You are shopping for cheaper car or home insurance, clicking through quote after quote, when a worry hits: will all this comparison hurt your credit? It is a smart question, and the answer brings good news.
So, do insurance quotes affect credit score results? In almost every case, no. Getting an insurance quote does not lower your credit score. Let's unpack why, and clear up a common mix-up along the way.
Do Insurance Quotes Affect Credit Score? The Short Answer
No. As of July 2026, requesting an insurance quote does not hurt your credit score. Insurers use what is called a "soft pull" when they check your information for a quote.
A soft pull looks at some of your credit data but leaves your score untouched. You can request as many quotes as you like without any credit damage, so feel free to shop around.
Since extra quotes cost you nothing, a comparison marketplace like Insurify makes it easy to line up rates from many insurers at once and spot the best deal in a few minutes.
Insurify
Insurify
Finding the best insurance shouldn't feel overwhelming. Insurify compares personalized quotes from 120+ top-rated providers in minutes — so you can save up to 50% on auto, home, renters, and pet insurance without the hassle.
Standout feature
Compare 120+ insurance carriers instantly. Save up to 50% on premiums.
Fees
Free
Pros
Compares 120+ carriers in real-time. Save up to 50% on premiums. BBB A+ rated.
Cons
Some users report unwanted communications from third-party providers.
Soft Pull vs. Hard Pull
The difference between these two checks is the key to the whole topic.
A soft pull, sometimes called a soft inquiry, happens when a company peeks at your credit for a quote, a background check, or a pre-approval offer. It does not affect your score.
A hard pull, or hard inquiry, happens when you formally apply for credit, like a loan or a credit card. It can lower your score by a few points for a short time. Insurance quotes use the soft kind, not the hard kind.
What Is a Credit-Based Insurance Score?
Here is where people get confused. Insurers do use your credit information, just not the way you might think.
Instead of your regular FICO score, insurance companies use a separate number called a credit-based insurance score. This score helps them predict how likely you are to file a claim.
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, insurers can use this score as one factor when setting your rates. Checking it for a quote is a soft pull, so it still does not affect your regular credit score.
Why Your Credit Still Matters for Insurance
Even though quotes are harmless to your score, your credit can have a big effect on your premium.
As of July 2026, drivers with poor credit can pay much more for full coverage than drivers with good credit, in some studies nearly double. So while shopping for quotes will not hurt your score, a low score can still cost you real money in higher rates.
That makes building strong credit a smart long-term move, not just for loans, but for insurance too.
While you work on your credit, comparing insurers can offset some of that cost right away. Getting a quote from a company known for competitive rates, such as Lemonade, lets you see whether a switch trims your premium even before your score improves.
Lemonade
Lemonade
Insurance that's fast, affordable, and actually feels good. Lemonade uses AI to process claims in seconds and donates leftover premiums to causes you care about. Get renters, home, pet, life, or car insurance — all from one app.
Standout feature
AI claims in seconds. Giveback program donates unused premiums. 2.9M+ customers.
Fees
Varies by policy (renters insurance from ~$5/mo)
Pros
Lightning-fast AI claims processing. Social impact through Giveback program. Beautiful, easy-to-use app (4.9★ App Store).
Cons
Limited home insurance availability (28 states + DC only).
How to Improve Your Credit-Based Insurance Score
The good news is that the same habits that build your regular credit also help your credit-based insurance score.
Pay every bill on time, keep your credit card balances low, and avoid opening lots of new accounts at once. Over time, these steps can lift both scores.
Credit-builder tools can speed things up. The Self Visa® Credit Card helps you build payment history while you save. The Kikoff Secured Credit Card is a low-cost way to add positive history to your report. Results vary and building credit takes time, but stronger credit can mean lower insurance rates down the road.
For a guided approach, Creditship offers tools to help you plan your credit-building steps and keep tabs on the score that shapes your insurance rates, so you can watch your progress as you go.
Creditship
Creditship
Get free credit monitoring and concrete advice how to improve your credit from Creditship AI.
Standout feature
AI Credit Coach. AI analyzes your credit report in depth and gives you tailored, actionable steps to raise your score.
Fees
Free
Pros
Free credit report access plus monitoring and alerts
Cons
No credit repair feature
How to Shop for Insurance the Smart Way
Since quotes will not hurt your score, comparison shopping is your friend.
Get quotes from several insurers before you renew or switch, because prices for the same coverage can vary a lot. Firstcard is a comparison platform, not an insurer, so we encourage you to line up options and pick the best value.
Review your coverage needs, not just the price. The cheapest policy is not always the right one if it leaves you underprotected.
When Do Insurance Quotes Affect Credit Score?
There is one thing to keep in mind. If you actually buy a policy and set up financing or a payment plan, some companies may run a deeper check.
This is not the same as a quote. Ask the insurer directly whether a full application will involve a hard pull, so there are no surprises. For most standard quotes and policies, though, your score stays safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do insurance quotes affect credit score at all?
No. Insurance companies use a soft pull to check your information for a quote, and soft pulls do not affect your credit score. You can compare as many quotes as you want without worry.
What is the difference between a soft pull and a hard pull?
A soft pull checks some credit data for things like quotes and pre-approvals and does not affect your score. A hard pull happens when you formally apply for credit and can lower your score slightly for a short time. Insurance quotes use soft pulls.
Does my credit score change my insurance rate?
Yes. Insurers use a credit-based insurance score as one factor in setting your premium, and weaker credit can lead to higher rates. Building better credit over time can help you qualify for lower prices.
How can I improve my credit-based insurance score?
Pay bills on time, keep balances low, and avoid opening many new accounts at once. Credit-builder tools like the Self Visa Credit Card or Kikoff can help you add positive history. Improvements take time, but they can pay off in lower rates.
