Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for a bad driving record

If you have a bad driving record in North Carolina, Erie Insurance, North Carolina Farm Bureau, Nationwide offer affordable car insurance. However, Erie Insurance has the lowest average rate of $2,205.

Traffic infractions, accidents and DUIs wind up on your driving record, meaning you’ll pay higher car insurance rates in addition to any fines assessed. While most violations only affect your insurance rates for a few years, a DUI may affect rates for a decade and never be removed from your record.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

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

A bad driving record or low credit score can significantly increase rates. While high-risk car insurance averages $3,558 in North Carolina, you can find rates as low as $2,205 from Erie Insurance.

Although you may be labeled high-risk for many reasons, some factors raise rates more than others. For example, multiple speeding tickets may significantly raise car insurance rates, but so can a single ticket for excessive speed in a school zone.

Keep reading as we break down high-risk car insurance factors and rates.

Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its
average annual full coverage rates.

North Carolina
State
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington, D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
*Please select from the list
At-fault bodily injury accident
Risk Factor
1 At-fault property damage accident over 2K1 At-fault property damage accident under 2K2 At-fault property damage accident over 2k2 comprehensive claims for over 2k2 speeding tickets 11 mph or overAt-fault bodily injury accidentCareless drivingDUI/DWI first offenseDUI/DWI second offenseDistracted driving ticketDriving without a license or permitDriving without insuranceFailure to stopFailure to yieldFair creditFollowing too closelyHit and run - injuryHit and run - property damageImproper turnImproper/illegal passLapse of coverage for 7 daysLapse of coverage for 7 to 30 daysLapse of coverage for over 30 daysOperating a vehicle in a race (highway racing)Passing stopped school busPoor creditReckless drivingSR22 Filing OnlySR22 with 1 DUISeatbelt infractionSingle vehicle accident (so the drivers car only)Speeding 30+ over limitSpeeding ticket 1-10 MPH over limitSpeeding ticket 11-29 MPH over limitTalking on cellphone ticketTexting ticket
*Please select from the list
Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in North Carolina, NC is $3,310
Show Graph View
CompanyAnnual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024
Average annual rate

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.

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina with multiple tickets

While one traffic ticket can affect car insurance rates, multiple tickets can significantly increase those rates. Failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws leads insurers to believe they will eventually have to pay claims due to risky driving.

The cheapest insurer for drivers with multiple speeding tickets is State Farm, with rates averaging $1,644 or $137.

This table shows North Carolina drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina with a reckless driving conviction

State Farm offers the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $1,937.

You can be charged with reckless driving for many reasons, such as excessive speed, multiple accidents in a short time or street racing. Regardless of the cause, a reckless driving conviction raises car insurance rates.

State Farm offers the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $1,937.

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

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina with bad credit

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

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 claim, and statistically, drivers with a low credit score fit that description.

CompanyAnnual premium for good creditAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance after an accident in North Carolina

Drivers with accidents on their driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.

State Farm has the lowest average rates after an accident at $1,692. Erie Insurance also offers affordable rates, averaging $1,730.

This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving record, one at-fault accident, and multiple accidents.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for one at-fault accidentAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina by city

Holly Springs has the cheapest car insurance rates in North Carolina, averaging $3,109. However, the most expensive city is Bessemer City, with average insurance rates of  $4,033.

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.

CityAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

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:

  • 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.
  • 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.
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