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Car insurance can be expensive if you have bad credit. Car insurers use credit as a major rating factor, setting prices based in part on drivers’ credit histories. Because car insurers rely on historical data showing drivers with low credit scores are more likely to file auto insurance claims, they account for for the additional risk by charging more expensive rates.
Car insurance rates with a low credit score depends on where you live, which insurance company you use, and a variety of other factors. See below average insurance premiums for drivers with bad credit in major Ohio cities and rates from popular insurance companies, plus a few tips to save on car insurance with bad credit in Ohio.
Drivers in Ohio pay an average penalty of $958 per year for having a credit score in the “worst” tier. Drivers in either the “poor” or “below fair to poor” credit tier will also pay above-average rates for a car insurance policy.
| Credit Tier | Average Annual Rate in Ohio |
| Worst | $1,995 |
| Poor | $1,779 |
| Below Fair to Poor | $1,610 |
| Average — All Credit Tiers | $1,037 |
Auto insurance rates also depend on the precise area in which you live. Insurance companies rely on your address to estimate your odds of filing a claim: the more claim-prone your area,, the more expensive rates you’ll pay.
We've listed major Ohio cities and their average car insurance rates for drivers with low credit scores.
| City | Average Annual Rate — Worst Credit | Average Annual Rate — Poor Credit | Average Annual Rate — Below Fair to Poor Credit |
| Columbus | $2,216 | $1,981 | $1,792 |
| Cleveland | $2,445 | $2,182 | $1,964 |
| Cincinnati | $2,267 | $2,028 | $1,839 |
| Toledo | $2,362 | $2,112 | $1,913 |
| Akron | $2,202 | $1,964 | $1,775 |
Another factor that contributes to your car insurance rate is the insurer you choose. Every auto insurance company rates policies in a unique manner, giving rating factors varying weights in their pricing calculations. Credit can be a primary price differentiator from one insurance company to the next. In Ohio, the most affordable insurance company for a driver with bad credit is GEICO, which offers a discount of $457 per year in comparison to the second-most affordable company, Cincinnati Insurance.
See prices from leading auto insurance companies in Ohio for drivers with bad credit.
| Company | Average Annual Rate — Worst Credit Tier |
| GEICO | $953 |
| Cincinnati Insurance | $1,410 |
| Nationwide | $1,576 |
| State Farm | $1,990 |
| Erie | $2,092 |
If you’re facing the prospect of buying car insurance with a low credit score, consider these tips: