Indiana drivers with poor credit pay about 24% more for auto insurance than drivers with good credit.
Indiana law allows insurers to use your credit history as a rating factor but prohibits denying you solely because of it.
To potentially lower your rate, ask your insurer to update it at renewal using your most current credit information.[1]
Cheapest car insurance in Indiana for bad credit
Auto-Owners offers the cheapest Indiana car insurance for drivers with bad credit, averaging $35 per month for liability coverage. Progressive has the cheapest full-coverage rates, at $71 per month.
But factors outside your credit history can also affect your car insurance costs. Your age, driving record, vehicle, and place of residence also influence your rate, according to the Indiana Department of Insurance (IDOI).[2]
For example, drivers in higher-density areas like Indianapolis or Fort Wayne may pay more than drivers in smaller cities like Elkhart or Terre Haute.
To find the cheapest coverage for your situation, the IDOI recommends getting quotes from multiple insurers. Below are average rates for drivers with poor credit across several auto insurance companies.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| Progressive | $46 |
| USAA | $47 |
| GEICO | $49 |
| First Chicago | $50 |
| Auto-Owners | $52 |
| State Farm | $53 |
| National General | $57 |
| Direct Auto | $62 |
| American Family | $64 |
| First Acceptance | $68 |
| The General | $70 |
| Trexis | $71 |
| Hugo | $72 |
| Safeco | $72 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $73 |
| Dairyland | $73 |
| Root | $74 |
| Trexis One | $76 |
| GAINSCO | $78 |
| Liberty Mutual | $82 |
| Elephant | $87 |
| Travelers | $88 |
| Mendota | $89 |
| Bristol West | $93 |
| Farmers | $93 |
| CSAA | $94 |
| Allstate | $105 |
| Insurify Car | $113 |
| Nationwide | $116 |
| State Auto | $220 |
Shop for Indiana Auto Insurance
Liability rates for bad credit start at $52 per month
Average Indiana car insurance rates by credit tier
Indiana drivers with poor credit pay $118 per month, on average, for auto insurance coverage. That’s about 24% more than drivers with good credit.
Indiana’s average car insurance cost for drivers with poor credit is lower than the national average of $173 per month. It’s also below Illinois’ average of $150 per month but higher than Ohio’s $114 per month.
The table below compares cheap car insurance for drivers in Indiana with excellent, good, fair, and poor credit.
Credit Tier | Indiana Average Monthly Rate | National Average Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | $89 | $124 |
| Good | $95 | $136 |
| Fair | $99 | $148 |
| Poor | $118 | $173 |
How credit affects car insurance rates in Indiana
Indiana law allows insurers to use your credit history during underwriting, but with restrictions. Insurers can’t deny or cancel your policy solely based on your credit history or not having a credit card account.
When you apply for a policy, insurers must disclose that they may pull your credit report. This credit check is a soft inquiry, so it won’t affect your credit score.
Insurers review your credit history — factors like payment history and outstanding debt — to generate a credit-based insurance score.[3] This score helps predict the likelihood that you’ll file a claim.
Insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores because research shows a link between lower scores and higher insurance claim frequency. While your credit doesn’t necessarily reflect your driving habits, drivers with poor credit tend to file more claims, so they often pay higher premiums.[4]
How to get cheaper Indiana car insurance with bad credit
Indiana drivers with bad credit typically pay higher car insurance rates, but the following tips can help you lower your premiums:
Request a rate review at renewal. You have the right to ask your insurer to review your policy at annual renewal using your most current credit information. If your credit history has improved since you purchased your policy, you may qualify for a lower premium.
Maintain continuous coverage. A lapse in coverage may result in higher rates when you buy a new policy. Driving without insurance in Indiana also requires an SR-22 to reinstate your license after a suspension.
Compare insurance quotes. The IDOI recommends shopping around with multiple companies to compare car insurance rates, since premiums can vary significantly for identical coverage in Indiana. Getting at least three quotes regularly — especially after your credit improves — could help you save.
Consider a usage-based insurance (UBI) program. Telematics programs can track your driving habits and lower your premiums. Indiana drivers with poor credit can use UBI programs to demonstrate safe driving and lower risk.
Drop full coverage on older vehicles. If your vehicle is worth less than $2,000, the IDOI says you may not need collision coverage. Carrying only Indiana’s minimum required coverage can lower your monthly costs.
Bundle your auto policy. Indiana insurers often offer a discount when you bundle your auto policy with homeowners or renters insurance, according to the IDOI. Bundling is a simple way to save, even if you have a low credit score.
Is bad credit considered ‘high risk’ in Indiana?
Insurers typically view bad credit as an indication of higher risk, which may make it harder to find coverage through a traditional car insurance company. That said, Indiana law prohibits insurers from denying or canceling auto insurance policies solely because of credit information, so a low credit score alone doesn’t make you a high-risk driver.
In Indiana, serious driving violations such as an operating while intoxicated (OWI) conviction, an at-fault accident, or multiple traffic violations in your driving history affect your insurance rates more than poor credit alone.
For example, about 14% of Indiana drivers drive without insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Driving without insurance could lead to a license suspension, which requires you to file an SR-22 to reinstate coverage.
High-risk drivers pay much higher auto insurance rates than drivers who simply have bad credit, with an OWI increasing the average premium to $97 per month in Indiana.
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Best car insurance in Indiana for drivers with bad credit
Nearly 1,900 licensed insurers operate in the state of Indiana, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). But not all of them weigh credit history the same way.
The companies below are our picks for the best Indiana car insurance for drivers with bad credit based on pricing, coverage options, and customer satisfaction.
Progressive: Best for affordability
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 648 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.7 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $38/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $61/mo |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s good customer service and initial affordability but dislike the consistent price increases and complex claims process.
Progressive offers the most affordable rates for Indiana drivers with poor credit, for both liability and full coverage. Full coverage is worth considering in Indiana, where comprehensive coverage can protect against hailstorms and collision insurance can cover accidents on icy winter roads. Progressive also offers several discounts, including Snapshot, which can further lower rates.
Affordable premiums for Indiana drivers with poor credit
AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior)
Below-average number of complaints reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Below-average J.D. Power customer and claims satisfaction ratings
Poor customer ratings with the Better Business Bureau
Snapshot could raise rates for risky driving
State Farm: Best for agent network
| User Reviews | 4.1 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $37/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $69/mo |
State Farm's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.1 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.3 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.9 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.7 | 2.9 |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
State Farm has an extensive agent network for in-person support across Indiana, including in smaller cities like Muncie and Bloomington. Although premiums are higher than those of some competitors for Indiana drivers with poor credit, State Farm offers several discounts, including those for enrolling in Drive Safe & Save, maintaining a clean record, and bundling.
Above-average J.D. Power customer and claims satisfaction ratings
Largest insurer in the country by market share
AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior)
Indiana drivers with poor credit may find lower premiums from competitors
Higher-than-expected complaints reported to the NAIC
No accident forgiveness
Root: Best for safe drivers with poor credit
| User Reviews | 3.4 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.9 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $61/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $101/mo |
Root's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 2.4 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 2.8 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| Value | 2.8 | 2.9 |
Drivers appreciate the easy sign-up process and initial affordability but dislike the significant rate increases over time and difficulty reaching customer service.
Root sets its rates primarily based on driving behavior, which could help safe Indiana drivers with poor credit save on premiums. After you download the app, Root tracks habits such as braking, speeding, and phone use, weighing that data more heavily than credit history. Root doesn’t currently offer renters insurance in Indiana, though, which limits its bundling options.
Telematics-first pricing
Great Trustpilot rating
Highly rated mobile app
Indiana drivers with poor credit may find lower premiums from competitors
Higher-than-expected complaints reported to the NAIC
Not ranked in J.D. Power studies
Our editorial team analyzed regional and national auto insurance companies that sell policies in Indiana to assess which offer the best rates, coverage options, customer service, and savings to drivers with low credit scores. We prioritized competitive rates, 24/7 customer service, low-mileage discounts or programs, safe driving discounts, homeownership discounts or bundling options, and specialty or supplemental coverages.
Indiana car insurance with bad credit FAQs
Finding affordable Indiana car insurance with bad credit can be challenging. The information below can answer common questions about rates, insurers, and available discounts.
What company has the cheapest car insurance in Indiana?
Indiana drivers can find the cheapest liability quotes from Auto-Owners, at a monthly average of $52. Your actual premium may differ depending on your location, driving profile, and vehicle type.
What are the minimum auto insurance requirements in Indiana?
Indiana car insurance laws require drivers to carry $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 for multiple people per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability.
How can you find affordable car insurance in Indiana with bad credit?
You can find the most affordable car insurance coverage by getting quotes from multiple car insurance companies in Indiana. An insurance agency can also help you compare insurance options and find the best price.
Are there any discounts available for Indiana car insurance if you have bad credit?
Even with bad credit, you can still qualify for car insurance discounts in Indiana. Insurers often offer savings for driving fewer miles, bundling auto and home insurance, and completing a defensive driving course. Students who maintain at least a B average and people who keep a clean driving record also qualify for discounts.
Sources
- In.gov. "Indiana General Assembly."
- Indiana Department of Insurance (IDOI). "A Consumer’s Guide to Auto Insurance."
- Naic.org. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores Aren’t the Same as a Credit Score. Understand How Credit and Other Factors Determine Your Premiums."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Background on: Insurance scoring."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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