Why Is It Essential To Have A Good Credit Score?

What is a Good Credit Score? 

A credit score is a three-digit number known as a CIBIL score that is given to you as a representation of your creditworthiness. Credit bureaus associate this score with your profile based on your financial wellbeing. If you have a history of making all your credit payments on time, clearing your card debt balance, and taking justified loans, then your statement will reflect a good credit score. Any credit score which has a credit utilization below 30% is considered a good score.

Benefits of Your Good Credit Score:

1. You’ll get the best rates on car loans, home loans, and other personal loans: Lenders who wish to offer a secured or unsecured loans to clients first check their credit scores to determine their creditworthiness. If you have a good score, you will be able to close a good deal with lower interest rates and premiums from the vendor.

2. Secure higher credit limits on credit cards: If you have a good credit score, you will be approached by more and more premium lending institutions with higher spending limits. A good credit score automatically reflects well on your creditworthiness, and you can take advantage of that in the form of higher credit limits on your cards.

3. Access to the best-rewarding credit cards: Several credit cards offer various benefits to privileged customers in the form of discounts on different online shopping platforms, cashback, complimentary movie tickets, discounts at luxury dining restaurants and hotels, travel miles, and much more. A good credit score will help you unlock such cards at lower rates.

4. Eligible for a pre-approved loan offer: High creditworthiness will up your chances of being offered pre-approved loans from banks and financial institutions. A good CIBIL score goes a long way in ensuring that you get reasonable interest rates on these pre-approved loans too.

What Factors Impact Your Credit Score? 

1. Timely bill payments: Pay your bills on time to ensure that your CIBIL score is not impacted negatively.
2. Pay off your debts: Debt accumulation can result in a weak credit score. You can also consider debt consolidation by using a personal line of credit, which offers seamless debt management and lower credit rates.
3. Manage how often you apply for credit: Applying for credit too often results in ‘hard inquiries’ on your credit score, which further weakens your score. So be judicious in choosing when to apply for credit, and span out your applications.
4. Manage your credit card usage: Using the credit card within limits and ensuring timely payment of the bills will positively impact your credit score.
5. Check your CIBIL score and report regularly: It’s good to keep a tab on your credit report and periodically check your credit score to help identify any inaccurate or incorrect information and rectify it. 

Securing a good credit score requires perseverance, diligence, and prudence. Be realistic with your financial spending capacity before using various means of credit; be sure that make your bill payments on time. With a high credit score, there are several more benefits that you shall reap. You may be able to secure an interest-free loan, better credit rates; you will even be able to save on rentals and mortgages. You will be able to negotiate the best deals and interest rates. So make sure that you consistently work towards achieving a good credit score.

Author Bio:

Shiv Nanda is a financial analyst who currently lives in Bangalore (refusing to acknowledge the name change) and works with MoneyTap, India’s first app-based credit-line. Shiv is a true finance geek, and his friends love that. They always rely on him for advice on their investment choices, budgeting skills, personal financial matters, and when they want to get a loan. He has made it his life’s mission to help and educate people on various financial topics, so email him your questions at shiv@moneytap.com.