How Your Credit Rating Impacts Home Insurance Costs
How Your Credit Rating Impacts Home Insurance Costs
It's amazing how many people in California are not aware the tremendous impact their credit rating has on most everything they purchase throughout their lives. For instance, homeowner's insurance. Many people have no idea why their rates may be substantially higher than someone who has the same coverage. The answer may very well be their credit rating.
It's true. You credit rating can make or break you in many situations. Insurance companies take a long look at your credit rating prior to determining the amount of your individual insurance premiums.
Just like any other business, the insurance business does not want to assume the risk that is associated with someone that has a low credit rating. Thus, they pass the costs on to you if you have a low credit rating. They feel it may be likely you will neglect to pay your bills, so they make certain you are charged more for the risk they assume to insure you.
On the other hand, if you have a high credit rating, you are given a much lower insurance rate. This is even more incentive to keep your credit at an optimal level. The fact that you can save money on your insurance by having paid your bills on time is even more incentive to keep doing so.
However, take heart if you have a low credit rating, you can work to repair it. The best way to start getting a better credit rating is to be certain you pay your bills on time. It's a good idea to pay them early if possible. When you continue to pay your bills on time, it will make a difference over time, but it will take time.
Also, if you are forced to pay higher homeowner's premiums because of bad credit, you should consider offsetting some of this by finding other ways to lower your insurance bills. One great way to do just this is by increasing your deductible. This may make up for the difference you have to pay for having a low credit rating.