What is a C.L.U.E report and how does it work?

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A C.L.U.E. report is a seven-year record of your auto and property insurance claims history — and insurance companies check it every time you apply for or renew a policy. If your report shows frequent or high-value claims, you could face higher premiums, limited coverage options, or even a declined application. If it’s clean, it can work in your favor and help you qualify for better rates.

C.L.U.E. stands for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange. The report is compiled by LexisNexis — not your insurer — and works similarly to a credit report, except instead of tracking borrowing behavior, it tracks your insurance claims. Every auto or property claim you’ve filed, or that’s been filed against you, over the past seven years is recorded and made available to insurers when they’re deciding whether — and how much — to cover you.

The good news: you have the right to check your report for free once a year, and any errors can be disputed and corrected. Knowing what’s in your C.L.U.E. report before you shop for insurance puts you in a stronger position to get accurate quotes — and avoid any unwelcome surprises.

What to know about your  C.L.U.E. report

• Covers up to seven years of claims history
• Compiled by LexisNexis, not your insurer
• Includes both auto and homeowners insurance claims
• You can request your report free once every 12 months under the FCRA
• Errors can be disputed — and corrected

What information does a C.L.U.E. report include?

Your C.L.U.E. report contains more detail than most people expect. It’s not just a list of claims — it includes identifying information, loss details, and fault status that insurers use to build a complete picture of your risk profile.

A standard C.L.U.E. report typically includes:

• Your personal details. Name, property address, date of birth, and Social Security number if provided
• Claims history. A list of all previous insurance claims, both paid and denied
• Type of loss. Collision, liability, theft, fire, water damage, weather-related events, and more
• Claim dates and amounts. When each claim was filed and how much was paid out
• Fault status. Whether you were determined to be responsible for the loss

It’s worth knowing that C.L.U.E. reports aren’t limited to auto insurance. A separate homeowners version covers property insurance claims, including fire, flooding, and weather damage. If you’re buying a home, you can request the seller’s property C.L.U.E. report to check for any past damage claims on the property — a useful step before making an offer.

Buying a home? Request the property’s C.L.U.E. report 

Sellers are often required to disclose past damage, but a C.L.U.E. report gives you an independent record of any insurance claims filed on the property. It can reveal flood damage, fire incidents, or repeated water claims that might not come up in a standard disclosure.

How do insurers use your C.L.U.E. report?

When you apply for new auto or homeowners insurance — or renew an existing policy — your insurer will pull your C.L.U.E. report as part of their underwriting process. Here’s what they’re looking for:

• Verifying your application. Insurers cross-check what you’ve disclosed against your claims history to confirm accuracy
• Identifying frequent or high-value claims. Multiple claims in a short period signal higher risk, even if the individual amounts were small
• Spotting patterns. A history of similar claims, such as repeated water damage or several at-fault accidents, can suggest a higher likelihood of future claims
• Assessing eligibility. In some cases, a heavy claims history can result in a policy being declined or non-renewed altogether

Even claims that were denied or never paid out can appear in your report — and their presence alone can influence your quote.

How does a C.L.U.E. report affect your insurance rates?

Your claims history is one of the most significant factors in how insurers calculate your premium, though each insurer reviews claims history differently. One company might overlook a minor claim from five years ago; another might factor it in heavily. This is why shopping around matters — especially if your C.L.U.E. report has a few blemishes.

Not all claims are weighted equally — here’s how it typically breaks down:

A blemished report doesn’t mean you’re stuck 

If your C.L.U.E. report is affecting your rates, comparing quotes across multiple insurers can make a real difference. Each company uses its own scoring model, and a clean recent record — even with older claims on file — can still qualify you for competitive pricing elsewhere.

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How to get your free C.L.U.E. report

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the legal right to request your C.L.U.E. report for free once every 12 months. It’s worth checking annually — especially before applying for new coverage or switching insurers — so you know exactly what they’ll see.

Here’s how to request it:

1. Visit LexisNexis Personal Reports at personalreports.lexisnexis.com
2. Create an account or sign in to your existing profile
3. Submit a request for your auto or property insurance report
4. Review the report carefully for accuracy — pay close attention to claim dates, amounts, and fault designations

Reports are typically available online within minutes, or can be sent by mail upon request.

How to dispute errors in your C.L.U.E. report

Errors in your C.L.U.E. report — a claim you didn’t file, an incorrect date, a wrong fault designation, or outdated information — can unfairly inflate your insurance costs. The good news is you have the right to dispute inaccurate information and have it corrected.

How to file a dispute:

1. Contact LexisNexis. Submit your dispute in writing or through their online dispute form at lexisnexis.com
2. Include supporting evidence. Claim closure letters, correspondence with your insurer, repair receipts, or any documentation that contradicts the error
3. Wait for a response. LexisNexis is required by law to review and respond within 30 days of receiving your dispute
4. Confirm the correction. If your dispute is upheld, LexisNexis will correct the report and notify any insurers who recently accessed it

Keep copies of everything you submit. If the same error reappears — which can happen after data updates — having your documentation ready makes it much easier to resolve quickly.

Does everyone have a C.L.U.E. report?

Not necessarily. A C.L.U.E. report is only generated once you have auto or property insurance history on record. If you’ve never filed a claim — or have only recently started driving or renting — your report may show no file or a limited history. That’s not a bad thing; a thin or clean report is generally viewed favorably by insurers.

C.L.U.E. report vs. credit report: What’s the difference?

A C.L.U.E. report and a credit report are often compared — and while they serve similar purposes for different industries, they work differently. Understanding both reports — and keeping them accurate — gives you the clearest picture of how lenders and insurers see you.

Your C.L.U.E. report is worth knowing

Most people don’t think about their C.L.U.E. report until a premium spikes or a policy gets declined — and by then, the damage is already done. Checking your report annually, knowing what’s in it, and correcting any errors before you shop for coverage puts you in a much stronger position.

A clean report can open the door to better rates. An accurate one — even with a few claims on file — ensures you’re being judged fairly. Either way, it takes ten minutes to check and could save you far more than that on your next policy.

Alisha Ambre

 

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Alisha Ambre holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours in English Literature and Media Studies. She focuses on crafting clear, engaging content that makes complex information feel practical and approachable for everyday readers. When she’s not writing, she’s likely on the volleyball court or immersed in a good video game.