Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Although a low credit score can impact you negatively, it is possible to lease a car with bad credit. Having bad credit can impact your financing options, and it may be more difficult to get approved—but there are things you can do to improve your chances.
You could save money to have a larger down payment at the start of your lease. Doing so shows lenders and dealerships that you’re financially stable. You could also ask a friend or family member who has better credit to see if they’re willing to be a cosigner.
Pick a cheaper, older car to lease: People often want to lease the newest cars, but if you’re willing to get an older car, it might make it easier to finance and you’ll pay less.
Car sharing: With a car-sharing service, you can borrow a car for a couple of hours and return it, essentially renting a car for a short trip or time.
Pick a dealership willing to work with bad credit: Some dealerships have finance departments dedicated to working with people with bad credit or other financial problems.
No matter your credit, if you drive a car, you’ll need insurance. To help get the best deal, you should gather quotes and do some comparison shopping.
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.