Is there a law or code governing how long an insurance company is required to keep customer accident records?
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Is there a law or code governing how long an insurance company is required to keep customer accident records?
I requested records from my insurance company for an accident that occurred in 2003. The agent informed me that they only have copies of the damage estimate, and do not have records for the actual repair details; meaning they only have an appraisal for the damages done to my vehicle, but they have no records of what was actually repaired on my vehicle. In CA.
Asked on February 17, 2011 under Insurance Law, California
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Technically these are business records for the insurance company. Laws vary from state to state on how long a party must keep their business records and sometimes it varies on the type of profession that must keep the records. For example, an attorney in New York must keep a file for seven years after it closes. Generally it is between five and seven years that the file must be maintained. I would double check with your state Department of Insurance and see what they say on the matter. The records you want are from eight years ago so you are already passed the general rule. You could already be out of luck. Good luck to you.
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