What A C.L.U.E. Report Tells Arizona Buyers

Ever wondered what a home’s insurance past might say about its future? When you are buying in Gilbert, a C.L.U.E. report can reveal claims history that affects insurability, premiums, and your negotiation strategy. You want confidence that a roof leak was fixed the right way or that prior storm damage will not impact your policy. In this guide, you will learn what a C.L.U.E. report is, how to read it, when to order it during due diligence, and how to respond if you see red flags. Let’s dive in.

What is a C.L.U.E. report?

A C.L.U.E. report is the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange record maintained by LexisNexis. It compiles homeowners insurance claims tied to a property or a policyholder. Insurers use it to decide whether to offer coverage and how to price it.

For buyers, this matters because the report can reveal past losses like water intrusion, roof damage from monsoon winds, fire, or theft. Those claims can affect how easy it is to insure the home and what you will pay. It is also a useful cross-check against the seller’s disclosures.

You can review consumer information and request options through the LexisNexis consumer portal. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners provides plain‑language guidance on how C.L.U.E. works and how to dispute errors on its NAIC consumer site. Arizona consumers can also find insurance help through the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.

What the report contains

A typical property-based C.L.U.E. report includes:

• Incident date and claim date.
• Type of loss, such as water, wind or hail, fire, theft, liability, or vandalism.
• Amount paid by the insurer and whether it was a partial or full payment.
• Claim status, such as open or closed.
• Insurer name and policy details where available.
• The address tied to the claim.

Time window and formats

For home purchases, the property report is most useful. It summarizes insurance claims filed on that address, typically over several years. Entries reflect claims that were actually filed; repairs paid out of pocket will not appear.

How to interpret entries

• A single, small, isolated claim is usually less concerning than a pattern.
• Repeated claims for the same issue, such as ongoing roof leaks or recurring water damage, suggest a chronic problem.
• Large payouts or total loss claims point to significant past damage and deserve deeper review.
• Multiple claim types at the same home, like water plus roof plus mold, can indicate broader issues.

Why Gilbert buyers should care

Gilbert sees seasonal monsoon activity with wind, dust, and localized heavy rain. That means roof, skylight, exterior, and water‑intrusion claims are common focus areas. Strong sun and heat also stress roofing and HVAC systems, which can lead to claims over time.

Flooding from rivers or coastal storm surge is not the typical risk here, but localized flash flooding can happen. To understand flood zone exposure, verify the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. If the property sits in a special flood hazard area, your lender may require separate flood insurance.

How to get a C.L.U.E. report

• Ask the seller to provide the property’s C.L.U.E. report or to order and share it with you. In Arizona, sellers must disclose known material defects, and a claims report helps verify those disclosures.
• You can also explore ordering options through the LexisNexis consumer portal or speak with your insurance agent about what they can review. Consumers have rights to access and dispute information under federal law.

If you see something that does not match the seller’s disclosure, request documentation and clarification. You want the story behind each claim, plus proof of proper repairs.

When to use it during due diligence

Order or obtain the report early in your inspection period. That gives you time to:

• Ask the seller for repair invoices, scope of work, and any warranties.
• Check permit records with the Town of Gilbert or Maricopa County if major work was completed.
• Bring in targeted inspectors if the report hints at water, roof, structural, or fire issues.
• Speak with a local insurance agent to gauge premium impact, deductibles, or carrier appetite.

If insurability is a concern, keep an insurance‑approval contingency in your contract. Do not waive contingencies until you are confident in coverage and cost.

Red flags and smart responses

Compare to the seller’s disclosure

If the seller’s disclosure omits a claim the C.L.U.E. report shows, ask for an explanation and documentation. Arizona sellers must disclose known material defects, so discrepancies need a clear answer.

Request repair records and permits

Ask for invoices, the contractor’s scope of work, and any warranties. Confirm major repairs with permit records from the Town of Gilbert or Maricopa County if applicable. Proper permits can signal the work met local standards.

Order targeted inspections

• Repeated water claims: get a thorough home inspection and consider a licensed plumber or mold specialist.
• Roof or storm claims: schedule a roofing contractor assessment.
• Structural or fire claims: consider a structural engineer or restoration expert.

Consult an insurance agent early

Share the report with a local agent familiar with Arizona carriers. Some companies may decline a home with multiple prior claims, while others may insure it with higher deductibles or endorsements.

Negotiate remedies

Based on findings, you can request repairs before closing, credits, a price adjustment, an escrow holdback, or you can exercise an insurance contingency if coverage terms are not acceptable.

Dispute inaccuracies when needed

If you or the seller believe the report is wrong, contact LexisNexis through the consumer portal to start a dispute. They must investigate and update inaccurate information when supported by evidence.

Ask about non‑renewals

If the seller’s prior policy was canceled or not renewed, request documentation and the reason. Frequent past claims can make insurance harder or costlier to obtain.

Limitations to keep in mind

• A clean C.L.U.E. report does not guarantee a home never had issues. It only shows claims filed to insurance within the database window.
• Older claims may fall outside the retention period and not appear.
• Coding or human errors can occur, attaching a claim to the wrong address or mislabeling a loss type.
• One past claim does not automatically mean future problems. Insurers weigh history differently, and outcomes vary by carrier.
• Flood coverage is separate. Standard homeowners policies exclude most flooding from rising water, which is handled by separate flood insurance.

Quick checklist for Gilbert buyers

• Request or order the C.L.U.E. property report early in your inspection period.
• Compare every entry to the seller’s disclosure and request documentation.
• Verify major repairs with permit records through the Town of Gilbert or Maricopa County when applicable.
• Bring in targeted specialists for water, roof, mold, structural, or fire issues.
• Confirm flood zone status on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center and plan for flood insurance if required.
• Ask a local insurance agent how the claims history may affect premiums and terms.
• Keep an insurance contingency until you are satisfied with coverage and cost.
• Dispute any errors with LexisNexis via the consumer portal and negotiate repairs or credits if needed.

The bottom line for Gilbert buyers

A C.L.U.E. report is one of the most useful tools you can add to your due diligence toolkit. It tells you how a home’s claims history could affect your insurance options, your budget, and your peace of mind. Pair it with thorough inspections, permit checks, and an early conversation with an insurance agent to protect your investment.

If you want a calm, step‑by‑step process and a trusted advisor by your side in Gilbert, reach out to Lisa Zaklan. From structuring insurance contingencies to coordinating inspections and records, you will have a seasoned guide focused on your long‑term goals.

FAQs

What is a C.L.U.E. report for Arizona homebuyers?

• It is a claims history report maintained by LexisNexis that insurers use to assess risk and price homeowners insurance on a property you are considering.

How do I get a C.L.U.E. report for a Gilbert home?

• Ask the seller to provide it or visit the LexisNexis consumer portal to learn how consumers and agents can request property‑based reports.

Which C.L.U.E. red flags matter most in Gilbert?

• Repeated water or roof claims, large payouts, or multiple claim types can point to unresolved issues common after monsoon storms.

Can a clean C.L.U.E. report replace a home inspection?

• No, it only shows filed insurance claims; you still need a thorough inspection to assess current condition and maintenance.

Will flood issues show up on a C.L.U.E. report?

• Sometimes, if the loss was covered by a homeowners policy; separate flood policy claims are handled outside standard homeowners coverage.

What if the C.L.U.E. report has an error on the property?

• Start a dispute with LexisNexis and provide documentation; they are required to investigate and correct inaccuracies when verified.

How can the C.L.U.E. report affect my insurance premium?

• Prior claims at the address can lead to higher premiums, higher deductibles, limited coverage, or in some cases carrier declines, depending on the insurer.