Your credit score is a number you may not think about until it’s time to apply for a new loan or credit card. But you should know that once your score reaches 800, your options for borrowing are likely to increase.
Experian, one of the three big consumer credit reporting bureaus, calls a credit score of 800 or above exceptional. If you can get your score to that level, here are three benefits you might enjoy.
1. Cheaper insurance
Insurers consider several different factors when determining their premium rates. But one surprising factor that may go into the equation is your credit score.
And if you’re thinking that doesn’t make sense, that’s understandable. It’s one thing for a lender to check your credit score to see if you’re likely to repay a debt. It’s another thing for a homeowners or auto insurance company to check your credit when you’re not asking to borrow money, but rather, spend money on a product/service.
But like it or not, insurers are known to take credit scores into account when calculating the rates they want to offer. Studies have found a correlation between higher credit scores and safer driving habits. Consumers with credit scores of 800 or above may end up paying less for insurance.
2. Less expensive move-in costs
Some landlords require a large amount of money when you sign a lease. That could mean paying your first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and a security deposit. But if you’re an applicant with a credit score of 800 or higher, a landlord may be willing to accept less money from you upfront.
They may, for example, waive the requirement to put down your last month’s rent and only ask for your first month of rent and a security deposit. That puts less of a strain on your finances. And if you’re looking at expensive moving costs, it’s even more helpful to not have to part with as much money upfront.
3. Access to a better cellphone and monthly plan
Upgrading a cellphone can be expensive. The good news is that many carriers will allow you to finance a cellphone purchase. But to get a good rate, you’ll generally need good credit, so that’s where a score of 800 or higher can help.
Plus, it’s common to undergo a credit check if you’re signing up for a monthly cellphone plan. With a credit score of 800 or more, qualifying shouldn’t be a problem — whereas if your score is much lower, you may be limited to prepaid service.
How to get your credit score to 800 or above
Boosting your credit score to 800 or above could improve your financial picture. And one of the best ways to do that is to pay all bills on time every month.
Another helpful move is to reduce your current credit card debt. The lower your total balance relative to your spending limit across your various cards, the more your credit score could improve.
Plus, paying down credit card debt could save you a lot of money on interest. So it pays to go that route even if your credit score is already in great shape.
Doing a balance transfer could make your credit card debt easier to whittle down, so click here for a list of the best balance transfer cards.
Finally, aim to check your credit report for errors once a month. You’re entitled to a free copy from each of the three reporting bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — every week, but once a month is usually enough to check for errors.
What you should specifically do is rotate so that each month, you’re pulling a report from a different bureau. It’s important to do this because it’s not a guarantee that all three of your reports will have the same information.
Alternatively, you can check all three credit reports every three months for mistakes. If you see one that’s likely to pull down your credit score, like a late payment you made on time, reporting it at once could help minimize the damage and/or help your score improve.
A credit score of 800 or higher could benefit your finances in more ways than one. It pays to try to reach that point, even if it takes time.
