If you need to purchase auto insurance, but you have poor credit, you may be wondering how you can get affordable coverage. Most companies rely on credit scores as part of their rate calculations and acceptance criteria; however, it is possible to find no credit check auto insurance, if you know where to look.
There are two main reasons why you might need “no credit check” car insurance – first, if you have some late payments on your credit report, a company that uses credit scoring might raise your rates by as much as 25 percent. Second, if you have a bankruptcy, foreclosure, or repossession on your record, the company may decline to write your policy at all.
No credit check car insurance is typically available through “high risk” or “nonstandard” auto insurance companies. These companies are often direct writers, meaning that they work directly with customers instead of relying solely on field agents to sell their policies. They typically offer a toll free number that you can call to get a quote and purchase a policy. You may also be able to get quotes and buy auto insurance from these companies online.
There are a few things to watch out for when purchasing a “no credit check” policy through a direct writer. First, some “high risk” companies tend to have very high rates, even if you have a clean driving record. Their rating systems are geared toward insuring people who pose higher loss risks, so their rates are often not comparable to “standard” insurance companies.
Also, some “high risk” companies only offer limited coverages – for example, they may offer no more than your state’s minimum required bodily injury and property damage liability limits. In most cases, these limits are far too low to offer you any real protection against a lawsuit if you cause an accident.
If getting “no credit check” auto insurance is your only option, you may end of paying higher than average rates for a while. As long as you do not have any claims with your insurance company, though, you may be able to move to a standard company within a year, even if your credit score is poor.
