Kentucky Car Insurance With Bad Credit (2025)
Insurers in Kentucky use your credit-based insurance score to set rates. Coverage costs more when you have bad credit, but it’s still possible to find a good deal.
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Written byTaylor Milam-Samuel
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8+ years writing for major outlets, including MarketWatch and Business Insider
Master’s in Education
Taylor Mlam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator. When she’s not helping readers better save and spend money, she can be found teaching.
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Edited byAshley Cox
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7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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Table of contents
Car insurance companies in Kentucky consider credit-based insurance scores when determining rates.[1] Coverage typically costs more when you have bad credit. But it’s usually not the only factor insurers use, so how much it affects pricing varies.
Many insurers specialize in coverage for high-risk drivers, and comparison shopping can help you find the cheapest car insurance available. So even though drivers with bad credit pay higher insurance rates, finding a budget-friendly policy is still possible.
Quick Facts
Kentucky Farm Bureau, GEICO, and USAA are some of the best insurance companies for drivers with bad credit.
Insurers in Kentucky can’t decline, refuse to renew, or cancel a policy due to your credit-based insurance score.
In Kentucky, you must have minimum-coverage car insurance, and not having it can lead to license suspension and fines.
How credit affects car insurance rates in Kentucky
How much you pay for car insurance in Kentucky depends partly on your credit-based insurance score. Each insurer in Kentucky uses scores differently — some might use it as the sole factor when determining car insurance rates, and others use it as one of many factors.
Your credit-based insurance score is a way for insurers to measure risk. Drivers with lower scores have a higher loss ratio, which means that they’re more likely to file insurance claims. So insurers charge more to offset the potential extra expense.[2]
Even if you don’t have any claims or accidents on your driving record, you’ll likely pay higher premiums if you have bad credit. The higher rate is due to the correlation between lower scores and more claims, even if it doesn’t directly apply to every driver.
Even though drivers with bad credit typically pay higher rates, you can take steps to improve your credit — and lower your car insurance costs — over time.
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Kentucky
Liability rates average $146 per month for drivers with bad credit
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Best Kentucky insurance for drivers with bad credit
The best car insurance company depends on your priorities. Still, it’s helpful to consider insurers with a solid track record of offering affordable car insurance coverage to drivers with bad credit.
Here’s an in-depth look at some of the best companies in Kentucky for bad credit car insurance.
Kentucky Farm Bureau: Best for local support
Kentucky Farm Bureau specializes in coverage for drivers in the Bluegrass State. It offers a truly local experience with offices across the state, personalized agents, and phone-only claims. Its standard coverage is generous, and agents can work with you to customize coverage based on your needs.
The lack of digital tools and limited add-on coverages might be a dealbreaker for some drivers. But Kentucky Farm Bureau is a solid option for drivers with bad credit who want extra support from a local company.
Pros
Coverage for Kentucky residents only
Extra discounts with the DriveRight program
Solid customer reviews
Cons
Online insurance quotes aren’t available
No digital claims process
Doesn’t offer gap insurance
USAA: Best for affordable rates
| User Reviews | 4.9 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 9.1 /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. | $131/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. | $192/mo |
4.9
Best choiceBased on 2,289 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about USAA
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
How drivers feel about USAA
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
Reviews (1,270)
Edward
Verified Review
USAA
Reviewed in South Carolina on October 2025
It's too high.
Remmington
Verified Review
Sometimes No Discounts - After 34 Years with Them
Reviewed in Arizona on October 2025
Better than most, but charges too much sometimes.
Jared
Verified Review
USAA doesn't give discounts
Reviewed in Florida on October 2025
They offer big discounts but then raise your rate by the amount of the discount, so they don't really give a discount.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
739NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
1.31A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++Why we picked this company
USAA is one of the best companies if you have bad credit and want cheap car insurance in Kentucky. USAA’s competitive insurance rates, discounts, and strong customer experience help it earn one of the highest ratings, based on Insurify’s internal scoring system.
The only catch is that you must have a connection to the military as an active-duty member, federal agency employee, veteran, or family member of one to qualify for membership. USAA also doesn’t offer gap insurance, which might be an issue if you have an expensive lease or loan.
Pros
Many available discounts
Affordable rates
Excellent customer satisfaction
Cons
No gap insurance
Must have a military connection
Limited coverage options
GEICO: Best for coverage with a violation
| User Reviews | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 9.2 /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. | $121/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. | $176/mo |
4.0
Best choiceBased on 12,755 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (6,705)
Earl
Verified Review
Great
Reviewed in New Jersey on October 2025
Price lower than other companies.
Darlene
Verified Review
Good
Reviewed in California on October 2025
Service is good, but the cost is higher than is fair.
Lawrence
Verified Review
Customer service on hold
Reviewed in Florida on October 2025
They keep increasing the rates. I paid my insurance, and 5 days later, I received a bill for $56.00. I didn't see it in time, and they canceled my insurance. I spent 3 phone calls and about 4½ hours on the phone and got nowhere. One call was 2 hours and 20 minutes long. So I ventured out and found insurance for half the price I've been paying for 3 years. Thank you, Geico.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
637NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.59A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++Why we picked this company
GEICO provides specific information about how it uses credit-based insurance scores, making it easier to understand. The company’s digital tools, especially its highly rated mobile app, are also helpful features if you prefer handling coverage online. Coverage is also accessible for everyone, including high-risk drivers who need SR-22 insurance in other states. GEICO also offers accident forgiveness.
But GEICO ranks about average for customer satisfaction and below-average for claims satisfaction and customer experience, according to J.D. Power’s annual studies.
Pros
Transparent about credit-based scores
Easy-to-use digital tools
Accessible for every driver
Cons
Average customer experience
Low claims satisfaction
Few local agents
Our editorial team analyzed regional and national auto insurance companies that sell policies in Kentucky to assess which offer the best rates, coverage options, customer service, and savings to drivers with a low credit score. 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.
Average Kentucky car insurance rates by credit tier
Your credit history affects how much you pay for coverage. But remember that most auto insurance companies use it as just one factor among many.
The following table breaks down average monthly premiums for drivers based on credit tier.
Average Liability-Only Rates by Credit Tier
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How to get cheaper Kentucky car insurance with bad credit
Even if you have bad credit, you can take steps to lower your car insurance costs. The following tips can help you save money as you search for the best deal on coverage in Kentucky:[3]
Consider a higher deductible. When you have a higher deductible, you pay more when you file a claim but less for your premiums. It’s not the right strategy for everyone, but if you can afford the higher deductible amount, it might make sense.
Ask about discounts. Auto insurance companies provide discounts to help you save money, such as for signing up for paperless billing and setting up automatic payments. Ask your insurance agent which discounts you qualify for.
Always keep an active policy. Maintaining continuous coverage without any gaps, even if it’s only a cheaper liability-only policy, helps keep your rates low. Even a small break in coverage can cause Kentucky car insurance rates to spike when you get a new policy in the future.
Check your credit report for errors. You can get a free copy of your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Check for errors and report any mistakes to the credit bureau.
Shop around every six months. Even if you’re happy with your current coverage, comparing quotes at least twice per year can help you find the lowest rates.
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Kentucky minimum car insurance requirements
You must have car insurance when you drive a vehicle in Kentucky. Driving without coverage can lead to fines, jail time for up to 90 days, and license suspension.
Every driver in Kentucky must have state minimum coverage that meets or exceeds the following amounts:[4]
Bodily injury liability insurance: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability insurance: $25,000 per accident
You can always add extra coverage that extends beyond the state requirements, and you might have to if you finance your car. Lenders usually require full-coverage insurance, which includes liability, comprehensive, and collision. For high-risk drivers, minimum coverage is a good starting point, but you might want to consider extra protection.
Optional coverages and discounts worth considering
Extra coverage provides additional financial protection and ensures you don’t get stuck paying out of pocket for a big bill after an accident.
Here’s a look at some optional car insurance coverages to consider:
Collision coverage
Collision insurance protects your car when you hit another vehicle or object, regardless of fault.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance covers your repairs when the damage is from something other than a collision, such as severe weather, theft, or vandalism.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for your car repairs and medical payments if you’re in an accident and the other driver is underinsured or uninsured.
Medical payments coverage
Medical payments coverage helps pay for your hospital bills if you have injuries from an accident.
Gap coverage
Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe on your loan or lease and what the car is worth if it’s totaled.
Roadside assistance coverage
If your car breaks down unexpectedly, you can use roadside assistance coverage to get help or a tow.
Rental car reimbursement coverage
This coverage pays for a rental car when your vehicle is in the shop for repairs due to a covered event.
As you shop for coverage, don’t forget to check for insurance discounts and special programs. The following options can help you save money, even when you have bad credit:
Multi-policy discount
Safety device discount
Defensive driving course discount
Good student discount for teen drivers
Auto-pay discount
Paperless billing discount
Pay-per-mile insurance
Usage-based insurance
Telematics programs
Kentucky car insurance with bad credit FAQs
Understanding how your credit-based insurance score affects pricing can be helpful, especially when you have bad credit. The answers to these common questions can help.
Can you get insurance with a bad credit history?
Yes. You can get insurance with a bad credit history. Insurers in Kentucky use your credit-based insurance score when determining rates, but it’s not the only factor they consider.
Which company offers the cheapest insurance for drivers with bad credit?
It depends. Your credit-based insurance score isn’t the only factor that insurers consider when setting rates. Your driving record, location, and age also affect pricing, so the cheapest insurance depends on your overall profile.
Which states use credit history for insurance premiums?
Most states, including Kentucky, use credit history for insurance premiums. California, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, and Massachusetts are the only states that limit or don’t allow insurers to use credit scores.[5]
Does State Farm check your credit history?
Yes. State Farm checks your credit history and uses a credit-based insurance score to determine pricing in states that allow it.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 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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Sources
- Kentucky Department of Insurance. "Credit Scoring: How Does it Affect You?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Background on: Insurance scoring."
- Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance."
- Kentucky.gov. "Mandatory Insurance."
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores."
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Taylor Milam-Samuel
Taylor Milam-Samuel is a writer and credentialed educator who is fascinated by how people earn, save, and spend their money. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found in the classroom teaching.
Taylor has been a contributor at Insurify since February 2023.
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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