Do Auto Insurance Companies Check Police Reports?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

Auto insurers use a lot of data to price your policy—things like your age, driving history, credit score, and past claims. So it’s natural to wonder: do insurance companies check police reports?

Yes—auto insurance companies often review police reports, especially when a crash turns into a claim, there’s a dispute about what happened, or there are injuries, citations, or signs of fraud. Below is how insurers get police reports, what they look for, and how reports can affect claims and premiums.

• Yes—auto insurers often check police reports during claims, especially when fault is disputed, there are injuries, or citations were issued.
• Police reports don’t always “automatically” go to your insurer; companies usually get them from you, the police department, state systems, or the other driver’s insurer.
• Insurers use reports to verify facts (who/when/where), review witness statements and citations, and spot red flags like fraud or inconsistent stories.
• Beyond police reports, many insurers also review loss-history databases (like CLUE), so it’s smart to check your reports and dispute errors when needed.

Quick answer: Do insurance companies check police reports?

In many situations, yes. If you’re filing a claim, your insurer may ask for a report number or a copy of the report—particularly if you’re unsure whether you need a police report to file a claim. But not every accident has a police report (like a minor parking-lot bump where nobody calls the police), and insurers can still adjust claims using photos, statements, vehicle inspections, and other evidence.

How insurance companies get police reports

Police reports don’t always “automatically” go to your insurer. Instead, insurers typically get them in one of these ways:

• You provide it when you file a claim. When you file an insurance claim after an accident, your adjuster may request the report number, the officer’s name, and the department that responded.
• The insurer requests it from the police department or state crash-report system. Availability and process vary by state and locality. Some reports are available online for a small fee; others require mail or in-person requests.
• The other driver’s insurer pulls the report. Even if you never submit it, the other party may obtain the report and share it during the claims process.

If you need help getting a report, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to file a police report after an accident (and what information to gather at the scene).

What insurers look for in a police report

A police report is one piece of the puzzle—but it can be a powerful one. Adjusters commonly review:

• Date/time/location details (helps verify the loss happened when and where it was reported)
• Driver and vehicle information (names, license numbers, VINs, insurance info)
• Witness statements and contact info
• Diagrams and narrative describing the scene and damage
• Citations issued (speeding, following too closely, running a light, etc.)
• Notes suggesting impairment, distraction, or evasive behavior (when documented)

Importantly, a police report can influence how fault is viewed, but it doesn’t always “decide” fault by itself. Insurers weigh it alongside vehicle damage, photos/video, statements, and inspections—especially when there’s a dispute about whether you were at fault.

Do police reports affect your premium?

They can. A report that supports your version of events may help you avoid an at-fault finding—and that can help protect your rate. On the flip side, a report that includes citations, risky driving behavior, or details that raise red flags can contribute to higher premiums at renewal.

Police reports also matter when a claim triggers deeper review. If an insurer suspects insurance fraud or a crime like theft, the report (and any related documentation) often becomes part of the insurer’s file.

To understand what an insurer may do during this process, see our guide on how car insurance companies investigate claims.

CLUE reports: The other “report” insurers use

Even beyond police reports, insurers can often see your claim history through industry databases—so there’s usually no reliable way to hide accident or claim information from insurance companies.

One of the most well-known systems is CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange), maintained by LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Insurers may use CLUE-like loss history when underwriting a new policy or reviewing a renewal—especially if the claims you report don’t match what the database shows.

You can also review what’s being reported about you. Here’s how to see your CLUE report online. If you want to request your LexisNexis consumer disclosure directly, use the LexisNexis consumer portal: FACT Act Consumer Disclosure Report request.

Note: Another loss history product you may hear about is Verisk’s A-PLUS. Not every insurer uses the same data source, but the concept is similar: insurers want a consistent view of prior losses when pricing risk.

What to do if a police report is wrong

Mistakes happen—wrong street name, incorrect direction of travel, missing witness, or a confusing diagram. If you see errors:

• Request a copy quickly and review it line by line.
• Gather supporting evidence (photos, dashcam footage, witness contact info, repair estimates).
• Ask the reporting agency about corrections (many departments won’t “rewrite” a report, but they may allow an addendum or supplemental statement).
• Share your documentation with your adjuster so the claim file reflects your evidence, not just the initial narrative.

FAQs on Auto Insurance Companies and Police Reports

Final word: Be honest—insurers can usually verify incidents

It’s almost always best to be upfront with your insurance company. Between police reports, motor vehicle records, and loss history databases, insurers often learn about accidents and violations even if you don’t mention them.

If you want to see what’s on file from the state side, start with getting a copy of your driving record. And if your premium jumps after a claim, you can still switch carriers and compare quotes—just know that the underlying incident may still be visible to new insurers for a period of time.

Ultimately, the best way to keep rates down is to drive safely, document accidents thoroughly, and respond quickly when an insurer asks for details.