Gulf Coast Educators Insurance Warns Consumers About the Effects a Credit Score and Insurance Score Can Have on Insurance Policies

Naples, FL, September 04, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Gulf Coast Educators Insurance agents in Southwest Florida clarify how a credit score can affect an insurance premium. Residents in Naples, Ft. Myers and Port Charlotte, Florida looking for a competitive homeowner’s insurance quote are encouraged to call Gulf Coast Educators Insurance. Their agents will offer information on the best home insurance available in Southwest, Florida.

Consumers frequently hear companies talk about credit scores and insurance scores when it comes to insurance rates and insurance policy premiums. There are distinct differences between the two scores that many Florida residents are unaware of.

“Clients ask us all the time how they can reduce their insurance premiums. What they don’t realize is that their credit score can affect their premiums, especially on auto insurance,” states Ron DeFreitas, owner/agent of Gulf Coast Educators Insurance.

DeFreitas explains “We want people to understand the differences between the two scores. A credit score is a three digit number calculated from a consumer’s credit report and used to determine creditworthiness for a mortgage, loan or credit card. An insurance score is a number that is calculated by a computer model analysis that is used by insurance companies to determine how much a consumer will pay for an insurance policy. When an insurance score is calculated a person’s payment history, length of credit history, types of credit in use, the ratio of the amount of outstanding debt to credit limit, new applications for credit and one’s bankruptcy, foreclosures and collection activity are all taken into consideration in determining ones insurance score. What people don’t think about it is that these scores can affect each other.”

The insurance agents at Gulf Coast Educators Insurance remind Floridians that a credit score is used as part of an insurance score to help predict risk. This score is based on how likely a customer will file a claim, however, in the state of Florida, most insurers choose not to use credit-based insurance scores when pricing homeowners insurance policies due to the pre-existing high prices that stem from hurricanes and tropical storms. In other states a credit score may be more heavily relied upon for estimating a homeowners insurance policy.

Gulf Coast Educators Insurance advises clients that a credit score can affect other insurance rates such as auto insurance. “Auto insurance can be complicated and yes, one’s credit score can be taken into account when calculating the best auto insurance rate in Naples, Ft. Myers or Port Charlotte. It is best for consumers to call us and schedule an appointment so we can explain how a credit score can affect an auto coverage policy, we can also review how we can offer the most competitive auto insurance policies in Florida,” adds DeFreitas.

Gulf Coast Educators Insurance is the insurance leader in the Southwest Florida region, serving educators and non-educators alike. Ron DeFreitas and his team at Gulf Coast Educators Insurance offer a complete line of homeowners insurance, property insurance, renters insurance, condo insurance, and flood insurance. Consumers can also purchase auto and life insurance as well as financial services.

Gulf Coast Educators Insurance has three convenient locations to better service their customers. They are located in Naples, Port Charlotte and Fort Myers, Florida. For a free insurance quote or more information on the best insurance coverage in Florida, individuals can visit Gulf Coast Educators Insurance online at http://PropertyandHomeInsuranceFlorida.com or call (239) 591-0963 Naples, (941) 391-5423 Port Charlotte, (239) 997-0420 Fort Myers.