Find affordable car insurance with bad credit by comparing rates.
It can be hard to find cheap auto insurance if you have bad credit. Auto insurers utilize credit as a primary rating factor, assigning premiums based partially on drivers’ credit scores. Because auto insurance companies rely on historical data that show those with bad credit histories are more apt to file car insurance claims, they compensate for the additional risk by assigning expensive rates.
How much you pay for car insurance with bad credit depends on which company you choose, where you live, and a few other rating factors. We've gathered on this page typical insurance rates for drivers with bad credit in major Arkansas cities and rates from a few of the most popular insurance companies, followed by tips on saving on car insurance if you have a bad credit score in Arkansas.
Arkansas drivers pay an average penalty of $1,237 each year for having a credit score in the “worst” tier. Drivers in the "poor" or "below fair to poor" credit tiers will also pay above-average rates for a car insurance policy.
| Credit Tier | Average Annual Rate in Arkansas |
| Worst | $2,695 |
| Poor | $2,466 |
| Below Fair to Poor | $2,269 |
| Average — All Credit Tiers | $1,458 |
Auto insurance rates will also depend on the geographic area in which you drive. Car insurance companies rely on your address to estimate your likelihood of filing a claim: the denser your area, the more you'll pay for insurance.
Listed below are major Arkansas cities and their typical car insurance costs for those with bad credit.
| City | Average Annual Rate — Worst Credit | Average Annual Rate — Poor Credit | Average Annual Rate — Below Fair to Poor Credit |
| Little Rock | $2,980 | $2,729 | $2,516 |
| Fort Smith | $2,480 | $2,273 | $2,096 |
| Fayetteville | $2,483 | $2,275 | $2,098 |
| Springdale | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jonesboro | $2,689 | $2,461 | $2,268 |
Another contributing factor to your premium is the insurer you choose. Every auto insurance company rates its policies differently, giving rating factors varying weights in their calculations. Credit history is often a major price differentiator from one insurance company to the next. In Arkansas, the cheapest insurance company for drivers with bad credit is GEICO, which offers savings of $146 yearly over the second-cheapest company, USAA.
See below prices from leading car insurance companies in Arkansas for drivers with bad credit.
| Company | Average Annual Rate — Worst Credit |
| GEICO | $1,632 |
| USAA | $1,778 |
| Southern Farm Bureau | $1,828 |
| Shelter | $2,364 |
| AAA | $2,483 |
If you're having a hard time buying auto insurance with bad credit, consider these tips: