Dispute LexisNexis Insurance Report: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Dispute a LexisNexis Insurance Report and Lower Your Rates

Worried about inflated insurance premiums due to errors in your LexisNexis report? You can dispute those inaccuracies! By understanding your rights, obtaining your report, identifying errors, and documenting your dispute with evidence, you can challenge the report. LexisNexis is legally obligated to investigate and correct errors within 30 days. This guide provides the steps, templates, and insights needed to effectively dispute a flawed report.

Understanding LexisNexis Insurance Reports and Your Rights

LexisNexis Risk Solutions compiles detailed reports that insurance companies use to assess risk and determine premiums. These reports, often called CLUE reports (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange), contain information like:

• Accident History: Dates, types of accidents, and your involvement.
• Insurance Claims: Dates, types of claims filed, and amounts paid.
• Traffic Violations: Moving violations and their severity.
• Property Information: If the report pertains to home insurance, it includes property details and loss history.

Why are they important? These reports directly impact your insurance rates. Errors or inaccuracies can lead to unfairly high premiums, denial of coverage, or even policy cancellation.

Your Rights: You have the legal right to:

• Access your report: Obtain a free copy of your LexisNexis insurance report annually or after being denied insurance coverage or receiving an adverse rate.
• Dispute inaccuracies: Challenge any information in the report you believe is incorrect or incomplete.
• Have the information corrected: LexisNexis is obligated to investigate your dispute and correct verified errors.
• Add a statement: If LexisNexis determines the information is accurate but you disagree, you can add a brief statement to your report explaining your perspective.

Obtaining Your LexisNexis Insurance Report

Getting a copy of your report is the first and crucial step. LexisNexis provides several avenues for obtaining it:

• Online Request: Visit the LexisNexis Personal Reports website (search ‘LexisNexis Personal Reports’ online). You’ll likely need to create an account and provide identifying information (name, address, date of birth, social security number - providing the last four digits may suffice in some cases).
• Phone Request: Call the LexisNexis Consumer Center. You can find their number on their website. Be prepared to answer questions to verify your identity.
• Mail Request: Send a written request to LexisNexis. Include your full name, current address, previous address (if you’ve moved recently), date of birth, and social security number. Include a copy of your driver’s license for verification.

Keep a record of your request: Note the date, method, and any confirmation numbers you receive. This documentation will be essential if you need to follow up later.

How long does it take? LexisNexis typically provides your report within 15 days of receiving your request.

Identifying Inaccuracies in Your Report

Once you receive your report, carefully review every detail. Look for:

• Incorrect Accident Details: Check the dates, types of accidents, your role in the accident, and any associated police reports.
• Erroneous Claims Information: Verify the dates, claim amounts, and the insurance company involved. Sometimes, claims related to other people with a similar name might be mistakenly attributed to you.
• Misreported Traffic Violations: Confirm the dates, types of violations, and the jurisdictions where they occurred.
• Incorrect Personal Information: Ensure your name, address, date of birth, and other identifying details are accurate.
• Duplicate Entries: Sometimes, the same incident can be reported multiple times, inflating your risk profile.
• ‘No Loss Reported’ Errors: This means a claim was filed, but no payment was made. They can still negatively impact your rates and should only be shown if they truly represent a higher risk driver.

Don’t be afraid to question anything that seems off. Even minor discrepancies can add up and affect your premiums.

Documenting Your Dispute

A well-documented dispute is critical for a successful resolution. Gather as much supporting evidence as possible to back up your claims.

• Police Reports: Obtain official police reports for any accidents listed on your report.
• Insurance Policy Documents: Collect copies of your insurance policies, declarations pages, and claim correspondence.
• Court Records: If the report includes traffic violations, obtain copies of court records showing the disposition of the case (e.g., dismissed, reduced charges).
• Affidavits: If you have witnesses to an accident or other relevant events, consider obtaining notarized affidavits to support your claims.
• Correspondence with Insurance Companies: Keep records of all communication with your insurance company regarding claims or accidents.

Create a spreadsheet or document to organize your evidence. This will make it easier to present your case clearly and concisely. Here’s an example of a simple table you can use:

Filing Your Dispute with LexisNexis

Once you’ve gathered your evidence, you’re ready to file your dispute with LexisNexis. You can do this online, by phone, or by mail.

• Online Dispute: Log in to your LexisNexis account and navigate to the dispute resolution section. Follow the instructions for submitting your dispute and uploading your supporting documents.

• Phone Dispute: Call the LexisNexis Consumer Center and speak to a representative. Be prepared to explain the inaccuracies in your report and provide your supporting evidence. They may ask you to mail in copies of your documents.

• Mail Dispute: Send a written dispute letter to LexisNexis. Include the following information:

  • Your full name, address, date of birth, and social security number.
  • A clear and concise explanation of each inaccuracy you’re disputing.
  • Copies of your supporting documents.
  • A request that LexisNexis investigate the inaccuracies and correct your report.

Send your dispute letter via certified mail with return receipt requested. This will provide proof that LexisNexis received your dispute.

Here’s a sample dispute letter template:

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]

[Date]

LexisNexis Risk Solutions
Consumer Center
[Address from LexisNexis website]

Subject: Dispute of Information in LexisNexis Insurance Report

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to dispute the accuracy of information contained in my LexisNexis insurance report, which I obtained on [Date]. My report number is [Report Number, if available].

I am disputing the following inaccuracies:

*   **Accident on [Date]:** The report states that I was at fault for an accident on [Date]. However, the attached police report (Exhibit A) clearly shows that the other driver was at fault.
*   **Claim on [Date]:** The report lists a claim for [Type of Claim] on [Date] with a payout amount of [Amount]. This is incorrect. [Explain the correct details, e.g., the claim was for a lower amount, the claim was related to a different property, etc.]. I have attached documentation from my insurance company (Exhibit B) to support this claim.
*   **Traffic Violation on [Date]:** The report indicates I received a speeding ticket on [Date]. However, the attached court record (Exhibit C) shows that the ticket was dismissed after I completed traffic school.

I request that LexisNexis investigate these inaccuracies and correct my report as soon as possible. I have included copies of supporting documentation with this letter.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]

Following Up and Escalating Your Dispute

LexisNexis has 30 days to investigate your dispute. If you haven’t heard back within that timeframe, follow up with them.

• Check the Status Online: If you filed your dispute online, check the status of your dispute through your LexisNexis account.
• Call the Consumer Center: Call the LexisNexis Consumer Center and inquire about the status of your dispute.
• Send a Follow-Up Letter: Send a follow-up letter reiterating your dispute and requesting an update.

If LexisNexis refuses to correct the inaccuracies or fails to respond within 30 days, you have several options:

• File a Complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): The CFPB is a federal agency that protects consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive financial practices.
• File a Complaint with Your State Attorney General: Your state attorney general’s office can also investigate consumer complaints.
• Consider Legal Action: If you’ve suffered significant financial harm due to inaccuracies in your LexisNexis report, you may want to consult with an attorney about pursuing legal action.

My Experience & Quick Fix

The most frustrating issue in my LexisNexis report was a misattributed accident. It listed an accident with a date and location that was nowhere near where I lived at the time. I even cross-referenced it with my travel records!

My Quick Fix: I obtained an official police report from the jurisdiction where the accident supposedly occurred. The police report clearly showed a completely different name, different vehicle, and different date of birth. I highlighted this discrepancy clearly in my dispute letter and attached the police report. LexisNexis corrected the error within two weeks.

Key takeaway: Obtain irrefutable proof and make it exceptionally easy for them to see the error. Highlight the specific details that make the error obvious.

Proactive Steps to Prevent Future Issues

While disputing errors can be time-consuming, you can take steps to minimize the risk of future inaccuracies:

• Review Your Insurance Policies Regularly: Ensure all the information on your policies is accurate.
• Keep Records of Accidents and Claims: Maintain detailed records of any accidents, claims, or traffic violations.
• Request Your LexisNexis Report Annually: Proactively check your report each year to identify and correct any errors before they impact your insurance rates.

By understanding your rights, taking a proactive approach, and diligently disputing any inaccuracies, you can ensure that your LexisNexis insurance report accurately reflects your driving history and helps you obtain fair insurance rates. It’s a bit of work, but well worth it for the potential savings and peace of mind.

Costs and Potential Savings:

The savings from correcting inaccuracies can be significant. A cleaner report can easily save hundreds of dollars per year on insurance premiums.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often can I request my LexisNexis report for free?

You can request a free copy of your LexisNexis insurance report annually, or after being denied insurance coverage or receiving an adverse rate. Proactively checking it each year is recommended.

What kind of information is included in a LexisNexis insurance report?

LexisNexis reports contain details like accident history, insurance claims, traffic violations, and property information (if it pertains to home insurance). They provide a comprehensive view of your risk profile to insurers.

How long does LexisNexis have to investigate my dispute?

LexisNexis has 30 days to investigate your dispute after receiving it. If you don’t hear back within that timeframe, you should follow up with them.

What can I do if LexisNexis refuses to correct the inaccuracies in my report?

If LexisNexis refuses to correct inaccuracies or fails to respond within 30 days, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), your State Attorney General, or consider legal action if you’ve suffered significant financial harm.

What if a ’no loss reported’ incident is on my report. Is it still bad?

Yes, it still can negatively impact your rates even if no payment was ultimately made. They should only be shown if they truly represent a higher risk driver.