A CLUE report is an important document used in Arizona real estate. Read on to find out what it is and what information it covers, how it’s used and issued, and important considerations to have in mind when requesting one when selling your home.
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What is a CLUE report in Arizona real estate?
CLUE stands for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange. This report is an insurance claims history for the past five years, provided to the home buyer prior to the sale.
How are CLUE reports used?
A CLUE report is used by the buyer’s new home insurance company in order to determine whether they are eligible for coverage, as well as how much they will need to pay in premiums.
The new owner will need to submit the insurance claims history to their insurer before underwriting a new policy. The report includes any claims made to the insurer, including damages and when they occurred.
For a seller, providing a CLUE report will provide the new homeowner with peace of mind, encouraging them to close the deal.
Is a CLUE report required in Arizona?
Yes. The Arizona Residential Real Estate Purchase Contract, the contract you’ll submit when selling a home, requires that the CLUE report be submitted, along with the Seller Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS), within five days of contract acceptance.
Are CLUE reports public?
CLUE reports are not public, and only owners, lenders, and insurance companies can request them. They’re protected by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which forbids public disclosures of credit scores and insurance claims.
How to Get a CLUE Report for Your Property in Arizona
There are four ways that consumers can access their CLUE report:
- View it online at the LexisNexis site
- Call LexisNexis at 866-897-8126
- Email documents@lexisnexisrisk.com
- Mail a request to Lexis Nexis at their headquarters:
LexisNexis Risk Solutions Consumer Center
P.O. Box 105108
Atlanta, GA, 30348-5108
You will need to provide your full name, street address, and date of birth. The first request per year is free, but pricing averages $19.95 for any additional report.
Important Considerations
Below is what you should have in mind when requesting your home’s insurance claims history.
Your agent can’t help you
When it comes to issuing a CLUE report, AZ law and the Arizona Association of Realtors forbids realtors from requesting this on behalf of the seller. Only the homeowner, lender, or insurance company can submit a request.
Get your report on time
You need to provide a CLUE report within five days of accepting a contract. The time frame for your report to arrive is between three and ten days, so plan to submit your request at least a week prior to accepting the contract to be safe.
Check for errors in your report
As with all documents related to the sale of your home, double check that everything is correct. If you notice a discrepancy, you should contact LexisNexis to verify the information with your insurance. LexisNexis will also contact any credit reporting companies to update the information.
Clarify gaps in your insurance or having no insurance at all
Typically, you are only required to have insurance if you have a mortgage on the property; if you own the home outright, insurance is not required. If you were not carrying insurance at the time of the sale, you should disclose this to the buyer and provide a home inspection to document any damages.
