Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in North Carolina

Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for a bad driving record

Drivers with a poor record in North Carolina will find the lowest rates from Erie Insurance, North Carolina Farm Bureau and Nationwide. Among these, Erie Insurance provides the lowest annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. at $2,205 annually.

If you have accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, you'll likely pay higher insurance rates. Most traffic violations can impact your rates for three to five years, while a DUI can raise your rates for up to 10 years and may remain on your record for life.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Erie Insurance	$1,082	$2,205
North Carolina Farm Bureau	$1,217	$2,707
Nationwide	$1,513	$2,742
State Farm	$1,180	$2,853
GEICO	$1,617	$3,407
Progressive	$2,028	$3,904
Farmers	$2,028	$3,948
Allstate	$2,994	$6,178

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How much is high-risk car insurance in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, the average cost of high-risk car insurance is $3,558 per year. However, you may secure coverage from Erie Insurance for as low as $2,205 annually. Even with a problematic driving record or poor credit score, affordable policies are available.

Several factors can classify you as a high-risk driver, but some raise your premiums more than others. For example, receiving multiple speeding tickets or getting one for speeding in a school zone will boost your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Keep reading as we break down the factors that make you a high-risk driver and what you can expect to pay for car insurance.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in North Carolina, NC is $3,310

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
State Farm	$1,180	$1,839
Erie Insurance	$1,082	$1,878
North Carolina Farm Bureau	$1,217	$1,935
Nationwide	$1,513	$3,118
Progressive	$2,028	$3,159
Farmers	$2,028	$3,186
GEICO	$1,617	$4,441
Allstate	$2,994	$6,998

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Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered high-risk for insurance in North Carolina?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina with a DUI

While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, State Farm provides the average cheapest coverage for $4,387 annually.

A DUI is one of the most serious traffic violations to have on your record. Not only do you have to pay fines, but you'll also see vastly higher car insurance rates for up to 10 years. Multiple DUIs will cause your premiums to skyrocket.

The table below compares average car insurance rates with a clean driving record and rates after a DUI in North Carolina.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
State Farm	$1,180	$4,387
Erie Insurance	$1,082	$4,528
Nationwide	$1,513	$5,629
North Carolina Farm Bureau	$1,217	$7,263
GEICO	$1,617	$7,299
Progressive	$2,028	$7,524
Farmers	$2,028	$7,656
Allstate	$2,994	$12,405

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Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina with multiple tickets

For drivers with multiple tickets, State Farm offers the lowest premiums, averaging $1,644 per year or $137 per month.

A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.

This table shows drivers in North Carolina how much having multiple tickets can raise their insurance premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
State Farm	$1,180	$1,644
Erie Insurance	$1,082	$1,682
North Carolina Farm Bureau	$1,217	$1,730
Nationwide	$1,513	$2,113
GEICO	$1,617	$2,538
Progressive	$2,028	$2,837
Farmers	$2,028	$2,856
Allstate	$2,994	$4,562

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Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina with a reckless driving conviction

State Farm offers the most affordable rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions, averaging $1,937 per year.

Engaging in driving behaviors that put others at risk can lead to a reckless driving charge. A conviction for reckless driving results in higher car insurance rates.

The table below compares car insurance premiums for drivers with a clean record and those with a reckless driving conviction.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
State Farm	$1,180	$1,937
Erie Insurance	$1,082	$2,075
North Carolina Farm Bureau	$1,217	$2,141
Nationwide	$1,513	$2,555
GEICO	$1,617	$3,238
Progressive	$2,028	$3,483
Farmers	$2,028	$3,517
Allstate	$2,994	$5,643

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Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina with bad credit

The cheapest North Carolina insurer for bad credit is Erie Insurance, with rates averaging $1,582 annually or $132 monthly. Fortunately, drivers with bad credit can still find affordable auto insurance.

Although unrelated to your performance behind the wheel, your credit score also impacts car insurance rates and can put you in the high-risk category. To an insurance company, high-risk means more likely to file a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistically, drivers with a low credit score fit that description.

Check out the table below to see how your credit score affects North Carolina car insurance.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
Erie Insurance	$1,082	$1,582
North Carolina Farm Bureau	$1,217	$1,649
Nationwide	$1,513	$1,929
GEICO	$1,617	$2,295
Allstate	$2,994	$5,333
State Farm	$1,180	$5,867

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Cheapest car insurance after an accident in North Carolina

State Farm offers the lowest rates after an accident, averaging $1,692 per year. Erie Insurance is another budget-friendly option, with rates around $1,730 a year.

Drivers with accidents on their record usually pay higher insurance premiums than drivers with a clean record. A single accident can raise your rates, and multiple accidents can push them even higher.

This table shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record, a single at fault accident, and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
State Farm	$1,180	$1,692	$1,937
Erie Insurance	$1,082	$1,730	$2,075
North Carolina Farm Bureau	$1,217	$1,781	$2,141
Nationwide	$1,513	$2,904	$3,434
Progressive	$2,028	$2,917	$3,483
Farmers	$2,028	$2,938	$3,517
GEICO	$1,617	$3,583	$3,675
Allstate	$2,994	$5,811	$7,747

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Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina by city

Holly Springs has the cheapest car insurance rates in North Carolina at $3,109 per year. But the most expensive city is Bessemer City with rates of $4,033 per year.

Your location in North Carolina also matters. For example, if you live in an area with heavy traffic or a high vehicle theft rate, rates will reflect the increased chance of claims.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Holly Springs	$1,534	$3,109
Apex	$1,549	$3,139
Kill Devil Hills	$1,636	$3,311
Browns Summit	$1,663	$3,355
Cornelius	$1,693	$3,445
Stanley	$1,698	$3,456
Raleigh	$1,703	$3,467
Durham	$1,741	$3,540
Charlotte	$1,824	$3,743
Fayetteville	$1,901	$3,895
Garysburg	$1,946	$3,956
Bessemer City	$1,979	$4,033

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How to reduce car insurance rates in North Carolina for a bad driving record

Finding affordable car insurance in North Carolina is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Where you live in North Carolina also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

PEOPLE ASK:

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in North Carolina?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on: