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How Does Obtaining Insurance Quotes Affect My Credit?

Will Shopping for Insurance Quotes Reduce Your Credit Score?

By Meha Ahmad, InsuranceAgents.com Staff Writer

If you’re looking for insurance quotes to find low rates on good policies, you may know that the better your credit score, the more likely you’ll be offered more affordable insurance quotes. Your credit score affects what kind of insurance quotes, but what about the other way around? Does shopping for insurance quotes affect your credit score?

Tip: If you’re looking for ways to save on insurance quotes, start by shopping online and let reliable insurance agents contact you with the quotes that fit your budget. Shopping online for insurance quotes are the fastest and easiest ways to find rates.

There are many consumers who are worried that asking for insurance quotes will have a negative affect on their credit scores. The rationale behind this is that insurance agents and companies who are planning to offer you insurance quotes will base those quotes on several factors, including your credit score. When the agents pull up your credit report to find your credit score, it results in an “inquiry” on your credit. Inquiries can oftentimes lower your score by a few points. So does shopping for insurance quotes lower your credit score?

The answer is no, it does not. To learn why, you should know about the different kinds of inquiries made on credit reports.

Insurance Quotes Inquiries: Hard pull vs. Soft pull

When it comes to credit checks, there are two types of inquiries: “hard pulls” and “soft pulls.” A hard pull refers to credit inquiries for acquiring credit, like from a credit card company or a lender. A soft pull is an inquiry that will review your credit score, much like an agent would to determine an insurance quote.

Soft pulls often aren’t recorded down on your credit report. If they are, the insurance company’s name will be listed on your report, but the inquiry will not lower your credit score.

Credit Scores Affecting Insurance Quotes

It’s no secret that a high credit score is a valuable thing. And while shopping for insurance quotes may not lower your credit score, it is important to know that a good credit score can lower your insurance quotes!

Insurance companies and agents that see a potential client with a high credit score will consider you a low-risk client, someone who pays their bills on time and in full and is responsible. They will then be able to offer you more affordable insurance quotes. Good credit saves you money in many different arenas of your life, including insurance.

Go Online

Look online for insurance quotes now and save potentially hundreds of dollars a month. Shopping over the Web for insurance quotes is easy, simple, and very fast. In as little as a matter of minutes, agents will be in touch with you and offering you some of their most affordable rates for policies that may be perfect for you. Don’t waste time when it comes to saving money.

Published: Thursday 9th July 2009

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