Will my car insurance go up if my credit score goes down?

Asked by: Xzavier Turcotte  |  Last update: November 7, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (10 votes)

Just like a ticket or an accident, a low credit score can drive up your car insurance rate. In most states, your insurance company can check your credit score each time you renew your policy.

Does low 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.

Will my credit score go up if my car is totaled?

Can a totaled car affect my credit? No. A total loss alone won't affect your credit. However, if you still owe payments on your car, you should continue paying your loan until the claim is settled.

Can you be turned down for insurance because of your credit score?

California

Insurance companies in California don't use credit-based scores or your credit history for underwriting or rating auto policies, or setting rates for homeowners insurance. As a result, your credit won't impact your ability to get or renew a policy, or how much you pay in premiums.

Will my car insurance go down if my credit score goes up?

How can my credit insurance score benefit me? A credit-based insurance score allows insurers to quote the fairest, most appropriate rate for every customer. About half of our existing customers pay a lower premium based on their credit score.

How your credit score can impact car insurance rates

40 related questions found

Can you be refused car insurance for bad credit?

Yes, any insurance company has the right to deny coverage. Likely, poor credit won't be the only reason you're denied auto insurance, but it can be a major contributing factor. Other factors that may lead to denial of coverage can include: Poor driving record.

Will my insurance go up if my car is totaled?

If you're involved in an accident that's your fault, you can expect your insurance premium to increase. This is true whether your car is damaged or totaled. You should compare insurance rates from several companies if you find your rate gets too high.

Will my credit score go up after paying off car?

In the short term, paying off your car loan early will impact your credit score — usually by dropping it a few points. Over the long term, it may rise because you've reduced your debt-to-income ratio.

How soon can I get a new car after a total loss?

After filing the claim, your insurance company might take several weeks or several months to issue a payout, depending on whether you have a loan. Once you receive the settlement, you can go out and purchase a new car.

Do car insurance companies look at 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.

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's a decent credit score to get a car?

A target credit score of 661 or above should get you a new-car loan with an annual percentage rate of around 6.7% or better, or a used-car loan around 9.63% or lower. Superprime: 781-850.

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.

What credit score do you need for car insurance?

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 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.

Why did my credit score drop 100 points after paying off my car?

Paying off something like your car loan can actually cause your credit score to fall because it means having one less credit account in your name. Having a mix of credit makes up 10% of your FICO credit score because it's important to show that you can manage different types of debt.

Is 650 a good credit score?

A 650 credit score is generally considered “fair.” A score in this range may limit you from certain financial opportunities. Payment history, monitoring your credit and lowering your credit utilization ratio can be helpful ways to improve this score over time.

Does paying car insurance build 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.

How much will my car insurance go up after a claim?

By State. You can expect the most elevated car insurance rates post-accident in California, where the average increase is more than 74 percent. Increases are less than 25 percent in Rhode Island, in contrast.

Can you ask for more money when your car is totaled?

In some cases, you may get more insurance money for a totaled car than for repairs. In addition, it is possible to negotiate a higher settlement by providing evidence that your car was worth more than the insurance company's initial valuation.

Why did my car insurance go up without an accident?

From California to New York, all states have varying car insurance rates because insurance companies look at geographic factors such as crime rate, number of auto accidents, and weather conditions to determine your premium. Miles You Drive: The more you drive, the more likely you will get into an accident.

How long can you go without car insurance?

It is a crime to drive almost anywhere without car insurance coverage, even for a minute or just down the street. So, how long can you be without car insurance? If you're driving, you can't. Anytime you get behind the wheel as a licensed driver, you need insurance coverage or you'll risk incurring major consequences.

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.