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It can be hard to find cheap auto insurance if you have bad credit. Auto insurers use credit score as a major rating factor, setting policy prices based in part on clients' credit histories. Since auto insurance companies use data that show drivers with low credit scores are more likely to file auto insurance claims, they account for for that added risk by assigning expensive rates.
Car insurance rates with a low credit score depends on which company you choose, where you live, and other rating factors. See below average insurance prices for drivers with bad credit in major North Carolina cities and rates from a few of the most popular auto insurance companies, plus a few tips to save on auto insurance if you have a bad credit score in North Carolina.
North Carolina drivers face an average penalty of $136 per year for having a "worst"-tier credit score. A driver in the "poor" or "below fair to poor" credit tiers will also face a penalty.
| Credit Tier | Average Annual Rate in North Carolina |
| Worst | $1,002 |
| Poor | $984 |
| Below Fair to Poor | $963 |
| Average — All Credit Tiers | $865 |
Your auto insurance prices also depend on the precise area in which you drive. Insurers rely on your address to better understand your likelihood of filing a claim: the denser your area,, the more you'll pay for insurance.
We've listed major North Carolina cities and their average 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 |
| Charlotte | $1,133 | $1,111 | $1,090 |
| Raleigh | $998 | $978 | $957 |
| Greensboro | $1,011 | $992 | $970 |
| Winston-Salem | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Durham | $1,029 | $1,006 | $983 |
Another factor that contributes to how much you pay for auto insurance is the auto insurance company you choose. Each auto insurance company rates its policies differently, giving rating factors varying weights in their pricing calculations. Credit score can be a primary pricing differentiator between otherwise-similar car insurance companies. In North Carolina, the cheapest insurance company with bad credit is State Farm, which offers a premium cut of $80 per annum in comparison to the next-cheapest company, Progressive.
See below prices from major auto insurance companies in North Carolina for drivers with bad credit.
| Company | Average Annual Rate — Worst Credit Tier |
| State Farm | $848 |
| Progressive | $928 |
| Integon National Insurance Company | $967 |
| Nationwide | $1,010 |
| Erie | $1,026 |
If you're dealing with the difficulty of finding auto insurance with a low credit score, remember these tips: