Find affordable car insurance with bad credit by comparing rates.
It can be tough to find cheap auto insurance with bad credit. Auto insurers rely on credit tier as a major rating factor, setting policy prices based in part on clients' credit histories. Since auto insurance companies rely on data showing clients with bad credit are more likely to file auto insurance claims, they account for the extra risk by charging more.
Car insurance rates with a low credit score depends on the company you choose, where you live, and a few other rating factors. See below average car insurance prices for drivers with bad credit in major Massachusetts cities and rates from popular insurance companies, plus tips on saving on auto insurance if you have bad credit in Massachusetts.
Drivers in Massachusetts pay an average penalty of $68 each year for having a "worst"-tier credit score. Drivers in either the “poor” or “below fair to poor” credit tier will also face a penalty.
| Credit Tier | Average Annual Rate in Massachusetts |
| Worst | $1,269 |
| Poor | $1,269 |
| Below Fair to Poor | $1,269 |
| Average — All Credit Tiers | $1,201 |
Your car insurance rates will also vary based on the precise area in which you live. Insurers use your address to estimate whether you're likely to file a claim: the denser your area,, the more expensive rates you’ll pay.
Listed below are major Massachusetts cities and their typical car insurance rates for drivers with bad credit.
| City | Average Annual Rate — Worst Credit | Average Annual Rate — Poor Credit | Average Annual Rate — Below Fair to Poor Credit |
| Boston | $1,576 | $1,576 | $1,576 |
| Worcester | $1,684 | $1,684 | $1,684 |
| Springfield | $1,817 | $1,817 | $1,817 |
| Lowell | $1,513 | $1,513 | $1,513 |
| Cambridge | $1,396 | $1,396 | $1,396 |
Another contributing factor to how much you pay for auto insurance is the auto insurance company you choose. Each car insurance company prices its policies differently, giving rating factors varying weights in their calculations. Credit history can be a significant price differentiator between otherwise-similar car insurance companies. In Massachusetts, the most affordable insurance company for drivers with bad credit is Plymouth Rock Insurance, which offers average savings of $21 per year over the second-cheapest company, GEICO.
See below prices from leading auto insurance companies in Massachusetts for drivers with bad credit.
| Company | Average Annual Rate — Worst Credit Tier |
| Plymouth Rock Insurance | $882 |
| GEICO | $903 |
| Commerce | $1,059 |
| Safety | $1,063 |
| Arbella | $1,142 |
If you're having a hard time buying auto insurance with a low credit score, consider these tips: