Which Insurance Companies Don’t Use Credit Scores?


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Key Takeaways
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Major companies that avoid traditional credit checks include specialty insurers like CURE Auto Insurance and Dillo Insurance (in limited states), as well as usage-based providers like Lemonade (Metromile) and Root Insurance, which is phasing out credit scoring by 2025.

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Insurance companies in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan don’t conduct credit checks.

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Usage-based insurance programs and discount strategies can help offset higher rates for drivers with poor credit. These alternatives focus on driving behavior rather than credit history when determining premiums.

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Car Insurance Companies That Don't Use Credit Checks

While most major carriers use credit-based insurance scores (except in banned states), a few specialized insurers offer auto policies without running a credit check at all. They rely on factors entirely within your control, such as your driving history and claims record. GEICO, State Farm, Nationwide, Progressive, Allstate and other leading insurers check credit scores when they're legally permitted.

A few smaller companies operate differently:

  • CURE Auto Insurance: Available in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. CURE is unique because it bases its rates solely on your driving record, completely ignoring factors like credit score, occupation, and education level.
  • Dillo Insurance: Available in Texas. This regional insurer focuses on serving high-risk drivers, offering coverage without credit checks.
  • Root Insurance: Announced plans to eliminate credit scoring by the end of 2025; availability varies by state regulations.
  • Lemonade (which acquired Metromile): Offers pay-per-mile coverage in eight states and performs only "soft" credit checks that don't impact your credit score.

While few insurers skip credit checks entirely, you can still find affordable car insurance with poor credit.

Which States Don't Allow Credit Checks for Auto Insurance?

In four U.S. states, insurance companies are completely prohibited from using your credit history or credit-based insurance score to set your car insurance rates. If you live here, every quote you receive will be 'no credit check':

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    California

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    Hawaii

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    Massachusetts

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    Michigan

State insurance regulations vary and may change. Consult your state insurance department for current requirements.

States With Hybrid Credit Rules

Several other states have laws that limit how an insurer can use credit, even if it's not a full ban. These states typically prevent insurers from canceling or refusing to renew a policy solely based on a low score, though they may still use it during initial underwriting.

These include:

  • Maryland allows insurers to use credit scores when setting initial rates but prohibits companies from canceling policies or refusing renewals based on credit history.
  • Oregon restricts insurers from canceling or refusing to renew policies based on credit but permits the use of credit in initial underwriting.
  • Utah limits credit use to offering discounts rather than increasing rates, and only for the first 60 days of coverage.
  • Washington attempted a comprehensive three-year credit ban in 2021, but courts overturned it for exceeding statutory authority.

Average State Car Insurance Cost by Credit Score

Our analysis of insurance quotes shows that drivers with poor credit pay about 153% more for car insurance than those with excellent credit, though the impact varies widely by state. For instance, a driver in Wyoming with poor credit pays an average of $4,566 a year, compared with just $787 for a New Yorker with excellent credit. Even among drivers with good credit, costs range from $950 in Maine to $2,974 in Louisiana.

Data filtered by:
Select
Alabama$3,177$2,661$2,277$1,341$1,637
Alaska$4,091$2,999$2,340$1,290$1,409
Arizona$3,756$2,608$1,972$1,622$1,251
Arkansas$3,540$2,977$2,473$1,541$1,717
Colorado$3,863$2,948$2,283$1,877$1,422
Connecticut$3,404$2,566$2,003$1,706$1,239
Delaware$3,729$2,842$2,283$2,008$1,506
District of Columbia$4,555$3,409$2,720$2,002$1,705
Florida$2,752$2,251$1,928$2,431$1,347
Georgia$3,316$2,482$2,016$1,698$1,360
Idaho$3,919$3,051$2,411$985$1,590
Illinois$3,575$2,642$2,099$1,264$1,359
Indiana$2,884$2,358$1,931$1,055$1,298
Iowa$4,045$3,164$2,452$1,231$1,578
Kansas$3,706$2,921$2,308$1,388$1,512
Kentucky$3,517$2,739$2,129$1,652$1,367
Louisiana$3,423$2,594$2,035$2,974$1,398
Maine$3,868$2,936$2,297$950$1,469
Maryland$3,264$2,498$1,992$1,844$1,324
Minnesota$3,624$2,524$1,891$1,272$1,159
Mississippi$3,381$2,881$2,436$1,544$1,782
Missouri$3,103$2,465$1,957$1,586$1,294
Montana$4,396$3,456$2,810$1,490$1,863
Nebraska$3,696$2,682$2,057$1,404$1,365
Nevada$3,366$2,292$1,710$1,900$1,074
New Hampshire$3,267$2,540$2,027$1,048$1,313
New Jersey$3,180$2,477$1,975$1,984$1,271
New Mexico$3,701$2,924$2,361$1,479$1,595
New York$1,989$1,532$1,221$1,256$787
North Carolina$3,522$2,789$2,265$1,338$1,498
North Dakota$4,289$3,325$2,528$1,157$1,640
Ohio$3,007$2,484$2,048$1,108$1,363
Oklahoma$3,574$2,851$2,311$1,670$1,529
Oregon$3,299$2,632$2,178$1,475$1,494
Pennsylvania$2,327$1,774$1,440$1,295$927
Rhode Island$3,882$2,952$2,242$1,609$1,347
South Carolina$3,467$2,625$1,983$1,515$1,237
South Dakota$3,654$2,822$2,227$1,333$1,416
Tennessee$3,619$2,802$2,193$1,276$1,399
Texas$4,360$3,102$2,443$1,865$1,541
Utah$3,352$2,689$2,194$1,524$1,503
Vermont$3,947$2,963$2,340$971$1,518
Virginia$3,361$2,620$2,068$1,185$1,307
Washington$3,288$2,564$2,013$1,309$1,283
West Virginia$4,370$3,345$2,658$1,522$1,699
Wisconsin$2,991$2,475$2,035$1,100$1,369
Wyoming$4,566$3,338$2,545$1,030$1,595

How Do Credit Scores Affect Insurance Rates?

Your credit score makes a big difference in what you'll pay for car insurance. Drivers with poor credit pay more for car insurance because insurers view them as more likely to file claims or not pay their premiums.

The table below breaks down the actual costs by credit level. If you're between 30 and 59 with poor credit, expect to pay anywhere from $771 with Nationwide to $2,102 with State Farm for basic coverage.

Geico$2,548$2,064$1,701$1,179$1,091
Travelers$2,689$2,283$1,753$1,164$1,074
Nationwide$2,754$2,350$2,063$1,526$1,442
Progressive$3,411$2,839$2,427$1,503$1,421
Allstate$3,733$3,178$2,798$1,937$2,111
State Farm$7,085$4,223$2,576$1,448$1,137

Notice how some companies penalize bad credit: Progressive and State Farm increase rates significantly for poor credit scores. Nationwide takes a gentler approach, keeping its rates more stable regardless of your credit situation.

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UNDERSTANDING CREDIT SCORES AND INSURANCE IMPACT

Credit scores range from 300 to 850. While companies define "bad credit" differently, scores of 600 or below are generally considered poor. Lenders and insurance companies view people with bad credit as riskier, which often means higher premiums.

While people use FICO credit score and credit score interchangeably, they're different. Your credit score shows how likely you are to repay debt. A FICO score is one specific type of credit score that lenders use to determine loan eligibility and interest rates.

Insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores, which may differ from consumer credit scores you see on credit monitoring services.

Rates based on MoneyGeek analysis of Quadrant Information Services and state data for sample driver profile. Your actual rates may vary based on individual circumstances.

Alternative Options for Drivers With Poor Credit

High insurance quotes due to poor credit can feel overwhelming and unfair. But you can get covered in other ways that care more about how you drive than what your credit report says.

Usage-Based Insurance Programs

These programs use telematics (devices or apps) to track your actual driving habits and reward safe behavior with discounts. For these providers, the data collected from your driving can often mitigate or outweigh the negative impact of a poor credit score.

Nationwide SmartRide
Tracks behavior (e.g., braking, mileage). Crucially, the program does not raise rates for unsafe driving.
Initial 15% discount, plus up to 40% off over time.
State Farm Drive Safe & Save
Tracks mileage, time of day, and driving behaviors via telematics.
Saves up to 30% for safe drivers.
GEICO DriveEasy
Uses a mobile app to track driving behaviors.
Customers report savings averaging 15%; GEICO has advertised up to 25%.
Progressive Snapshot
Tracks driving habits (hard braking, late-night driving, mileage).
Offers a sign-up bonus and potential additional discounts; risky behavior can increase rates.

Ways to Lower Insurance Costs With Bad Credit

Your credit score isn't the only factor insurers consider when setting your rates. Even with less-than-perfect credit, you can lower your car insurance premiums.

    creditCard icon
    Improve your credit score

    Improving your credit is the most impactful way to save. Pay bills on time, keep balances below 30% of limits and avoid new credit applications.

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    Shop around

    Different insurers weigh credit scores differently. Compare quotes from at least three companies every six months.

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    Use discounts

    Even with poor credit, you can qualify for car insurance discounts that cut your premiums. Look for discounts based on your driving record, vehicle safety features, payment method or bundling home and auto policies together.

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    Consider telematics-based insurance

    Usage-based insurance tracks your driving habits and mileage to set your rates. Safe drivers who don't drive much can save since you're rewarded for good driving behavior rather than penalized for credit issues. This gives you direct control over your insurance cost through your driving choices.

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    Bundle multiple policies

    Combine auto and home insurance to save 5% to 25%, with potential annual savings of $900.

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    Take defensive driving courses

    Complete approved courses for 5% to 20% discounts (varies by insurer) that last multiple years.

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    Set up auto pay and pay in full

    Set up autopay to save 2% to 5% on your monthly premiums. Pay annually instead of monthly to save 5% to 10% and avoid payment fees.

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    Increase your deductible

    Raise from $500 to $1,000 to lower premiums by 15% to 30%. Just be sure you have the deductible amount available in case of an accident.

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    Drop unnecessary coverage

    Remove comprehensive and collision coverage on vehicles worth less than $4,000. Based on our analysis of liability-only vs. full coverage rates, this change saves customers an average of 48%.

Compare Auto Insurance Rates

Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

Why do we need ZIP code?

No-Credit-Check Car Insurance: Bottom Line

No major insurance company skips credit checks nationwide, but you have options if you have poor credit. If you live in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts or Michigan, you automatically get credit-free pricing. Everywhere else, focus on usage-based programs, discounts and shopping among multiple insurers to find affordable coverage.

Your credit score is just one factor in your premium calculation. Even with credit challenges, you can still find competitive rates.

Car Insurance Companies That Don't Use Credit Scores: FAQ

No-credit-check car insurance sounds appealing, especially if you have poor or fair credit. Here are answers to common questions about this coverage.

What car insurance should I use if I have a bad credit score?

Do credit scores affect car insurance?

Can insurance companies deny coverage based on credit score?

What credit score is considered bad for insurance?

Do insurance companies use hard or soft credit checks?

Will my insurance rates improve if my credit score improves?

Why do car insurance companies check credit score?

Auto Insurance With No Credit Check: Our Review Methodology

Study Overview

We analyzed how credit scores affect car insurance rates and identified companies that don't check credit. Our research examined rate differences across credit score ranges and state regulations prohibiting or restricting credit-based pricing.

Data Collection and Analysis

Our data comes from Quadrant Information Services and state insurance departments, including 83,056 quotes from 46 companies across 473 ZIP codes. We compared rates for drivers with poor, fair, good and excellent credit scores to quantify the credit score penalty.

Driver Profiles

We used this sample driver profile to determine average rates across credit score ranges:

  • 40-year-old male
  • Clean driving record
  • Full coverage with 100/300/100 limits and $1,000 deductible
  • 2012 Toyota Camry LE
  • 12,000 miles driven annually

We modified this profile across five credit score categories (poor, below fair, fair, good and excellent) to show how credit affects rates with different insurers and in different states.

Coverage Levels and Deductibles Explained

Average rates on this page reflect full coverage with 100/300/100 limits and a $1,000 deductible (unless otherwise noted).

A 100/300/100 policy provides:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $100,000 property damage liability per accident

A $1,000 deductible means paying the first $1,000 of covered damage from comprehensive or collision claims before insurance kicks in. Liability coverage doesn't have deductibles.

When different coverage levels are noted, we modified our sample driver's policy to show average rates for 50/100/50 minimum coverage and 50/100/50 full coverage, plus rates for annual, six-month and monthly payment plans.

Learn more about MoneyGeek's methodology.

Insurance Companies That Don't Use Credit Scores: Related Articles

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.


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