Clue Report: How Your Home's Damage History Is Tracked

A CLUE report, which stands for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, is a database record of insurance claims filed for your property. It lists dates of losses, types of damage, and amounts paid by insurers over several years. Water damage claims, such as from burst pipes or flooding, appear here. So do fire, theft, or liability claims.

The report is tied to the address, not to you as a person. If you move, a new report is generated for the new home. This means your history follows the house, not you. For a homeowner, this matters when you sell or buy a property.

• Claim dates and types of loss
• Amounts paid by insurers
• Policyholder names on claims
• Property address and policy numbers
• Status of each claim, open or closed

You can request a copy of your own CLUE report directly from LexisNexis, which manages the database. The process is straightforward: provide your name, address, and proof of identity. There is a small fee, but it is a one-time cost. You can also ask your insurance company to pull it for you, though they may charge a fee.

Expect to receive the report by mail or online within a few weeks. Review it carefully for any inaccuracies. If you find a claim that is not yours, you can dispute it with the database provider. Correcting errors early prevents surprises later.

• Contact LexisNexis directly
• Provide your Social Security number
• Pay a small processing fee
• Wait 2 to 3 weeks for delivery
• Check for incorrect claim details

For current homeowners, a CLUE report is a useful planning tool. It shows what damage claims are on record, which can affect your future insurance options. If you have had water damage, you can take steps to reduce risk, like fixing plumbing or adding a sump pump. This may help you avoid future claims.

If you live in a cold climate, a frozen pipe claim is a real possibility. Keep your heat on during cold snaps and know where your main shutoff valve is. A CLUE report can remind you of past incidents, so you can address underlying issues.