Have you ever noticed how you really don’t have a name anymore? Seriously. It seems like every time you turn around someone else is trying to make you into a number-a social security number, a bank account number, a driver’s license number. And let’s not forget the all important three digits of your credit score! As unfortunate (and annoying) as it can be, your credit score is actually very important for many reasons, not the least of which being the fact that it represents your best path to cheaper car insurance.

Here are three easy ways to fix your credit score and send your car insurance rates plummeting:

a) Pay off your bills. All of us have debts, and it’s easy enough to fall behind on those debts and have them go into collections. All you have to do is fall behind on a credit card or two and your credit score goes tumbling! The good news is, most companies will remove your debts from your credit score within 30 days of getting them paid off. (Credit cards can affect your score for quite a bit longer than that.)

If you’re having trouble getting your debts paid in full, try this easy method: Pay minimum payments on all but one each month, and put any extra you might have toward that one. When that’s paid off, take what you were paying for that one plus your minimum payment and start paying on the next one…and the next…and the next. Repeat ad nauseum until you don’t have any bills left.

b) Check your credit report. You might be surprised at how often credit reporting agencies make mistakes; for example, giving you credit for accounts that aren’t yours or continuing to carry debts long after you’ve paid them off. There are three major credit reporting agencies you need to keep your eye on-Experian, TransUnion and Equifax-that track your credit. You’re entitled to one free credit report from each once a year. Take advantage of that.

c) Pay your current bills on time. It can be really, really tempting to let the credit card bill or the cable bill slide so you have a little extra money for Christmas, but that’s not something you want to fall behind on. One of the worst things about falling behind on your bills is that once you get behind, you tend to stay behind-and catching up can be rough. Staying ahead of your bills lets you keep your finances under control and prevents bills from going to collections, which in turn will send your credit score plummeting.

Raising your credit score has a number of benefits, not the least of which is setting you up for better car insurance rates. For example, did you know that most potential employers will check your credit score before they hire you? And good credit is absolutely mandatory before you apply for a loan. And then there’s the cheaper car insurance. Did I remember to mention that?

All in all, it’s definitely in your best interests to do what you can to keep your credit on the up and up.