Property loss type
What does a Flood claim mean on a CLUE report?
A flood loss on a CLUE report means rising-water damage claimed under separate flood insurance — standard homeowners policies exclude flood.
Flood in plain English
Rising water from outside the home (river, storm surge, surface water) — covered by separate flood insurance (NFIP or private), not standard homeowners.
Because homeowners policies exclude flood, a flood entry usually reflects an NFIP/private flood policy claim, or a misclassified internal water loss.
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
Internal plumbing losses miscoded as 'Flood' (which implies an uninsurable-location signal), and flood claims from before your ownership.
- 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
The flood policy declaration, FEMA/NFIP claim records, mitigation documentation.
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance — Home insurance guide (most home policies don't cover flood damage)
- California Department of Insurance — Residential Insurance guide (flood not covered; National Flood Insurance Program)
- Virginia SCC Bureau of Insurance — Virginia Homeowners Insurance Consumer Guide (flood/surface water exclusion)