can car insurance find out about previous accidents

[AdrielMarie]

Yes, car insurance companies can almost always find out about your previous accidents. They use specialized databases and reports to check your driving history, which is a standard part of the underwriting process when you apply for a new policy or renew an existing one. The primary tools they use are the CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report and your MVR (Motor Vehicle Report).

The CLUE report, maintained by LexisNexis, is a database of claims history associated with you and your vehicle. It typically contains details of claims made in the last five to seven years, including the date of the incident, the type of claim (e.g., collision, comprehensive), and the amount paid out by the insurer. Even if an accident was minor and you didn't file a claim, it might still be recorded if you simply inquired about the claims process with your insurer.

Your MVR, obtained from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), details your official driving record. It will show any accidents that resulted in a police report or traffic citation. This is how insurers verify accidents that led to legal involvement.

Because insurers use this data to assess risk, it's always best to be upfront about your driving history. Disclosing an accident that they will inevitably discover helps build trust and can prevent complications later. The impact on your premium depends on factors like fault, severity, and how recently the accident occurred.

Data Point Source	Information Contained	Lookback Period	How Insurers Use It
CLUE Report	Claim type, date, payout amount, vehicle involved.	Typically 5-7 years	Assess claims risk and set premiums.
MVR (DMV Record)	Accidents with police reports, moving violations, points.	Varies by state (3-10 years)	Verify legal record and judge driving behavior.
Previous Insurer Data	Your full claims history with that specific company.	Indefinitely (internal records)	Used if you're reapplying to the same company.
Third-Party Data Brokers	Aggregated data from public and private sources.	Varies	Cross-reference and fill in information gaps.

[VonNora]

Absolutely, they can. I learned this the hard way when I switched companies after a small fender-bender. I didn’t mention it, thinking it was too minor to matter. The new quote was great until they ran my report—the premium went up by about $30 a month. They see everything. It’s better to just be honest from the start; it saves you from surprises later on. They have access to databases you wouldn't even think about.