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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 Risk Solutions 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. According to LexisNexis, its property loss history reports pull from claims data provided by more than 90% of insurers that write homeowners coverage, 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. Keep in mind that while claims stay on your CLUE report for up to seven years, most insurers focus on the last three to five years when calculating your premium.
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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. Learn more about multiple home insurance claims and how many is too many before you're dropped.
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. If you're already dealing with a rejection, our guide on home insurance denials explains your next steps.
According to 2026 NerdWallet data, homeowners with a single claim on record pay roughly 10% more than those with no claims, on a national average of about $2,490 per year. Homeowners with two claims on record see the average jump to about $4,290 per year, which represents a 72% increase over a clean record. Here's a general look at how claims history affects your annual home insurance premium in 2026:
| Claims History | Estimated Annual Premium | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| No Claims | ~$2,490 | Widest carrier access, best rates |
| 1 Claim | ~$2,750 | ~10% increase, standard adjustment |
| 2 Claims | ~$4,290 | ~72% increase, fewer insurer options |
| 3+ Claims | ~$5,000+ | Limited approvals, high-risk pricing |
| Major Property Claim | Non-renewal risk | Significant rate increase or denial |
Note: Premium estimates are national averages based on NerdWallet's 2026 analysis. Actual rates vary by state, home value, insurer, and claim type. Weather-related claims are often penalized less than preventable losses like liability or maintenance-related water damage.
Your CLUE report isn't the only factor that shapes your rate. Insurers also use a credit-based insurance score, so it's worth reviewing how your credit score affects home insurance rates as well. Before you file a claim, review our guide on when to file a home insurance claim to weigh the long-term premium impact.
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How to Get Your Free CLUE Report in 2026
Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), you are entitled to one free copy of your CLUE report every 12 months. LexisNexis calls this a FACT Act Disclosure Report, 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 instructions and a personalized link to access your report online. Under the FCRA, LexisNexis must provide your free report within 15 days of receiving your request, and checking your own report does not affect your insurance scores or credit. If you don't receive the mailed letter within about 10 days, call the LexisNexis Consumer Center at 1-888-497-0011 to follow up.
If you received an adverse action letter from an insurer, call LexisNexis directly at 1-800-456-6004 to request the information tied to that decision.
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. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), LexisNexis must conduct a free reasonable investigation of your dispute, generally within 30 days (or up to 45 days in certain circumstances), and correct or delete any inaccurate information. Here's how to dispute errors:
- Request your free CLUE report and review it line by line, marking anything you don't recognize (claims you never filed, duplicate entries, or incorrect dates)
- Gather documentation including claim denial letters, settlement records, payment records, or correspondence from your insurer
- Contact LexisNexis directly at 1-866-897-8126 or via the dispute portal at consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com (you can also reach a live representative at 1-888-497-0011)
- File your dispute in writing by mail (certified with return receipt is strongly recommended) explaining the exact error and attaching copies (not originals) of supporting documents
- Follow up with your insurer if they contributed incorrect data, since the "furnisher" is also legally required to correct the error and notify all reporting agencies
- Add a consumer statement (up to 100 words) if your dispute isn't resolved, so your explanation appears on all future versions of your report
If LexisNexis fails to correct verified errors, you can escalate by filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or your state insurance commissioner, or by consulting an FCRA attorney. If a disputed claim contributed to a policy non-renewal, review our guide on home insurance non-renewal for your next steps.
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. Claims filed by a prior owner can also lead to higher premiums for you, so this due diligence step is essential.
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. Rate pressure varies dramatically by state: Colorado has seen a 100.8% cumulative rate increase from 2020 to 2025, followed by Iowa (96.0%) and Minnesota (88.2%), while Florida rates average roughly $7,136 to $9,449 per year depending on the source. Before finalizing any offer, learn how to get a home insurance quote so you can factor real premium costs into your decision.
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 and 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 by asking the seller for documentation showing the damage was fully repaired to code
- Get insurance quotes early by obtaining homeowners insurance estimates before finalizing your offer so you can factor real costs into your decision
- Negotiate the purchase price using the claims history to negotiate a lower price to offset anticipated higher premiums or future repairs
- Shop multiple insurers since 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 to make the CLUE report a condition in your offer so you can withdraw if the claims history is too risky
If a property is otherwise hard to cover, our guide on hard-to-insure homes explains the alternatives, from surplus lines carriers to state FAIR Plans. If a property's claims history is tied to financial distress or a foreclosure, review our guide on home insurance after foreclosure to understand the additional coverage challenges you may face.
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 Risk Solutions 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, drawing data from more than 90% of insurers that write homeowners coverage.
How do I get my CLUE report for free in 2026?
Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), you are entitled to one free CLUE report every 12 months, known as the FACT Act Disclosure Report. You can request it online at consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com/factact, by calling LexisNexis at 1-866-312-8076, or by mailing a written request to their Consumer Center at P.O. Box 105295, Atlanta, GA 30348-5295. You'll receive a letter by U.S. Mail with instructions to access your report securely online, typically within 15 days.
How much does a claim on my CLUE report raise my premium?
On average in 2026, a single claim raises your annual homeowners premium by about 10%, going from a national average of $2,490 to roughly $2,750, according to NerdWallet's 2026 analysis. Two claims can push the average premium to about $4,290, a 72% increase over a clean record. The exact increase varies by state, insurer, and claim type, with weather-related claims often penalized less than preventable losses.
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, although most insurers focus on the most recent three to five years when pricing a policy.
Can I dispute errors on my CLUE report?
Yes. If you find inaccurate information on your CLUE report, you can file a formal dispute with LexisNexis by calling 1-866-897-8126 or submitting a dispute through their consumer portal at consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, LexisNexis must investigate the dispute (generally within 30 days, up to 45 in some cases) and correct verified errors free of charge. If the dispute isn't resolved, you can add a consumer statement of up to 100 words or escalate to the CFPB or your state insurance commissioner.
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.