Personal car insurance companies often consider your credit history when deciding how much you should pay for your insurance. If you are searching for car insurance, be aware that many insurance companies will consider your credit history in determining the car insurance rates. We will be able tell you why and how this happens, I hope.
Some insurance companies use credit information to determine if there is a direct correlation between consumers’ credit history and possible claims. People with better credit scores are less likely than others to incur severe insurance losses.
In determining how much insurance you should purchase, many insurance companies still use your driving record, your age, your vehicle type and your location. Companies that use credit history might not be the best for you if your credit history is not yet established. You may not be eligible for certain discounts which could lead to higher premiums.
Companies that use credit scoring will still consider other factors when determining your premium. When determining the price of your insurance, they will take into account your age, driving record, vehicle type, location, and your driving history.
Is it fair to allow an insurance company to see my credit history without my permission? Yes. Federal Fair credit-reporting Act says, “Reasonable procedures.” This title requires that consumer reporting agencies use reasonable procedures to meet the needs of commerce for credit, personnel, and insurance in a fair and equitable manner to consumers. It also addresses confidentiality, accuracy and relevancy. Proper utilization of such information is required to comply with this title. This information can be found here http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcra.htm
If you believe your credit history is more impressive than the insurer can find it, ensure that the insurer has your full name, address, and date of birth.
While some insurance companies will examine your credit reports directly to determine your rate, most will use an “insurance credit score”. A credit score for insurance is based on statistical methods and methods that predict how likely a consumer will suffer higher than expected losses. These methods are similar to those used by lenders to predict the likelihood that a borrower will be able to repay a loan.
Credit History Factors and Car Insurance Rates
In determining your credit score, insurance companies consider many factors. These are just a few examples of factors that insurance companies use to determine your credit score:
. Public records: bankruptcy, collections, foreclosures, liens, charge-offs, etc.
. Past payment history: The number and frequency of late payments, and the time period between due date and late payment date.
. Credit history is the length of your credit history.
. Credit inquiries: The number of times that you have applied for new credit recently, including for mortgage loans and utility accounts.
. The number of open credit lines: This is the total credit card accounts you have, regardless of whether or not you use them.
. Types of credit: store credit cards (major credit cards), finance company loans (finance company loans), etc.
. Unutilized credit: How much do you owe in comparison to the amount of credit you have.
Insurance companies will use different factors to determine your premium, so your insurance credit score might differ. This is what we refer to as an insurance credit score. It includes credit.
Each insurance company has its own methods of determining your credit score. It is difficult to know what a good credit rating is. A higher credit score is usually associated with lower premiums.
Your credit score is not something your agent or company should tell you. It is possible that they don’t even know what it is. They know that you have a credit score that qualifies for a particular rate or policy. Some companies offer lower rates for qualified tiers.
The credit bureau should be notified if you feel there is an error in your credit reports. The credit bureau must review your report and return to you within 30 working days. A notice of correction can be sent by the credit bureau to any creditor or insurance that has reviewed your file in the last six month. To ensure the correct information is not being reported again, it’s a good idea for you to request a duplicate of your credit report after the errors have been fixed.
The following are the national credit bureaus
. Trans Union (www.transunion.com/800888-4213)
. Equifax (www.credit.equifax.com or 800-685-1111)
. Experian (www.experian.com, 888-397-3742)
Your insurance company should be notified. Don’t wait for the credit bureau to investigate the errors. Contact your insurance company immediately. Inform your insurer immediately and ask them if the errors could affect your insurance. If there are large errors, inform your insurance company and tell them that you are disputing the information. Ask if they will hold off on using your credit information until the mistakes are corrected. Even small errors can have a minimal impact on your credit score. The severity of the error can impact your premium. While some companies cannot adjust their premiums until they are corrected, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
After you’ve taken steps to improve credit scores, you can ask your insurance company for a re-evaluation of your credit score when you renew your policy.
