As a mother, I know how important it is to keep my family protected—and that includes having reliable car insurance. But what if your credit score isn’t great or you simply don’t want an insurer checking your credit?

Many people don’t realize that car insurance companies use credit scores to determine how much you’ll pay. In fact, drivers with poor or no credit often pay higher premiums—even if they have a perfect driving record!

Luckily, there are insurance companies that don’t require a credit check, and I’m here to help you find them.

In this guide, I’ll break down:
✅ Why most insurers check credit scores
✅ Best companies that offer no-credit-check car insurance
✅ How to find affordable coverage without a credit pull

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Why Do Car Insurance Companies Check Credit Scores?

Most insurance companies believe your credit score is linked to risk. Studies show that people with lower credit scores tend to file more claims—so insurers charge them higher premiums.

📌 How Credit Affects Car Insurance Rates:

Credit Score	Average Annual Premium (Full Coverage)
Excellent (750+)	$1,200 – $1,500
Good (650-749)	$1,500 – $1,800
Fair (580-649)	$1,800 – $2,400
Poor (Below 580)	$2,400 – $3,000+

🚗 Example: My friend’s insurance quote jumped by $600 per year just because her credit score dropped from 700 to 620.

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Can You Get Car Insurance Without a Credit Check?

🚨 Yes! While most insurers check credit, some specialize in no-credit-check policies—especially for high-risk drivers or those with limited credit history.

📌 Who Benefits from No-Credit-Check Insurance?
✅ Drivers with poor credit or no credit history.
✅ People recovering from bankruptcy.
✅ Young drivers who haven’t built credit yet.
✅ Those who don’t want a credit pull affecting their score.

🚗 Example: My cousin had no credit history because she had never used credit cards. She found a no-credit-check policy with The General that gave her fair pricing based only on her driving record.

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Best No-Credit-Check Car Insurance Companies

We researched insurance providers that either don’t check credit at all or offer better rates for drivers with poor credit.

Insurance Company	Best For	Credit Check Required?	Monthly Cost Estimate
Dairyland	Best for high-risk drivers	❌ No	$120 – $250
The General	Best for no credit history	❌ No	$130 – $270
Acceptance Insurance	Best for SR-22 & non-standard policies	❌ No	$140 – $280
GAINSCO	Best for drivers with past violations	❌ No	$135 – $260
National General	Best for affordable liability-only coverage	❌ No	$110 – $230
USAA	Best for military families	✅ Yes, but lower impact	$100 – $200

📌 Quick Breakdown:

• Dairyland & The General: Best for drivers with poor or no credit.
• Acceptance Insurance: Best for high-risk drivers needing SR-22 coverage.
• GAINSCO: Best for drivers with tickets or accidents.
• National General: Best for basic liability coverage with no credit impact.
• USAA: Still checks credit, but offers lower rates for military families.

🚗 Example: My neighbor had bad credit and was quoted $300/month by GEICO, but Dairyland gave her a policy for $160/month—with no credit check required.

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How to Get Car Insurance Without a Credit Check

1. Look for Non-Standard Insurance Companies 🏆

Major companies like State Farm, Progressive, and GEICO check credit, but non-standard insurers like The General and Dairyland do not.

📌 Best No-Credit-Check Insurers:
✔️ Dairyland
✔️ The General
✔️ Acceptance Insurance
✔️ GAINSCO

🚗 Example: I helped my cousin switch to Dairyland after she was denied coverage due to her low credit score.

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2. Choose Liability-Only Coverage for the Lowest Rates 💰

If you own an older car (10+ years old), you may only need liability coverage, which is much cheaper than full coverage.

📌 Average Monthly Cost by Coverage Type:

Coverage Type	No Credit Check Company	Traditional Insurer
Liability-Only	$100 – $180	$150 – $250
Full Coverage	$180 – $300	$250 – $400

🚗 Example: My husband drives an older truck, so switching to liability-only coverage with The General saved us $500 per year.

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3. Compare Multiple Quotes from No-Credit-Check Insurers 📊

Since rates vary widely, comparing at least 3-5 insurance quotes helps you get the best deal.

📌 Best Websites to Compare No-Credit-Check Insurance Quotes:

• The Zebra
• NerdWallet
• Policygenius

🚗 Example: My friend found a $40/month cheaper policy by comparing quotes instead of just accepting the first offer.

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4. Consider Pay-As-You-Go Insurance If You Drive Less 🚗

If you don’t drive much, a pay-per-mile policy can be cheaper than traditional insurance—and many don’t check credit!

📌 Best Pay-Per-Mile Insurance Providers:
✔️ Metromile
✔️ Allstate Milewise
✔️ Nationwide SmartMiles

🚗 Example: My mom drives less than 500 miles per month, so Metromile saved her $600 per year compared to traditional insurance.

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5. Work on Improving Your Credit to Get Better Rates Over Time 📈

Even though you can get insurance without a credit check, improving your credit score can save you money later.

📌 How to Improve Credit for Cheaper Insurance:
✔️ Pay bills on time to avoid negative marks.
✔️ Keep credit card balances low.
✔️ Avoid opening too many new accounts at once.
✔️ Check your credit report for errors (free at AnnualCreditReport.com).

🚗 Example: After my sister raised her credit score from 620 to 700, her insurance premium dropped by $30 per month!

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Final Thoughts: Should You Get No-Credit-Check Car Insurance?

🚗 Get It If:
✔️ You have poor or no credit history.
✔️ You need insurance quickly without a credit check.
✔️ You’re a high-risk driver who struggles to find affordable rates.

🚗 Skip It If:
❌ You have good credit and can get better rates with traditional insurers.
❌ You qualify for multi-policy or loyalty discounts with a major provider.

💰 Best Strategy:
✔️ Compare quotes from multiple no-credit-check companies.
✔️ Choose liability-only coverage if your car doesn’t need full protection.
✔️ Consider pay-per-mile insurance if you drive less.
✔️ Improve your credit score over time to qualify for better rates later.

By following these steps, you can get affordable car insurance—without letting your credit score hold you back! 🚗💨💰