
Credit score has been a common topic of conversation over recent years. However, many do not understand exactly how credit can impact their life. The better your credit, the more likely you’re able to finance at a lower rate. Your credit score affects everything from financing or buying a car to buying a house. Here’s a look at how a good score can affect your life.
Benefits of Good Credit
- Receive better rates: According to USAA.com, your credit score can affect auto insurance rates depending on where you live, what type of car you own, and how much coverage you need. You could be eligible for better rates on your car if you maintain a strong credit rating.
- Buy or Lease a Car: Auto-financing can be significantly easier with stronger credit. When making a major purchase like a car, you may need to have the ability to receive financing. A poor credit history could jeopardize your chances of qualifying for financing or getting a good rate.
Hazards of Bad Credit
- You may have problems renting a house or an apartment: Looking for a house or apartment to rent? You may discover that your credit score is reviewed as part of the screening process. Poor credit history may negatively impact your chances.
- It could affect job prospects: Some employers conduct credit checks during the hiring process.
- You may have to pay higher down payments: Unfortunately, if lenders deem you a credit risk, they may require you to put more money down on home loans or when financing your vehicle.
- You may find it tough to obtain pre-approval for purchases: When applying for a mortgage pre-approval, the lender reviews your credit history. With poor credit, you could have a tougher time gaining pre-approval. And according to SFGate.com, poor credit might preclude you from pre-approval entirely.
Does using cash or debit hurt your credit?
While using cash exclusively can help you avoid debt, it also prevents you from building a credit history. Similarly, debit cards pose the same dilemma. In both cases, you’re not demonstrating the ability to borrow money and pay it back responsibly, because doing so isn’t reflected in your credit history.
What’s your credit score?
If you’re curious about your own FICO score, we’re here to help. On July 19th, all Ally Auto customers will be able to view their FICO score for free by going to the “My Vehicles” page of our website and clicking “view my FICO score”. Knowing your FICO score and understanding its impacts can help you prepare for the auto finance process. Find out more at Ally Wallet Wise for helpful tips.
Do you have any surprising ways in which your credit has affected your life? Share with us in the comments below.
Comment on this article
Comments
Angelo M. on October 11, 2017 at 11:40pm
Good information
James A. on February 28, 2018 at 3:17am
I found the information to be quite helpful.
Ally on March 1, 2018 at 1:15pm
We're glad to hear that, James. Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Christina M. on March 21, 2018 at 2:47pm
I totally agree that have good credit is one thing I don't have. The process to get a car and home loan is slim to none for me right now. I wish I made better choices when it came to my credit. Right now I am without a car and home and the credit to get a loan for one. I know now the importance of credit and will be a better steward of it in the near future.
carol p. on March 28, 2018 at 1:22am
I know your credit is most important thing I make sure all my bills are taken care of to buy auto I am looking but I still have to wait for right time .
Phyllis M. on May 5, 2018 at 9:58pm
This information has been very resourceful. . I've always went with dealers financial ways. Not knowing has been costly, thanks for the information.
Carlos A. on January 4, 2019 at 5:32pm
you learn something every day
Linda f. on March 4, 2019 at 5:05am
Well i now I most likely have poor creit
Mike p. on May 4, 2019 at 3:10am
You cannot discount the fact that bad things happen to good people. I work for a company that cut my wages by 6.00 on the hour, and this put my family on the ropes. I will finally get my money back, so I cannot leave this job, but it took 10 yrs to get it, at a cost of 15,ooo dollars of lost wages for each year. It has been a long haul but ally has had my back the whole way, and working with me to try and stay on course. Yes you credit score is important but even more so is a company that knows that things can and do go wrong, due to know fault of your own and cares as much about their clients as they do their bottom line.
Ally on May 9, 2019 at 9:50am
Hi Mike, we appreciate your comment. Thank you for being an Ally customer. 😊
Tina D. on May 30, 2019 at 3:17pm
I have nothing but good to say about Ally!! I just recently paid off my auto loan and I am looking to get a new vehicle in the very near future (the previous one is getting old). I am hoping to stay with using Ally for my next one as well!
Ally on June 3, 2019 at 1:37pm
Hi Tina, we love hearing this! Thank you so much for being an Ally customer.
Sondra L. on July 13, 2019 at 12:28pm
With a credit score of 621, approximately what would my finance charge be for 11,000.00
Ally on July 18, 2019 at 2:20pm
Hi Sondra, we suggest you visit your local dealership and they will help you determine your financing options. You can find a dealer near you using Ally’s Dealer Locator: https://www.ally.com/auto/dealer-locator/
Mike c. on August 10, 2019 at 3:41pm
Can I finance a preowned vehicle through ally
Ally on August 10, 2019 at 3:45pm
Hi Mike, we suggest you visit your local dealership and they will help you determine your financing options. You can find a dealer near you using Ally’s Dealer Locator tool here: https://www.ally.com/auto/dealer-locator/
Steven J. on August 23, 2019 at 5:14pm
Great information!!!
Ally on August 28, 2019 at 1:42pm
Hi Steven, this is what we like to hear! Thanks for reading.
Jay on August 30, 2019 at 2:24pm
Ally interest rates for auto loans for those with scores less than 700 is ridiculous and unreal. It is hurting the economy. There are thousands of used cars on the dealer lots that people are not buying. I understand that there is a concern about payment. But there are auto withdrawal options to keep the rates low.
John W. on September 3, 2019 at 3:38pm
Can Ally be specific on which version Fico Score they use. Like Experian Auto 8, Auto 2. How about Transunion and Equifax. So many versions.
Ally on October 10, 2019 at 1:43pm
Hi John, if you'll please give us a call at 1-877-247-2559 one of our team members will be more than happy to advise further.
Susan E. on November 10, 2019 at 8:23pm
You should offer clients there FICO scores for just having an account with you. It would help clients to decided on buying a home or car
Ally on November 18, 2019 at 3:45pm
Hi Susan, thanks for the feedback. We’ll pass it along to our team.
Candace on February 1, 2020 at 3:22am
At the time of my purchase I had over a 700 credit score and still got a 14% apr through you guys. My income was also over over 70k and DTI was about 25%. So it’s not always true and you probably give incentives to dealers to increase the rates so they can money. Unfair to the hard working single moms that are just trying to live a normal life. You just look into dealers putting in false info
Loretta W. on April 5, 2020 at 2:33pm
Why has my car pay off not been closed from the system. I have paid it off in full. Please remove this ASAP
Ally on April 8, 2020 at 3:55pm
Hi Loretta, please give us a call at 1-888-925-2559 or chat with our team online at ally.com – one of our team members will be more than happy to assist you.
cindy on May 6, 2020 at 5:09am
I MAKE A PAYMENT 175,00 AND YOU TAKE ALL BUT 40,00 FOR INTREST THIS IS CRAZY
kim on May 13, 2020 at 3:34pm
We have one car through Ally and another through another company unfortunately. Is it possible to talk to someone to see about re-financing my other car through Ally . I can either do that or go get something newer. also is it out of the question of asking to lower the interest rate on the car that we do have with ALLY at least. thank you for your time
Ally on May 19, 2020 at 1:45pm
Hi Kim, if you have questions about your existing Ally financing please give us a call at 888-925-2559. If you would like to refinance another loan please visit clearlane.com/refinance to learn more.
Carol R. on June 17, 2020 at 3:03pm
I have an Ally savings but was wondering how much I could get financed for a used car.
Ally on June 18, 2020 at 1:25pm
Hi Carol, there are many factors that determine whether you qualify for financing through your dealer and Ally. To learn more, visit your local dealership and they can walk you through your financing options. Find a dealer near you using Ally’s Dealer Locator tool here: https://www.ally.com/auto/dealer-locator/
bouchaib e. on June 28, 2020 at 3:06pm
i m trying to finance a new car honda c-rv. so i m looking for lender who goves a good APR. my credot scoor is is around 75o and up. i m a returning customer. amoun financed is around 26000. need info from you before I reash honda dealer.
Ally on June 29, 2020 at 1:49pm
There are many factors that determine whether you qualify for financing through your dealer and Ally. To learn more, visit your local dealership and they can walk you through your financing options. Find a dealer near you using Ally’s Dealer Locator tool here: https://www.ally.com/auto/dealer-locator/
Lessie on December 26, 2020 at 11:48pm
I just bought a nice used car through Ally. I realize that the interest rate is higher than I have paid on financing a car in the past . I haven't financed a car since 2010. My credit score is CV poor but I have been paying off a lot of old debt so I know it is going to get better. Would Ally refinance my car say a year from now if my credit score is higher than now. I was told that financing a car and making regular payments would help my score. Looking forward to seeing that happen. We have been bombarded with credit card, medical Bill's, and student loans
Ally on December 26, 2020 at 11:49pm
Hi Lessie, please give us a call at 1-888-925-2559, and a team member would be happy to discuss this with you further.
Robert on February 2, 2021 at 11:43am
Digestible information.
Teresa K. on February 25, 2021 at 12:25am
When I bought my car my credit score was. 751. I bought my house. Then 04/05/2018 I was in Olathe Kansas with my friend's husband trying to bond her out of jail. A BIG truck slammed into the rear end as he was trying to leave the parking lot. Didn't see me. I had taken out 4 personal loans to get her out of jail because her husband don't get paid for another week. Promised to pay me right back. Well that was almost 3 years ago. And needless to say I can not pay these loans back myself because I have a $448 car payment, $150 car insur, and $383 house payments I have to make. Had to do gap insurance and get a new car because they wouldn't total my other car that I still owed $12,000 on. It DID NOT drive like a new car anymore and don't understand why they wouldn't total it when it hopped across the highway and panels kept popping loose. One came loose in front of the front drivers side tire and shredded a brand new tire. It sounded like metal shifting when I'd go to stop. But th
Teresa K. on February 25, 2021 at 12:25am
When I bought my car my credit score was. 751. I bought my house. Then 04/05/2018 I was in Olathe Kansas with my friend's husband trying to bond her out of jail. A BIG truck slammed into the rear end as he was trying to leave the parking lot. Didn't see me. I had taken out 4 personal loans to get her out of jail because her husband don't get paid for another week. Promised to pay me right back. Well that was almost 3 years ago. And needless to say I can not pay these loans back myself because I have a $448 car payment, $150 car insur, and $383 house payments I have to make. Had to do gap insurance and get a new car because they wouldn't total my other car that I still owed $12,000 on. It DID NOT drive like a new car anymore and don't understand why they wouldn't total it when it hopped across the highway and panels kept popping loose. One came loose in front of the front drivers side tire and shredded a brand new tire. It sounded like metal shifting when I'd go to stop. But th
Mary T. on May 9, 2021 at 5:33pm
I have an auto loan for my 2021 Cadillac CT4 for $20,000 at 1.99%. Can Ally Bank provide me a better rate. My credit scores are all in the mid 800's. Thank you
Dan F. on May 12, 2021 at 3:12pm
For as long as I can remember, my credit score has consistently been in the 700’s. When I paid off my mortgage in the beginning of March, I was excited and assumed, if anything, my score would go up at least minimally. To my shock, it actually decreased by 88 points. For example, my credit union score dropped from 718 to 630 with no other changes. My plans to purchase a new car have been unexpectedly curtailed.
Mamadou K. on July 27, 2021 at 12:13pm
I want find out how much I owe
Jeanette W. on August 11, 2021 at 12:26pm
I had a positive experience with Ally, on my present car. It is getting old now, and I am looking to purchase a new car. My credit score is good. I hope I can get a better rate, than the last time. Great, and informative web site!
Ally on August 11, 2021 at 12:27pm
Hi, thanks for being a customer! :)
Debra C. on September 26, 2021 at 7:22am
The article was very helpful. My FICO score is which is not very good.
Guss P. on November 15, 2021 at 7:24pm
Where is the Pre-qualify button??? Not a option.... It will save some time at the dealer...
elizabeth a. on December 6, 2021 at 5:12pm
i got car from carmax am trying to see if you can finance it for me i was your old customer
Ally on December 6, 2021 at 5:13pm
Hi Elizabeth, thanks for reaching out. Please give us a call at 1-888-925-2559, so we can assist further.
Chris M. on April 27, 2022 at 2:10pm
I filed bankruptcy in august. Would I be able to lease a vehicle using ally?
Ally on April 27, 2022 at 2:11pm
Hi Chris, please give us a call at 1-888-925-2559, so we can assist further.
Leslye H. on May 18, 2022 at 1:29am
Thank you for lucid explanations framed in practical terms that are useful to one who wants to learn more about managing one's own finances.
Bruce A. on June 14, 2022 at 1:10pm
Just recently I paid off on the account #611927003481 for a 2012 Dodge Ram truck. At this time I would like to get a loan for a motorcycle (2022 Indian Pursuit). Would love for someone to contact me in that regard. Bruce A Keaton c:(602)339-7087 e: bruce.aehs@hotmail.com
Ally on June 14, 2022 at 1:11pm
Hi Bruce, thanks for reaching out. Please give us a call at 1-800-427-9184, so we can assist further.
Belinda E. on July 27, 2022 at 7:37am
This is Belinda Ettinger Schultz, I paid Mary Swiercznski Car payments! Would I be able to get a loan from you?
Ally on July 27, 2022 at 7:38am
Hi Belinda, please give our team a call at 1-888-925-2559, so they can assist further.