Understanding How Insurance Companies Access Your Driving Record After a No-Fault Accident in Texas
If you’ve recently been involved in a rear-end collision in Texas and were not at fault, you might be concerned about how this incident appears on your driving record and whether it could impact your future insurance rates. Here’s what you need to know about how these records are maintained and used, especially in relation to insurance assessments.
The Incident and Your Driving Record
Recently, after being rear-ended, you submitted a crash report to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). When reviewing your Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driving record, you noticed an entry labeled “CRASH EVENT.” Notably, this record does not specify fault, which can be crucial information for both your personal records and insurance considerations.
Do Insurance Companies View Your State Driving Record?
Typically, insurance providers do look at your official state driving records during the underwriting process. However, the extent of the details they access can vary. Some insurers primarily rely on data from state agencies like the DPS, DMV, or equivalent authorities, which may list crash events without fault designation. Others supplement this with third-party databases such as LexisNexis or CLUE reports, which often contain additional claims and accident history.
The Role of LexisNexis and CLUE Reports
LexisNexis and CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) are widely used by insurers to gather comprehensive claims history. These databases frequently include detailed information on previous accidents, claims, and sometimes legal actions, regardless of fault. Importantly, these reports are typically populated by data provided directly from insurance companies and claims adjusters, not solely from state agencies.
How Do These Databases Get Their Information?
Insurance companies often share claim data with third-party vendors like LexisNexis and CLUE. Once submitted, these companies compile and update their databases, providing insurers with a broader picture of your recent insurance history. This means that even if your state record does not specify fault, your insurance history reported through LexisNexis/CLUE could contain detailed information about the incident.
Implications for Your Insurance Premiums
Since insurance companies may rely more heavily on claims data from LexisNexis or CLUE than on the basic state driving record, the fact that you were not at fault in the rear-end accident might not prevent that event from influencing your rates. However, the actual impact depends on the insurer’s policies and the specifics of how they
