A bad credit report can cost you when it comes to car insurance

• If you drive a car in Tennessee you have to pay car insurance, but did you know something not related at all to your driving record could make you pay a lot more for it?
• As Volunteer TV's Jeff Williamson reports, always pay special attention to your credit report.
• I asked Ben Phillips, a man whose been driving for 51 years, if he knew his credit report was used in determining how much he's paying for car insurance.
• "No I didn't, yes I did too, I got a thing in the mail last time I got my insurance they sent me thing showing my credit report," says Ben Phillips, experienced driver.
• "It more fairly distributes the rate across the pool of insured those who should get lower rates and those who should pay more at least that's the theory," says Robert Whedbee, insurance agent.
• Using your credit score to determine how much your auto insurance rates will be became so popular that not only could your rates be increased if you had a poor score but policy cancelled or denied, forcing insurance agents to search for hours to find the best rate.
• "Sometimes we're forced to not guess, just use our judgment on what may be two or three," explains Whedbee.
• But a new law will now limit the use of your score.
• Credit reports must be current, less than 90 days old, insurance cannot be denied solely on scores, and no action can be taken if someone has no credit history.
• And more changes are on the way which means rates may soon be judged on driving alone.
• Insurance experts say you should check your credit report at least once per year for discrepancies.
• And if you think your rates are too high due to errors, call your insurance agent or the state insurance commission.