How Your Credit Score Affects Your Car Insurance

By Mav OT •  Updated: 02/09/24 •  5 min read

What have you heard about credit scores and car insurance? Is there a direct relationship between car insurance and credit score?

This blog will be a great guide for those who may need to learn about credit scores and car insurance. 

When figuring out insurance rates and fees, credit scores are often taken into account by insurance companies. Insurance rates tend to be lower for people with better credit. For this reason: it shows responsible money management and a lower chance of making claims. Someone with bad credit, on the other hand, might have to pay more for insurance because they are seen as more of a risk. Along with driving records, age, location, and other relevant factors, insurers use credit scores to figure out how much of a risk a person is and how to set their rates. 

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Let us find out more about how credit score affects car insurance. This will give you an instructive thought when planning to buy car insurance. 

Does your credit score affect your car insurance rate?

Certainly, your existing credit score can affect your car insurance rate. There is a direct relation between car insurance rates and credit scores. 

Do not confuse yourself, car insurance and car insurance rate are two different things although one precedes the other. You get to get a rate for your car before your insurance is processed.

Once you seek an insurance rate, insurance companies will inquire about your credit score. Once your credit score is below the minimum, you may have to pay a higher insurance rate or premium. This confirms your credit score has a direct effect on your insurance rate.

How your credit score affects your car insurance

A lot of insurance companies use your credit score as one of the things they use to figure out how risky it is to insure you. 

The numbers show that people with higher credit scores usually make fewer claims. A good credit score makes you seem like a more responsible person in general. You pay your bills on time, you probably follow the rules of the road, and you are not as likely to ride your car through a ditch.

If your credit score is excellent, insurance companies may offer you lower rates because they see you as less of a risk. If you have bad credit, on the other hand, they might be a little wary because they think you are more likely to make claims in the shortest possible time.

When you think of your credit score, you can compare it to your insurance rate. The better it looks, the better things go. 

Companies that offer complete car insurance base their rates on several things, such as your age, your driving record, and the type of car you drive. 

- ADVERTISEMENT -

In South Africa, car insurance companies divide their customers into two groups based on their credit scores: those who are low risk and those who are high risk. Customers with better credit are seen as less of a risk, so their insurance rates can be lowered. People with lower credit scores, on the other hand, are seen as high risk and have to pay more for insurance. It is important to note that the insurance heads set the rates for third-party insurance for vehicular machines, and credit score is a major factor in setting these insurance rates. 

What is the best credit score for car insurance?

Considering the categories and variations in credit score many people are always looking to negotiate better for car insurance. 

The negotiations although may go well, a higher part of it depends on your credit score. Do you have a good credit score to secure the best insurance for your car?

When it comes to the best credit score for car insurance, any credit score above 800 will be considered. 

Of course, the benchmark is high but the focus is on the best credit score. When you have a credit score of 800, your chances of securing loans become easy. 

Does your credit score affect your car?

If it is just concerning your car and not part of a particular service then there is no effect of credit score on your car.
However, some may argue that your credit score has an indirect effect on your car. But the reality is that your car has no link with your credit score unless there is a particular service you seek for your car.

How is a credit score used in insurance?

Almost all insurance companies look at your credit score before giving you a premium. Someone with a good credit score likely pays a very low premium, while someone with a poor credit score pays a high premium. 

These parameters have been set by the insurance companies to define who gets a good insurance rate. 

When you request insurance, the company will look into your credit score, which could be a soft inquiry. Once the credit bureau provides the necessary details, the insurance company will assess your credit score and see where you fall. 

The category to which you may belong will be used to calculate as a factor for your insurance. 

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Keep Reading

How Do Mortgage Lenders Determine Credit Score

How Do Mortgage Lenders Determine Credit Score

Follow us, as we continue to shed some light on mortgage lenders and credit scores. We will take you through how mortgage lenders determine an individual's credit score.

How Long Does A Credit Check Take in South Africa

How Long Does A Credit Check Take in South Africa

Let us find out more about how long it takes to check credit for a car, job, mortgage, phone etc. 

How Is A Business Credit Score Determined?

How Is A Business Credit Score Determined?

How can a business credit score be determined? What is considered a good credit score?

How Is Your Credit Score Created

How Is Your Credit Score Created

To ascertain the information, you will be informed about how you can determine your credit score

What is a Bad Credit Score in South Africa?

What is a Bad Credit Score in South Africa?

If you are currently dealing with a low or bad credit score in South Africa, here’s how you can start to fix it. 

What Is A Good Credit Score For A Personal Loan

What Is A Good Credit Score For A Personal Loan

However, it is important to always find means to ensure you improve your credit score and find ways to minimise getting bad credit.

How to Pay Credit Card Bills to Increase Credit Score

How to Pay Credit Card Bills to Increase Credit Score

This article explores the steps you can take to pay your credit card to increase your credit score.  

How to Use A Credit Card to Build Credit Score

How to Use A Credit Card to Build Credit Score

This article will guide you on using a credit card to build a score in South Africa and have certain common queries answered.

How Can I Check My Credit Bureau Records?

How Can I Check My Credit Bureau Records?

How Can I Check My Credit Bureau Records. Read on to learn the measures you can take to get your free credit report.

How Is Credit Score Calculated In South Africa

How Is Credit Score Calculated In South Africa

How Is Credit Score Calculated In South Africa. With these clues, you should be able to understand how the credit score is calculated. 

How to Enhance Your Credit Score After Debt Counseling

How to Enhance Your Credit Score After Debt Counseling

Don’t lose hope! You can still take steps to rehabilitate your credit and get yourself to a better place financially. 

How Fast Does A Credit Score Increase After Paying Debt

How Fast Does A Credit Score Increase After Paying Debt

Our focus in this blog post will give an insight into how fast credit scores increase after settling debt.

Where to Find Your Most Accurate Credit Score

Where to Find Your Most Accurate Credit Score

Do you need the ‘most accurate’ credit score? Does that even exist? Today we look at these questions and more. 

How to Improve My Credit Score on FNB

How to Improve My Credit Score on FNB

How to Improve My Credit Score on FNB?. This article explores the measures you can take to improve your credit score on FNB.  

How to Check Credit Scores For International Students

How to Check Credit Scores For International Students

This is why our blog will focus on the South African context, taking our audience through how to check credit scores for international students.