How to check your car insurance claim history
When you buy car insurance you’ll be asked about previous claims – and it’s vital to tell the truth. Here’s how to find out about your claims history.
When you buy car insurance you’ll be asked about previous claims – and it’s vital to tell the truth. Here’s how to find out about your claims history.
What's a car insurance claim?
If a car owner contacts an insurance provider for compensation following an accident, this is known as a claim. The claim is usually for damage to the car or injury to a passenger – or both. Claims range from minor mishaps, such as breaking a wing mirror, to more serious incidents, including written-off vehicles or even fatalities.
What different types of claims are there?
There are two main types of car insurance claims: ‘fault’ and ‘non-fault’.
- Non-fault – if the other driver is responsible for the accident and their insurance provider pays out, this is known as a ‘non-fault’ claim. However, even if you have a ‘non-fault’ claim, your premiums might increase.
- Fault – a fault claim doesn’t necessarily mean you’re to blame for the accident – it simply means your insurance provider has had to pay out. Say a driver hits your parked car and doesn’t leave their details, it could be classed as a fault claim, even though you didn’t cause it. If an accident was your fault, you can expect a claim to be made against you.
How does a car insurance claim affect my insurance premium?
When you buy a new policy, you’ll have to provide details of any previous claims. Any claim is likely to increase your car insurance premium. You may also lose some, if not all, of your valuable no-claims discount (NCD).
How can I check my car insurance claim history?
There are a few ways to check your claim history.
Contact your insurance provider and ask them. They can give you details of dates, type of claims, how much was paid out and any injuries.
Contact the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE). This database holds records of every incident reported to insurance providers – even those that don’t lead to a claim – as a way of preventing fraud.
To contact them, visit the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) website and complete a subject access request form. If you think any information they have is wrong, contact the insurance provider who you think sent the incorrect data or the MIB.
Will an insurance provider find out about my claims history?
Yes. Most car, home, and travel-insurance providers send information to CUE, which stores the details for six years.
Insurance providers get your claims history from CUE and use this to calculate the cost of your premium. So when you’re buying car insurance, always be honest about past claims.
If you’re not truthful or you forget to disclose something, your insurance provider might well find out from CUE. So, there’s no point leaving anything out to try to get a cheaper deal as this could land you in all sorts of trouble.
Remember, although you don’t have to claim on your car insurance if you have an accident, you must let your insurance provider know about it. If you don’t, you could invalidate your policy.
Frequently asked questions
I’m buying a used car – should I check its history?
Yes – if you’re considering buying a second-hand car, always check its claims history so you know exactly what condition it’s in. A reputable seller will give you a full history, including details of any accidents.
If you’re buying the car privately or it’s changed hands several times, you may not be given the complete picture. Find out its history before you buy to avoid any expensive surprises.
How can I check a car’s history?
If you have the car’s registration number, you can find out plenty of information through the DVLA. Among other details, you’ll be able to check its MOT history and the log book to find out if it’s been stolen.
The RAC also offers a handy vehicle-history check, which could alert you to any outstanding finance or mileage discrepancies, as well as if the car’s been stolen, scrapped or written off. How much you’ll pay will depend on how thorough a check you want.
You should also ask the seller for the car’s service history.
How long do car insurance claims stay on my record?
Any claim you make is automatically recorded with the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE). This data stays on your file for six years.
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