Who exactly reports accidents to the DMV?

[Sean_W]

Hi,

I was in an accident in Feb of 2008. It was during an ice storm. After my car came to a stop (thanks to the concrete gaurd rail), I was hit by another truck that couldn't stop in time because of the ice on the roads. Here's what happened in the following week...

My car was totaled out (his truck had minor damages). It turns out that the police did not file a report because they were on high alert during that day due to so many accidents occuring due to the ice. They said they only did reports on accidents if there were injuries (there were none with mine). Now here's what I want to do...

I'm getting Camaro next year (of course). I want to switch insurance companies. If I switch and never mention the accident, will they be able to know about it? My question is really this.. Are accidents reported to the DMV via police or your current insurance copany? Or both. If no report was made, then the police could not have reported it to the DMV. Is the DMV the only place insurance copanies have to find out about prior accidents?

Thanks

[Georgie]

if you did not report the accident to your current insurance company and the police did not report you will be fine... who knows about it besides you?

[jimbo57]

who totaled it? (not including you)

[Sean_W]

Sorry, yes, My current insurance was informed and then totaled out the car. So for now, they are the only ones in the loop (I think)

Can you request a copy of your DMV record to see what's on it?

[str8himalaya]

There is a database between companies i believe that show accidents like that. If they paid out money to you, the other insurance company should know that, probably from your prior company.

[sykb47l]

Order your record from the DMV, here in TX its only $6.50.

I just did it to see what was left on my record before switching insurance companies. Saved $30 a month....no tickets!!

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by Sean_W

Hi,

I was in an accident in Feb of 2008. It was during an ice storm. After my car came to a stop (thanks to the concrete gaurd rail), I was hit by another truck that couldn't stop in time because of the ice on the roads. Here's what happened in the following week...

My car was totaled out (his truck had minor damages). It turns out that the police did not file a report because they were on high alert during that day due to so many accidents occuring due to the ice. They said they only did reports on accidents if there were injuries (there were none with mine). Now here's what I want to do...

I'm getting Camaro next year (of course). I want to switch insurance companies. If I switch and never mention the accident, will they be able to know about it? My question is really this.. Are accidents reported to the DMV via police or your current insurance copany? Or both. If no report was made, then the police could not have reported it to the DMV. Is the DMV the only place insurance copanies have to find out about prior accidents?

Thanks

I don't think it's the DMV's job to keep track of accidents unless that accident would put points on your license. However they do keep track of current and past cars for so long so the insurance company may ask for a list of past vehicles owned within a time frame. Also every insurance company around here asks for info about all of your previous insurance companies so they can contact them and get your records to prevent people from causing an accident and turn around and change companies to avoid the increased rates so your new insurance company may do so. All in all, your better off just being straight up if asked as if not and they find out (most likely) it will just look like your hiding it and may cause your rates to increase or they may not even insure you.

[Rogue Leader]

If an accident report is made, depending on the state it IS listed on your license. Usually that accident report does not show fault if you license is searched. You would have to see the actual report to see fault.

However because you made a claim with your insurance company there is a record that any new insurance will know about. Companies use a Choicepoint product called CLUE (Claims Loss Underwriting Exchange). This as well does not show fault, however fault can be determined by the coverages that were paid. Insurance underwriters then contact the company to find out the whole story.

Moral of this? You might as well tell the new company they will find out anyway and at least then you will know immediately what your insurance will cost. Unfortunately that is an at fault accident since you lost control and hit something first.

[KnightRiderSS]

The insurance companies will talk to each other when you switch....