Cover - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	May 20, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-20202
Entity Registrant Name	CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MI
Entity Tax Identification Number	38-1999511
Entity Address, Address Line One	25505 W. Twelve Mile Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Southfield,
Entity Address, State or Province	MI
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	48034-8339
City Area Code	248
Local Phone Number	353-2700
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CACC
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,649,478
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0000885550
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31