The use of individuals’ credit histories to predict the risk of future loss has become a common practice among automobile and homeowners insurers. The practice has proven to be controversial not only because of concerns about how reliably credit scores may predict risk. Many industry professionals, policymakers, and consumer groups have expressed concern that the practice may pose a significant barrier to economically vulnerable segments of the population in obtaining affordable automobile and homeowners coverage. This study finds evidence that justifies such concerns. .
