your name and address, and ask them to search for old policies that may have belonged to you.

If you have bank statements or credit card statements, these may also be useful. You can track your payments to your insurer via these statements, and then contact any insurance companies whose names appear on your statements.

Check your vehicle documents

If you're trying to find out about past auto insurance, one of the first things you can do is check your vehicle documents. This can help you locate the name of the insurance company that covered your vehicles.

Start by looking through your personal files for insurance papers, expired insurance cards, and claims reports. Check your old vehicle titles and registrations for any insurance paperwork that may be stored there. It's also worth checking the glove compartment of your vehicle for old insurance cards.

Review your old credit card statements for charges from insurance companies. Contact your bank to review your payment history, as any transactions relating to insurance payments will appear here. Contact any insurance companies that appear on your statements and ask them to search for your information in their system.

If you have a lien on your vehicle, contact the lien holder. The bank will likely have information on file about your current and prior insurance companies as they have an insurable interest in the property.

If you're still having trouble, try contacting your former insurance agent. If they are an independent representative who sold products for several companies, they may still have files containing details about your former insurance company. Advise them of any characteristics that may have differentiated you from the average customer, such as having young drivers on your policy or moving violations. This may help them remember which company they placed your business with.

Finally, if you know the name of the insurance company you think you had coverage with, call their corporate offices. Tell them your name and address, and ask them to search for old policies that may have belonged to you.

Check your bank statements

If you're trying to find out about your past auto insurance, one of the best places to start is by checking your bank statements. Bank statements are a great resource for tracking down old insurance policies, as they provide a record of any payments you've made to insurance companies. Here are some detailed steps to guide you through the process:

• Locating the Statements: Begin by gathering your bank statements from the relevant period. If you have online banking, you can easily access your statements for the past few years. If you need to go further back, you may need to contact your bank and request them to provide older statements.
• Reviewing the Statements: Once you have the statements, carefully review the transactions. Look for payments made to insurance companies. These transactions may be described as electronic check transactions, automated debits, or credit card charges. The name of the insurance company may be listed, making it easier to identify.
• Contacting the Insurance Companies: After identifying any insurance-related transactions, note down the names of the insurance companies and their payment amounts and dates. Then, contact these companies and ask them to search for your information in their system. Provide them with your name, address, and any other relevant details. They should be able to look up your old policies, including policy numbers, vehicle types, coverage details, and premiums.
• Resolving Ambiguities: In cases where the insurance company's name is not explicitly mentioned in the transaction description, you can try contacting your bank to seek clarification. They may be able to provide additional details or context about the transaction, which could help you identify the insurance company involved.
• Using Other Financial Records: In addition to bank statements, you can also review your credit card statements and check for any charges initiated by insurance companies. Credit card statements can be obtained from your credit card provider or accessed through your online account.
• Verifying Information: When contacting the insurance companies, be prepared to verify your identity and address, as this information will be necessary to locate your old insurance records accurately.
• Following Up: If you don't hear back from the insurance companies or need additional information, don't hesitate to follow up. They should be able to provide you with the details of your past insurance coverage, including dates, policy numbers, and types of coverage.

By thoroughly examining your bank statements and following up with the relevant insurance companies, you should be able to successfully piece together your past auto insurance history. This process may take some time and effort, but it can be an effective way to gather the information you need.

Contact your insurance broker

If you are trying to find out about your past auto insurance, one of the best ways is to contact your insurance broker. An insurance broker is an individual who works for you, not the insurance company, and helps you find the best coverage for your needs. They will collect your information and submit it to multiple insurance companies, presenting you with the best insurance possibilities.

Insurance brokers are beneficial if you are looking to find the best deal or coverage for your vehicle. They have access to a large number of companies and can access certain companies that only sell through brokers or agents, giving you more choice. They can also counsel you on the types of coverage you need and don't need. Brokers are an excellent choice if you want to shop around for the best price.

If you are unsure of who your insurance broker is, you can try searching for "local insurance brokers near me" online. You can also ask for recommendations from friends and family. When choosing a broker, it is important to do some research to ensure that no complaints have been filed with any state agencies or the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Once you have found a broker, they will be able to help you obtain your auto insurance history. This can include a letter of experience, which details your policy information, claims, and how they were settled. If you are unable to obtain a letter of experience, you can request a CLUE report, which contains up to seven years of claims history.

By contacting your insurance broker, you can save time, money, and energy in obtaining your past auto insurance information. They will be able to guide you through the process and provide you with the best options for your specific needs.

Request an insurance history report

Requesting an insurance history report can be done in a few ways. The most common way is to contact your previous insurance company or companies. They can provide a history of your auto insurance coverages and claims, often called a letter of experience. This letter will include the names of the insured, the policy's status and dates, all claims made, and claim details. If you are unsure which insurance company you used in the past, you can contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which may have information on your previous policies.

If you need your claims history, you can request a CLUE report from LexisNexis. CLUE, or Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, is a database that enables homeowners and automobile insurers to exchange information about claims. This report will show your claims history for the past seven years and is free to request once per year.

Additionally, if you need proof of insurance for a specific time period, you will need to contact the insurance company that covered you during that time. They can provide verification of coverage and dates, but this will not include a claims history.

Frequently asked questions