We own our home outright and were paid by our Homeowners Ins. A few years back to replace the roof. We chose not to do it at that time. We have since changed Insurance companies, and need to put a claim in for our roof. Will our new insurance co. know that we were paid a few years back for replacement?

Most likely... and putting in a claim for something you were already paid to replace and didn't could easily be constituted as fraud.

Do claims on your home follow the home or the policy holder? If old policy on home was under one person, and years later new policy/ins. Company is under different policy holder name, would new insurance company have access to previous claims?

Good question, goodquestions. As far as I know, claims do not follow new OWNERS. They do follow changes in insurers. Companies share information these days.

It's probable that since the databases are by address, that they have all claim history but aren't legally allowed to use the information against a new owner. They do check 'town cards' (all the vital stats including permits) and will often come out to take pictures, as well has have a new insurer fill out a questionnaire. I have had insurance requiring no site visit and others that did.

I'm a liability investigator. I follow the PEOPLE, not the PROPERTY when I'm conducting an investigation unless for some reason I think there's another problem such as a house that was sold with an existing problem for which a claim has been paid.

It's unusual for me to check on the property's history.

And, yes, I work on insurance claims.

This is an anonymous board - what is your specific concern?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

I'm a liability investigator. I follow the PEOPLE, not the PROPERTY when I'm conducting an investigation unless for some reason I think there's another problem such as a house that was sold with an existing problem for which a claim has been paid.

It's unusual for me to check on the property's history.

And, yes, I work on insurance claims.

This is an anonymous board - what is your specific concern?

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We had placed a claim years ago on our roof and our policy was under my name with a different insurance company. A few years ago we switched insurance companies and the policy is now under my husband. I was wondering if the new insurance company has access to a claim that was made under my name and a different company and would be used against us. Is there a way to find out?

I don't understand what you mean by "used against you." Claims for damages are based on the circumstances and dollar amount.

Now, if the repair cost was paid and the repair not done, yes, that could be insurance fraud. You would have to look at the settlement check.

And most insurance companies now run checks using SS numbers so you aren't a stranger to the company.

Is that what you asked?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

I don't understand what you mean by "used against you." Claims for damages are based on the circumstances and dollar amount.

Now, if the repair cost was paid and the repair not done, yes, that could be insurance fraud. You would have to look at the settlement check.

And most insurance companies now run checks using SS numbers so you aren't a stranger to the company.

Is that what you asked?

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No fraud... I just wanted to knownew insurance company had access to claims under a previous/different policy holder for the same property and a different Insurance company. I must be a bad communicator. Sorry

Okay, now I get it - will company A know that the same person, different legal name, know filed an insurance claim? Possibly IF the insurance company runs that SS number through a claim basis - and not all companies do.

Can all claims by the same SS number be tracked in the same manner? Yes. I've particularly see that happen when claims are submitted as part of a Credit Report finding.

First please don't start multiple threads over the same question. I've merged your threads.

I guess you didn't like being accused of fraud the first time, so you tried again with a slightly different story.

Doesn't matter that the names are different; Your current insurer will check with previous carriers. They will check whether the property changed hands. Since title wasn't transferred they will consider filing another claim for the roof repair to be fraud.

Good catch, Scott - I was responding to the neutral thread, didn't know there was a second thread.

Even without access to databases of all possible carriers, I can tell you that there are more and more insurance questions and they ARE checked. I have owned my last 3 homes outright, and didn't always have HO insurance. When I tried to insure one home after being lapsed for 4 years, I couldn't get ANY carrier to insure the house. Why? Probably because they assumed that I only wanted insurance when something was wrong with my house.

One thing no one has yet mentioned is that homeowner's insurance does not cover pre-existing damage. You can't file a claim for damage that occurred prior to the policy being in force. I bet your current insurance carrier came out to inspect the home and took pictures prior to issuing your policy, in part so that they don't get scammed by people like you. If you put in a new claim they would come out and see that the condition of the roof is the same as when you applied for the policy and they should turn you down. At least I hope that's what happens. My insurance rates are high enough already - I don't need scammers bilking the system and driving costs higher.