What To Do If Bad Credit Is Driving Up Car Insurance Costs

Did you know that your credit score can impact what your insurance company charges you? Many companies review your credit report to determine the rate you’ll pay. If your less-than-perfect credit is causing you to pay more for car insurance, here are some steps to take.

Review Your Credit Report: Make sure your credit report is accurate. Every consumers in the US is allowed free access to their credit report every twelve months from each of the three main credit reporting agencies. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com for access to yours. Look for any inaccuracies that could be forcing your credit score to be lower than it should be. Make sure there are no signs of identity theft.

Pay Delinquent Accounts: Eliminating any outstanding debts that are in collection will help improve your credit score. Make sure to pay your bills by the due date to avoid an even lower credit score.

Ask for Proof: If your insurance company charges you  higher rates based on your poor credit score they are required to tell you based on the Fair Credit Reporting Act. If they tell you that be sure to ask for proof. They must give you a copy of the credit report they used to obtain the information about your credit score.

Check Around: Quotes vary with different insurance companies. If you’re not pleased with the quote you receive from one company, check around. You may get a better rate for car insurance from someone else.