Auto insurance can save a driver’s finances from ruin if they get into an accident, but owning a policy can put their credit scores at risk. Much has been made about how credit scores can impact car insurance premiums – by more than double in some states, according to insurance marketplace The Zebra – but drivers may not know that their policies can impact their premiums if they’re not managed the right way. The Independent spoke with several auto insurance experts who talked about how car insurance may or may not affect a credit score. Past due payments In general, payments made to a lender show up on a credit report. The more on-time payments a person has, the higher their credit score can go. Timely payments influence around 35 percent of a credit score, making them a top priority for consumers. Paying insurance premiums is not the same as paying back a loan or credit card, though. That’s why premium payments usually don’t appear on a credit report.…