Insurance Wants My Medical Records, What Should I Do?

After a car accident, it’s extremely common for the insurance company to request access to your medical records. They may say things like:

  • “We just need these to process your claim.”
  • “This is standard procedure.”
  • “We only need your records to confirm your injuries.”

But here’s the truth:

Insurance companies request medical records to protect their bottom line, not your health or your claim.

Granting them unlimited access can seriously damage your case, reduce your compensation, or even give them a reason to deny your claim altogether.

Before you sign anything, here is what you must understand.

Why Insurance Companies Want Your Medical Records

Insurance adjusters are trained to find information they can use to minimize or deny your claim. When they ask for your records, they aren’t just looking at injuries from the crash, they want access to your entire medical history.

Why?

✔ To blame your injuries on a pre-existing condition

If you ever had back pain, headaches, anxiety, or a prior injury, insurers may try to argue:

“You were already injured, this wasn’t caused by the accident.”

✔ To use gaps or inconsistencies in treatment against you

Missed appointments or delayed treatment? They’ll claim you weren’t hurt that badly.

✔ To search for anything unrelated that they can twist

Even past issues such as:

  • Stress
  • Migraines
  • Old injuries
  • Lifestyle factors
    may be used to justify a lowball offer.

For example, if they’ve already tried giving you a low offer, this guide explains why:
The truth about lowball settlement offers

What Medical Records You Should Not Give Insurance Companies

Never sign a blanket medical release form, especially one that says “full medical history.”

Why?

Because blanket releases allow the insurance company to view:

  • Past medical issues
  • Mental health history
  • Old injuries
  • Personal health data unrelated to your accident

This gives them far more ammunition than you realize.

Which Medical Records You Should Provide

You can provide medical records, but only the ones directly related to your accident.

These include:

  • ER documents
  • X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans
  • Doctor evaluations
  • Treatment records
  • Physical therapy notes
  • Specialist reports
  • Prescriptions related to the crash

These documents help prove:

  • The accident caused your injuries
  • You required medical treatment
  • Your injuries were not minor
  • Your recovery time and limitations
  • The cost of your medical care

If you’re unsure who is responsible for your bills while all this is happening, see:
Who pays medical bills after an accident?

Never Give Records Directly to the Insurance Company

Always let your personal injury lawyer handle medical record requests.

Why?

✔ They prevent the insurer from accessing irrelevant history

✔ Redact sensitive information

✔ Provide only what is necessary

✔ Maintain control over the narrative

✔ Stop insurers from twisting your words or symptoms

A lawyer knows exactly what the insurer needs, and what they’re fishing for.

If you haven’t yet spoken to a lawyer, this article explains what happens during your first conversation:
What to expect during a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer

What If You Already Signed a Medical Release?

All is not lost, but you need to act fast.

If the insurance company already has access:

  • They may pull years of your medical history
  • They may already be building a case against you
  • They may twist unrelated injuries to minimize your compensation

A lawyer can still:

  • Stop further access
  • Limit how records can be used
  • Provide additional context
  • Challenge any incorrect assumptions

The sooner you involve an attorney, the more protection you have.

How Insurance Uses Your Medical Records Against You

Insurance adjusters look for:

✔ Pre-existing conditions

They’ll claim your pain is part of an old injury.

✔ Delayed symptoms

If you didn’t go to the doctor immediately:
“You must not have been hurt.”

(Did you know many injuries appear later? Read:
How long do car accident injuries take to heal?)

✔ Social media activity

If you post photos while injured:
“You look healthy enough.”

✔ Gaps in treatment

They’ll argue you weren’t severe enough to follow up.

This is why controlling access to your records is critical.

What You Should Do When Insurance Asks for Your Records

1. Do NOT sign anything immediately

Delay politely. Say:
“I will have my attorney review this request.”

2. Only provide accident-related records

Nothing more.

3. Let a lawyer handle all communication

They will deliver the correct records in the correct way.

4. Continue medical treatment

Stopping treatment early damages your claim, even if you’re feeling better.

5. Document your symptoms

Pain journals are powerful evidence during negotiations.

Final Thoughts

Insurance companies request your medical records to reduce your payout, not to help you.
You should never sign broad releases or give access to your entire health history.

Protect yourself, your privacy, and your case value by letting a lawyer control which medical documents the insurance company sees.

If you’re unsure how to respond or already feel pressured:👉 Get a Free Case Evaluation
 https://help4accidents.com/get-a-free-case-evaluation-page/
 Find out exactly what to provide, what to avoid, and how to protect your injury claim.