Auto Ins shoppng turns up bad information

[IFindKarma]

I am in Georgia.
I was shopping for cheaper auto insurance the other day, and one of the companies I was calling informed me that an accident I had in 1997 resulted in a claim being paid to the other driver. I was totally unaware of this, and such information has not showed up before in my yearly searches for inexpensive auto insurance.
Here is what happened in 1997. A vehicle ran a red light, and I plowed into the side of it. No witnesses, only my word against his. I contacted his ins company: they said there was not enough evidence to prove their client's fault. So, we had our day in court, but the other driver does not show up, and the ticket I received was rendered null and void (or what ever it is called). I belonged to one of those LMO's at the time, and tried to sue the guy, but he had nothing, so I just chalked it up to experience, got myself another vehicle, and moved on with life.
Now I find out that my ins carrier at that time paid the other driver $400.00. The accident was not my fault, and the other driver doesn't even show in court--how, or why would my previous ins co. pay this guy, and then never inform me? And why is it just now showing up when I am searching for new coverage? How can I rectify this situation, because it is causing my rates to go up, and it is false?
Thank you for your guidance.

 

[JETX]

Q1) "how, or why would my previous ins co. pay this guy, and then never inform me?"
A1) Insurance settlements often have little to do with who got a ticket or the final disposition of that ticket. The fact that the ticket was dismissed due to a 'no-show' by the other driver (witness) really does nothing to negate your liability or to 'wash' the claim from your record. When the other driver filed a claim against your insurance policy, your insurance company evaluated the facts (as they knew them) and decided that you either had some liability, or the claim was so low (as in $400) that it would be cheaper for them to pay it then to challenge it. Don't get too righteous, since you were the ticketed party, it is obvious that the police felt you were a cause of the accident also. As to why they didn't inform you, you will have to ask them.

Q2) "And why is it just now showing up when I am searching for new coverage?"
A2) Again, you will have to ask the insurance company.

Q3) "How can I rectify this situation, because it is causing my rates to go up, and it is false?"
A3) In any case, this is long done and would be extremely unlikely for you to 'undo' it now. As for it being 'false', it really wasn't. The insurance paid a claim made against you, and that is what they are reporting.

 

[tammy8]

Boy Halket you sure know your stuff! Also in some states if you are involved in an accident and can be found to 1%, yes one little percent at fault (as in you should have looked both ways before entering intersection and therefore could have avoided the accident) then a claim can be paid or denied for both parties.