The Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange or CLUE, is a database used by most insurance companies to determine whether a house should be insured and if so, the premiums. Inquiries to your insurance company can be a negative in your home’s record.

What should you do? You can make the decision to pay small claims out of pocket without ever involving the insurance company. Also, be aware that insurance companies are particularly concerned if the inquiry involves water damage because of the tremendous losses suffered by the industry due to claims about mold.

Keep in mind that major water damage has to be reported, even if you don’t make a claim. The CLUE report contains every claim against the property filed in the past five years. It contains such things as claims due to water and wind damage as well as claims against your pets.