- Does a DWI raise car insurance rates in North Carolina?
- How much does a DWI raise your insurance in North Carolina?
- If someone gets a DWI in your car, does it go on your insurance?
- How long does a DWI affect your insurance in North Carolina?
- How much does a DWI raise insurance by age group?
- How much does a DWI raise your insurance in your city?
- How to get car insurance after a DWI in North Carolina
- North Carolina DWI insurance requirements and penalties
- How long after a DWI does your insurance go down?
- Tips to save money after a DWI
- Methodology
- North Carolina DWI insurance: Frequently asked questions
- Compare North Carolina DUI car insurance rates with other states
Does a DWI raise car insurance rates in North Carolina?
North Carolina car insurance averages $1,741 with a clean driving record. However, average car insurance rates after a DWI increase to $7,343, which is $5,602 more.
Car insurance companies charge much higher rates if you are proven to be a risky driver. If you have multiple DWIs, average rates dramatically increase to $7,361.
How much does a DWI raise your insurance in North Carolina?
The cheapest insurer after a DWI is State Farm, with rates averaging $4,387. The next cheapest insurer is Erie Insurance a difference of $141 from State Farm. Nationwide has the third-most affordable car insurance rates with a DWI.
Not only is driving under the influence dangerous, but it’s also expensive. You’ll face hefty fines and increased car insurance rates for years. However, every company weighs a DWI differently and offers different rates, so comparing quotes from multiple insurers is essential.
This table shows average car insurance rates after a DWI in North Carolina.
| Company | Annual premium for clean records | Annual premium after a DUI | Annual premium after multiple DUIs |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,180 | $4,387 | $4,387 |
| Erie Insurance | $1,082 | $4,528 | $4,528 |
| Nationwide | $1,513 | $5,629 | $5,629 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,217 | $7,263 | $7,263 |
| GEICO | $1,617 | $7,299 | $7,299 |
| Progressive | $2,028 | $7,524 | $7,524 |
| Farmers | $2,028 | $7,656 | $7,656 |
| Allstate | $2,994 | $12,405 | $12,405 |
PEOPLE ASK:
What happens when you get a DWI in North Carolina?
If you’re convicted of a DWI in North Carolina, consequences are severe. For a first offense, you’ll face fines and fees. Your car may also be impounded, your driver's license suspended, and car insurance rates will increase for ten years.
If someone gets a DWI in your car, does it go on your insurance?
Typically, the insurance follows the car, not the driver, so your car insurance won’t increase since the DWI won’t be on your driving record.
However, your rates may increase if your vehicle is involved in an accident due to a DWI. Additionally, your car can be declared a crime scene after an accident, so you won’t have access to your vehicle until the police are ready.
How long does a DWI affect your insurance in North Carolina?
While a DWI may remain on your driving record forever, it doesn’t affect rates forever. A DWI affects North Carolina car insurance for ten years. Your car insurance rates should begin to decrease after several years with no further infractions on your driving record.
PEOPLE ASK:
Will I have difficulty getting car insurance after a DWI?
It may be more challenging to find affordable car insurance after a DWI, especially if you have multiple convictions. However, if you already have car insurance, your insurer will likely continue your coverage. Since insurance rates will increase after a DWI, you may consider shopping for new coverage to compare rates.
How much does a DWI raise insurance by age group?
Younger drivers pay higher insurance rates than mature drivers since they lack experience behind the wheel. While a DWI increases rates significantly, younger driver's car insurance rates skyrocket after a conviction. The average cost of car insurance for a teen with a DWI is $5,803.
These are the cheapest companies after a DWI by age:
- For teens: Erie Insurance is the cheapest at $5,803.
- For young adults: Erie Insurance offers the cheapest young adult coverage at $4,647.
- For adults: State Farm, with an average rate of $4,387.
- For seniors: State Farm has the most affordable average rate at $4,299.
This table shows how a DWI affects car insurance rates based on age group.
| Age | Company | Annual premium for clean record | Annual premium after a DUI | Dollar increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teen(18 yr) | Erie Insurance | $2,199 | $5,803 | $3,604 | 164% |
| Teen(18 yr) | State Farm | $2,462 | $5,973 | $3,511 | 143% |
| Teen(18 yr) | Nationwide | $3,168 | $7,504 | $4,336 | 137% |
| Teen(18 yr) | GEICO | $3,648 | $8,931 | $5,283 | 145% |
| Teen(18 yr) | Progressive | $3,966 | $9,250 | $5,284 | 133% |
| Teen(18 yr) | Farmers | $3,966 | $9,417 | $5,451 | 137% |
| Teen(18 yr) | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $2,594 | $9,689 | $7,095 | 274% |
| Teen(18 yr) | Allstate | $7,293 | $18,987 | $11,694 | 160% |
| Young Adults(25 yr) | Erie Insurance | $1,108 | $4,647 | $3,539 | 319% |
| Young Adults(25 yr) | State Farm | $1,702 | $6,533 | $4,831 | 284% |
| Young Adults(25 yr) | Nationwide | $1,748 | $6,593 | $4,845 | 277% |
| Young Adults(25 yr) | GEICO | $1,529 | $6,694 | $5,165 | 338% |
| Young Adults(25 yr) | Progressive | $2,028 | $7,524 | $5,496 | 271% |
| Young Adults(25 yr) | Farmers | $2,028 | $7,656 | $5,628 | 277% |
| Young Adults(25 yr) | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,300 | $7,776 | $6,476 | 498% |
| Young Adults(25 yr) | Allstate | $3,450 | $14,359 | $10,909 | 316% |
| Adults(40 yr) | State Farm | $1,180 | $4,387 | $3,207 | 272% |
| Adults(40 yr) | Erie Insurance | $1,082 | $4,528 | $3,446 | 318% |
| Adults(40 yr) | Nationwide | $1,513 | $5,629 | $4,116 | 272% |
| Adults(40 yr) | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,217 | $7,263 | $6,046 | 497% |
| Adults(40 yr) | GEICO | $1,617 | $7,299 | $5,682 | 351% |
| Adults(40 yr) | Progressive | $2,028 | $7,524 | $5,496 | 271% |
| Adults(40 yr) | Farmers | $2,028 | $7,656 | $5,628 | 277% |
| Adults(40 yr) | Allstate | $2,994 | $12,405 | $9,411 | 314% |
| Seniors(65 yr) | State Farm | $1,159 | $4,299 | $3,140 | 271% |
| Seniors(65 yr) | Erie Insurance | $1,061 | $4,430 | $3,369 | 318% |
| Seniors(65 yr) | Nationwide | $1,379 | $5,089 | $3,710 | 269% |
| Seniors(65 yr) | GEICO | $1,519 | $6,656 | $5,137 | 338% |
| Seniors(65 yr) | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,169 | $6,955 | $5,786 | 495% |
| Seniors(65 yr) | Progressive | $2,028 | $7,524 | $5,496 | 271% |
| Seniors(65 yr) | Farmers | $2,028 | $7,656 | $5,628 | 277% |
| Seniors(65 yr) | Allstate | $2,633 | $10,839 | $8,206 | 312% |
How much does a DWI raise your insurance in your city?
The cheapest city in North Carolina for car insurance with a DWI is Holly Springs, while the most expensive city is Bessemer City at an average of $8,376. Where you live affects car insurance rates, regardless of a DWI. Drivers in areas with higher traffic rates and more vehicle thefts pay higher insurance rates since their cars are more likely to be damaged. Those higher rates are then raised significantly with a DWI.
This table shows average DWI car insurance rates by city. Compare rates in large cities to rural areas to see how your location impacts rates.
| City | Annual premium for clean record | Annual premium after a DUI | Dollar increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex | $1,549 | $6,503 | $4,954 | 320% |
| Bessemer City | $1,979 | $8,376 | $6,397 | 323% |
| Browns Summit | $1,663 | $6,937 | $5,274 | 317% |
| Charlotte | $1,824 | $7,715 | $5,891 | 323% |
| Cornelius | $1,693 | $7,150 | $5,457 | 322% |
| Durham | $1,741 | $7,314 | $5,573 | 320% |
| Fayetteville | $1,901 | $8,053 | $6,152 | 324% |
| Garysburg | $1,946 | $8,157 | $6,211 | 319% |
| Holly Springs | $1,534 | $6,440 | $4,906 | 320% |
| Kill Devil Hills | $1,636 | $6,806 | $5,170 | 316% |
| Raleigh | $1,703 | $7,174 | $5,471 | 321% |
| Stanley | $1,698 | $7,176 | $5,478 | 323% |
How to get car insurance after a DWI in North Carolina
Insurers will label you as a high-risk driver after a DWI, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get car insurance. Finding the best fit after a DWI conviction may require a little work.
If you have car insurance and get a DWI, your insurer will probably continue to offer coverage. However, your rates will increase on renewal.
If you need car insurance after a DWI or want to find the lowest rates, shop around for coverage. Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the most affordable policy in North Carolina since each insurer offers different rates after a DWI.
North Carolina DWI insurance requirements and penalties
A DWI in North Carolina means you must meet specific requirements for high-risk drivers.
A DWI can lead to fines, a driver’s license suspension, car impoundment, and jail time. Multiple offenses have more severe penalties. Additionally, you may have to pay lawyer fees, towing charges, and impound fees.
The table below indicates North Carolina DWI laws and penalties based on first and subsequent offenses.
| Increased penalty for high BAC | 0.15 |
| Administrative license suspension after a first offense | 30 days |
| Limited driving privileges during suspension | After 10 days |
| Ignition interlocks | Mandatory for high BAC (0.15 or higher) and repeat convictions |
| Open container laws | Yes |
| Repeat offender laws | Yes |
*BAC is blood alcohol concentration
How long after a DWI does your insurance go down?
A DWI or DUI affects car insurance rates for at least three years, but the actual time varies. In some states like California, a DUI can affect rates for 10 years.
North Carolina drivers can expect to pay higher car insurance rates after a DWI for ten years.
Tips to save money after a DWI
A DWI will cost you thousands of dollars in fines, fees, and increased car insurance rates. Fortunately, there are ways to get lower rates after a DWI
Ways North Carolina drivers can save on car insurance after a DWI include:
- Raise your deductible to lower rates
- Look for car insurance discounts, like multi-policy and vehicle safety feature savings
- Keep your driving record clean going forward
- Take a defensive driving course
- Improve your credit score
- Compare rates from multiple companies
Methodology
Insurance.com commissioned car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Services based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and one DWI/DUI. Sample rates are based on a 2023 Honda Accord LX with full coverage at limits of 100/300/100 for liability and $500 deductibles. We also commissioned rates for various age groups including teens (16-19), young adults (20-25) and seniors (65+).
North Carolina DWI insurance: Frequently asked questions
How far back do insurance companies look for a DWI?
DWIs can stay on your driving record for up to 10 years, depending on your state. Typically, a DWI stops affecting car insurance rates in three to five years.
Will my insurance drop me after a DWI in North Carolina?
Most insurers won’t drop you after one DWI, but rates will increase significantly. However, multiple DWIs may cause your insurer to refuse coverage. The more risk you pose, the more challenging it is to get car insurance.
Compare North Carolina DUI car insurance rates with other states
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