Watch Out - Credit Score Determining Auto Insurance Cost

You hit another car; your auto insurer probably raises your premiums. But you may not know that your premiums can shoot up much higher if your car insurance company is using a new breed of credit score, even if you have a pristine driving record. Known as credit-based insurance scores, these numbers are computed from your bill-paying and loan data collected by the major credit bureaus. In recent years, the scores have become as important in determining your annual premium as your driving record and the neighborhood where you live.

Hundreds of insurers are using models created by ChoicePoint and Fair Isaac, the Minneapolis company that invented credit scoring. Others have developed their own systems. The scoring models stress bits of credit data that would seem to have little to do with a driver's tendency to make claims. There are no standards: Each company uses different models and weighs different credit-report information. Some big companies find scoring useful only for new customers, not renewals, while others may use it for both.

Auto insurers use this credit information to produce an ?insurance score? because they believe it allows them to more accurately assess and price a risk. In conjunction with other information such as years of driving experience, previous accidents, the type of car or home, and where the driver lives and drives, credit-based insurance scores allow insurers to differentiate between lower and higher insurance risks.

These scores are not a measure of someone?s financial assets, but of how you as an individual manage your financial affairs. Insurance scores are supposed to be highly accurate predictors of future loss in auto insurance. The statistical correlation between good credit and relatively low insurance losses presupposes that the responsibility required to prudently manage one?s finances is associated with other types of responsible and prudent behaviors, such as proper maintenance of homes and autos, and safe operation of cars.

Many recent studies confirm the strong correlation between credit history and loss in both auto and homeowners insurance. Neither insurers nor the credit-scoring companies that discovered the relationship know what causes it. It is believed that generally people with a pattern of irresponsible financial behavior and poor credit history have a much greater chance of being in an accident or filing a claim. But the other studies, such as the Monaghan study, which reviewed those long-standing inferences, say that links between responsible financial management and future expected losses are "unsupported."

Either way scoring could cost you hundreds of extra dollars. Even a driver with a fantastic credit score, who rates a low-interest mortgage, could wind up with a less favorable insurance score and thus a high premium. That's because formulations for insurance scores weigh credit data differently from traditional lender scores.

There is a way to check. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, insurers are required to notify consumers if they experience adverse action, such as denial, premium increase or cancellation of coverage, due to information contained in their credit report. Consumers also have the right to have errors in their credit report corrected and can request that the insurance company recalculate their insurance score and reevaluate their insurance coverage and premium.

Receive a free online auto insurance quote that will save you money by visiting http://www.your-car-insurance.biz, a reliable auto insurance website that provides information and resources to include information on optional coverage.

This Site Is For Sale

Managed Forex Accounts for savvy Investors - Ever seen such Forex results?

The Managed-Forex-Blog

Related Articles:

How To Get Cheap Car Insurance In Albuquerque
Cheap car insurance in Albuquerque ? if you opt for New Mexico?s minimum liability car insurance requirements rather than to purchase full-coverage insurance ? can be obtained in one of two ways: you can purchase the minimum liability auto insurance policy from a New Mexico car insurance company of your choosing, or you can insure yourself.

Travel Insurance For Saga Louts?
Our older generations have been getting some negative press due to their alleged bad behaviour while on holiday abroad - earning them the unfortunate nickname 'Saga Louts' The same seniors don't behave badly and earn themselves an ASBO at home

New York Individual Health Insurance ? Coverage And Conditions
If you are a resident of New York and in need of health insurance, you can purchase individual health insurance plans directly from a health maintenance organization (HMO).

Car Insurance: My Idiotic, Stupid Attempt To Do Something I Should Have Done Online, Pt. 1
I don't usually get mad about something that should be simple. I've found that life is way too short to waste time and get mad about things that are beyond your control.. And for good reason. Simple things should be, well, simple. But when the simple becomes complex, I get frustrated, which isn't good for anyone involved.

Insurance Company Investment Portfolio Funds
Every insurance company advertises its life cover and the benefits they offer their clients. They tell you that their services, term life and whole life insurance have unique properties that you should buy into. I bet that everyone has heard something about life insurances, either whole or term insurances and many people are thinking about their future and their loved ones that may have bought one. However, there is another product on the market: universal life insurance, product that has many advantages over other investment options. This type of policy has witnessed an increased popularity in the last years and more and more people are beginning to think about their financial future. A universal insurance policy represents a personal port...

Small Business Grants And Loans To Start Your Dream Business
To many individuals don't follow the path they really want to in life. Almost everyone one of those people who wish they had done something different with their career have something to shoot off about. Things like ?well it probably never would have worked out?, or ?I just couldn't afford to go to college? are just a few of the excuses that these people come up with. The reality is if you really wanted to make something happen, then you would make it happen. If you want something bad enough we can almost always find a way to make it happen, of course there might be some physical restrictions, such as if you wanted to play in the NBA but your only 5'1? tall. How ever I am here to say that there is nothing more satisfying then becoming succes...

Unsecured Poor Credit Loans
Unsecured poor credit loans offer more opportunities for individuals with poor or no credit scores. In the past, individuals found it difficult to obtain the smallest loan with a score of less than 600 on their credit report. Many lenders required an individual to have a flawless or a near impeccable score with no bankruptcy. Not only was a perfect score required, an individual needed to possess adequate assets to act as collateral. As luck would have it, a person with poor or no credit or even a bankruptcy can now access small loans through a variety of lenders.

MarketCaliber.com Announces Free Membership & Exclusive Stock Picks to All New Investors
With the recent announcement of free membership to their newsletter, the MarketCaliber.com team is quickly establishing itself as one of the premier investment communities on the internet for the everyday investor.

Auto Loans on Bad Credit Situation
Auto loans for bad credit are offered to people who have acquired bad credit by late and/or missed payments. A bad credit auto loan helps to re-establish the credit history of borrowers. Bad credit auto loans can be used to buy a used vehicle. Sometimes, these loans can be used to finance a new car. Bad credit auto loans are short-term loans, and their repayment period extends from 48 to 60 months. The first step in the process of applying for a bad credit auto loan is to determine your FICO score, also known as credit score. Credit bureaus such as Equifax, Trans Union, and Bradstreet can determine your credit score. A credit score of 650 and below is regarded as bad credit. Borrowers with poor credit are usually offered high interest rate ...

Independent Bank of Austin (TX), SSB, 2nd Qtr. Net Profit up 16.6%; Assets, Loans, Deposits Rise Sharply at Lakeway, Georgetown Operations; Bank Adds
Independent Bank of Austin (TX), a State Savings Bank with headquarters in Lakeway and operations also in the Georgetown area, had second quarter 2007 net profit of $537,395, up 16.6 percent over the previous quarter's profit of $460,920. Total assets are almost $140 million, also up 16.6 percent over the first quarter, while loans are up 39.5 percent to $122.5 million, compared to a year-end 2006 total of $87.8 million. The private firm, now two years old, has added three employees, increasing staff to 17.5 full-time equivalent employees, and progress continues on its new headquarters near Bee Cave and RR620 in the high growth southwest Travis County corridor. Year-end occupancy is anticipated

New PlanPointer Online Tool Guides Consumers Looking For Individual Health Insurance with HumanaOne
Picking a plan greatly simplified with new Internet technology; easy-to-understand language makes process quick and easy.

Better Deals For Life Insurance Policyholders
It was announced in May this year that the industry regulator the Financial Services Authority are asking for better treatment for those who hold life insurance policies in the UK and those who wish to purchase life insurance cover. It seems that some advisers selling life insurance policies are giving consumers very poor advice regarding the product, both before the sale has taken place and after.

Long Term Payday Loans
Have you heard something about long term payday loans? Or, are there really long term payday loans? What do you think? Well, many have asked such questions and in the end most of them are left without answers. For that matter, it is then interesting to know some facts about long term payday loans, if there could be any. So read on.

Home Insurance Quote: Home & Renters Insurance
Home insurance comes with many responsibilities, one of which is to have adequate home insurance that not only protects you, but also your family If you rent a house or an apartment, renters insurance is also a good idea

Buying a Car with a Home Equity Loan: An alternative to Bad Credit Car Loans?
There is always a way to finance the purchase of your dreamed car, you just have to know how.


Privacy Policy | Copyright/Trademark Notification