---
title: "CLUE Reports: What Insurance Companies Know About Your Home's History"
description: "The CLUE report tracks every claim filed on your property for the past seven years. Learn how to access your report, understand its impact on insurance rates, and dispute any errors."
canonical: "https://www.coveragecat.com/blog/clue-reports-insurance-claim-history"
last-updated: "2026-08-13"
---

# CLUE Reports: What Insurance Companies Know About Your Home's History

When you apply for [homeowners insurance](https://www.coveragecat.com/insurance-types/homeowners), carriers already know more about your property than you might expect. Before they quote you a rate, most insurers pull a report that reveals every claim filed on your home over the past several years. This report comes from a database called CLUE, and it shapes how much you pay for coverage—or whether you can get coverage at all.

The good news: you have the right to see exactly what insurers see. Understanding your CLUE report puts you in control when shopping for insurance, and it can save you from surprises during the application process.

## What Is a CLUE Report?

CLUE stands for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange. It is a database maintained by LexisNexis Risk Solutions that tracks insurance claim history for residential properties and automobiles across the United States [(LexisNexis, "CLUE Property", 2026)](https://risk.lexisnexis.com/products/clue-property). More than 99% of auto and homeowners insurers contribute data to this system [(Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, "Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange", 2026)](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/consumer-reporting-companies/companies-list/comprehensive-loss-underwriting-exchange/).

Insurance companies use CLUE reports to assess risk before they write a policy. When you request a quote, the carrier checks your property's claim history to determine whether to offer coverage and at what price. A home with multiple water damage claims, for example, presents a higher risk than one with no prior losses.

Here is the key distinction: the CLUE report attaches to the property address, not to you personally. If the previous owner filed three claims before selling, those claims still appear on the report when you buy the home [(National Association of Realtors, "CLUE Report", 2026)](https://www.nar.realtor/homeowners-insurance/clue-report). You inherit the property's claim history even though you had nothing to do with those losses.

This is a standard, legal industry practice protected by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. LexisNexis operates as a consumer reporting agency under federal law, which means you have specific rights regarding access and accuracy of your data [(Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, "Summary of Your Rights Under FCRA", 2026)](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf).

## What Information Does a CLUE Report Contain?

A CLUE report provides a detailed snapshot of all claims filed on a property. Insurance companies see exactly what happened, when it happened, and how much it cost.

| Information Included | Description |
|---------------------|-------------|
| Date of loss | When the incident occurred |
| Type of loss | Category such as water damage, fire, theft, or liability |
| Amount claimed | Dollar value requested by the policyholder |
| Amount paid | Actual payout from the insurance carrier |
| Claim description | Brief summary of what happened |
| Policy information | Carrier name and policy type |
| Property address | Location where the claim occurred |

The report captures claims from all carriers that have written policies on the property, not just the current insurer [(Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, "CLUE", 2026)](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/insurance/consumer-resources/clue.html). If the home changed hands multiple times over the past seven years, claims from each ownership period appear on the same report.

Most CLUE reports retain data for seven years, though some states mandate shorter retention periods of five years [(Texas Department of Insurance, "Check Your Property's Insurance Claim History", 2026)](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/tips/check-your-propertys-insurance-claim-history.html). After this window passes, older claims drop off the report.

What does not appear on a CLUE report? Routine inquiries where no claim was filed do not generate entries [(Utah Insurance Department, "CLUE", 2026)](https://insurance.utah.gov/consumers/clue/). If you called your insurer to ask about coverage for a potential issue but never filed a formal claim, that conversation stays off the record. Similarly, general maintenance requests and policy changes do not appear.

## How CLUE Reports Affect Your Insurance Rates and Availability

Your property's claim history has real financial consequences. Insurance companies price policies based on risk, and a history of claims signals higher future risk.

A single claim on your property may not disqualify you from coverage, but it often triggers a rate increase. After one claim, homeowners typically see premium increases ranging from 7% to 25% depending on the claim type and amount [(Levin Litigation, "How Much Does Home Insurance Go Up After a Claim", 2026)](https://levinlitigation.com/blog/how-much-does-home-insurance-go-up-after-a-claim/). Multiple claims within a short timeframe create larger problems.

Water damage and liability claims tend to carry the most weight in underwriting decisions. Water damage suggests ongoing risk from plumbing issues or flood exposure. Liability claims—where someone was injured on your property—raise concerns about premises safety [(Illinois Insurance Association, "What is a CLUE Report and How Does It Affect My Homeowners Insurance", 2026)](https://www.illinoisinsurance.org/news-updates/what-clue-report-and-how-does-it-affect-my-homeowners-insura).

| Claim Type | Typical Impact on Rates | Underwriting Concern |
|------------|------------------------|---------------------|
| Water damage | 15-25% increase | Recurring plumbing or structural issues |
| Fire | 10-20% increase | Safety hazards, building condition |
| Theft | 7-15% increase | Location security |
| Liability | 20-30% increase | Premises safety, lawsuit risk |
| Wind/hail | 5-15% increase | Roof and exterior condition |

Some carriers are more forgiving than others. A regional mutual insurer might overlook a single water claim from four years ago, while a national carrier with strict underwriting guidelines could decline coverage entirely. This variation means shopping with multiple insurers matters, especially after claims.

Properties with two or more claims in a three-year period often face declinations from standard market insurers. In these cases, homeowners may need to seek coverage from surplus lines carriers or state-sponsored plans.

## How to Obtain and Review Your CLUE Report

Federal law entitles you to one free copy of your CLUE report every 12 months. You can request it directly from LexisNexis through their consumer portal [(LexisNexis Consumer Disclosure, "Request Your Consumer Report", 2026)](https://consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com/consumer).

There are three ways to request your report:

**Online:** Visit the LexisNexis consumer disclosure site and complete the request form. You will need to verify your identity by answering security questions. Reports are typically available within a few business days.

**By mail:** Download and complete the request form, then mail it to LexisNexis Consumer Center, P.O. Box 105108, Atlanta, GA 30348-5108. Include a copy of your driver's license or other government-issued ID.

**By phone:** Call LexisNexis at 1-888-497-0011 to request your report. Customer service can help if you have questions about the process [(LexisNexis, "Contact Us", 2026)](https://consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com/contact).

When your report arrives, review it carefully. Errors do happen. A claim might appear on your report that belongs to a different property, or the payout amount could be incorrect. The CLUE system processes millions of records, and data entry mistakes slip through [(Consumer Justice, "CLUE Report: Get Help to Dispute Errors", 2026)](https://consumerjustice.com/blog/clue-report-get-help-to-dispute-errors/).

If you find inaccurate information, you have the right to dispute it. LexisNexis must investigate disputes within 30 days under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. You can file a dispute online, by phone, or by mail. Keep documentation of any supporting evidence, such as correspondence with your insurance company showing a claim was withdrawn or never paid [(LexisNexis Consumer Help, "Disputes", 2026)](https://consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com/help).

## If You Have a Bad CLUE Report: Options to Improve Your Situation

A problematic claim history does not mean you cannot find insurance. Several paths exist for homeowners with past claims.

**Wait for claims to age off.** Claims disappear from your CLUE report after five to seven years depending on your state. If your most recent claim occurred four years ago, patience may be your best strategy. Each year that passes without a new claim improves your profile.

**Seek out insurers that specialize in higher-risk properties.** Some carriers focus on homes that standard market insurers decline. These companies charge higher premiums but provide coverage where others will not. Your state's insurance department can provide a list of companies writing policies in your area.

**Consider surplus lines carriers.** Non-admitted insurers operate outside the standard regulatory framework and can write policies that admitted carriers cannot. They have more flexibility in underwriting guidelines, which means they may accept properties with claim history that would disqualify them elsewhere. The trade-off: surplus lines policies lack some consumer protections and often cost more.

**Look into your state's FAIR plan.** Most states offer Fair Access to Insurance Requirements plans for properties that cannot obtain coverage in the private market. FAIR plans provide basic coverage as an insurer of last resort. Premiums tend to be high and coverage limited, but FAIR plans exist specifically for situations where the standard market fails [(South Carolina Realtors, "Insurance Problems: Flood Insurance Problems & CLUE Report", 2026)](https://screaltors.org/insurance-problems-flood-insurance-problems-clue-report/).

**Make improvements to your property.** If your claims stemmed from specific problems, fixing those problems can help. Replacing an old roof, updating plumbing, or installing a security system demonstrates that you have addressed the underlying risks. Some insurers will reconsider your application after verified improvements.

**Shop with multiple carriers.** Underwriting standards vary significantly between companies. One insurer's automatic declination is another insurer's standard policy. Request quotes from at least five to seven carriers before concluding you cannot find coverage.

## Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping for Insurance After Claims

Navigating the insurance market with a complicated claim history requires some caution. Avoid these common missteps.

**Filing small claims to get work done.** Every claim you file goes on your CLUE report and stays there for years. Before filing, calculate whether the payout justifies the long-term premium impact. A $2,000 claim that costs you $300 more per year for five years results in a $500 net loss. Use your insurance for catastrophic losses, not minor repairs.

**Assuming you are uninsurable.** Many homeowners give up after one or two declinations. The market includes hundreds of carriers with different appetites for risk. Some specialize precisely in the situations that others avoid.

**Ignoring errors on your CLUE report.** Disputes take effort, but incorrect information can cost you thousands of dollars in higher premiums or coverage denials. If your report contains mistakes, dispute them.

**Applying to too many carriers at once.** While CLUE inquiries by themselves do not create entries on your report, rapid-fire applications can trigger other negative effects. Some carriers view excessive shopping as a red flag. Work with an independent agent or broker who can identify the most promising carriers without submitting formal applications everywhere.

**Being dishonest about your claim history.** Insurers will pull your CLUE report. They will discover any claims you fail to mention. Misrepresentation can void your policy or lead to denial of claims when you need coverage most.

## Understanding CLUE When Buying or Selling a Home

The property's claim history matters to both sides of a real estate transaction.

**For buyers:** Request a CLUE report as part of your due diligence before closing. The current owner can provide their own copy, or you can request one after purchase. A property with extensive water damage claims may face higher insurance costs than you budgeted, or it may signal structural problems the inspection missed [(Houston Association of Realtors, "Protect Yourself as a Homebuyer: The Importance of a CLUE Report", 2026)](https://www.har.com/blog_127362_protect-yourself-as-a-homebuyer-the-importance-of-a-clue-report).

Ask the seller to provide their [homeowners insurance](https://www.coveragecat.com/insurance-types/homeowners) claim history or authorize release of the CLUE report. If they refuse, consider it a yellow flag worth investigating through other means.

**For sellers:** Your property's claim history follows the home to its next owner. Excessive claims may reduce buyer interest or complicate their insurance search. If you filed claims for issues you have since repaired, gather documentation proving the fixes. This helps future owners demonstrate that the underlying problems no longer exist.

The CLUE report itself does not directly affect sale price, but insurance costs factor into a buyer's total cost of ownership. A home that costs $500 more per year to insure than comparable properties is worth less in practical terms.

**For new owners:** You can take steps to improve the property's insurability after purchase. Document improvements, maintain the home proactively, and avoid filing small claims. Over time, old claims age off the report and your ownership record establishes itself.

## Get Expert Help Understanding Your CLUE Report

Understanding what appears on your CLUE report—and what it means for your insurance options—can save you money and frustration. If you have questions about how claim history affects your coverage, [Coverage Cat](https://coveragecat.com) can help.

We work with homeowners whose claim history complicates their search for coverage. Our network includes carriers willing to write policies on properties that standard insurers decline. We can review your situation, explain your options, and connect you with insurers whose underwriting guidelines fit your circumstances.

Transparency about your CLUE report helps you find the right coverage at the best available rate. Whether you are buying a new home, renewing an existing policy, or recovering from a claim, knowing what insurers see puts you in a stronger position.

Visit our [FAQ](https://www.coveragecat.com/faq) for more information about how claim history affects your insurance options, or contact us to discuss your specific situation.