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It can be tough to find cheap car insurance if you have bad credit. Car insurance companies utilize credit as a major rating factor, setting policy prices based in part on clients' credit scores. Because auto insurance companies rely on data that show drivers with bad credit are more apt to file car insurance claims, the companies account for for this risk by charging more expensive rates.
Your car insurance costs with a low credit score depends on which company you choose, where you live, and other rating factors. We've gathered below average insurance premiums for drivers with bad credit in major Washington cities and rates from popular insurance companies, plus a few tips to save on car insurance with bad credit in Washington.
Washington drivers pay an average penalty of $1,209 per year for having a credit score at the low end of the scale. A driver 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 Washington |
| Worst | $2,369 |
| Poor | $2,131 |
| Below Fair to Poor | $1,924 |
| Average — All Credit Tiers | $1,160 |
Car insurance rates will also depend on the specific area where you park your car. Insurers use your address to better understand your likelihood of filing a claim: the denser and claim-prone your immediate area is, the more you'll pay for insurance.
Listed below are major Washington cities and their average car insurance rates for drivers with poor credit ratings.
| City | Average Annual Rate — Worst Credit | Average Annual Rate — Poor Credit | Average Annual Rate — Below Fair to Poor Credit |
| Seattle | $2,886 | $2,598 | $2,347 |
| Spokane | $2,272 | $2,045 | $1,846 |
| Tacoma | $2,989 | $2,688 | $2,426 |
| Vancouver | $2,465 | $2,220 | $2,006 |
| Bellevue | $2,585 | $2,328 | $2,104 |
Another factor that contributes to your premium is the insurer you buy from. Each auto insurance company rates its policies in a different manner, giving rating factors varying weights in their pricing calculations. Credit is often a significant differentiator in price between insurance companies. In Washington, the cheapest major insurance company with bad credit is USAA, which offers average savings of $1 per year compared to the second-cheapest company, GEICO.
See rates from popular auto insurance companies in Washington for drivers with bad credit.
| Company | Average Annual Rate — Worst Credit Tier |
| USAA | $1,437 |
| GEICO | $1,438 |
| American Family | $1,765 |
| PEMCO Insurance | $2,058 |
| Progressive | $2,099 |
If you’re facing the prospect of buying auto insurance with a low credit score, remember these tips: