How do I find my car insurance claim history?

Key takeaways  

• You can check your car insurance claim history by contacting your current car insurer or using the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE)

• Insurance claims remain on the CUE database for six years

• When you buy car insurance, you need to tell your new insurer about your claims history

What counts as a car insurance claim?  

A car insurance claim happens when a driver contacts their car insurer after an accident. They ask the insurer for compensation for any damage caused to the car or anything else. Depending on the type of insurance they have, compensation can be paid out for repairs to the car, damage to public or private property, or any people involved in the accident. 

Car accidents can be minor or very serious. They can range from a small scratch on your car door or a broken wing mirror to your car being stolen or written off altogether. But a car insurance claim only happens when someone contacts their insurer.

📣 Did you know? Insurers dealt with 2.4 million motor insurance claims in 2024 and paid out a record £11.7 billion due to the rise in theft and repair costs impacting premiums, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

How do I find my car insurance claim history?  

How long do insurance claims stay on my record?

If you make an insurance claim, it will remain on the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) database for six years from the date the claim was closed.  

Can I check if any claims have been made against a particular vehicle?

If you buy a used car you won’t be able to check for any car insurance claims but there might be clues in the car’s maintenance record or service history which should detail any repairs. You can also check the car’s V5C logbook to see whether the car has been an insurance write-off.

Some other checks you can carry out on the car:

• Ask a garage or dealership to run an independent history check on the car

• Use the DVLA’s free Vehicle Information Checker to see if the information matches up to the details the seller has given you

• Check the car’s MOT history

• Use the car's vehicle registration to check its history with tools like HPI Check

What kind of car insurance claims are there?  

Car insurance claims are put into two different categories: 

• At-fault claims: your insurer has paid out after an accident, even if you aren’t to blame. This could happen if another driver is to blame but doesn’t give their details, for example 

• Non-fault claims: the other driver was to blame and their insurer has paid out compensation to you

Will a car insurance claim affect how much I pay?  

Yes, making a claim on your car insurance can push up the price you pay because:

• Insurers often think any type of accident puts you at a higher risk of making an insurance claim in the future so even if it was a no-fault accident where you weren’t to blame, you could pay more

• If you lose your no-claims bonus, by making a claim, this can significantly increase the price you pay on your insurance. 

Despite the risk of paying more, it’s important to always make an insurance claim if you need to. Insurers use the CUE database to check if any incidents have occurred with different vehicles so if you fail to tell your insurer, they can usually find out anyway.  

The price will usually rise at renewal, or when you’re buying a new insurance policy, rather than at the moment you make a claim.  

Is there a database where I can check my car insurance no claims history?  

No, there is not a database which consumers can use but authorised insurers can use the no claims discount service, run by the MIB. This is an online database with details about policyholders and their claims history.  

It allows insurers to check if someone has a no claims history without the customer having to provide their policy details. They will be told the number of discount years you have, and if these are protected, guaranteed, or standard.  

You can check your no claims history by looking at your car insurance paperwork, including renewal letters, your policy, a cancellation letter, or a letter from your insurer with details of your discount.  

How do I compare car insurance quotes?

It is always worth checking your car insurance is the best policy for you and your vehicle and that you’re not paying too much for it.

Comparing car insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket is a quick and easy way to find affordable cover.

Just tell us about yourself, your driving history, and the car you want to insure, and we’ll search the market for quotes that match your requirements.

You’ll be able to compare policies by the overall cost of cover, the type of policy, and the excess you’d need to pay to make a claim. Once you’ve found the deal you want, just click through to the provider to finalise your purchase.