How to Fix Incorrect Accident Records on your CLUE report

If you've been in a car accident, you might be surprised to find it affects your insurance rates for years to come. That’s because your claims history is logged in a report called the CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report, generated by a company called LexisNexis.

What is a CLUE report?

Before we dive in, it’s helpful to understand what a CLUE report is and why it matters. Think of it as a credit report for your insurance history. For up to seven years, it details your insurance claims for auto and property. Insurers use this report to evaluate risk when you apply for a new policy or renew an existing one.

It’s completely normal for a CLUE report to contain a history of your insurance claims, and insurers expect to see it. However, the issue arises when the report contains inaccurate or incomplete information.

Your right to dispute inaccurate information

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to dispute any information on your consumer report that is inaccurate or incomplete. This is the legal basis for correcting your CLUE report if it contains errors.

A step-by-step guide for disputing an inaccurate accident report

1. Get a copy of your CLUE report. Visit the

   LexisNexis Risk Solutions Consumer Center

   online or call (866) 897-8126. Under the FCRA, you are entitled to one free report every 12 months.

2. Review the report for errors. Look carefully for anything that is incorrect. This could include a claim you never filed, an incorrect date of loss, an invalid payout amount, or a claim mistakenly logged as "at fault" when it was not.

3. Gather supporting evidence. Collect documents that prove the information is wrong. This can include:

   • The police report from the accident.

   • An official statement from your insurance provider.

   • Court records from any related legal case.

   • Any other communication or documentation that proves the error.

4. Submit your dispute. You can file your dispute online through the

   LexisNexis Consumer Center

   or send a letter by certified U.S. mail for a paper trail. Be sure to include photocopies of your evidence, not originals.

5. Wait for the investigation. LexisNexis has 30 days to investigate your dispute. During this time, they will contact the insurance company that reported the information to verify it.

6. Review the results. After the investigation, you will receive a notice detailing the outcome. If the information was found to be inaccurate, it will be corrected or removed from your report.

7. 
   

What if the accident was accurately reported?

If the accident was accurately reported, you cannot have the claim removed. The record exists to provide an accurate claims history to insurers. However, if the claim was not your fault, you can add a brief statement of explanation (under 100 words) to your CLUE report. This provides valuable context for insurers viewing your file. To add a statement, contact the LexisNexis Consumer Center.

The Bottom Line

While a CLUE report may be an inconvenient reminder of a past accident, its purpose is to provide an accurate record for the insurance industry. Your power as a consumer is to ensure that record is correct. If you suspect an error, take the time to dispute it. If the information is accurate but not your fault, a simple statement can ensure the full story is told.