What is an ISO Search?
If you’ve filed a personal injury claim, there’s a good chance the insurance company has run something called an ISO search on you. However, what is an ISO search, and why do insurance companies use it?
Basically, an ISO search is a background check for your insurance history. ISO stands for Insurance Services Office, Inc., a third-party data collection company that assists insurance providers in investigating claims by sharing information among themselves. This can ultimately decide what you receive in a settlement.
In this article, we’ll explain in-depth what an ISO search is, how it works, what kind of information it pulls, and how it can affect your personal injury claim.
What is the ISO ClaimSearch Database?
The ISO ClaimSearch database is the insurance industry’s most extensive system for tracking and sharing claim information. Over 90% of property and casualty insurance companies in the U.S. use this database to screen claims. No matter if your claim involves a car crash, a slip and fall, or other personal injury, your insurance company will compare it to everything else you’ve filed before.
Insurers use ISO ClaimSearch to identify patterns, duplicate claims, and possible fraud. If you’ve filed several injury claims in the past or there are inconsistencies in your story, an insurer will see that and possibly use it against you.
What is the Purpose of an ISO Search?
An ISO search helps insurers do three things:
- Spot fraudulent activity, such as people filing the same type of claim multiple times
- Compare your current claim to past claims to ensure consistency
- Decide how much your case is worth based on your claim history
Insurance companies don’t want to pay out more than they have to. If something in your history raises a red flag, they might lower your settlement offer or deny the claim.
Can You Request an ISO Report?
You can’t directly request an ISO report as the ISO ClaimSearch database isn’t open to the public. It’s primarily used by insurance companies, law enforcement agencies, and other regulated organizations.
However, you can work around this. Since your ISO report will most likely include consumer-related data, like your name or Social Security number, you can request a free consumer report from each of the three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to double-check for errors.
What Information is Included in an ISO Report?
ISO reports can include a significant amount of personal and claim-related information, such as:
- Driver License Number
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Social Security Number
- Tax Identification Number
- Telephone Number
- Vehicle License Plate Number
- Insurance Policy/Claim Numbers
- Law Enforcement Case Numbers
- Contact information (phone numbers and addresses)
- Past claim details, including date of loss and injury descriptions
Can You Dispute Information in an ISO Report?
Yes, and you should if something is wrong. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have the right to dispute errors in any report that has your personal information. If ISO, or the reporting insurer, can’t confirm that their data is accurate within 30 days, they are legally required to remove or correct the disputed information.
To file a dispute, you’ll need to:
- Write a letter to the relevant credit bureau explaining the mistake
- Provide documentation to support your claim
- Keep records of everything you send
Each credit bureau has its dispute process, so you’ll need to check the specific bureau that reported the incorrect information. Also, if your lawyer finds an inaccurate detail in one of your previous claims, they may need additional documentation, like an accident report in the case of a car accident. You can request accident reports from local or state police, depending on who responded to the scene, or Florida’s crash portal, in which you can purchase a report online.
A personal injury attorney can help you through this process and make sure your report is accurate before it can be used against you.
How Can an ISO Search Affect Your Personal Injury Claim?
Like most businesses, insurance companies are constantly seeking ways to reduce costs, and sometimes that means lowering their payouts. An ISO search then becomes an invaluable resource for insurers. Here’s how it can affect your case:
- Lower offers: If you’ve filed similar claims in the past, they might argue that your current injuries aren’t new or serious.
- Delays: If there are discrepancies between your story and what the ISO report shows, the insurance company may delay your claim while it investigates.
- Credibility questions: Even minor inconsistencies can make it look like you’re hiding something, like if you forget to mention a past injury.
None of this is fair if your current injuries are real and unrelated to the past; however, insurance companies don’t always give you the benefit of the doubt.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
The best way to protect yourself is to be honest with your lawyer from the start. Even if you’ve had previous injuries or unrelated claims, your attorney can build a strategy that addresses these incidents, as the opposing party might try to use them against you.
A good personal injury lawyer will:
- Ask detailed questions about your history
- Anticipate what might show up in an ISO search
- Dispute any inaccurate or irrelevant information before it’s used against you
- Make sure the insurance company doesn’t take your history out of context
To stay ahead of the insurer’s manipulation tactics, contact an experienced attorney immediately. The sooner you have legal support in your corner, the better chance you have at securing the compensation you deserve.
Concerned About an ISO Search? Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney Today
An ISO report may seem like a simple background check, but it can have a significant impact on your personal injury case. If you’re worried about what’s in your insurance history or you think the insurance company is trying to reduce your payout, don’t wait. An experienced Gainesville personal injury lawyer can review the information, challenge any inaccuracies, and ensure your case is handled fairly.
At Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A., we have your back. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation, where we’ll review your case and discuss your legal options.
Sources:
Property Carriers Beat Fraud with New Prior Loss Images in Verisk’s ISO ClaimSearch | Verisk
ISO ClaimSearch Access Explanation Form | National Insurance Crime Bureau
A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act | Consumer Finance
Florida Crash Portal | Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Mr. Fine was born in New York, New York, and was raised in the northeast, where he studied sociology at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He then graduated with honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1976. In law school, he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, was inducted into the Order of the Coif, and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. Mr. Fine was admitted into the Florida Bar in 1976, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in 1977, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida in 1991, and the United States Court of Appeals 11th Circuit in 1982.