General FAQs

What is a CLUE report and why does it matter for claims?

Quick answer: Insurer claim history database. Every claim filed shows up for 5-7 years and affects future rates.

A CLUE report is a record of your insurance claims history that carriers use when they decide whether to insure you and what to charge. CLUE stands for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, a national database run by LexisNexis. When you file a property or auto claim, it is logged here, usually for five to seven years, and other carriers can pull it when you apply for coverage.

Why does a CLUE report affect my premiums and eligibility?

A clean report signals lower risk and can earn you better rates. A report with several recent claims can raise your premium, cost you discounts, or in some cases make a carrier decline to offer coverage at all. Importantly, even claims where you received no payment, or a simple phone call asking about coverage that gets logged as a claim, can show up and affect you (see what to do when a carrier repair estimate seems low).

What information does a CLUE report contain?

The report typically lists each loss with the date, the type of claim, the amount paid, and the property or vehicle involved. Both homeowners and auto histories are tracked. When you buy a home, you can request a CLUE report on that specific property to see its past water, fire, or theft claims before you commit.

How can a CLUE report affect a Georgia home purchase?

For example, a buyer in Kennesaw is about to purchase a house and pulls the property's CLUE report. It shows two water-damage claims in the past four years totaling $18,000. That history tells the buyer the home may have a recurring plumbing or drainage problem, and it warns that future water claims could be harder or pricier to insure. The buyer uses that information to negotiate repairs before closing.

How do I get my CLUE report and correct errors?

You can request your own CLUE report once a year at no cost from LexisNexis. Errors can be disputed, since mistakes can unfairly raise your rates (see insurance bad faith in Georgia).

For example, a homeowner in Decatur finds that a neighbor's water loss was incorrectly attributed to their address in the CLUE database. Disputing and correcting that entry removes a claim that was driving up their renewal premium with no legitimate basis.

Should I always file a small claim?

Because each claim you file can affect this record, the cost of a small claim can outweigh the payout. The difference between a $1,500 repair you pay out of pocket and a $1,500 claim you file is the three-to-five year impact on your CLUE record and what that does to your premium (see replacement cost vs. actual cash value). The deductible on your policy is also a factor in whether filing makes financial sense. A coverage review can weigh that trade-off for your situation. To review your claims history and how it affects your options, request a free coverage review and we will help you read the picture clearly.