How can I check my car insurance claims history?
In the UK, you can check your car insurance claims history by asking your insurer for records or by making a free subject access request to the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) database, which stores details of all reported claims.
Your claims history is more than just a list of accidents. It’s a complete record of every incident you’ve reported, whether you made a claim or not. Insurers share this data across the industry to calculate premiums and assess risk. Errors in this record can unfairly increase your costs, which is why it’s important to know what’s on file.
The process is straightforward: start by reviewing your renewal or policy documents, then request a full copy from the CUE database if needed.
In this article, we’ll explain what claims history means, where it’s stored, how to check it, and what to do if you find mistakes.
What is a car insurance claims history?
A car insurance claims history is a record of all accidents, claims, and incidents you’ve reported to insurers, whether or not you were at fault.
This history isn’t limited to cases where your insurer paid out. Even non-fault claims and incidents you simply reported “for information only” are logged. The record is shared across the industry, meaning any insurer you approach for a new policy can access it.
Your claims history affects your premiums and your no-claims bonus. A clean record usually helps lower costs, while multiple claims — even non-fault ones — can increase premiums because they suggest higher risk. Insurers rely on this data to calculate fair pricing and to detect potential fraud.
In the UK, claims history data is stored both by your current or past insurers and in central databases, such as the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE), which collates millions of motor, home, and personal injury claims. Knowing exactly what’s on your file helps ensure you’re paying the right premium and not being penalised by errors.
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Get QuotesHow can you check your claims history with your insurer?
You can check your claims history by asking your insurer directly, as they keep detailed records of every incident reported under your policy.
The simplest starting point is to review your renewal notice or policy schedule. These documents often list any claims or incidents recorded during the previous policy year. If you need a more complete picture, you can request confirmation in writing from your insurer or broker.
Most insurers will provide a claims history summary upon request. This can include the date of each incident, whether you were at fault, the settlement amount, and whether your no-claims bonus was affected. It may take a few days to process, but insurers are obliged to provide accurate records when asked.
Having this information directly from your insurer is useful when switching providers, as many will ask for proof of your claims record before offering a discount or validating your no-claims bonus.
Do central databases record your car insurance claims?
Yes. In the UK, the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) is the main database that stores all reported car insurance claims, including fault and non-fault incidents.
The CUE database, managed by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), is used by insurers to check your claims history when you apply for or renew a policy. It contains millions of entries covering motor, home, and personal injury claims, and insurers consult it to verify the information you provide.
Importantly, the database doesn’t just record paid-out claims. Any accident or incident you report to an insurer is likely to appear, even if you never made a formal claim. This is why discrepancies can sometimes occur between what you recall and what the system shows.
As a consumer, you have the right to access this data under UK data protection law. Checking the CUE record directly is the most reliable way to see the industry-wide version of your claims history.
Why does checking your claims history matter?
Checking your claims history matters because it affects your premiums, your eligibility for discounts, and the accuracy of insurance applications.
Insurers rely heavily on your claims record when setting prices. A driver with no reported claims usually pays less than someone with multiple incidents, even if some were non-fault. For example, industry data shows that premiums often rise after a non-fault claim, as insurers view it as an indicator of higher risk.
Errors on your record can cost you money. If an incident is logged incorrectly as a fault claim, your premium could be inflated. This is why many drivers request their history before switching insurers, to ensure their record is accurate.
It’s also important for protecting your no-claims bonus. Incorrect claim entries can wrongly reduce your discount, undermining years of careful driving. Checking your claims history helps you challenge mistakes and maintain fair pricing.
How do you request a copy of your claims history from the CUE database?
You can request a copy of your claims history from the CUE database by submitting a free Subject Access Request (SAR) through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
The process is straightforward:
- Visit the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) website and navigate to the CUE consumer section.
- Complete the Subject Access Request form, providing your personal details, driving licence number, and proof of identity.
- Submit the request online or by post.
- The MIB will supply your claims record, usually within one month, as required by UK data protection law.
This service is free, and it covers all claims recorded on the central database, not just those with your current insurer. Having an official copy ensures you see exactly what insurers see when assessing your applications.
What should you do if your claims history is incorrect?
If your claims history is incorrect, you have the right to request corrections from your insurer or the Motor Insurers’ Bureau under UK data protection law.
Start by contacting your insurer if the error appears in their records. Provide evidence such as policy schedules, claim closure letters, or correspondence that clarifies the true outcome. Insurers are required to investigate and amend inaccuracies promptly.
If the mistake lies within the CUE database, you can raise it directly with the MIB. They will liaise with the relevant insurer to verify the details and correct the entry. This process may take time, but it is essential for ensuring your record accurately reflects your driving history.
Accurate claims data matters because errors can increase your premium, reduce your no-claims bonus, or even invalidate a future policy if discrepancies are discovered. Acting quickly to correct mistakes protects both your cover and your wallet.
Final thoughts
You can check your car insurance claims history by contacting your insurer or requesting a free copy from the CUE database, and it’s worth doing to ensure your record is accurate.
Your claims history directly influences the cost of your premiums and the strength of your no-claims bonus. Even non-fault incidents appear on file, and errors can unfairly push up your insurance costs.
By taking the time to check both with your insurer and through the central CUE database, you can spot mistakes early and request corrections under your data protection rights. This small step helps secure fair pricing, avoids disputes when switching insurers, and ensures your record reflects your driving accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. You can request your history online through your insurer or by submitting a free Subject Access Request to the CUE database via the MIB website.
The CUE database records all claims and incidents reported since its creation in 1994. Insurers usually focus on the last five years when pricing policies.
Not usually. Claims history records incidents and claims, not policy cancellations. However, insurers may ask separately about cancelled or refused cover.
Yes. All reported accidents are logged, whether or not you were at fault, as they help insurers assess your overall risk profile.
Yes. A Subject Access Request to the CUE database is free under UK data protection law, and insurers must also provide records upon request.
Yes. Almost all UK motor insurers use the CUE database to validate claims history when underwriting policies or processing applications.
Insurers share details of reported incidents with the CUE database, which acts as a centralised record accessible across the industry.
Yes. Errors can lead to higher premiums or loss of discounts. You can challenge inaccuracies through your insurer or the MIB to have them corrected.