Can car insurance companies check police records?
Car insurance companies can access police reports from the DMV to investigate claims and determine insurance rates. Read on to learn the exact effects of a police report on insurance rates.
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Justin Wright
Licensed Insurance Agent
Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Sep 19, 2024
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UPDATED: Sep 19, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Do police notify insurance companies when they make reports? Car insurance companies can easily access police reports from any state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV). These police reports are used to determine your involvement in an accident and can be used for investigative purposes when you file a car insurance claim. Because insurance fraud is such a serious issue, insurance does have the right to require a police report in order to investigate any claim received.
In most cases, filing a police report does affect your insurance rates. If you’re concerned about a recent police report or are just interested in learning more about what information your insurance company can see, we’ve got your answers right here. We can also help you find the best full coverage car insurance rates.
- If the insurance company needs a police report, they can obtain it from the DMV
- Police reports can aid insurance claims investigations
- Filing a police report will increase car insurance rates
How do insurance companies get police reports?
Anytime the police are called to the scene of an accident, the officer will file a report. The information in the report is based on the officer’s observations at the scene and his conversation with those involved in the accident. The officer may also interview any eyewitnesses and include information obtained from them in his report.
The police report is submitted to the state, which means the DMV has it on record. Insurance companies do have access to any police reports that the DMV has access to, which means information about any reported accident is going to be in the database.
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What information is on a police report?
A police report includes any pertinent information for insurance companies, such as:
- Date of the accident
- Description of the incident
- The extent of the damage
These reports are critical as they can determine who was at fault in the accident. For example, if you were side-swiped due to an illegal turn, the police report should indicate this. The insurance assessor would view the facts and, in this case, place the other driver at fault. Therefore, this information would not have a negative effect on your rates.
A police report does go on your record for up to seven years. Insurance companies will only go back 3 years into your driving record to determine your rates. (For more information, read our “How far back do insurance companies look?“).
How do car insurance companies check police reports?
Yes, the effects of a police report on insurance rates can be significant. Insurance companies can see police reports for a couple of primary purposes.
Investigating Claims
When you file a car insurance claim, your insurance will pull the police report. This is to ensure that the claim is legitimate and to determine who was at fault. Insurance companies will contact the police to gain access to the contact information of any witnesses to the accident. This information can be used to talk to the witness to clarify any ongoing concerns.
An investigation helps the company determine how it should proceed with the claim. Therefore, it is critical to always be honest and forthright when making an insurance claim. If false claims are made, the insurance company will find out.
Determining Rates
Insurance companies use your driving record to determine your rates. If you have a recent police report, your insurance rates will increase if you were at fault in an accident. As we mentioned, insurance companies typically only look back three years, so older police reports are unlikely to have an effect.
However, each state has different laws on how far back insurance companies can look, so you’ll have to check with your state department of insurance for clarification.
Insurance companies might call the police to request a report in order to adjust your rates at any time. This includes getting a quote for a new policy, when your existing policy is about to renew, or when a recent claim has been made.
Read More:
- Car Insurance Claim Investigation (Expert Guide)
- Compare Best Car Insurance Companies That Don’t Report to the DMV When They Cancel a Customer
- Compare Best Car Insurance Companies That Only Look Back Three Years
- How much does bankruptcy affect car insurance rates?
Case Studies: How do insurance companies get police reports?
Case Study 1: SafeRide Insurance Company
SafeRide Insurance Company, a reputable insurer known for its meticulous risk assessment practices, faced a unique situation when a policyholder filed a claim after a car accident. The policyholder had a history of reckless driving, which was unknown to the insurer at the time of issuing the policy.
During the claims investigation, SafeRide Insurance discovered that the policyholder had multiple speeding tickets and a previous DUI charge on their police record. These findings significantly influenced the outcome of the claim, leading the insurer to deny coverage due to the policyholder’s previous infractions.
Case Study 2: TrustShield Auto Insurance
TrustShield Auto Insurance, a renowned insurance provider committed to transparency and fairness, received an application from a prospective policyholder. While the applicant appeared to have a clean driving record, TrustShield’s underwriting team decided to conduct a comprehensive background check.
In the process, they accessed the applicant’s police record, revealing a pattern of traffic violations and a recent hit-and-run incident. Armed with this information, TrustShield Auto Insurance offered the applicant coverage but at a higher premium rate to reflect the increased risk associated with their driving history.
Case Study 3: SecureDrive Insurance Corporation
SecureDrive Insurance Corporation, a well-established insurance company with stringent risk assessment protocols, experienced a puzzling situation with one of its policyholders. The policyholder had been involved in a series of minor accidents, yet their driving record showed no infractions or police reports related to these incidents. Suspecting potential fraud, SecureDrive Insurance decided to investigate further.
They collaborated with law enforcement agencies and discovered that the policyholder had been involved in numerous accidents but had intentionally avoided involving the police, thus evading any official records. This revelation prompted SecureDrive Insurance to cancel the policy and take legal action against the policyholder for insurance fraud.
Case Study 4: RapidCover Insurance Services
RapidCover Insurance Services, a trusted insurance provider known for its efficient claims processing, encountered a challenging scenario when a policyholder reported their vehicle as stolen. While reviewing the claim, RapidCover Insurance accessed the police records associated with the reported theft. The records revealed inconsistencies in the policyholder’s statement, indicating potential fraud.
Further investigation revealed that the policyholder had a previous criminal record involving insurance fraud. Armed with this information, RapidCover Insurance denied the claim and terminated the policyholder’s coverage. (For more information, read our “Will a criminal record affect car insurance rates?“).
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Always Assume Your Insurer Will Do a Car Insurance Records Check
While it is possible that your insurer won’t pull a police report for an insurance claim, the chances are high that it will. You should always assume your insurance company will obtain the report one way or another.
If your rate increases due to an accident where the police report reflects you were at fault, you should consider shopping around for the cheapest car insurance companies. Just because your current company raised your rate doesn’t mean that another company won’t be able to offer you more affordable insurance, even after a police report states you as the driver were at fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my insurance company investigate an accident without a police report?
Yes, even without a police report, your insurance company will investigate an accident if you file a claim, relying on other evidence to determine liability.
Can I remove a police report from my driving record?
No, police reports are official documents and cannot be removed from your driving record. However, their impact on insurance rates diminishes over time.
Can I request a copy of a police report for my records?
Yes, as an involved party, you generally have the right to request a copy of the police report from the filing law enforcement agency, though they may charge a fee.
Do insurance companies check police reports when providing quotes for new policies?
Yes, insurance companies may review police reports when giving quotes for new policies to assess your risk profile and determine appropriate premiums.
Can I dispute the findings in a police report?
Yes, you can contact the law enforcement agency that filed the report to provide additional evidence or clarification if you disagree with the findings.
Will a police report affect my insurance rates if I was not at fault?
Generally, if the police report indicates you were not at fault, it should not impact your insurance rates. However, it’s best to consult with your insurance provider for specific details.
Does a police report automatically go to insurance?
No, a police report does not automatically go to insurance. It’s typically up to the involved parties or their insurance companies to provide the report to the insurer.
Do insurance companies share information with the police?
Insurance companies may need to report accidents to the DMV when required by law or as part of an investigation into a claim or incident.
Can police see your insurance details?
Yes, police officers can access insurance information during traffic stops or investigations, typically through databases or by requesting proof of insurance from drivers.
Do police report accidents to insurance companies?
Police may file accident reports, but it’s not guaranteed that they will automatically report accidents to insurance companies.
How long does it take for insurance to get a police report?
The time it takes for insurance companies to obtain a police report can vary depending on factors such as the jurisdiction’s procedures and the complexity of the accident.
Do you need a police report to file an insurance claim in Michigan?
In Michigan, a police report is not always required to file an insurance claim.
Does a misdemeanor affect car insurance rates?
Whether a misdemeanor affects car insurance rates depends on the severity of the offense and the insurance company’s policies. Certain misdemeanors, such as DUI or reckless driving, are likely to result in higher premiums.
Do insurance companies report accidents to California’s DMV?
In California, insurance companies are required to report accidents to the DMV under certain circumstances, such as when there is property damage exceeding $1,000 or if there are injuries or fatalities.
How do police verify insurance information?
Police officers can verify insurance information by requesting proof of insurance from drivers during traffic stops or by accessing insurance databases. They may also contact the insurance company directly.
Does a police report automatically go to insurance in NJ?
In New Jersey, a police report typically does not automatically go to insurance companies.
How do insurance companies find out about accidents?
Insurance companies can look up police reports to find out information about accidents. Additionally, they may check any claims filed with the insurance company and data from driving record databases.
How long does a State Farm background check take?
Typically, background checks from State Farm can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
How often do insurance companies check driving records?
Insurance companies may check driving records when you initially apply for coverage, when you renew your policy, or when you file a claim.
How to get insurance information from a police report?
You can typically contact the police department that filed the report and request a copy.
Do insurance companies check criminal records?
Insurance companies may conduct background checks that include criminal records for certain types of policies or when assessing risk factors. However, not all insurance companies check criminal records.
Does Geico require a police report?
Whether Geico requires a police report for an accident may depend on the circumstances of the accident. Generally, they may request a police report if it’s available, but it’s best to check with them directly.
Does an insurance company report to the DMV?
Yes, insurance companies often do report to the police, especially accidents involving property damage above a certain threshold or incidents involving injuries or fatalities.
Do I have to report an accident to the DMV in California?
In California, you are typically required to report an accident to the DMV if it involves property damage exceeding $1,000, injury, or death.
Do I need a police report to file a claim with State Farm?
You can make a State Farm claim without a police report, but having one can help provide documentation and speed up the claims process.
How far back does Allstate look at your driving record?
Typically, Allstate may consider driving history for the past three to five years when determining rates and eligibility for coverage.
Can other insurance companies see your claims?
Yes, insurance companies do share claims history through databases such as the CLUE database. This allow them to see claims history from other insurers to assess risk and determine premiums.
Does an accident go on your record if no police report is filed?
Even if no police report is filed, an accident may still go on your driving record if it involves a claim filed with your insurance company or if it is reported to the DMV.
What do car insurance companies check?
Car insurance companies typically check various factors when assessing risk and determining premiums, including driving history, claims history, credit history, vehicle type, age, gender, location, and more.
Does a police report have insurance information?
A police report will have insurance information for the parties involved in an accident, including policy numbers and insurance company names.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Justin Wright
Licensed Insurance Agent
Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.