Which company has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for a bad driving record?
Erie Insurance, North Carolina Farm Bureau and Nationwide offer some of the cheapest rates for drivers with poor driving records in North Carolina. Among them, Erie Insurance has the lowest average premium at $2,205 annually.
If you have accidents, tickets or a DUI on your record, insurance companies will charge higher rates. Serious violations may affect your premiums for years, especially if you have multiple offenses.
| 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 |
How much is high-risk car insurance in North Carolina?
The average cost of high-risk car insurance in North Carolina is $3,558 per year. Depending on your driving history and insurer, you may be able to find rates as low as $2,205 annually.
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 one in a school zone, will increase 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.
Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its
average annual full coverage rates.
| 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 |
People ask
Who is considered a high-risk driver 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.
What company offers the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina after a DUI?
State Farm has the cheapest average DUI insurance rates in North Carolina at $4,387 annually.
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade, in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.
The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. 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 |
What is the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina with multiple tickets?
State Farm offers the lowest average rates for drivers with multiple traffic tickets at $1,644 annually or $137 monthly.
One ticket will affect car insurance rates, but multiple tickets will increase rates by a lot more. Repeated failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws means insurers are more likely to pay claims because of your risky driving.
This table shows North Carolina drivers how much multiple tickets increase 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 |
Expert's Insight
Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.
Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in North Carolina?
State Farm provides the cheapest average reckless driving insurance rates in North Carolina at $1,937 per year.
If you engage in hazardous driving behaviors that endanger others, you may be charged with reckless driving. A reckless driving conviction will increase your car insurance rates.
The table below shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record vs. drivers 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 |
Expert's Insight
A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in North Carolina?
Erie Insurance has the cheapest average rates for drivers with poor credit in North Carolina at $1,582 annually or $132 monthly.
Your credit score may affect your insurance rates, even though it is unrelated to your driving skills. Insurers often charge higher premiums to drivers with lower credit scores because they are statistically more likely to file claims.
Check the table below to see how credit scores impact car insurance costs in North Carolina.
| 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 |
What company has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina after an accident?
State Farm offers the cheapest average post-accident rates in North Carolina at $1,692 annually. Erie Insurance also provides relatively affordable rates at $1,730 per year.
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.
This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving record, one 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 |
Expert's Insight
Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.
Which city is the cheapest for high-risk car insurance in North Carolina?
Holly Springs has the cheapest average high-risk car insurance rates in North Carolina at $3,109 annually. In comparison, Bessemer City has the highest average premiums at $4,033 per year.
Where you live in North Carolina matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood 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 |
How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in North Carolina?
Even if you're considered a high-risk driver, there are still several ways to lower your insurance premiums in North Carolina, including shopping around, taking a defensive driving course and avoiding further infractions.
You may be able to save money by:
- Carefully consider filing claims. Covering minor damage out of pocket can be less expensive than filing an insurance claim, which might raise your premiums for years.
- Avoid costly infractions. Practice safe driving to prevent additional traffic violations on your record. Tickets typically impact your insurance rates for only a few years, and your premiums may decrease if no new violations occur during that time.
- Improve your credit score. Improving your credit score can lower your car insurance premiums. Paying bills on time and managing your credit utilization responsibly will help raise your score.
- Take a defensive driving course. Many insurers offer discounts for completing the course, and certain states will even remove points from your driver's license once you complete it.
- Shop around for coverage. Each car insurance company evaluates factors differently and sets its own rates. Comparing quotes can help you find the lowest price.
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 North Carolinadepends 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:
- Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
- Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
- Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
- 40-year-old driver
- Honda Accord LX
- Good credit
- A clean driving record
- 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage
Our data is then adjusted to reflect the rate increase from this base rate for the following infractions and issue:
- DUI
- Reckless driving
- Multiple speeding tickets
- Bad credit
- One at-fault accident over $2,000
FAQ: High-risk car insurance in North Carolina
Can high-risk drivers get full coverage car insurance in North Carolina?
Yes, you can get full coverage insurance as a high-risk driver. However, you can expect it to cost a lot more than liability-only coverage.
Does an SR-22 automatically make your insurance more expensive in North Carolina?
An SR-22 doesn't increase your rates, but the violation that resulted in the requirement will; as a result, having an SR-22 means higher rates. An SR-22 is the form the insurance company has to file with the state, and by itself, it doesn't increase your rates.
Will my car insurance rates go down after three years in North Carolina?
Yes. Your rates will decrease if you avoid new violations, maintain coverage and keep a clean driving record for several years.
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