Expert Advice for Credit Score

All Articles on Credit Score

Can You Get Auto Insurance With No Credit History?

Most insurance companies look at your credit score when determining your car insurance rates—making it hard to find affordable coverage with no credit history.

Kathryn Mae Kurlychek

Do Car Insurance Companies Report to the Credit Bureaus?

Although insurance companies don’t report payment or claim information to national credit bureaus, your payment history can still affect your credit score.

Melanie Krieps Mergen

Does Not Paying Your Car Insurance Premium Impact Your Credit Score?

Simply missing car insurance payments shouldn’t affect your credit score, but debts that go to collection agencies certainly can.

Cameron Thiessen

Are There Car Insurance Companies That Do Not Use Credit Scores?

Root Insurance plans to be the first insurance company to phase out credit scores from its rate calculations, but no provider has done so as of 2022.

Cameron Thiessen

How to Get a Car with No Credit or Cosigner

If you are trying to get a car with bad credit, no credit, or no cosigner, you’ll need to find a bad credit dealership and lender, figure out your savings for a down payment and consider refinancing.

Talullah Blanco

Why Is My Credit Score Dropping?

From late payments to identity theft, here are the most common things that can cause your credit score to drop—and what you can do to recover your good standing.

How Long Does a Repossession Stay on your Credit?

A car repossession will stay on your credit report for seven years, starting from the date of your first missed loan payment.

Shannon Fitzgerald

How to Build Your Credit Score Without Applying for a Credit Card

You can establish credit by getting a personal loan, paying your rent and bills on time, or becoming an authorized user on someone else’s card.

Jacqulyn Graber

How Do Credit Scores Work?

Your credit score is a number based on your credit report that lenders use to determine how likely you are to repay a loan.

Car Loans for Bad Credit and Negative Equity

Getting a car loan with bad credit and negative equity can be difficult, but it’s possible with this guide from Jerry.

Car Loans for People with No Credit

Not having a credit history makes it challenging to secure a car loan, but it’s not impossible to get financing—check out Jerry’s expert tips.

Read This Before Leasing a Car With Bad Credit

To lease a car with bad credit, you may have to make a large down payment, pay higher rates, choose from fewer options and adjust the terms of your lease.

Having a Good Credit Score Doesn’t Guarantee You a Good Car Financing Rate

Securing an awesome interest rate on an auto loan isn't as simple as having a good credit score. What else goes into the process?

How Will a Car Loan Impact my Credit Score?

Taking out a car loan can result in a temporary dip in your credit score, but this drop can be recovered easily as long as you take the right steps.

Second Chance Loans—Worth It or No?

You can get money fast with a second chance loan, but you may get stuck with high interest rates or hidden fees. Here’s what you need to know.

A Growing Trend in the Insurance Industry Has a Hidden Benefit for Consumers

The practice of car insurance companies using credit score checks to determine policy premiums may soon be banned across the country. More and more state lawmakers have been outlawing the questionable practice, which has proven to disproportionately harm drivers of color.

The Questionable Logic of Insurance Companies Credit Scoring

Insurers’ use of credit scores to determine customer rates has long been under fire. A credit score does not take into account an individual’s full financial capability and reliability.

What Credit Score is Needed to Buy a Car?

A credit score of 660 or more can get you a car loan with a reasonable interest rate, but if it’s lower, you might still be able to qualify. Read this guide to learn the credit scores needed to buy a car.

Why Insurance Companies Check Credit Scores

Car insurance companies have been checking credit scores since the 1990s to determine driver risk. But how are credit scores and risk related?

Oregon DUI Laws

Oregon DUI laws prohibit any driver from having a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% or higher or any trace of illicit drugs in their system.

Michelle Ballestrasse

Everything You Need to Know About Credit Karma

Credit Karma can monitor your credit without impacting your credit score. Read this guide on Credit Karma to learn about their features, Credit Karma reviews, and more.

Why Do Drivers in Credit Check States Pay More for Car Insurance?

Some states have made it illegal for insurance companies to use credit scores as a factor for insurance rates. States where it is not allowed tend to pay less for insurance.

Credit Checks Increase Premiums for Low-Income Groups—That Doesn’t Mean They’re Riskier Drivers

For years, credit checks have been part of the process of setting car insurance rates. However, an unfair trend emerges when you rely too heavily on credit scores.

This East Coast State Has Good Drivers and No Credit Checks, so Why Doesn't It Have Cheaper Car Insurance?

States like Massachusetts have some of the safest drivers in the country, but they also have some of the highest car insurance premiums.

Root Is Ahead of Car Insurance Industry in a Major Way

Root insurance wants to make car insurance fair by using telematics rather than credit score to determine its rates. But does fair insurance mean cheaper insurance?

Easy Things You Can Do to Improve Your Credit Score Quickly

Your credit score can determine whether you qualify for loans to purchase a car or home. Use this guide to find easy ways to raise your credit score fast.

Does Refinancing a Car Hurt Your Credit Score?

Refinancing your car can hurt your credit score, as lenders will make hard checks and you'll be leaving your former loan. The affect on your score is only temporary, however.

How to Get a Lower Car Loan APR

You can get a low APR on a car loan by building your credit and shopping across multiple lenders for the best deal. Make sure to negotiate for good deals, too.

Can You Buy A Car With A Credit Card?

Using a credit card to buy a car is possible, but it’s not recommended due to the fees associated with transactions. Read this guide on buying a car with a credit card to learn more.

Jason Tushinski

Does Paying Car Insurance Help Build Credit?

Does paying car insurance build credit? Unfortunately not. But for better or worse, your credit score impacts your car insurance rates.

All Questions on Credit Score

Should I use a car loan to rebuild my credit?

I want to rebuild my credit, but I also need a set of wheels to get around. Is a car loan a good way to rebuild credit?

Should I refinance my car loan?

I’ve been working hard to get better credit and my credit score has improved. Should I refinance my car loan? What would it benefit?

Can I get a car loan after I file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

I'm in the middle of Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings, but I'm worried about my ability to take out loans in the future. Will I be able to get a car loan down the road after filing for bankruptcy?

Why did my credit score drop after leasing a car?

I recently took out a lease for a new car and I noticed that it made my credit score drop. Why is that? I don’t think I’ve missed any payments or anything so I’m a little confused.

Can I be denied for a car loan even after I’m preapproved?

I got preapproved for a car loan about a week ago, but since then, my credit dropped about 20 points due to a collection account I didn't know about. Can I still be denied a loan after preapproval?

Can I get a car loan with an 850 credit score?

I recently checked my credit score, and I have an 850. I’ve never missed a payment, I have about a dozen credit cards, and I took out a mortgage a year ago. That said, I’ve never had a car loan, and I’m in the market for a new set of wheels. Can I get approved for a car loan with an 850 credit score?

Is a 694 credit score okay for a car loan?

Will I still qualify for a car loan if my credit score is below 700? I really need a new car, but I won’t be able to buy one outright. I’m a little nervous that I won’t qualify for a car loan with a good interest rate unless I raise my credit score above 694.

Is it possible to get a car loan with no income on paper?

I want to get a car loan, but I currently work for straight cash. Can I still get a car loan if I don’t show any income on paper?

How do I dispute a car loan on my credit report?

I was taking a look at my credit report and I noticed a car loan with a balance of $11,231. I've never had a car loan and I have no idea where this came from. How do I dispute it?

How much of a credit score is required for a car loan?

I am looking to get a car loan, and I know there are different credit scores. I am wondering what the recommended credit score is for a car loan?

How can I be approved for a car loan?

I need a car to drive my grandma to her doctor's appointments and work. I want to make sure I won't get denied when I apply. What’s the easiest way to get approved for a car loan?

How do I remove old addresses from my credit report?

My credit report has the wrong address listed so the lender that I’ve been talking to won’t accept it. I don’t know how to fix it and I’m super annoyed! What should I do? How do I remove old addresses from my credit report?

Is there an age limit for cosigning for a car loan?

Is there an age limit for cosigners? My bank tells me I need a cosigner to get a car loan. The only person I can find is my grandfather, who is 85 years old.

Can I get a car loan with a 549 credit score?

I really need a car loan. My current car is in the shop, and the repair bill is $1,200. The mechanic told me the car isn’t worth that much, so I should get a new car. With a credit score of 549, am I eligible for a car loan?

What do you typically need to qualify for 0% APR financing?

The local Kia dealership is offering 0% financing for new cars, but in the fine print it reads for qualified buyers. What do I need to qualify for 0% APR financing?

Will paying off a car loan help your credit?

My credit isn't bad, but it's not great. I'm going to buy a house soon, and I'm hoping to improve my credit score before then. If I pay off a car loan, will that help?

Can I refinance a car loan if I have negative equity?

I want to refinance my car loan, but I'm upside down on it. Can I still refinance if I have negative equity?

Why is the dealer turning me down for an auto loan even when I have a 700 credit score and a cosigner?

Why do we keep getting rejected for a car loan when we have good credit? I'm trying to buy a new car with 0% APR financing for 60 months. I have a credit score of 707, but I was denied. I added my mom to the loan as she has a credit score of 730 and we were denied once again. I'm not making a down payment either, if that matters.

Can 626 be considered a good credit score for a car loan?

Can I take out a car loan with a 626 credit score? This is my first time financing a car. I don’t know if my credit score is considered good enough.

Is 660 a good credit score for a car loan?

I'm planning to buy a new car. To prepare, I checked my credit score. Can I get a good car loan if my credit score is 660?

Is 659 a good credit score?

I used to have a really low credit score, and I’ve been working on my credit for a while now. When I checked my score last, it was at 659. Is that credit score good enough to refinance my car loan?

Why is my credit score different from what I thought when I applied for a car loan preapproval?

I applied for car loan preapproval, but the credit score the lender said I had was different from my research. Why would this be?

Is 552 a good credit score?

I checked my credit score for the first time yesterday, and it was 552. Is this a good or bad score? I’m getting ready to buy a car for myself and I’m wondering what kind of impact this score could have.

How much is it to add a car to insurance?

We are thinking about getting our son a car for his college graduation, but he'll need insurance. How much would it cost to add a car to an insurance policy?

How do you get out from under a car loan?

I lost my job and can’t afford to pay my car loan anymore. What can I do?

Why isn't my car loan on my credit report?

I just checked my credit for the first time since I took out my car loan and the car loan didn’t show up. Why is that? I was hoping that the loan would help me build credit so I’m a little disappointed. Why isn’t my car loan on my credit report?

What interest rate should I expect for a car loan?

I just moved back to the United States after working in London for a few years. I need to purchase a car. I’m not sure if I’m buying new or used yet, but what interest rate should I expect to be offered on a car loan? I have a credit score of 790.

How can I print a credit report from Credit Karma?

I’ve been trying to build my credit score for a while so that I can get a lower lease on a new car. I want to print my report so I can better understand how I can improve it. How can I print my credit report from Credit Karma?

Melanie Johnson

Is a 740 credit score good enough for a car loan?

My son needs his own car and I want to buy it for him. It’s been a long time since I purchased a vehicle, though. I can’t remember what it takes to qualify for a loan. Can I get a car loan with a 740 credit score?

Holden Easterbrook

How long does it take to get your credit score up?

I’m looking to get a car loan but want to wait until I have a better credit score. How long does it take to improve your credit score?

Save Money on Car Insurance

Car insurance quotes in Pennsylvania

Car insurance quotes in Mississippi

Car insurance quotes in Michigan

Car insurance quotes in Maine

Car insurance quotes in Indiana

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

No long forms

No spam or unwanted phone calls

Quotes from top insurance companies

Find insurance savings — it's 100% free

Car Insurance by Make

Car Insurance by State

Compare Free Quotes (& Save Hundreds per Year!)

Jerry automatically shops for your insurance before every renewal. Members save $872/year.

Close Signup Banner