Accessing Your Auto Insurance Claims History: A Step-By-Step Guide

Knowing your auto insurance claims history is important as it can help you understand your insurance premiums, assess your risk profile, and ensure the accuracy of your claims history. There are a few ways to check your claim history, including asking your existing car insurance provider for details of any past claims or contacting the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE), a central database that stores records of every incident reported to insurance companies. Another way is to request a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report, which provides a summary of your auto insurance claim history. This report can be obtained for free from LexisNexis, the consumer reporting agency that generates it.

Ask your insurance provider for a letter of experience

A letter of experience is a document that contains a detailed record of your policy with an insurance company. It is a letter of reference, much like a letter of recommendation, that can be requested from your current and previous insurance providers. It serves as proof of prior insurance and outlines your history with the insurer.

• You've moved to another province or country: When you move to a new location, it is beneficial to have a letter of experience as it provides a record of your previous insurance coverage. This can help your new insurance provider in the new province or country assess your risk and determine your premiums.
• You weren't the primary insured person on a previous policy: If you were not the main policyholder, such as in cases where you were listed under a spouse's plan or a parent's plan, a letter of experience can help establish your own insurance history.
• You had a lapse in insurance coverage: If there was a period when you did not have insurance coverage, a letter of experience can help fill in the gaps and provide a continuous record of your insurance history.
• You want to shop around for better rates: When you are looking for quotes from multiple insurance companies, having a letter of experience can speed up the process. Potential insurance providers can use the letter to assess your risk and provide you with more accurate quotes.
• You want to verify and update your information: Insurance providers may request a letter of experience to verify and update your information as their policyholder. This can help ensure that your records are accurate and up-to-date.

Remember that you can request a letter of experience directly from your insurance company. It is recommended to do this each time you switch providers to maintain an updated record of your insurance history.

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 claims information, and insurance companies use it to assess a driver's risk level.

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

Online:

You can submit your request through the LexisNexis Personal Reports page. After submitting your request, you will receive a letter via mail with details on accessing your report online.

By Phone:

Call (866) 312-8076 or 1-866-897-8126 to request your report.

By Mail:

Download and print the LexisNexis Request Form, fill in all the required sections, 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 you are entitled to one free copy of your CLUE report every 12 months, and requesting it will not affect your credit score. This report can be beneficial if you want to check for errors or omissions that may impact your insurance rates.

Contact the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE)

The Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) is a central database of insurance claims. It holds around 34 million records relating to car, home, travel, and personal injury insurance claims. It was established in 1994 to help fight insurance fraud, which, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), is detected once every minute.

Insurance providers use the CUE database to confirm that the information you've provided about your claims history is correct. This helps to reduce fraud and keep insurance costs down. It also makes it easier for both you and your insurance provider to access information about past incidents.

Details relating to home and motor insurance claims are held on the CUE database for six years. You can find out what information CUE holds about you by completing a Subject Access Request form on the Motor Insurers Bureau website.

Ask your state's Department of Motor Vehicles

If you can't remember which insurance company you've used in the past and need an auto insurance history, you can try contacting 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), which can clear up any questions about tickets or accidents.

Your state's DMV can be a valuable resource for obtaining information about your previous insurance policies and claims history. It is worth reaching out to them and providing them with the necessary details to access your records. They may be able to provide you with a comprehensive overview of your insurance history, including any claims made.

When contacting your state's DMV, be prepared to provide relevant information such as your full name, vehicle information (make, model, year), date of birth, and the date range for the claims history you are interested in. This information will help them locate your specific records and provide you with the information you need.

In addition to contacting the DMV, you can also try contacting your previous insurance company or companies directly. They can usually print out a history of your auto insurance coverages and claims, often called a letter of experience. This letter will contain detailed information about your policy, including claim types, dates, and payouts.

Alternatively, if you need your claims history specifically, you can request your CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report, which is maintained by the data analytics company LexisNexis. This report will provide a summary of your auto insurance claim history, including all claims filed within the last seven years. You are entitled to one free copy of your CLUE report from LexisNexis each year.

Request your motor vehicle record (MVR)

A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) is a printout of your driving or vehicle record. It contains vital information about you, such as your name, date of birth, and driver's license number. Your MVR also includes any motor vehicle events you've been involved in, including traffic citations, license suspensions, DUI convictions, and accident reports.

You can request a copy of your MVR from your state's department or bureau of motor vehicles. Most states charge a small fee for issuing a copy. Depending on the state, you may be able to apply online or by mail.

For example, in Arizona, you can obtain and print a copy of your record online at AZMVDNow.gov. You may also obtain a copy by completing a Motor Vehicle Record Request form and submitting $3 for an uncertified record (three-year driving record) or $5 for a certified record (five-year driving record) by mail or at any MVD or authorized third-party office. Your signature on the form must be notarized or witnessed by an MVD agent.

There are also third-party services that can provide you with your MVR, such as MVR Online, which offers a cost-effective and easy way to access MVRs nationwide.

Frequently asked questions