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What Is a CLUE Report and Why Does It Matter?
A CLUE report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) is a database maintained by LexisNexis that tracks insurance claims history for both individuals and properties. When you apply for homeowners insurance, your insurer pulls this report to evaluate the risk of covering your home — and it can directly influence whether you're approved and what premium you'll pay.
The CLUE database collects up to seven years of home insurance and personal property claims, recording everything from water damage and fire events to theft and weather-related losses. Major insurers like Allstate, Progressive, and Geico all participate in and contribute to the CLUE database, making it one of the most widely used underwriting tools in the industry.
What Information Appears on a CLUE Report?
A home insurance CLUE report contains several key data points for each claim on record:
| Data Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Policyholder Name | Name and personal details of the insured |
| Property Address | The specific address tied to the claim |
| Policy Number | The insurance policy under which the claim was filed |
| Claim Number | Unique identifier for each individual claim |
| Date of Loss | When the loss or damage event occurred |
| Type of Loss | Category of claim (e.g., water damage, fire, theft, wind) |
| Amount Paid | Dollar amount the insurer paid out on the claim |
| Insurance Provider | The company that issued the policy and paid the claim |
Importantly, a CLUE report only exists if a claim was actually filed within the past seven years. If no claims have been made, the report will simply come back blank — which is the best outcome for a homebuyer or policyholder.
How Long Do Claims Stay on a CLUE Report?
Claims remain on your CLUE report for seven years from the date of the loss. This applies to both personal claims (tied to you as a policyholder) and property claims (tied to a specific home address). Once the seven-year window passes, the claim automatically falls off the report and no longer influences your rates or eligibility.
This means that even if a previous homeowner filed multiple claims years ago, those records will eventually age out. However, if a property has several recent claims, they can follow the address — not just the previous owner — and affect your ability to get affordable coverage.
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How Insurers Use Your CLUE Report
Insurance companies pull your CLUE report during the underwriting process to assess the risk of insuring you or your property. The report helps them identify patterns — like repeated water damage or multiple weather-related losses — that suggest a higher likelihood of future claims.
How It Affects Your Rates and Eligibility
CLUE report activity can impact both your premium pricing and your eligibility for coverage. Most insurers have a maximum number of acceptable claims. Exceed that threshold and you may face denial, coverage exclusions, higher deductibles, or placement in a high-risk tier.
Here's a general look at how claims history can affect your monthly home insurance premium:
| Claims History | Estimated Monthly Premium | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| No Claims | ~$95 | Widest carrier access, best rates |
| 1 Weather Claim | ~$120 | Standard rate adjustment |
| 2 Claims | ~$145 | Fewer insurer options |
| 3+ Claims | ~$175 | Limited approvals, high-risk pricing |
| Major Property Claim | ~$205 | Significant rate increase or denial |
Note: Premium estimates are national averages and will vary based on location, home value, and insurer.
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How to Get Your Free CLUE Report
Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), you are entitled to one free copy of your CLUE report every 12 months. The report is issued by LexisNexis Risk Solutions, and there are three ways to request it:
3 Ways to Request Your CLUE Report
After submitting your request online or by phone, you'll receive a letter via U.S. Mail containing a PIN and a URL to access your encrypted report. LexisNexis is required to provide your free report within 15 days of your request. Checking your own report does not affect your insurance scores or credit.
How to Dispute Errors on Your CLUE Report
Errors on your CLUE report — such as claims that don't belong to you, incorrect loss amounts, or outdated information — can unfairly drive up your premiums. Here's how to dispute them:
- Request your free CLUE report and review it carefully for inaccuracies
- Gather documentation — claim letters, settlement records, or correspondence from your insurer
- Contact LexisNexis directly at 1-888-497-0011 or via the dispute portal at consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com
- File your dispute in writing, explaining the error and attaching supporting documents
- Follow up with your insurer if they contributed incorrect data to the report
- Add a consumer statement if your dispute isn't resolved — this note will appear on all future versions of your report
LexisNexis is required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to investigate disputes and correct verified errors within a reasonable timeframe.
Checking the CLUE Report Before Buying a Home
One of the smartest moves a homebuyer can make is requesting a CLUE report on a property before closing. The report reveals a seven-year history of insurance claims tied to that address, giving you critical insight into hidden problems that may not show up during a standard home inspection.
What a CLUE Report Can Reveal
- Prior water damage or mold remediation claims
- History of fire or smoke damage
- Storm, wind, or hail events
- Theft or vandalism incidents
- Structural or foundation-related claims
This information is especially important for properties in risk-prone areas, such as coastal homes, flood zones, or regions prone to wildfires.
Strategies If a Property Has Negative CLUE Items
Discovering red flags on a property's CLUE report doesn't necessarily mean you should walk away — but it does mean you need to act strategically.
- Get a targeted home inspection — Ask your inspector to focus specifically on areas tied to prior claims (e.g., plumbing if there are water damage claims)
- Request proof of repairs — Ask the seller for documentation showing the damage was fully repaired to code
- Get insurance quotes early — Obtain homeowners insurance estimates before finalizing your offer so you can factor real costs into your decision
- Negotiate the purchase price — Use the claims history to negotiate a lower price to offset anticipated higher premiums or future repairs
- Shop multiple insurers — Not all insurers weigh CLUE data the same way; independent brokers can help you find carriers with more favorable underwriting guidelines
- Consider a contingency clause — Make the CLUE report a contingency in your offer so you can withdraw if the claims history is too risky
Frequently Asked Questions About CLUE Reports
What is a CLUE report in home insurance?
A CLUE report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) is a database maintained by LexisNexis that records up to seven years of home insurance claims tied to a property or individual. Insurers use this report during the underwriting process to evaluate risk, determine coverage eligibility, and set premium pricing. It is one of the most widely referenced tools in the homeowners insurance industry and is accessed by most major insurance companies.
How do I get my CLUE report for free?
Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), you are entitled to one free CLUE report every 12 months. You can request it online at consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com, by calling LexisNexis at 1-866-312-8076, or by mailing a written request to their Consumer Center in Atlanta, GA. Your report will be delivered by U.S. Mail with a PIN to access it securely online.
How long do claims stay on a CLUE report?
Claims remain on a CLUE report for seven years from the date of the loss event. After seven years, the claim automatically ages off the report and no longer affects your insurance rates or eligibility. This applies to both personal claim history and property-specific claim history tied to a specific home address.
Can I dispute errors on my CLUE report?
Yes. If you find inaccurate information on your CLUE report — such as a claim that doesn't belong to you or an incorrect payout amount — you can file a formal dispute with LexisNexis by calling 1-888-497-0011 or submitting a dispute through their consumer portal. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, LexisNexis is required to investigate the dispute and correct verified errors. You can also add a consumer statement to your report if the dispute is not resolved to your satisfaction.
Should I check the CLUE report before buying a home?
Absolutely. A property's CLUE report can reveal a history of water damage, fire, mold, theft, or structural claims that may not be visible during a standard home inspection. This information helps you assess the true cost of ownership, anticipate future insurance premiums, and negotiate the purchase price. Always ask the seller to provide their CLUE report as part of the transaction, or make it a formal contingency in your offer.