Auto insurance companies spying?
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 48
From: Georgia
Auto insurance companies spying?
I was getting a rate quote for auto insurance today. When I asked the agent to verify that my renewal policy included a discount for low annual miles driven, she mentioned that the insurance company already knew how many miles I drive annually because they get reports from places like oil change shops when you take your car in.
I was kind of flabbergasted. Were others here aware of this?
How is this even legal--Is it just assumed that when you seek service at one of these shops, you consent to having stats about your car reported to insurance companies?
I was kind of flabbergasted. Were others here aware of this?
How is this even legal--Is it just assumed that when you seek service at one of these shops, you consent to having stats about your car reported to insurance companies?
Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 165
From: Menlo Park
They may be accessing the same data as in Carfax reports. Most dealers and some shops will report oil change/basic maintenance work here. This information is available to anyone, all you need is the VIN or LP of the vehicle.
Your insurance is only as good as your agent, IMO.
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,671
From: Boston, MA
I work for a large insurance company.
We don't pull carfax regularly because it costs too much. Other carriers do. There are potentially other sources for this data but carfax is the most likely.
We also slice our book up and order accident history reports on the worst like 3% predicted of drivers. Again, can't order on everyone due to cost. How often people run into things is, surprise, a really good predictor of whether they should pay a lot or a little.
To keep the best rates shop every three to five years. Other carriers are different than we are: geico for example will keep rates low as long as you're clean then dump you immediately after your first accident.
We don't pull carfax regularly because it costs too much. Other carriers do. There are potentially other sources for this data but carfax is the most likely.
We also slice our book up and order accident history reports on the worst like 3% predicted of drivers. Again, can't order on everyone due to cost. How often people run into things is, surprise, a really good predictor of whether they should pay a lot or a little.
To keep the best rates shop every three to five years. Other carriers are different than we are: geico for example will keep rates low as long as you're clean then dump you immediately after your first accident.
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,671
From: Boston, MA
You should also take a look at your policy to make sure it has the discount on it. Sometimes agents are just lazy and don't want to do any work on renewals.
If you really do not drive a lot - check out a telematics program - progressive is best known but all the big ones have some version. Ours tracks miles driven, hard braking, and nighttime driving. You get between a 5-25% discount (no surcharges).
The biggest savings come if you can improve your credit score. (everywhere except ca and ma I think)
If you really do not drive a lot - check out a telematics program - progressive is best known but all the big ones have some version. Ours tracks miles driven, hard braking, and nighttime driving. You get between a 5-25% discount (no surcharges).
The biggest savings come if you can improve your credit score. (everywhere except ca and ma I think)
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 48
From: Georgia
ABC 6/FOX 28 investigators looked into a driver's complaints that her insurance rate kept going up. The insurance company - American National - pulled her odomoter reading on her 2011 Chevy Malibu, and we found out her repair shop was routinely reporting all her service information to the CARFAX database.
The law allows insurance companies to check out that information from government agencies like the BMV, or other companies like CARFAX.
American National says it just started using CARFAX reports to check rates last September, and the source for mileage readings usually starts at your service center.
"When you come in for any service it goes into our database and CARFAX will pull, or take that information from our database, as needed."
Some shops say they report to CARFAX as a service to customers, because if you try to sell your vehicle, someone can see regular maintenance.
In fact, most dealer service shops have a system set up for CARFAX to get the data, and it's not optional. Car owners not being able to opt out raises questions over whether or not your car's information is personal.
The law allows insurance companies to check out that information from government agencies like the BMV, or other companies like CARFAX.
American National says it just started using CARFAX reports to check rates last September, and the source for mileage readings usually starts at your service center.
"When you come in for any service it goes into our database and CARFAX will pull, or take that information from our database, as needed."
Some shops say they report to CARFAX as a service to customers, because if you try to sell your vehicle, someone can see regular maintenance.
In fact, most dealer service shops have a system set up for CARFAX to get the data, and it's not optional. Car owners not being able to opt out raises questions over whether or not your car's information is personal.
Interesting.
Actually, maybe the thread title is somewhat misleading. I'm more pissed off to find out that the place doing maintenance work, as minor as an oil change, is snitching.
So someone doing their own oil changes isn't subject to this, while someone who pays for an oil change is also having their data reported whether they want it or not?
Last edited by Pucci; Jul 19, 2019 at 03:07 PM.
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 48
From: Georgia
I work for a large insurance company.
We don't pull carfax regularly because it costs too much. Other carriers do. There are potentially other sources for this data but carfax is the most likely.
We also slice our book up and order accident history reports on the worst like 3% predicted of drivers. Again, can't order on everyone due to cost. How often people run into things is, surprise, a really good predictor of whether they should pay a lot or a little.
To keep the best rates shop every three to five years. Other carriers are different than we are: geico for example will keep rates low as long as you're clean then dump you immediately after your first accident.
We don't pull carfax regularly because it costs too much. Other carriers do. There are potentially other sources for this data but carfax is the most likely.
We also slice our book up and order accident history reports on the worst like 3% predicted of drivers. Again, can't order on everyone due to cost. How often people run into things is, surprise, a really good predictor of whether they should pay a lot or a little.
To keep the best rates shop every three to five years. Other carriers are different than we are: geico for example will keep rates low as long as you're clean then dump you immediately after your first accident.
Btw, so if you go to an independent auto body shop to get a paint job for a minor fender bender, this is also being reported to Carfax or wherever and becomes available to insurance companies (whether you are informed this is happening or not)?
You should also take a look at your policy to make sure it has the discount on it. Sometimes agents are just lazy and don't want to do any work on renewals.
If you really do not drive a lot - check out a telematics program - progressive is best known but all the big ones have some version. Ours tracks miles driven, hard braking, and nighttime driving. You get between a 5-25% discount (no surcharges).
If you really do not drive a lot - check out a telematics program - progressive is best known but all the big ones have some version. Ours tracks miles driven, hard braking, and nighttime driving. You get between a 5-25% discount (no surcharges).
My concern about those tracker programs is that I might be dinged for exceeding the speed limit, which I routinely do in the HOV lanes when there's no other traffic around me.
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