Understanding How Insurance Companies Use Driving Records and Third-Party Data After an At-Fault Accident
If you’ve recently been involved in a rear-end collision where you were not at fault, you might notice some changes in your driving record that could impact future insurance quotes. Specifically, in Texas, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) updates driver records to include a “CRASH EVENT” following a report, yet this entry may not explicitly indicate fault.
What Does a Crash Stay on Your Record?
When involved in an accident, a crash report is typically filed with Texas DOT and subsequently reflected on your DPS driving record. This record may show the occurrence of an event but often does not specify whether you were at fault. In such cases, it’s common to wonder: does this impact my insurance premiums or future quotes?
Will Insurance Companies Access State/DPS/DMV Records?
It’s natural to question how insurance providers evaluate your driving history. Do they rely directly on state records, or do they turn to external data sources? In many instances, insurance carriers pull information from comprehensive databases like LexisNexis or Clue (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange), which compile incident and claims data from various sources.
Are State Records or External Reports More Influential?
While your state-issued driver record contains details about reported crashes, insurance companies often prioritize reports from external data providers like LexisNexis. These sources aggregate multiple data points, including claims, accidents, and sometimes even ancillary information. Therefore, even if your state record doesn’t specify fault, your insurance quotes might be affected based on the detailed reports from these third-party vendors.
How Does LexisNexis Obtain Their Data?
The critical question is: how does LexisNexis compile their information? Primarily, insurance companies and other organizations share claims and incident data directly with LexisNexis. This sharing enables them to create comprehensive profiles that insurers utilize to assess risk and determine rates.
Implications for Drivers
If you’ve been involved in an accident where you were not at fault, it’s reassuring to know that your state DMV records might not fully reflect your liability status. However, insurance companies may still access broader datasets that could influence your premium. Understanding how these systems work can help you better navigate insurance negotiations and provide clarity about what is recorded and potentially used against you.
Final Thoughts
In summary, after an accident—especially one where you are not at fault—your driving record
