Home Insurance · CLUE Report
What Your CLUE Report Says About You (And How to Check It)
Understanding this coverage is essential for Texas businesses and property owners. An independent agent who shops 18+ carriers matches your specific needs to the most competitive rate available in the Texas market.
Ready to compare? Get Your Free Quote
What Your CLUE Report Actually Is
- See the detailed section below for specific coverage details, cost comparisons, and Texas-specific requirements
- See the detailed section below for specific coverage details, cost comparisons, and Texas-specific requirements
- See the detailed section below for specific coverage details, cost comparisons, and Texas-specific requirements
- See the detailed section below for specific coverage details, cost comparisons, and Texas-specific requirements
What It Contains (and How Long It Follows You)
- See the detailed section below for specific coverage details, cost comparisons, and Texas-specific requirements
- See the detailed section below for specific coverage details, cost comparisons, and Texas-specific requirements
- See the detailed section below for specific coverage details, cost comparisons, and Texas-specific requirements
- See the detailed section below for specific coverage details, cost comparisons, and Texas-specific requirements
How to Check and Fix It
- See the detailed section below for specific coverage details, cost comparisons, and Texas-specific requirements
- See the detailed section below for specific coverage details, cost comparisons, and Texas-specific requirements
- See the detailed section below for specific coverage details, cost comparisons, and Texas-specific requirements
- See the detailed section below for specific coverage details, cost comparisons, and Texas-specific requirements
The Canopy Advantage
- Canopy shops 18+ carriers in a single session — catching the pricing spreads between carriers that most Texas businesses never see when buying direct from a single company
- Your dedicated account manager handles the entire process from quoting through binding — eliminating the back-and-forth delays of online-only platforms and call-center runarounds
- Annual policy reviews catch changes in your business or property — growth, new exposures, shifting market conditions — adjusting coverage before a claim exposes a gap
- Canopy’s 99.1% client retention rate reflects proactive service that keeps coverage optimized and premiums competitive year after year without you needing to ask
What will a clue report tell you?
See the detailed section below for a complete answer to this question.How long do claims stay on a clue report?
See the detailed section below for a complete answer to this question.How do you clear your clue report?
See the detailed section below for a complete answer to this question.Category: Home Insurance | Updated: May 2026
The Bottom Line Up Front
Your CLUE report is the insurance industry's memory, and it follows both you and your property for seven years. CLUE — the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange operated by LexisNexis — tracks every home and auto insurance claim you have filed, even claims that were denied or resulted in zero payout. Texas insurance carriers pull your CLUE report before they quote your policy, and a history of frequent claims can mean higher premiums, reduced coverage options, or outright declination. The good news: you are entitled to one free copy per year, you can dispute inaccuracies, and strategic awareness of your CLUE history gives you leverage in the insurance market.What CLUE Actually Is
In my experience advising Texas homeowners, the CLUE report is one of the most powerful tools insurers use that most policyholders have never heard of. The Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange is a national database maintained by LexisNexis Risk Solutions. It aggregates claims data reported by insurance carriers across the country and makes that data available to underwriters evaluating new applications and renewals. Understanding what lives in this database — and what does not — is the first step toward managing your insurance profile effectively.What CLUE Tracks
- Claims filed: Every claim you have submitted on a home or auto policy, regardless of whether it was paid, denied, or withdrawn
- Claim amounts: The dollar value paid out on each claim, including partial payments and full settlements
- Claim dates: The date of loss and the date the claim was filed, creating a chronological claims history
- Claim types: Categorization by peril — water damage, wind/hail, theft, fire, liability, and others
- Property address: Claims are tied to the specific property address, meaning the history follows the property even when ownership changes
- Inquiry records: Some reports show carrier inquiries — instances where an insurer pulled the report even if no claim was filed
How Texas Carriers Use Your CLUE Report
The most common version of this I see is a homeowner who files a small inquiry call that gets logged as a claim in CLUE and affects their rates for five years. Insurance companies in Texas pull CLUE reports at two critical moments: when you apply for a new policy and when your existing policy comes up for renewal. The data in your report directly influences how carriers assess your risk profile, what premium they charge, and in some cases, whether they are willing to insure you at all. This is not a minor factor — it is a primary underwriting input.How CLUE Data Affects Your Policy
- Premium calculation: Carriers assign surcharges for prior claims — a single water damage claim can add 10-25% to your premium for three to five years
- Underwriting decisions: Two or more claims in three years may trigger non-renewal or declination by preferred carriers
- Coverage restrictions: A history of water claims may result in water damage exclusions or higher sub-limits on future policies
- Carrier tier placement: Claims history determines whether you qualify for preferred, standard, or non-standard carriers — each tier has dramatically different pricing
- Property-level risk: If you are buying a home, the property's own CLUE history (from previous owners) can affect your ability to get coverage
What most people miss: Even claims you never filed can appear on CLUE. If you called your carrier to ask about a potential claim and they opened an inquiry, that inquiry may show up on your report. This is why experienced agents advise calling your agent first — not the carrier's claims line — to discuss whether filing makes financial sense before a formal record is created.
CLUE Impact Scenarios Compared
When I review CLUE reports with Texas homeowners, the ones who checked before selling or switching carriers are always better positioned than those who discovered surprises during underwriting. The financial impact of CLUE entries varies dramatically depending on the type of claim, the number of claims, and how recently they occurred. Below is a comparison of common scenarios and their typical effect on Texas homeowners insurance pricing and availability. These are representative ranges — actual impact varies by carrier and individual risk profile.| CLUE Scenario | Premium Impact | Underwriting Impact | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean report — zero claims in 7 years | Best available rate, claims-free discount applies | Preferred carrier eligibility | Ongoing benefit |
| One weather claim (hail/wind) in 5 years | 0-10% surcharge — many carriers do not surcharge Act of God claims | Minimal impact, most preferred carriers still available | 3-5 years |
| One water damage claim in 3 years | 10-25% surcharge | Some carriers add water damage exclusion or higher sublimit | 3-5 years |
| Two claims of any type in 3 years | 20-40% surcharge | Non-renewal likely from preferred carriers; standard market available | 3-5 years from most recent |
| Three or more claims in 5 years | 40-80% surcharge or declination | Standard carriers may decline; surplus lines or FAIR Plan may be needed | 5-7 years |
| Liability claim (injury on property) | 25-50% surcharge | Careful underwriter review; animal liability may trigger exclusions | 5-7 years |
| Inquiry only — no claim filed | Usually zero, but some carriers note the inquiry | Minimal — but the record exists | 7 years |
| Property CLUE shows prior owner claims | May increase rate if property shows pattern (e.g., repeated water losses) | Carrier may require inspection before binding | 7 years from each claim |
How to Get Your Free CLUE Report
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you are entitled to one free copy of your CLUE report every twelve months. You can also request a free copy if you have been denied coverage or received an adverse action based on information in your CLUE report. The process is straightforward, but you need to request it from the right place — your insurance carrier does not provide it directly.Steps to Request Your CLUE Report
- Online: Visit the LexisNexis consumer disclosure page at consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com and request your Personal Reports — CLUE is included in the comprehensive disclosure
- By phone: Call LexisNexis Consumer Center at 1-866-312-8076 to request your report by mail
- By mail: Send a written request with your full name, current and previous addresses, date of birth, and Social Security number to LexisNexis Consumer Center, P.O. Box 105108, Atlanta, GA 30348
- After adverse action: If an insurer denies you or charges a higher premium based on CLUE data, they must send you an adverse action notice — this entitles you to an additional free report within 60 days
- For a property you are buying: Ask the seller to request the property's CLUE report, or request it yourself after closing — the report is tied to the property address, so any owner can request it
Disputing Errors on Your CLUE Report
Errors on CLUE reports are more common than most people realize. Incorrectly attributed claims, wrong dollar amounts, claims that should have aged off, and duplicate entries all appear regularly. If you find an error, you have the right to dispute it under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and LexisNexis is required to investigate within 30 days of receiving your dispute.To file a dispute, contact LexisNexis in writing and identify the specific entry you believe is inaccurate. Include supporting documentation — your claim file number, a letter from your carrier confirming the correct details, or evidence that the claim belongs to a different person or property. LexisNexis will contact the reporting carrier to verify the information. If the carrier cannot verify the entry or confirms the error, LexisNexis must correct or remove it.If your dispute is denied and you believe the entry is still wrong, you have the right to add a consumer statement to your file explaining the dispute. You can also file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance if the error involves a Texas-regulated carrier, or with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) if LexisNexis fails to follow proper dispute procedures.Timing matters: Check your CLUE report 60-90 days before your policy renewal date. If you find an error, this gives you enough time to file a dispute, get it resolved, and have the corrected report available when your carrier pulls it for renewal pricing. Discovering an error after renewal means you have already paid the inflated premium.
Strategies to Minimize Negative CLUE Impact
You cannot erase legitimate claims from your CLUE report, but you can make strategic decisions that protect your claims history and keep you in the preferred carrier market. These strategies are particularly important in Texas, where hail and wind claims are frequent and the temptation to file small claims is high. Every claim you file is a data point that follows you for seven years.Smart Claims Management
- Raise your deductible: A $2,500 or $5,000 deductible naturally filters out small claims that would hit your CLUE report without delivering meaningful financial relief
- Do the math before filing: If the repair costs $3,500 and your deductible is $2,500, the $1,000 payout is not worth a CLUE entry that could cost you $500/year in surcharges for five years
- Call your agent, not the claims line: Discuss potential claims with your independent agent first — they can advise you on whether filing makes financial sense without creating a formal inquiry record
- Separate weather from non-weather: Many Texas carriers treat hail and wind claims more leniently than water or liability claims, but two of any type in three years is still a red flag
- Bundle strategically: If you have a claim on your CLUE report, bundling home and auto with a single carrier often earns you more goodwill than shopping carriers annually
- Time your shopping: If you have a claim from four years ago, waiting until it ages past the five-year mark before shopping can unlock significantly better rates
CLUE Reports for Home Buyers
If you are buying a home in Texas, the property's CLUE report is as important as the home inspection. A property with three water damage claims in the past five years tells you something the seller's fresh coat of paint might be hiding. And that same claims history will affect what you pay for insurance after closing, because the property's CLUE history follows the address regardless of who owns it.Texas sellers are not legally required to provide a CLUE report, but many experienced buyer's agents request one as part of due diligence. If the seller refuses, you can request the property's CLUE report yourself after closing, but by then you have already committed. The smarter move is to ask for it during the option period so you can factor insurance costs and property history into your purchase decision.Pay special attention to repeated claims of the same type. Multiple water damage claims at the same address suggest a systemic plumbing or drainage issue. Multiple wind claims might indicate roof vulnerability. These patterns affect not just your insurance premium — they signal potential maintenance and repair costs that should inform your offer price.The Bottom Line
Your CLUE report is one of the most powerful documents in the insurance world, and most Texas homeowners never look at it until they are surprised by a rate increase or declination. Pull your free copy annually, check it for errors, and dispute anything that does not belong. Before you file a claim, calculate whether the payout justifies a seven-year entry on your record. Call your agent before calling the claims line. If you are buying a home, request the property's CLUE report during the option period — not after closing. These habits will not just save you money on insurance. They will keep you in the preferred carrier market where coverage is broader, pricing is competitive, and you have real choices when renewal comes around.Next step: Get a free quote from Canopy Insurance and let a dedicated account manager shop 18+ carriers to find the best rate regardless of what your CLUE report shows.Frequently Asked Questions
How long do claims stay on a CLUE report?
Claims remain on your CLUE report for seven years from the date of the claim. After seven years, they are automatically removed. There is no way to have a legitimate, accurately reported claim removed before the seven-year window expires. However, if the claim was reported in error or attributed to the wrong person or property, you can dispute it with LexisNexis and have it corrected or removed under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.Do denied claims show up on CLUE?
Yes. Even claims that were denied or resulted in zero payout can appear on your CLUE report. The report records that a claim was filed, regardless of the outcome. Some carriers view denied claims less negatively than paid claims, but the entry still exists on your record and can factor into underwriting decisions. This is one reason to carefully consider whether to file before submitting a formal claim to your carrier.Can I see the CLUE report for a house I am buying?
You can request the property's CLUE report after you become the owner. Before closing, you would need to ask the seller to provide it. The seller is not legally required to share the report in Texas, but many cooperate when the request comes through the real estate agents. Getting the property CLUE during the option period is smart — it reveals the claims history for that address over the past seven years, which can uncover recurring problems like water damage or foundation issues.Does calling my insurance company to ask a question create a CLUE entry?
It can, depending on how the call is handled. If a claims representative opens a file or logs an inquiry, that activity may appear on your CLUE report even if no formal claim is filed. This is why independent agents recommend calling your agent first to discuss whether a claim makes financial sense. Your agent can give you informal guidance without creating a formal record in the carrier's claims system. If you call the carrier's 800 number directly, you are more likely to trigger a logged inquiry.Will my CLUE report affect my ability to get flood insurance?
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) does not use CLUE reports for underwriting or pricing. NFIP rates are based on flood zone mapping, elevation, and building characteristics. However, if you purchase private flood insurance from a surplus lines carrier or admitted carrier in Texas, that carrier may pull your CLUE report and factor your overall claims history into their underwriting decision. Private flood carriers have more flexibility in their underwriting criteria than the NFIP.Is CLUE the same as my credit report?
No. CLUE and your credit report are completely separate databases maintained by different companies for different purposes. Your credit report tracks your borrowing and payment history and is maintained by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Your CLUE report tracks your insurance claims history and is maintained by LexisNexis. However, both are consumer reports under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which means you have similar rights — free annual access, dispute procedures, and adverse action notifications — for both types of reports.Do auto claims appear on my home insurance CLUE report?
CLUE maintains separate reports for home and auto. Your auto claims will not appear on your home CLUE report, and vice versa. However, some carriers pull both reports when evaluating a bundled home-and-auto application. A heavy claims history on either report can affect how the carrier views your overall risk profile, even though the reports themselves are separate documents. When you request your CLUE disclosure from LexisNexis, you will receive both reports.Can my landlord pull a CLUE report on me?
Landlords generally cannot pull a CLUE report on a prospective tenant. CLUE reports are permissible only for insurance underwriting purposes under the FCRA. However, if a landlord requires tenants to carry renters insurance, the renters insurance carrier can and will pull the tenant's personal CLUE report as part of their underwriting process. If you have a history of renters insurance claims — theft, liability, water damage — that history will follow you when you apply for a new renters policy.
