hard to get 0% purchase cards?

nicolelh

I've always been quite against borrowing money you dont have, but I'm tempted to pay my car insurance with a card this year so I can save on the premium of paying them monthly, and get a 0% card so i get no interest while I'm paying it off.
I'm quite new to cards, but I thought 0% on purchases seems a pretty good deal, so why would someone go for another card over one of these, are they difficult to get?

I've had a look at my credit report, and it's supposedly excellent, the only slight mark on it, is not being on the electoral register here, but I'm moving house next month, so there's really no point me bothering.
I've also only recently started a job which I guess doesn't look great either. Do they check employment and how long when completing your application?
Thanks

You-kip

New to credit cards not on Elec Roll and only been in employment a short while and Wonderful Experian think you've an excellent credit profile.

The Fraudsters strike again!

lawstudent

Sorry to be the one to bring this down to earth but yes they are relatively hard to get accepted for. With limited credit history and your electoral role status I would think it is unlikely you would be accepted for one. Why not try one of the credit builder cards on the MSE advice articles.

nicolelh

It's not like I have no history at all, I mean I've had a mortgage for well over a year that's always been paid and phone bills etc, just never wanted to look into a credit card before.

Doesn't sound very hopeful though, thanks anyway

[Deleted User]

Do the barclaycard pre eligibility checker. It's not a guarantee but they use the info on you credit file to give you an idea of if you will be accepted.

Ultimately, the only way you will find out is by applying so why not just do that?

bouncydog1

Try your own bank first.

kloana

As above, they can be relatively difficult to get.

The amount you'd save would be relatively small. Hey, money is money, but it seems like a bit of a faff for a card that you may not get. That said, there's no harm in applying, and the worst they can say is 'no'.

If you're dead set on securing one in the future, starting 'low' and aiming 'high' is the general tactic. Don't be afraid of high interest cards as a means of building credit, you needn't pay any interest at all if it's managed properly.

You-kip

If you have a dodgy credit history then 0% cards are very difficult to be accepted.

If you have a very good credit history then its very easy to be accepted.

Hazzinho

All I'll say is you need to get on the electoral roll, that is a huge indicator you live where you say you live.

chattychappy

If the OP has some history at the address (mortgage payments, mobile phone, anything else) then not being on the electoral roll is not a total deal breaker, but it does sound like there's not enough there to get a so-called "prime" card.

Re. the employment question.
They might phone the employer to check you work there. It is unlikely they would ask more than that. If your answers don't match what you've said on other credit application forms, you might be caught out by fraud prevention systems (National Hunter etc).

nicolelh

I'd actually be saving £400 over the year, and my first upfront payment is £382 which i dont have in a lump sum, if i had to pay monthly, so it defo seems worth the faff for me

Think i'll apply when I get paid tomorrow, account balance is pretty low atm


In regards to my address...I'm on the electoral register at the house I own, but its not my main address. Can I still use this address for a card?