What Is a Letter of Experience for Insurance
A letter of experience is a document you get from an old insurance company to give to a new one. It gives other companies information about your coverage and claims history.
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These letters inform other insurance companies about the types of claims you've filed in the past, the coverage you had and other relevant information about your insurance history.
In some cases, the letter can help you get lower rates with your new company. You'll typically only need an experience letter if you've had a lapse in coverage or you're moving from a foreign country.
What is an experience letter?
An experience letter, or a letter of experience, is a document your old insurance company sends to your new insurance company when you apply for coverage after not having insurance for a while. The letter explains your insurance history and gives the new company information about any claims you've filed in the past.
That information makes it easier for them to decide if you're eligible for certain discounts and how much they should charge you for coverage.
Though these letters are more commonly used in Canada, insurance companies in the U.S. may still use them to determine your rates.
What's included in a letter of experience for car insurance?
Most letters of experience include information about your claims history and your insurance history, including:
- Your name and address
- Your policy number
- Your dates of coverage
- Your claims history
- Information about lapses in coverage
- Any claims paid by your old insurance company
- Details of coverage cancellation
- Contact information for your old insurance company
When do I need a letter of experience?
Your new insurance company will tell you if you need a letter of experience. This typically happens if you've gone a few years without insurance. But there are a few other situations when an insurance company may ask for a letter.
- Moving from a foreign country
- Not having your own insurance policy in the past
- Not renewing coverage when you should've kept it
You can still get coverage without a letter, but you may pay higher rates. This is because your insurance company won't have an easy way to make sure you're a low-risk driver.
How to get an insurance letter of experience
To get a letter of experience, contact your old insurance company and ask for one. Be sure to tell your current or former insurer which insurance company you're trying to buy a policy from and the type of coverage you're buying.
- Contact your old insurance company and let them know you need a letter of experience. If you had a dedicated insurance agent who helped you manage your insurance, you can also call them.
- Give identifying information about your policy such as your policy number and coverage dates, if you have them. If you don't, your insurance company should be able to look up your information in their system.
- Tell them where to send the letter. Your new insurance company should give you a physical address or email address to use. If they don't, call the customer service line and ask where your old company should send the letter.
- Be ready to follow up. It can take time for your old insurance company to send your letter. If you haven't gotten confirmation that the letter was sent or that your new company received it, follow up. Contact your agent or the insurance company's customer service line and ask for an update.
If you're worried about how your insurance history might look, you can request a letter yourself and send it to your new insurance company. You don't have to wait for the company to request the letter.
What types of policies need letters of experience for insurance?
It depends on the insurance company, but you may need letters of experience when you're applying for:
Frequently asked questions
Will a letter of experience help me save on insurance?
It can, but it depends on the insurance company. Because letters of experience explain your insurance history, they can help prove that you haven't gotten into accidents or had to file claims in the past. This could show your new insurance company that you're responsible and low risk, which may result in lower rates.
How can I request a letter of experience?
You can request a letter of experience from your old insurance company by talking to your insurance agent or reaching out to the company's customer service team. However, if you need a letter of experience for a new policy, your new insurance company should ask you for one. You shouldn't need to give them one unless they ask or unless you're trying to prove you haven’t filed any recent claims to qualify for a discount.
How long does it take to get a letter of experience?
It varies by insurance company, but it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for your new insurance company to receive your letter. If you need the letter sooner, let your old insurance company know. They may be able to speed up the process.
Is a letter of experience the same as proof of insurance?
No. A letter of experience explains your insurance history. It doesn't prove that you have an active insurance policy. If you need proof of insurance, talk to your insurance agent or log in to your account and print off a copy of your insurance card.
What should I do if my old insurance company is out of business?
Talk to your new insurance company and see what they'll accept. You may be able to show them an old or expired insurance card or request certain information from your state that shows you had at least the minimum required coverage.
Do I need a separate letter of experience for each type of insurance?
Yes, you'll need a separate letter of experience for each type of insurance policy you're applying for if your insurance company asks for it. This is true even if you bundled policies with one insurance company.
Sarah Jones
Writer
Sarah Jones is a Staff Writer focused on helping readers understand complex insurance topics. She joined Value Penguin in 2025 after working for over a decade in marketing, where she specialized in writing for financial services firms, law firms and real estate companies. She's written for leading mortgage lenders, online banks, virtual payment services and insurance companies.
When she isn't writing, she enjoys hiking the mountains of northern New Mexico with her dog and her family and trying every local coffee shop she can find.
How insurance helped Sarah
Sarah became passionate about car insurance after a particularly big sneeze caused her to back her car into a stone wall. In her defense, the wall came out of nowhere.
Expertise
- Car insurance
- Home insurance
- Renters insurance
Education
- BA, English Language and Literature, Smith College
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