UPDATED: APRIL 19, 2023 | 2 MIN READ
Unless you live in a specific state which prohibits using credit scores or doing credit checks, such as California, Massachusetts, and Maryland, determining home insurance rates, your money management history, and spending behaviors can dramatically impact how much you pay for home insurance.
Home insurance companies can use your credit information when initially underwriting a home insurance policy, but it can’t be the only factor used to make the decision.
While insurance companies initially use your credit scores as a guideline to write a policy, the company will not use your credit rating to cancel or refuse to renew your policy.
Home Insurance Without a Credit Check
Homeowners insurance companies use credit history to assess risk. Credit-based insurance scores measure how well individuals manage their money—not how much they make.
Actuarial studies show that how a person manages financial affairs is a good predictor of insurance claims.
Statistically, insurance providers have found that people with a low insurance score are more likely to file a claim and therefore tend to have to pay a higher rate.
A credit check is just one factor used to determine your premium. Insurance companies also consider payment history, claims history, home location, and upgrades.
What can I do if I have poor credit?
You should take steps to improve your credit and financial standing, but if you need home insurance coverage immediately, try these short-term tips to get an affordable homeowners insurance policy with a low credit score:
Shop around
Get as many quotes as possible to make an informed decision. When insurance companies check your credit score, it’s not a hard inquiry; get as many as you need. Doing so will not result in a lower credit score.
Pay upfront
There are discounts to paying the annual premium in full rather than monthly or quarterly. Have multiple policies with the same company for deals such as auto insurance.
Request a reevaluation
After six months of working on improving your fico credit score, ask your homeowners’ insurance company to reassess your policy based on the updated score to see if you can receive lower rates.
Be aware of your credit score by checking with credit bureaus such as Experian, Transunion, or Equifax to get the best homeowners insurance rates.
How can I get around a credit check altogether?
Live in the right state – Currently, unless you live in California, Maryland, or Massachusetts, which prohibits using credit scores to determine home insurance rates, your credit scoring will be used by the insurance company to assess your home insurance premiums.
Tips for improving your credit
- Most states have a government-backed insurance company for homeowners with difficulty acquiring insurance.
- Check your credit report regularly, and always pay your credit card bill and lenders on time. Do not make late payments or open credit accounts that aren’t necessary. Whether you have new credit or poor credit, this will help you to increase your credit score and earn the best rates.
- How much debt appears on your credit reports? Do you have several accounts that have balances? What about your credit utilization, which measures your balances versus the credit card credit limits and loan amounts? The less debt appears on your credit reports, the better your credit scores will become.
- Every home insurance company calculates its premiums differently. Compare quotes from several companies to find the best deal. Most agents have different insurance companies that they can choose from with various requirements.
- Compare deductible amounts; a higher deductible means lower premiums. However, you will have to meet that deductible if you have a claim in the future. Bundling your home and auto policies can gain discounts for multiple policies.
FAQs
Does home insurance go by your credit score?
Yes, your credit score is one of the factors, but it’s not the only deciding factor in your premium. Items such as the location and condition of the home, marital status, and employment also play a part in determining your home insurance premiums.
Is a credit check required for insurance?
Yes, but it is prohibited to use your score if you live in California, Maryland, and Massachusetts.
Do all insurance companies run credit checks?
No, but this depends on which state you apply for home insurance.
How do I get home insurance after being denied?
Most states have government-backed insurance companies to insure homeowners, which standard insurance companies have denied.
How much does home insurance cost?
A home insurance policy with $250,000 in dwelling coverage costs an average of $1,383 per year in the United States.
What can I do if denied home insurance?
Contact the state insurance office for recommendations. There are many reasons why you can be denied coverage on your home. Here are a few:
- The condition of the property
- The location of the property
- Size of the property
- A geographical characteristic of the property [promimity to water, fault, slope, etc.]
- The age of the structure
- The age of the systems [roof, heat, plumbing, etc.]
- The type of systems [type or roof, type of foundation]
- The value of the home to rebuild
- Past claims history
- The ownership structure of the property
- Use of the property
- Types of animals on the property
What are some ways to get home insurance?
Contact local home insurance agents with many companies to choose from for a quote. This way, you can compare the coverage, discounts, and premiums before deciding which insurance company you want to cover your home.
How can I get home insurance without a credit check?
You cannot get home insurance without a credit check unless your state prohibits using a credit score.
Is there a way to get home insurance with a bad credit score?
Yes, but you may pay a higher premium and higher deductibles for possibly less coverage. On average, homeowners with bad credit usually expect to pay almost twice as much for homeowners insurance as those with good credit.
How to Get Help with Home Insurance Quotes Without a Credit Check
You can’t get home insurance without a credit check outside of living in prohibitive states. But we can offer you a way to get a quote to compare the costs.
