What can insurance companies see on your driving record?

Asked by: Georgiana Ullrich  |  Last update: August 25, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (7 votes)

Your motor vehicle record contains vital information about you like your name, date of birth, and driver's license number. Your MVR also includes any motor vehicle events you've had, including traffic citations, license suspensions, DUI convictions, and accident reports.

What information do car insurance companies have access to?

Car insurance companies check police records through a systematic process that involves collaboration with law enforcement agencies. When an individual applies for or renews their car insurance, the insurer typically requests permission to access their driving record, which includes information from police records.

How do I clean my driving record for insurance?

How to clean up your driving record
  1. Take a defensive driving course. Many states will remove points or minor infractions from your driving record if you complete a defensive driving course. ...
  2. Dispute errors on your driving record. ...
  3. Contest your ticket. ...
  4. Fix minor issues immediately. ...
  5. Expunge your record. ...
  6. Seek a deferment.

How do insurance companies track your driving?

Driver monitoring—what insurers call telematics, or usage-based insurance (UBI)—typically utilizes a smartphone app, a device that plugs into your car's computer diagnostic port, or an electronic tag mounted inside your car to keep tabs on how you drive, measuring things like speed, braking, cell phone use (to observe ...

Do insurance companies know if your license is suspended?

In most cases, the policy will not be issued in the first place; insurance companies can run motor vehicle records pretty quickly and will find out that your license is suspended. It may be instant or a matter of days.

Cheap Car Insurance For Bad Drivers?

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How long does a license suspension stay on your record?

Traffic violations and points can stay on your driving record or license for three to ten years. In some states, some markups are permanent. You can resolve a suspended license by taking steps to reinstate it. However, there may still be a mark of the driver's license suspension.

Do insurance companies check police reports?

During the investigation, the company can gather evidence using different ways, such as getting details about the accident from you, talking to the other driver and witnesses, visiting the accident scene, examining the photos you took at the accident scene, and reviewing the police report if one is available.

What driving record do insurance companies look at?

Auto insurance companies use your MVR, along with several other factors, to determine your insurance rates and coverage eligibility. Your driving history is a significant factor in determining your car insurance rate.

What cars track your driving?

Cross. A new investigation found that GM, Honda, Kia, Subaru, Hyundai and Mitsubishi are tracking drivers' data on everything from when they drive to how hard they hit their brakes.

Can insurance companies see traffic cameras?

Yes, insurance companies may use video surveillance after a car accident if such footage is available.

What is considered an acceptable driving record?

If you are a violation-free driver with no tickets, accidents, or convictions, then you will have a clean driving record in your state. Depending on the state, you can also have a clean driving record after violations fall off your record.

How long do accidents stay on your record?

In the state of California, most vehicle accidents will stay on your record for around 3 years. However, more serious traffic violations will follow you for longer. For example, a DUI conviction will stay on your record for 10 years.

Why is my insurance so high with a clean record?

Your driving record isn't the only factor insurers consider when calculating your premiums. Your age, location, vehicle—and in some states, credit score and gender—all go into the equation. If you're under 25 or drive an expensive car, you may pay high rates even with a spotless driving record.

What data do insurance companies have access to?

Here are seven of the most important customer data types in insurance:
  • Personal information. This includes a wide range of data points and is usually collected when a customer first applies for coverage. ...
  • Policy information. ...
  • Claims history. ...
  • Payment history. ...
  • Interaction history. ...
  • Signatures. ...
  • Agent information. ...
  • Attachments.

What can insurance companies see from a VIN?

This report includes accident history, title status, ownership history, odometer readings, recalls, theft checks, and more. It helps buyers, sellers, and insurers assess a vehicle's history and condition, making informed decisions.

Can insurance companies see your history?

An insurer can only access your medical records if you give your permission for them to do so. If you agree to let them go through your medical history, they'll contact your doctor and will look at your records over the last five to ten years.

How do insurance apps know who is driving?

Car insurance tracking apps use various sensors and data sources within your smartphone to collect information about your driving behavior. The Global Positioning System in your smartphone plays a crucial role in tracking your location and movement.

What cars are hard to get insurance on?

Which Vehicles Are Difficult to Insure?
  • Exotic Brand Vehicles (e.g. – Rolls Royce, Bentley, Bugatti)
  • Limited Production or Limited Edition Vehicles (e.g. – anniversary or commemorative models, certain models of Ferrari, Corvette, et cetera)
  • Vans carrying 12 or more passengers.
  • Camper vans.
  • Cargo vans.
  • Flatbed trucks.

Why did LexisNexis request my driving record?

LexisNexis® Driving Behavior 360 searches, aggregates and analyzes driving records from multiple national sources, including MVRs and court data. With the combination of court data and MVR data, insurers can benefit from the platinum standard of data that provides underwriting insights.

How does driving history affect insurance?

Determining Your Risk Level

Insurance companies view such drivers as less likely to file claims, resulting in lower premiums. Conversely, a history of accidents or violations indicates a higher likelihood of future claims, prompting insurers to classify you as a higher-risk driver and increase your premiums.

How far back does Geico look at your driving record?

Geico gets your driving record from your state's DMV or LexisNexis, and they check the past 5 years for accidents and moving violations. If you were cited for a moving violation or got into an accident mid-policy, your rates will not change until your next renewal.

What information can car insurance companies access?

  • Insurance companies have access to various aspects of an individual's driving history to assess risk and determine insurance premiums. ...
  • Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
  • Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) Report.
  • Credit-Based Insurance Score.
  • Telematics and Driving Behavior.
  • Public Records.
  • Vehicle Information.

What triggers an insurance investigation?

Inconsistencies and delayed claims can trigger alarm bells, leading the insurance company to closely scrutinize the legitimacy of your case. The duration of your recovery is not only critical for calculating the compensation but also for evaluating the credibility of your claim.

Can you get car insurance with a felony?

The chances of paying out a large bodily injury claim or being sued for damages make issuing a policy to a driver with a driving felony an unwise investment. An insurance company can deny you a policy due to the risks associated with your driving history. In most cases, you won't have recourse against the company.