Does Geico Use Credit Scores? (2024)

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Yes, Geico does use your credit score as a factor when determining your car insurance rates, as do most major insurers. However, credit checks by auto insurers do not harm your credit score and are only done in states where it is legal for your credit score to affect your rates.

Many auto insurers use credit data to determine your premiums because there is a proven correlation between a lower credit score and a higher likelihood of filing an auto insurance claim. As a result, people with no credit pay around 67% more for car insurance than people with excellent credit, on average.

Key Things to Know About How Geico Uses Your Credit Score

  • Geico will assign you an auto insurance score, which is based on your credit history, just like your credit score. This auto insurance score could vary from one insurer to another since insurers may take different things into account.
  • Your credit score is unlikely to ever be the sole reason that Geico denies you coverage or cancels your policy.
  • California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington do not allow the use of credit scores to determine car insurance rates whatsoever. So, your credit score will not affect your rates with Geico in these states.
  • Specific things that Geico looks for in your credit history include bankruptcies, late payments, and foreclosures. These will likely result in higher premiums.
  • If Geico has offered you a higher car insurance rate based on your credit history, you are legally entitled to a free copy of your credit report.

Keep in mind that your credit score is not the only factor used to determine your car insurance rates. Car insurance companies mainly take into account things like your age, driving record, and your car's make and model.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's report on credit scores and car insurance.

This answer was first published on 11/06/23. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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Does Geico Use Credit Scores? (2024)

FAQs

Does Geico Use Credit Scores? ›

Yes, Geico does use your credit score as a factor when determining your car insurance rates, as do most major insurers. However, credit checks by auto insurers do not harm your credit score and are only done in states where it is legal for your credit score to affect your rates.

Does car insurance check your credit score? ›

Most insurers use credit checks to create a credit-based insurance score to help set your rate. Some insurers provide auto insurance with no credit check, which might seem appealing if you have a poor credit history.

Is it legal for insurance companies to use your credit score? ›

Yes. A federal law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), states insurance companies have a “permissible purpose” to look at your credit information without your permission. Insurance companies must also comply with state insurance laws when using credit information in the underwriting and rating process.

Does GEICO do credit checks for employment? ›

Geico, like most employers, considers credit history as part of the overall background check. However, they also take into account the reasons behind a low credit score. For example, if your credit issues are related to medical bills, divorce, or other life events, Geico may be more understanding.

Does Progressive use credit scores? ›

An insurance score is a score calculated from information on your credit report. Credit information is very predictive of future accidents or insurance claims, which is why Progressive, and most insurers, uses this information to help develop more accurate rates.

Does Geico use credit scores for insurance? ›

Yes, Geico does use your credit score as a factor when determining your car insurance rates, as do most major insurers. However, credit checks by auto insurers do not harm your credit score and are only done in states where it is legal for your credit score to affect your rates.

Can a bad credit score affect your insurance? ›

Your credit score plays an integral part in determining the rate you pay for car insurance. Better credit often gets you a better rate, and worse credit makes your coverage more expensive. Our research found that poor credit can double insurance rates.

Can you be denied car insurance due to your credit history? ›

California

Insurance companies in California don't use credit-based scores or your credit history for underwriting or rating auto policies, or setting rates for homeowners insurance. As a result, your credit won't impact your ability to get or renew a policy, or how much you pay in premiums.

What states do not use credit scores for insurance? ›

As mentioned above, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan currently ban insurers from using credit. While not outright banning the process, the states of Texas and Colorado have limits on how insurers can use these scores, or at least require the justification of their use from insurers according to Bloomberg.

What is a good credit score for insurance? ›

While the exact threshold for a "good" score might differ among companies, FICO defines a good credit score as anywhere from 670 and 739. With above 800 being excellent and below 579 being poor.

Will GEICO raise my rates after a claim? ›

Your insurance rate won't go up as a result of your first otherwise surchargeable, at-fault accident. Subsequent occurrences do not qualify for Accident Forgiveness. Accident Forgiveness eligibility is determined by your specific policy type, as well as your state laws and regulations.

Can you be denied a job because of bad credit? ›

In the majority of states, employers can deny you employment if you have bad credit. Some states and cities have passed laws that prohibit the practice, though there are some exceptions, such as for jobs in the financial sector.

What is on the GEICO employment test? ›

Geico Assessment tests include several challenging aptitude tests including the Multitasking Simulation, Reading Comprehension (23 questions, 10 minutes), and Space Visualization/Spatial Reasoning (10 questions, 5 minutes). You will have 30 minutes to complete each test, which can be seriously challenging!

Does Allstate use credit score? ›

Since the 1980s, Allstate has used credit information as a way to evaluate insurance applications. Since then, our experience has confirmed that people with better insurance scores tend to have fewer insurance losses.

What is the best car insurance for bad credit? ›

What is the best insurance for people with bad credit? The most affordable auto insurance for drivers with bad credit is from Nationwide, GEICO or USAA, according to our research.

Does car insurance do a hard credit check? ›

No, car insurance companies conduct a soft pull of your credit. This snapshot allows them to see the information they need (payment history, credit mix and more) to assess their risk by insuring you.

Do car companies check credit score? ›

To determine the loan's annual percentage rate (APR) or the interest rate plus origination and other fees, a car dealership, bank, or credit union checks your credit score. Different lenders can check different credit scoring models, and the same lender might receive several scores.

Can insurance companies look at your bank account? ›

When companies apply for coverage, insurers often request bank statements to assess their financial stability and risk management capabilities. Bank statements reveal vital indicators such as consistent income, savings, and debts, enabling insurers to make informed decisions about coverage and premiums.

Does credit score affect car payments? ›

Your credit score is one of the biggest factors in determining the rate you'll get, because lenders use it to gauge how likely you are to repay the loan. Generally speaking, the higher your credit score, the lower your car loan interest rate is likely to be.

Does Allstate run your credit? ›

It's important to understand that while Allstate uses certain elements from your credit history, we never see your credit score, and we're not evaluating your overall credit worthiness.

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