Property loss type
What does a Earthquake claim mean on a CLUE report?
An earthquake loss on a CLUE report is a claim under separate earthquake coverage — standard homeowners policies exclude earth movement.
Earthquake in plain English
Earthquake or earth-movement damage — excluded from standard homeowners, covered by separate earthquake insurance.
An earthquake entry reflects a separate earthquake policy/endorsement claim (in California, insurers must offer this coverage).
CLUE disclosures and carrier feeds vary. Use this as a decoder aid, then verify the entry against your report, insurer records, and claim documents.
What to watch for
Settlement or foundation issues (not covered, not quake) miscoded as earthquake claims.
- Date of loss versus the report and order dates
- Amount paid, especially if the entry shows $0
- Claim status, including inquiry or information-only language
- Property address, vehicle, or policyholder identity
- Duplicate entries for the same event
Evidence that may help
Seismic event records for the loss date, engineering reports, the earthquake policy declaration.
Sources
- California Department of Insurance — Residential Insurance guide (insurers must offer earthquake coverage)
- Virginia SCC Bureau of Insurance — Virginia Homeowners Insurance Consumer Guide (earthquake generally not covered)
- Texas Department of Insurance — Home insurance guide (earthquake/earth movement excluded)