MDU Resources Group Employees: How Your Credit Score Influences Your Insurance Premiums

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for MDU Resources Group MDU Resources Group, a utility and construction services company, primarily partners with various healthcare providers and insurance companies that serve its employees, including Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare for healthcare coverage options. Brief Overview of Projected Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As we approach 2026, healthcare consumers face significant challenges as premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans are projected to rise sharply, with some states reporting increases exceeding 60%. The anticipated loss of enhanced federal premium subsidies coupled with escalating medical costs is creating a perfect storm for healthcare expenses. According to industry experts, without congressional action to extend these subsidies, over 22 million enrollees may experience out-of-pocket premium hikes of more than 75%, underscoring the need for proactive financial planning for healthcare in the coming year. The landscape suggests that the combination of heightened rates and diminished financial assistance could push many families toward more financial strain in 2026. Click here to learn more

As an employee of MDU Resources Group you may find it interesting to know, one landmark study found that credit-based insurance scores are used by about 95 percent of all auto and home insurers in calculating the cost of insurance to individuals.

While the vast majority of insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores to help determine the price of insurance, it is banned in the states of Massachusetts, Hawaii, and California. Some states only allow it as a factor for property insurance like auto and homeowners insurance. Other states allow it to be used with any type of insurance.

Several Factors

Generally, an insurance company will use a credit-based insurance score as just one factor in its underwriting process. We'd also like to remind our MDU Resources Group clients that other factors may be considered, depending on the type of insurance. For example, with auto insurance, other factors could include your zip code, the age of the drivers, the make, model and age of the car, and the number of miles you drive annually.

The use of credit scores to determine insurance rates is rooted in research that has shown individuals with lower credit scores had higher car insurance losses and higher claims payouts.

You can ask your insurance company if a credit-based insurance score was used to underwrite and rate your policy, and in which risk category you were placed.

For MDU Resources Group employees who want to improve their credit-based insurance score, you should consider taking the same steps you would to improve your credit rating: make timely debt payments, clear up past disputes and keep credit card balances low.

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