Mar 1 2010

Find Out The Various Ways Your Credit History Affects Your Austin Automobile Insurance Rates

Many automobile insurance companies consider your credit information when determining how much premium to charge for your insurance. So if shopping for an Austin auto insurance plan keep in mind that many insurers are looking at your credit history to decide your Austin auto insurance insurance rates.

The reason some insurance companies use credit information is because they feel there is a direct correlation between a consumer’s credit history behaviors and expected claims that may occur. Numerous insurance companies still use your age, driving history, type of vehicle, where you live in determining how much you should pay for your Austin car insurance. Therefore, if you have not established a credit history yet, the companies that use credit history may not be best for you.

The companies that do use credit scoring will still use other factors that decide your premium. They will also use your age, driving history, type of car, where you live in determining how much you should pay for your Austin car insurance. If you feel that your credit history is better than the insurer can find, make sure the insurer has your correct name, address, social security number, and date of birth.

Some insurance companies will look directly at your actual credit reports when determining your rate, yet nearly all will use what is called an “insurance credit score.” An insurance credit score is developed by using numerical techniques and methods to calculate the possibility a consumer will have a higher than anticipated losses. These are similar to what lenders use to forecast the reliability of an applicant repaying a loan.

Insurance companies use many factors in determining your credit score. Here are some examples of those factors:

Public records: bankruptcy, collections, foreclosures, liens, charge-offs, etc.
? Past payment history: the amount and frequency of late payments and the days between the due date and late payment date.

? Length of credit history: the amount of time you have been in the credit system.

? Inquiries for credit: the number of times you have recently applied for new credit, counting mortgage loans, utility accounts, and credit card accounts.

? Number of open lines of credit: the number of credit cards, whether you use them or not.

? Type of credit in use: major credit cards, store credit cards, finance company loans, etc.

? Unused credit: how much you owe compared to how much credit is available to you.

Your insurance credit score may differ from company to company, as they will use different factors in determining your Austin Texas auto insurance premium. Because each insurance company uses different techniques to establish your credit score it is difficult to tell you what a good credit score is. As a rule a good credit score will result in lower Austin Texas auto insurance premiums.

Your agent or company is not obligated to tell you your credit score. In fact, they might not even know what it is. All they usually know is that your credit score qualifies you for a definite rate or policy. Some companies also offer better rates under each qualifying tier. If you feel that there is incorrect information on your credit report, you should tell the credit bureau. The three national credit bureaus are: Trans Union; Equifax and Experian.