What Is a CLUE Report, and How Do I See Mine for Free?

WV & OH ONLY

"My insurance agent mentioned something called a CLUE report. What is it, and how can I see mine without paying?"

Finding out there's a report about your claims can feel unsettling. It's easier than it sounds.

A CLUE report is a LexisNexis record of up to seven years of your auto insurance claims, and you can request a free copy every 12 months. Insurance companies can use it when you apply. Asking for your own copy doesn't hurt your credit scores.

These reports could stand to be a lot easier to read. Whatever's on yours, we're after the best rate for you.

Every company decides for itself what a claim on your report means for your price. Once you know what's in there, we can go through 13 companies and see who treats that history best.

Yes, I'm asking for the call. Pull your report, then let's look at it together before you shop.

WV & OH ONLY

Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange. Insurers report claims into it, and insurers can look at it. LexisNexis says 99.6% of the auto industry contributes claims activity. That's the company's own number.

According to the Washington State insurance commissioner, a report generally covers:

• Your name and date of birth
• Your policy number
• The date and type of each loss
• The amount paid
• Details about the vehicle

The Connecticut Insurance Department says it doesn't include credit reports, criminal records or lawsuits. Losses reported to a company that doesn't subscribe won't show up.

From LexisNexis's own consumer site, you have three ways to ask:

1. Online. Fill out the online request form. After LexisNexis verifies you, it mails a letter with instructions for getting to your report online.

2. By phone. Call 1-866-897-8126.

3. By mail. Print the request form and send it to LexisNexis Risk Solutions Consumer Center, P.O. Box 105108, Atlanta, GA 30348-5108.

LexisNexis may ask for documents to prove who you are, such as a recent utility statement, Social Security card or driver's license.

Don't expect it the same day. Federal law, under 15 USC 1681j, gives a company 15 days after it receives your request for a free annual disclosure. So do this before you need it.

One quirk: LexisNexis's request page describes its report using things like real estate, liens and past addresses, and doesn't mention claims. The CFPB lists that same address and phone for CLUE. When you ask, say you want your auto claims history included.

Yes, once every 12 months. LexisNexis's own rights notice says you can get one free file disclosure every 12 months from nationwide specialty consumer reporting agencies, and federal law names insurance claims as one of those specialties. You can also get a free copy in other situations, including when a company took adverse action against you based on your report.

Be careful with lookalike websites that want a credit card. Start from the LexisNexis address above.

It happens. You might see a claim that isn't yours, the wrong date, or a claim you thought had been closed differently. Under 15 USC 1681i:

• You can dispute it with the reporting agency, at no cost
• The agency generally has 30 days to reinvestigate, and that can run up to 15 more if you send new information during that time
• If the dispute isn't resolved, you can add a short statement to your file

Connecticut's department adds that LexisNexis will ask the insurer for clarification, and that only consumers can add notes to their files.

Gather what you've got first: claim letters, repair bills, a police report, or a letter from the old insurance company.

The CFPB says the company will freeze your report if you ask. A freeze blocks release without your authorization, so remember it's there. It can slow things down when you do want a company to see your history.

Because the report and your memory don't always agree. If you tell me you've had no claims and a report says otherwise, I'd rather find that out early. Then we can fix what's wrong, or plan around what's right. If you've just had a wreck, here's what to do after a car accident.

Got your report? Send it over or bring it in. Let's see who treats that history best.

WV & OH ONLY

Next in the series: Part 27, Who Is LexisNexis and Why Do They Have My Information?