Understanding How Auto Insurance Companies Review Your Driving Record After an Accident
If you’ve recently been involved in a minor collision where you weren’t at fault—say, being rear-ended—you might wonder how this incident impacts your auto insurance premiums and what information insurers actually access during the underwriting process.
Recently, I experienced such an incident. After the accident, a police report was filed and submitted to the Texas Department of Transportation (TX DOT). When I checked my Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driving record, I noticed it listed a “CRASH EVENT” related to the date of the incident. However, there’s no detail indicating whether I was at fault or not.
This raises an important question: When I eventually apply for new auto insurance, will the insurer look exclusively at my state or DMV driving records, or will they also consider external databases like LexisNexis or CLUE reports? Furthermore, since my official driving record doesn’t specify that I was not to blame, could this affect my rates or quoting process?
Do Insurance Providers Use DMV Records or External Data?
Most auto insurers review a combination of sources to assess risk accurately. State DMV or DPS reports are primary sources, providing details of infractions, accidents, or claims associated with your driving history. However, many insurers supplement this data with third-party reports from services like LexisNexis or CLUE, which gather information from insurance companies, law enforcement agencies, and other sources.
How Does LexisNexis Gather Its Data?
LexisNexis Risk Solutions compiles data from various industry partners—primarily insurance carriers and relevant government agencies. They collect and organize this information to give insurers a comprehensive view of a driver’s history, including reported accidents, claims, and violations. Importantly, this data may include claimed incidents regardless of fault, which can impact how insurance companies evaluate your risk profile.
Implications for Drivers Post-Accident
Because your state records may not specify fault, insurers relying solely on DMV data might not see that you weren’t at fault in the recent collision. Conversely, if they access LexisNexis or CLUE reports, the incident could appear fully or partially, potentially influencing your quote even if you weren’t responsible.
Bottom Line
When shopping for auto insurance, it’s beneficial to understand that insurers utilize multiple data sources. Your official driving record from the DMV might not tell the full story, especially regarding fault. Being proactive—discussing your incident directly
