CarInsurance.com Insights
- What It Is: A CLUE report is a comprehensive record of your auto and property insurance claims history maintained by LexisNexis.
- How It’s Used: Insurers access CLUE reports to evaluate your risk profile and determine premiums or coverage eligibility.
- Lookback Period: The report typically includes claims from the past seven years.
- Access Rights: Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can get one free CLUE report annually.
- Errors Matter: Inaccurate information can raise insurance rates — review and dispute inaccuracies promptly.
What is a CLUE report?
A CLUE report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) is a centralized insurance claims history maintained by LexisNexis Risk Solutions. It compiles data that insurers submit about past auto and homeowners claims, including details like claim date, type of loss, payout amounts, policy information, and claim status. Insurers use CLUE reports to assess risk when underwriting or renewing policies.
Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (known as FACT or FACTA), you are entitled to receive one free auto and one free personal property report every 12 months.
What information does a CLUE report contain?
A typical CLUE report, which generally covers about seven years of history, includes:
- Claim dates and loss type (e.g., collision, theft)
- Amount paid by the insurer
- Policy number and claim number
- Insurer name
- Records of inquiries even if no payout occurred
How do insurers use CLUE reports?
Insurance companies pull CLUE reports when you:
- Apply for a new policy
- Renew an existing policy
- Add or replace a vehicle
They analyze your claims history as a predictor of future risk. Frequent or severe claims can lead to higher premiums or limited coverage options.
Speak with a friendly agent and get your quote in minutes!
How do I get my CLUE report?
You can obtain your CLUE report by calling LexisNexis Services at l-800-458-9197 or emailing [email protected]. The personal reports section of the LexisNexis website also tells you how to order a copy of the report through the mail or view the report online.
Here’s a simple example of how the exchange system works:
- On a monthly basis, insurance companies feed information about property loss claims, even inquiries about coverage, into a central database.
- The database is maintained by an information vendor, not another insurance company.
- For example, if you file a claim for loss against your car insurance policy, the insurance company adds this information to the national database.
- If you compare insurance companies and apply for homeowners insurance or car insurance with another company, the new insurance company can access the database and learn of your past claims.
- The consumer report shows the new insurer information about any claims you filed under your previous insurer’s policy. CLUE reports also include information about inquiries you made, even if claims were never submitted or paid.
When you or your insurance company requests a CLUE report, it will include all losses reported within the past seven years from the date of the request. The basic details are the date of loss, loss type and amount paid, your insurance company name, policy number and claim number.
Insurers also order CLUE reports during underwriting, but they’re not obligated to provide you the results unless you request them.
Why you should review your CLUE report
Because insurers rely on CLUE data to set your rates, incorrect records can cost you money. Errors — such as claims that aren’t yours or outdated information — can push premiums higher. If you find inaccurate entries:
- Dispute them with LexisNexis in writing or online
- Provide supporting documents
- LexisNexis must investigate and reply within a set timeframe
Regular review helps ensure your insurance risk profile is accurate.
Common myths and practical tips
- Not all claims affect your rates equally: Small or old claims may matter less than recent or repeated losses.
- No payout doesn’t mean no record: Even claims with no payout or inquiries about coverage may appear on CLUE.
- Shopping around helps: Different insurers weigh CLUE data differently — comparing quotes can lead to better premiums.
Still have a question? Ask our experts
Get advice from an experienced insurance professional. Our experts will help you navigate your insurance questions with clarity and confidence.
Browse all FAQs
