Where Can I Get My Claims History
You can request your claims history directly from your current insurer or through a consumer claims report, usually within a few days.
Pulling a history before switching after a move
A couple who had just bought their first home wanted to shop around for car insurance now that they had a garage and a new zip code. Before requesting quotes, they called their current insurer and asked for a copy of their claims history, since they weren't sure if a windshield claim from two years back was still showing up. The insurer mailed and emailed a summary within a few days showing every claim tied to both drivers and both vehicles.
When they sat down with the report, they noticed one claim listed under a driver who had since been removed from the policy after a prior split living situation. They called the insurer to ask about correcting it before getting quotes elsewhere, since an inaccurate history could raise the prices they were quoted. Fixing it took another call and a short wait, but once corrected, the quotes they received from other companies matched what they expected based on their actual driving record.
What if my claims history has a mistake on it?
You dispute it with whoever supplied the report, usually your current or former insurer, before you request new quotes. Mistakes happen more often than people expect, especially after a move, a name change, or a period with multiple drivers on one policy.
Ask the insurer or reporting service what their correction process looks like, since it varies by company. You'll likely need to point to the specific claim and explain why it's wrong, then wait for them to verify and update it. Don't skip this step before shopping around, because an incorrect history can make new quotes higher than they should be.
Once your claims history is accurate, compare quotes knowing every insurer is pricing you on the same real record.
Should you check your claims history before shopping for quotes
If you do
You'll know exactly what every insurer sees, catch any errors before they affect pricing, and walk into quote comparisons with a clear sense of what to expect. If something looks wrong, you have time to fix it instead of discovering it mid quote.
If you don't
You might get quotes that seem oddly high and not know why, or discover a mistake later when it's harder to untangle. An error tied to a past address, a prior driver, or a closed account could follow you into every new quote without your knowledge.
A few things make pulling your history go faster
- Ask your current insurer first They already have your full record and can usually send it fastest. Call or check their online account portal before looking elsewhere.
- Request a consumer claims report These reports pull claims history from multiple insurers over several years. Useful if you've switched companies before or aren't sure where all your claims are recorded.
- Check both drivers separately If more than one person drives your cars, each person's history may need to be pulled individually. Don't assume one report covers both.
- Give it a few business days Most requests aren't instant, especially by mail. Start this before you need quotes, not the same day.
- Review every entry carefully Look for claims that aren't yours, wrong dates, or outdated addresses. Catching this early saves you from inflated quotes later.
How far back does a claims history usually go?
It typically covers several years, though the exact length depends on the insurer or reporting service providing it. Some pull a shorter window, others go back further. Check with whoever is supplying your report to confirm their range, since this affects whether an old claim still shows up. If you've had the same insurer a long time, ask them directly what range their internal report covers, since it may differ from a third party consumer report.
Does requesting my claims history affect my insurance rate?
No, simply requesting a copy of your own history doesn't affect your rate. It's a record you're entitled to see, not an action that triggers a new rate calculation. Rates change when you apply for a new policy or renew an existing one, not when you pull your own report. If you're worried about this, ask the company providing the report to confirm that a request is informational only, since policies on sharing this kind of record can vary slightly between insurers.
Can I get claims history for a car I no longer own?
Usually yes, since claims are tied to drivers and policies, not just the vehicle itself. The history follows you even after you sell or trade in the car. If you're requesting records for a long closed policy, you may need old policy numbers or account details to speed things along. Contact the insurer you had at the time, or a consumer reporting service, and explain which vehicle and time period you're trying to cover.
