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It can be tough to find cheap car insurance if you have bad credit. Car insurance companies use credit score as a primary rating factor, assigning premiums based in part on clients' credit histories. Since auto insurance companies rely on data showing drivers with bad credit have a greater likelihood of filing car insurance claims, they compensate for this risk by charging more 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 average insurance prices for drivers with bad credit in major South Carolina cities and rates from large insurance companies, along with tips on saving on car insurance with bad credit in South Carolina.
South Carolina drivers pay a penalty of $1,765 annually for having a credit score in the “worst” tier. Drivers in the "poor" or "below fair to poor" credit tiers will also face a penalty.
| Credit Tier | Average Annual Rate in South Carolina |
| Worst | $3,127 |
| Poor | $2,733 |
| Below Fair to Poor | $2,395 |
| Average — All Credit Tiers | $1,361 |
Your auto insurance rates will also vary depending on the precise area where you park your car. Insurance companies use your ZIP code to estimate your odds of filing a claim: the more claim-prone your area, the more expensive your rates will be.
Listed below are major South Carolina cities and their average auto insurance rates for those with bad credit.
| City | Average Annual Rate — Worst Credit | Average Annual Rate — Poor Credit | Average Annual Rate — Below Fair to Poor Credit |
| Columbia | $3,111 | $2,724 | $2,393 |
| Charleston | $3,181 | $2,783 | $2,441 |
| North Charleston | $3,280 | $2,866 | $2,510 |
| Mount Pleasant | $3,004 | $2,638 | $2,320 |
| Rock Hill | $2,844 | $2,493 | $2,185 |
Another contributing factor to your premium is the company you choose. Each and every car insurance company rates policies differently, giving rating factors varying weights in their pricing calculations. Credit score can be a primary price differentiator from one insurance company to the next. In South Carolina, the most affordable insurance company for drivers with bad credit is Nationwide, which offers a premium cut of $557 annually over the second-cheapest company, Allstate.
See premiums from major auto insurance companies in South Carolina for drivers with bad credit.
| Company | Average Annual Rate — Worst Credit Tier |
| Nationwide | $1,806 |
| Allstate | $2,363 |
| Progressive | $2,911 |
| GEICO | $3,026 |
| State Farm | $3,094 |
If you’re facing the prospect of purchasing auto insurance with bad credit, keep these tips in mind: