Can bad credit make car insurance go up?

Asked by: Mr. Trevor Schroeder V  |  Last update: March 10, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (30 votes)

Just like a ticket or an accident, a low credit score can drive up your car insurance rate.

Does car insurance go up with bad credit?

On average, drivers with poor credit pay 113 percent more for full coverage car insurance than those with excellent credit. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan prohibit or limit the use of credit as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates.

Does my credit score affect car insurance?

Most U.S. insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores along with your driving history, claims history and many other factors to establish eligibility for payment plans and to help determine insurance rates. Again, except in California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.

Can I get car insurance with a 500 credit score?

While there's no set minimum score to get car insurance, you'll pay more if you have a lower score. Drivers with a credit score of 580 or below pay about 115% more for full coverage than the average driver with a credit score of 800 or above, according to Bankrate.

What if I am too poor for car insurance?

If you can't afford car insurance, don't go without. Instead, try to find a more affordable policy by increasing your deductible, downgrading your coverage, looking for discounts, driving less and comparing prices from multiple insurance companies.

How To Get Cheap Car Insurance - Questions To Answer

29 related questions found

What is a good credit score for insurance?

In general, a good credit score is 670 or above, with scores above 800 considered excellent. If your score is in this range, you're likely receiving lower insurance rates based on your credit. If your credit score is under 580, on the other hand, your credit could be significantly raising the cost of coverage.

What is the cheapest car insurance for a low credit score?

Nationwide is the most affordable option with an average rate of $165 per month for drivers with poor credit. Among major carriers, GEICO is one of the cheapest for drivers with poor credit, coming in at $181 per month.

What affects car insurance rates?

Auto insurance premiums reach their low point in a driver's mid-50s before rising for older drivers aged 70-plus.
  • Driving and claims history. This rating factor is straightforward. ...
  • Credit score. ...
  • Location. ...
  • Other personal demographics. ...
  • Coverage levels and deductibles. ...
  • Vehicle type. ...
  • Annual mileage. ...
  • Ownership status.

Can I get a car with a 480 credit score?

Yes, it's possible to finance a vehicle purchase with a 500 credit score or even below that. Keep in mind, though, that you can generally expect limited options, as well as high interest rates and fees. If possible, try to improve your credit before applying.

Do insurance companies check your credit?

Yes. A federal law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), states insurance companies have a “permissible purpose” to look at your credit information without your permission. Insurance companies must also comply with state insurance laws when using credit information in the underwriting and rating process.

What bills improve your credit score?

As with cell phone bills, cable and internet bills can help your score if you opt in to a service like Experian Boost that gives you credit for utility and other kinds of payments. Just be mindful that not all of your credit reports will be affected.

Does paying car payments build credit?

Making regular, on-time payments on a car loan can positively impact credit scores.

What is a good credit score?

For a score with a range of 300 to 850, a credit score of 670 to 739 is considered good. Credit scores of 740 and above are very good while 800 and higher are excellent.

Does it hurt your credit score to get car insurance quotes?

Since getting a quote won't affect your scores, regularly getting quotes might be a good way to find out if you could save money by switching insurance companies.

Can insurance drop you for bad credit?

In some states, yes, you could be denied coverage due to your credit. A very low insurance score might mean that a company considers you too great of a risk to insure, which could lead to the carrier denying coverage.

What causes car insurance to go up?

Car accidents and traffic violations are common explanations for an insurance rate increase, but other reasons why your car insurance rate can go up include changing your address, adding a new vehicle or driver, increases to claims in your ZIP code, and increases to car repair/replacement cost.

Does State Farm check credit for car insurance?

Most major car insurance companies like GEICO, Progressive and State Farm factor in your credit score when giving you a quote. Some smaller, regional insurers skip credit checks, though their coverage options (and available online information) can be limited.

Which gender pays more for car insurance?

On average, young men pay much more for car insurance than young women. This is because car insurance providers find men to be riskier drivers than women, especially when they are younger. When they are older, women start to pay slightly higher rates.

Does insurance go up with bad credit?

Depending on the laws about insurance in their state, drivers with Very Poor credit scores can see rate increases anywhere between 56% and 207%. Drivers can lower their insurance rate by an average of 17% (or $384) by improving their credit score by just one tier.

What is considered bad credit for car insurance?

What credit score is considered “bad” for car insurance purposes? Companies might categorize credit scores differently, but FICO considers scores “poor” if they're under 580.

Can my credit score lower my car insurance?

Besides your driving history and type of vehicle, your credit score can influence what you pay for auto insurance.

Is it better to buy car insurance online or with an agent?

Buying insurance online can often result in lower customer costs due to the elimination of commission fees for the insurance agent. However, buying insurance through an agent can offer a more personalized experience and in-depth policy analysis, leading to finding the most cost-effective coverage options.

What is the credit limit for insurance?

Credit Limit” is the credit limit set by the insurer for every buyer with whom the policy holder trades. The level of the limit is set at the maximum amount in normal circumstances that can be owed by the buyer at any time.

Does unpaid car insurance go on your credit?

The short answer is no. There is no direct affect between car insurance and your credit, paying your insurance bill late or not at all could lead to debt collection reports. Debt collection reports do appear on your credit report (often for 7-10 years) and can be read by future lenders.