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It’s not just lenders who get to see your credit report. It seems like anyone with a “legitimate business need” can get a peek today. Employers, landlords, government agencies, utility companies, cable companies and internet service providers all check reports.

And, would you believe it, even automobile insurers check credit reports. Over 90% of the largest personal auto insurance carriers use credit information to determine if they’re going to insure you or not and, if they are, how much they’re going to charge you.

What does having bad credit got to do with safe driving? Nothing at all, it seems. But insurers believe that if you have bad credit there’s a greater risk you’ll file an auto insurance claim. Some argue that your credit report is more significant than your driving record.

Mike Trevino, a spokesperson for Allstate, said, “We know that there is a correlation between how someone manages their credit and insurance losses.” However they really don’t know the reason why. “We’re not sure,” Trevino declares. “But we know it’s a fact.” And that’s enough for the insurance underwriters.

They have a couple of theories. Some believe if drivers are less careful about their credit, they’ll also be careless with their car maintenance and driving habits. Others think drivers under financial stress are going to be liable for more accidents.

But many consumer protection advocates disagree. They argue that using a credit report to determine a driver’s accident risk makes as much sense as using their hair color. What’s next, they ask? “Blonds have more fun and more accidents.”

By the way, insurance companies also use credit reports to assess your risk as a homeowner. This can affect the amount of coverage you can get and the cost of your policy. However, several states have passed or are considering laws forbidding this use of credit reports.