How Your Auto Insurance Claims History Works and What It Means

What your claims history is and why insurers look at it

Your auto insurance claims history is a record of every claim you have filed with any insurance company, going back typically three to five years. When you file a claim — whether for a collision, theft, weather damage, or liability — that claim gets reported to the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE), a database that insurance companies use to assess risk. Insurers check this history when you apply for a new policy, renew an existing one, or shop around for better rates.

The claims history matters because insurers use it to predict how likely you are to file another claim in the future. A driver with multiple claims in a short period looks riskier to an insurer than one with no claims, even if those claims were not your fault. This means your history can affect your premium — the amount you pay each month or year — and in some cases whether an insurer will cover you at all.

South Carolina does not prohibit insurers from raising your rates after a claim you did not cause, though some companies offer accident forgiveness programs that prevent this. The key is understanding what information insurers can see and how long it stays on your record.

Key Takeaways

• Your claims history is recorded in the CLUE database and stays visible to insurers for three to five years, even if the claim was not your fault.
• Insurers can raise your rates after any claim, including ones where you were not at fault, unless you have an accident forgiveness policy.
• You can request your own CLUE report for free once per year to see what insurers see about you.
• Choosing a higher deductible or paying for minor damage out of pocket can keep small incidents off your claims history.
• When you switch insurers, your new company will see your full history, so shopping around does not erase past claims.

How long claims stay on your record

Most insurance companies look back three to five years when reviewing your history, though the exact timeframe varies by company and by state. A claim filed today will typically remain visible to insurers for at least three years from the date you filed it, not from when the claim was closed or paid out.

After five years, many insurers stop considering older claims when calculating your rate, but some may still see them in the CLUE database. The oldest claims matter less over time — a collision from four years ago has less impact on your rate than one from last year. However, multiple claims within a short window (such as three claims in two years) will affect your rate more severely than the same number spread across five years.

Certain types of claims may stay on your record longer or carry more weight. At-fault accidents typically hurt your rate more than comprehensive claims (weather, theft, vandalism), which hurt it more than liability-only claims. A claim where you were found at fault for hitting another vehicle will usually affect your rate longer than a claim for glass damage or a weather event.

What information appears in your CLUE report

The CLUE database records the date you filed each claim, the type of claim (collision, comprehensive, liability, medical payments), the amount paid out, and whether you were at fault. It does not record the reason you filed the claim in detail — only the category. For example, it shows "collision claim" but not "hit a parked car" or "rear-ended at a red light."

Your CLUE report also includes claims you did not file yourself. If someone else hit your car and their insurer paid your claim, that claim still appears on your record. If you were at fault in an accident and the other driver's insurer paid their claim, that information does not appear on your CLUE report — it appears on theirs.

You can request your CLUE report for free once per year by contacting LexisNexis, which maintains the database. You can order it online at www.lexisnexis.com/clue or by phone. Reviewing your report lets you catch errors — such as a claim listed twice or a claim that was not actually filed — and dispute them before an insurer uses the information to set your rate.

How claims affect your insurance rates in South Carolina

South Carolina law does not prevent insurers from raising your rates after a claim, even if you were not at fault. This means a claim for damage you did not cause can still result in a rate increase. However, some insurers offer accident forgiveness programs that waive the rate increase after your first at-fault accident, or sometimes after any accident. These programs are optional add-ons that may cost a small amount per month or may be included free for customers who meet certain criteria (such as having no prior claims for five years).

The size of a rate increase varies by insurer and by claim type. An at-fault collision claim typically results in a larger increase than a comprehensive claim. A single claim might raise your rate by 10 to 40 percent, depending on the company and the severity of the accident. Multiple claims within a few years can result in even larger increases or, in some cases, non-renewal — meaning the insurer decides not to continue your policy when it comes up for renewal.

Rate increases are not automatic or uniform. Two insurers may treat the same claim very differently. This is why shopping around after a claim can sometimes save you money — a company that weights your specific type of claim less heavily may offer a better rate than your current insurer.

Deciding whether to file a claim

Before you file a claim, consider whether the cost of the damage exceeds your deductible by enough to make filing worthwhile. If your deductible is $1,000 and the damage is $1,200, you will only recover $200 after you pay your deductible. In that case, paying for the damage yourself might be cheaper in the long run if it keeps the claim off your record and prevents a rate increase.

For minor damage — a small dent, a broken mirror, minor glass damage — paying out of pocket is often the better financial choice. The claim will not appear on your record, and you avoid a rate increase. For major damage, a claim is usually necessary because the cost of repairs exceeds what most people can pay immediately.

If you are unsure whether to file, call your insurer and ask what the claim would cost you after your deductible, and whether it would affect your rate. Some insurers will give you an estimate without formally opening a claim. You can also check whether your policy includes accident forgiveness or other protections that might reduce the impact of filing.

Disputing errors on your claims history

If you find an error on your CLUE report — such as a claim you never filed, a claim listed twice, or incorrect information about fault — you can dispute it. Contact LexisNexis in writing and provide documentation of the error. Include copies of relevant documents, such as the original claim paperwork or a letter from your insurer stating that the claim was denied or closed without payment.

LexisNexis must investigate your dispute within 30 days and send you the results in writing. If they find an error, they will correct your report and notify the insurers who have accessed it in the past six months. Keep copies of all correspondence and documentation in case you need to follow up.

If you believe an insurer is using incorrect information from your CLUE report to deny you coverage or charge you an unfair rate, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Insurance. The department can investigate whether the insurer violated state law.

Shopping for insurance after a claim

When you shop for a new insurance policy, every insurer you contact will see your claims history. There is no way to hide a claim or start fresh with a new company. However, different insurers weight claims differently, so you may find better rates by comparing quotes from multiple companies.

Some insurers specialize in covering drivers with recent claims or accidents. These companies may charge more than standard insurers, but they may charge less than your current insurer. Getting quotes from at least three to five companies gives you a realistic picture of what your claims history costs you in the current market.

When you apply for a new policy, be honest about your claims history. Insurers will find out anyway through the CLUE database, and providing false information can be grounds for denial of a future claim or cancellation of your policy. If an insurer asks about claims and you are unsure whether something counts, describe what happened and let them determine whether it was formally filed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove a claim from my history if I was not at fault?

No, claims stay on your record for three to five years regardless of fault. However, you can dispute the claim if the information recorded is inaccurate — for example, if you were marked as at-fault when you were not. Contact LexisNexis with documentation from your insurer showing the correct fault information.

Will my rates go down after a few years with no claims?

Yes, typically. As older claims age off your record (usually after three to five years), your rate should decrease. Many insurers also offer discounts for customers who go a certain number of years without a claim. Ask your insurer what discounts you might be may be able to access for.

What if I was in an accident but did not file a claim?

An accident that was not reported to your insurer will not appear on your CLUE report. However, if the other driver filed a claim and you were found at fault, that information may appear on your record through their claim. You can check your CLUE report to see if any claims are listed.

Does paying off a claim faster make it disappear from my record?

No, the date you file the claim is what matters, not when it is paid or closed. A claim filed today will remain on your record for three to five years from today, regardless of when the insurer finishes paying for repairs.

Can I switch insurers to avoid a rate increase after a claim?

You can switch, but the new insurer will see your claims history through the CLUE database. You may find a company that charges less for your specific situation, but you cannot escape the claim itself. Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best rate available to you.