Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in North Carolina (2025)
High-risk North Carolina drivers can find the best coverage from Erie, Progressive, and GEICO.
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Written byKim Porter
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Co-authored the book “Future Millionaires’ Guidebook”
13 years writing personal finance content
A former chief copy editor at Bankrate and past managing editor at Macmillan, Kim specializes in writing easy-to-understand, actionable personal finance content.
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Edited bySara Getman
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Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
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Table of contents
If a car insurance company considers you a high-risk driver, you might pay higher rates than drivers with clean records. Some insurers may even deny you coverage.[1]
High-risk drivers pay an average of $108 per month for car insurance in North Carolina, compared to $76 for drivers with a clean record. High-risk drivers may include people with incidents on their driving records, people with poor credit history, or drivers with limited experience.
Here’s how to find affordable car insurance as a high-risk driver in North Carolina.
Quick Facts
Nationwide offers the cheapest insurance for high-risk drivers.
North Carolina uses a points system for driving infractions, and points stay on your record for three years.
Drivers in North Carolina with a DWI pay an average of $105 per month for liability insurance.
Who is a high-risk driver in North Carolina?
North Carolina doesn’t have a legal definition of “high-risk driver,” but an insurance company may classify you as high risk if it believes you have a higher likelihood of filing auto insurance claims. High-risk drivers can include people with violations and at-fault accidents on their driving record, drivers with poor credit history, or drivers with limited experience.
When you commit driving violations in North Carolina, you accumulate points on your driving record. Points stay on your record for three years. Car insurance companies can raise your rates by specific percentages depending on the number of points you’ve accumulated.
Insurance companies may also consider you high-risk if you lack driving experience. In North Carolina, inexperienced drivers have been driving for less than three years. Teens and drivers younger than 25 often fall into this category.
Other factors, such as your gender and location, may also cause insurers to consider you a high-risk driver.[2]
Find Cheap Car Insurance in North Carolina
Monthly rates start at $55 for drivers with an incident
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Best North Carolina auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers
Even if you’re a high-risk driver, it’s still possible to find affordable coverage. It’s best to compare at least three companies and look at their rates, discount opportunities, and customer service ratings to find the best option for you. Here are some of the best companies in North Carolina to get you started.
Erie: Best for affordable coverage
| User Reviews | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $42/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $63/mo |
4.0
Best choiceBased on 338 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Erie Insurance
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and quick claim handling but are dissatisfied with the unexpected and unexplained rate increases. Some also found the policy details hard to understand.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
High customer satisfaction
Competitive rates
Optional coverages
How drivers feel about Erie Insurance
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and quick claim handling but are dissatisfied with the unexpected and unexplained rate increases. Some also found the policy details hard to understand.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
High customer satisfaction
Competitive rates
Optional coverages
Reviews (180)
Loretta
May 14, 2025
Verified Review
Average
I've been with them for years. I never had a car accident; however, they doubled my premium.
Jeff
May 14, 2025
Verified Review
Thankful for a great independent agent
Never made a claim. Payments are low even though I have high coverage allowances.
Thomas
May 5, 2025
Verified Review
Erie Insurance Evaluation
Excellent service and value.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
870NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.49A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+Why we picked this company
Whether you have a ticket, at-fault accident, or DWI on your driving record, Erie offers affordable coverage for high-risk drivers in North Carolina. The company’s rates are lower than what most other insurers offer, even after an incident.
Erie also tends to have better customer service than many of its competitors, which comes in handy if you ever need to file a claim.
Pros
Competitive rates for high-risk drivers
Excellent Better Business Bureau, J.D. Power, and AM Best ratings
Cons
Can ’t buy a policy online
Can’t file a claim online
Progressive: Best for accident forgiveness
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 819 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.4 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $58/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $88/mo |
How drivers feel about Progressive
Customers appreciate the insurer’s good customer service and initial affordability but dislike the consistent price increases and complex claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Competitive rates
Easy buying process
Telematics program
How drivers feel about Progressive
Customers appreciate the insurer’s good customer service and initial affordability but dislike the consistent price increases and complex claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Competitive rates
Easy buying process
Telematics program
Reviews (6,845)
Shirley
May 14, 2025
Verified Review
Good
Alright except for rates continuing to go up!
Tammie
May 14, 2025
Verified Review
Not happy with policy increase
My policy went up by almost $50 without asking if I wanted to keep it. I didn't like it.
Barbara
May 14, 2025
Verified Review
Hate Progressive
Hikes up the price every 6-month renewal.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
819NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.82A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+Why we picked this company
Progressive car insurance customers automatically receive accident forgiveness, which keeps your rate stable the first time you file a claim for less than $500.
If you stay violation- and accident-free for at least five years as a Progressive customer, the company won’t count larger claims against you. In some states, you can also purchase additional accident forgiveness benefits.
Pros
Offers automatic accident forgiveness plus an additional endorsement for accident forgiveness
Lower-than-average rates for high-risk drivers in North Carolina
Cons
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast region
Low Trustpilot rating
GEICO: Best for discounts
| User Reviews | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $148/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $178/mo |
4.0
Best choiceBased on 11,874 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (6,402)
Barbara
May 14, 2025
Verified Review
Excellent
Good company but costs too much.
Mary
May 14, 2025
Verified Review
Not the best rate or policy combination
I am just looking for better rates and a 1-year payment option, not 6 months. I signed up for no spousal coverage and sent the signed document in, but Guiko sent an email stating they do not have it. I do not want it! Guiko does not offer 1-year insurance or even combine my policies—I have a truck, side by side, and rental property (I own the property but have it in an LLC). Sole owner SLLC.
Patricia
May 14, 2025
Verified Review
Geico Meets My Car Insurance Needs
I have been with Geico for quite a while but haven’t filed any claims. I do think they are a good company.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
835NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.74A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++Why we picked this company
Among its competitors, GEICO offers the most advertised discounts for drivers in North Carolina. These discounts lower your car insurance premium, which is essential if you have an incident on your driving record. The discounts with the highest savings potential include insuring multiple vehicles, installing anti-theft devices on your vehicle, and using a seat belt.
Pros
Many available discounts
Below-average rates for high-risk drivers in North Carolina
Cons
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast region
Gap insurance not available
When choosing the best car insurance companies for high-risk drivers, we compared factors like costs for drivers with an incident, available discounts, customer service options, customer satisfaction ratings, and overall financial stability. The companies we’ve listed above offer competitive rates, a range of discounts, accessible customer service teams, and high customer satisfaction and financial stability ratings.
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina with an at-fault accident
At-fault accidents on your driving record may increase your car insurance rates because there’s a higher likelihood you’ll file claims in the future.[3] This leads to increased costs for the insurer. In North Carolina, an at-fault accident may increase your car insurance rates by up to 70%.
The following companies offer the cheapest coverage for drivers with an at-fault accident in North Carolina.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, May 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company  | Average Quote: Liability Only | Average Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | $61 | $91 |
| Erie | $63 | $94 |
| Travelers | $77 | $116 |
| Allstate | $82 | $124 |
| Progressive | $86 | $130 |
| Direct Auto | $88 | $143 |
| Dairyland | $89 | $243 |
| National General | $91 | $144 |
| Safeco | $95 | $173 |
| State Farm | $99 | $147 |
| Liberty Mutual | $100 | $242 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina with a DWI
If you have a driving while impaired (DWI) conviction on your record, insurers may see you as a significant risk because you’re more likely to repeat the offense. After a DWI conviction in North Carolina, the state may suspend or revoke your license, and your car insurance premium may also climb by 340%.
The following car insurance companies offer the cheapest premiums for drivers with a DWI in North Carolina.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, May 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Quote: Liability Only | Average Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $71 | $107 |
| Nationwide | $71 | $107 |
| Travelers | $90 | $136 |
| Allstate | $97 | $146 |
| Progressive | $99 | $150 |
| Direct Auto | $102 | $165 |
| Dairyland | $105 | $287 |
| Safeco | $105 | $192 |
| National General | $109 | $172 |
| Liberty Mutual | $112 | $272 |
| State Farm | $117 | $175 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest auto insurance in North Carolina with a speeding ticket
Someone who drives over the speed limit is more likely to cause an accident and file a claim in the future, so insurance companies raise rates to compensate for that risk. If you get a speeding ticket in North Carolina, your car insurance rates may increase by up to 260%.
The following companies offer the cheapest premiums for drivers in North Carolina.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, May 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Quote: Liability Only | Average Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | $59 | $88 |
| Erie | $61 | $91 |
| Travelers | $74 | $112 |
| Allstate | $79 | $119 |
| Progressive | $81 | $123 |
| Direct Auto | $84 | $135 |
| Dairyland | $86 | $234 |
| National General | $88 | $139 |
| Safeco | $89 | $163 |
| State Farm | $95 | $141 |
| Liberty Mutual | $96 | $234 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How to find cheaper car insurance for high-risk drivers in North Carolina
If you have violations on your record or qualify as high risk for another reason, you’ll likely pay more for insurance. But you still have ways to save money on car insurance when shopping for a policy:
Work with an agent or broker. An independent insurance agent or broker doesn’t work for a specific insurer, so they can offer impartial guidance and help you find the right coverage for your situation.
Take advantage of discounts. Most companies offer car insurance discounts to help lower monthly premiums. Common discounts may include bundling policies and maintaining low mileage.
Choose the right coverage. Consider lowering your coverage limits, removing comprehensive and collision insurance, or raising your deductible to lower your premium. Just be aware these steps increase your out-of-pocket costs if you need to file a claim.
Compare quotes. Each company has a different way of setting rates, so it’s important to get multiple car insurance quotes and compare prices.
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How to improve your driving record in North Carolina
In North Carolina, violations usually only affect your insurance premiums for three years. Taking steps to improve your driving record is one of the best ways to lower your car insurance rates over time.
Here are some things you can do to improve your driving record and lower your insurance rates:
Take a defensive driving course
North Carolina operates on a points system for drivers. The more points you have on your license, the higher the risk you become. If you’ve accumulated multiple points on your license, a state-approved defensive driving course could help reduce that point total and potentially lower your insurance cost.
Maintain good credit
Insurance companies in North Carolina can consider your credit history when setting your rates. Improving your credit — typically by making timely payments, keeping your credit card balances low, and correcting errors on your credit reports — can help lower your premium.
Sign up for accident forgiveness
Many insurance companies offer accident forgiveness, which means your rates won’t increase after your first accident. While this won’t help you with accidents already on your record, it’ll help improve your record in the event of any future accidents.
Seek legal help
If you cause an accident or end up with a violation on your record, seek the help of an attorney to see if you can keep the violation off your driving record, or at least lessen its severity.
North Carolina high-risk drivers insurance FAQs
If you’re shopping for car insurance as a high-risk driver in North Carolina, check out the additional information below as you research your coverage options.
Which driver is considered high-risk in North Carolina?
You may be considered a high-risk driver in North Carolina if you have a bad credit history, a record of major traffic violations and at-fault accidents, or you lack driving experience.
How do auto insurance companies calculate risk in North Carolina?
Each auto insurance company uses its own formula to calculate risk and insurance premiums. While they all rely on the same basic factors, including driving history, age, and credit profile, some insurance companies may weigh certain factors more heavily than others.
What is the cheapest insurance company for North Carolina high-risk drivers?
Nationwide is the cheapest insurance company for high-risk drivers in North Carolina, with monthly liability rates averaging $55. Erie, Progressive, and GEICO also offer low rates and good options for North Carolina drivers with incidents on their records.
How much does high-risk auto insurance cost in North Carolina?
On average, high-risk auto insurance in North Carolina costs $131 per month for full coverage and $84 per month for liability-only coverage.
How long are you considered a high-risk driver for insurance?
In North Carolina, violations usually affect your record for three years. The violations will affect your rates during that time.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Sources
- NC Department of Insurance. "A Consumer's Guide to Automobile Insurance."
- III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- III. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
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Kim Porter
Kim Porter is a writer and editor who's been creating personal finance content since 2010. Before transitioning to full-time freelance writing in 2018, Kim was the chief copy editor at Bankrate, a managing editor at Macmillan, and co-author of the personal finance book "Future Millionaires' Guidebook." Her work has appeared in AARP's print magazine and on sites such as U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, NextAdvisor, Credit Karma, and more. Kim loves to bake and exercise in her free time, and she plans to run a half marathon on each continent.
Kim has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.