Credit History & Car Insurance Rates

Your three-digit credit score is based on various details of your credit history. While your credit score doesn’t directly determine your insurance rate, insurance providers may review similar information from your financial past to assign you an ” insurance score” that estimates your likelihood of filing a future claim.

Insurance companies don’t consider income or job history when calculating your insurance score. Instead, they look at payment history and the amount of debt you carry. Companies will also note how many lines of credit you have in good standing and how long each account has been open.

This is where things become a little confusing: Insurance scores are also configured using data from other policyholders. The types and number of claims from others in your credit range will help determine your score, which is why it can be hard to control or predict how much you’ll pay for auto insurance, homeowners insurance and even life and health insurance.

Though the calculations may be complicated, there are simple ways to position yourself for lower rates. Start by checking your credit activity regularly and dispute anything that looks suspicious. Make sure you don’t miss any payments or carry excessive debt. Over time, these habits may help keep your credit-based insurance score high and your premiums low.