What is a CLUE Report for Car Insurance?
A CLUE report summarizes your past insurance claims, such as the loss type, date, payout amount, and policy details, and helps insurers evaluate risk when determining rates.
What is a CLUE report?Â
CLUE stands for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange. It's a database insurers use to see your auto insurance claims history, typically going back five to seven years. If you filed a claim, even a small one, it is probably in there.
Insurers use CLUE reports when:
- You apply for a new policy
- You renew an existing one
- You add or replace a vehicle
This is why insurance quotes can differ so much from one company to another, even for drivers with similar profiles. Insurers look at past claims to help predict the likelihood of future claims. Someone with a clean driving history and no recent claims is generally seen as lower risk than someone who has filed multiple claims in the past few years. As a result, the driver with a cleaner record may qualify for a lower premium.
💡 CLUE reports are insurance claims reports used for both auto and homeowners insurance, with separate versions for vehicles and personal property.[1]
What does a CLUE report show?
A CLUE report shows your auto insurance claims history from the past seven years (even if you weren't the car owner at the time). Each entry typically includes the type of loss, the claim date, and the amount paid by the insurer. Claims can appear regardless of who was at fault.
The report may also include:
- Insurance policy numbers
- Claim numbers
- The names of insurance companies involved
- Denied claims or claims with no payout
CLUE reports contain insurance-related information only. They do not include sensitive personal details such as Social Security numbers. If you have not filed an auto or homeowners insurance claim in the past seven years, your CLUE report may be empty.
Should I File a Car Insurance Claim [Free Calculator]
Use our claims calculator to help decide if you should file a claim after an acident.
How do insurance companies get CLUE reports?
Insurance companies access CLUE reports through LexisNexis when you apply for a policy, renew coverage, or add a vehicle. The report is reviewed alongside other factors such as your address, age, driving record, and credit-based insurance score.
A CLUE report gives insurers a snapshot of your claims history, which helps them estimate the likelihood of future claims and set your insurance rate.
Insurers tend to view frequent past claims as a higher risk indicator. If your CLUE report shows multiple claims, it may lead to higher premiums or fewer coverage options, even if some of those claims were not your fault.
Can you get a copy of your own CLUE report?
Yes! You are entitled to one free CLUE report each year from LexisNexis. Request it online, by phone (1-866-312-8076), or by mail. You can choose an auto CLUE report, a personal property CLUE report, or both.[2]
What to have ready when you call or request online:
- Your full legal name
- Current and previous addresses (from the past several years)
- Date of birth
- Driver’s license number (for auto reports)
Having this information ready can help avoid delays and ensure you receive the correct report.
💡 Zebra tip: Avoid rate surprises
CLUE reports can contain errors, especially for people with common names. If you see a claim that does not belong to you, file a dispute promptly to help prevent it from affecting your insurance rates.
- File claims thoughtfully
- Review your CLUE report regularly
- Do not assume fault is the only factor insurers consider
How to correct an error on your CLUE report
If your auto insurance premium increases and you have not filed any recent claims, an error on your CLUE report may be a contributing factor. While rate increases can happen for many reasons, incorrect or outdated claim information can impact your premium. Similar to checking your credit report annually, regularly reviewing your CLUE report is also a good idea. Catching errors early can help prevent unnecessary increases.
Steps to correct an error on your CLUE report:
- Contact LexisNexis to dispute the incorrect claim
- LexisNexis has up to 30 days to investigate by contacting the reporting insurer
- Request personal notes be added if additional context is needed
- Watch for claims that were opened but never paid out, which may be eligible for correction or removal
For example, if you started a claim but ultimately paid for the damage out of pocket, that entry may still appear on your report and could potentially be disputed.
Real help, right here
CLUE reports: FAQs
Compare car insurance rates and find the right policy for you today.
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LexisNexis C.L.U.E. & Telematics OnDemand. CFPB
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Online Request Form. LexisNexis
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.