The cheapest insurance company for high-risk drivers in North Carolina is Erie, with an average monthly rate of $74 for minimum coverage.
North Carolina is the only state that requires mandatory surcharges on insurance premiums for specific offenses, ranging from 40% to 340%.
North Carolina’s high-risk insurance pool covers around one-quarter of all drivers in the state.
Average cost of high-risk car insurance in North Carolina
North Carolina drivers with incidents on their record pay an average of $87 for liability coverage and $144 for full coverage on a monthly basis, according to Insurify data. In comparison, drivers with clean records pay an average of $69 and $114 per month, respectively.
If you commit certain driving infractions in North Carolina, you’ll receive an automatic state-mandated surcharge to your insurance premiums. Low-level speeding tickets will cost you an extra 40%, for example, while a driving while impaired (DWI) conviction can cost you 340% more.[1]
Here’s how much North Carolina drivers pay on average when they have different marks on their driving record:
Driver Profile | Average Monthly Cost: Liability Only | Average Monthly Cost: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $69 | $114 |
| Speeding ticket | $90 | $149 |
| At-fault accident | $96 | $158 |
| DWI | $175 | $289 |
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Monthly rates start at $74 for drivers with an incident
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina by violation
Erie, Progressive, and Allstate charge the lowest rates for North Carolina drivers with an incident on their record, according to Insurify data. Keep in mind that the more serious your violation, the more you’ll pay for coverage.
Cheapest rates for high-risk drivers with DWIs in North Carolina
Erie offers the lowest premiums for North Carolina drivers with a DWI conviction, at an average cost of $111 per month for liability coverage.
Less than 1% of drivers have a DWI in North Carolina, based on Insurify data. North Carolina uses driving while impaired (DWI) instead of driving under the influence (DUI) because its law focuses on impaired driving, which could include any substance, even prescription medications.[2]
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage With DWI | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only With DWI |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Auto | $184 | $131 |
| National General | $186 | $133 |
| Erie | $187 | $111 |
| Liberty Mutual | $220 | $133 |
| Allstate | $223 | $162 |
| GEICO | $225 | $129 |
| Travelers | $236 | $141 |
| Progressive | $239 | $157 |
| Safeco | $257 | $151 |
| State Farm | $307 | $180 |
| Dairyland | $331 | $153 |
Cheapest rates for NC drivers with at-fault accidents
Nearly 6% of North Carolina drivers have an at-fault accident on their driving record, per Insurify data. These drivers may find that Erie offers the lowest prices on coverage, with an average monthly premium of $77 for liability insurance.
Drivers in very minor at-fault accidents may be able to avoid rate hikes if there’s only property damage, the damage is less than $2,300, and if no moving violations caused the accident, according to the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI).
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage With At-Fault Accident | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only With At-Fault Accident |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $122 | $89 |
| National General | $128 | $91 |
| Erie | $130 | $77 |
| Direct Auto | $130 | $92 |
| Progressive | $130 | $86 |
| Liberty Mutual | $151 | $91 |
| GEICO | $153 | $88 |
| Travelers | $165 | $99 |
| Safeco | $172 | $101 |
| State Farm | $211 | $124 |
| Dairyland | $226 | $104 |
Cheapest rates for drivers with speeding tickets in North Carolina
Erie is the cheapest insurer for drivers with a speeding ticket, charging an average monthly premium of $75.
Speeding in North Carolina can increase your rates by 40% to 260%, depending on how fast you were going and where you were driving, according to the NCDOI. Around 4.5% of drivers in the state have a speeding ticket on their record, according to Insurify data.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage With Speeding Ticket | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only With Speeding Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $115 | $84 |
| Direct Auto | $120 | $85 |
| National General | $120 | $85 |
| Progressive | $123 | $81 |
| Erie | $126 | $75 |
| Liberty Mutual | $145 | $87 |
| GEICO | $151 | $87 |
| Travelers | $157 | $94 |
| Safeco | $162 | $95 |
| State Farm | $201 | $118 |
| Dairyland | $212 | $98 |
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Best North Carolina auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers
Some insurance companies stand out from the pack when it comes to offering better prices and service for North Carolina drivers. Here are some of the best insurers for high-risk drivers in North Carolina:
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| Erie | $77 |
| Direct Auto | $92 |
Direct Auto: Best for high-risk coverage
| A.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 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 8.3 /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. | $66/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. | $93/mo |
Drivers appreciate the insurer’s helpful customer service and easy-to-use website. But they dislike the frequent and significant rate increases, especially for those with clean driving records. Some also report difficulties with roadside assistance.
With a high-risk driving history, your odds are higher that a mainstream insurer could deny you coverage. Direct Auto stands in contrast, offering excellent policies while specializing in coverage for high-risk drivers in North Carolina and throughout the southeastern U.S.
More than 10 available discounts, which could help you save up to 30%
More than two dozen local agents throughout North Carolina
Focuses more on high-risk drivers like teens and drivers with DUIs
Not widely available outside of the Southeast, if you move
Low J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast
Slim selection of other insurance products, like homeowners coverage
Nationwide: Best for low rates
| User Reviews | 4.3 |
|---|
Nationwide's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.1 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.7 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.5 | 2.9 |
Drivers appreciate the helpful and knowledgeable customer service but dislike the frequent and significant rate increases. Some also found the claims process to be slow and frustrating.
Nationwide is one of the cheapest insurers for North Carolina drivers with a violation on their record. Plus, Nationwide has a wide array of insurance products for every need, making it easy to take advantage of its multiple-policy discount.
Optional accident forgiveness coverage
Good J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast
Dozens of local North Carolina insurance agents
Doesn’t offer rideshare coverage
Not as many discounts as competitors
Telematics and pay-per-mile programs have restrictions in North Carolina
Erie Insurance: Best for good customer service
| User Reviews | 4.4 |
|---|---|
| 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. | $56/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. | $94/mo |
Erie Insurance's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.2 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 3.8 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.7 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 4.0 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.7 | 2.9 |
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.
Erie is a smaller regional insurer throughout the eastern U.S. known for providing consistently high-quality service at an affordable price. In 2024, it was the eighth-largest car insurer in North Carolina. It also offers non-owner car insurance, which can help you avoid a costly lapse in coverage if you can’t afford insurance on a vehicle you own.
Two dozen local agents throughout North Carolina
Highly ranked by J.D. Power for customer and claims satisfaction
Offers accident forgiveness and shrinking-deductible options
Low J.D. Power digital service rating
Some car-safety discounts not offered in North Carolina
Not widely offered outside of the Eastern U.S., if you move
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.
How to find cheaper car insurance for high-risk drivers in North Carolina
High-risk car insurance is expensive in North Carolina, costing up to 340% more than if you didn’t have a bad driving record, per the NCDOI. But you still have some ways to save money:
Consider dropping full coverage. Around 68% of North Carolina drivers own their vehicles outright, according to Insurify data, and they don’t need to carry full coverage to satisfy a lender’s requirements. Having less coverage can help save money.
Work on your credit history. North Carolina allows insurers to consider your credit history when setting rates. Improving your credit history can help reduce your rates in the long term.[3]
Keep an eye out for discounts. Nearly 13% of North Carolina drivers own multiple cars and may qualify for a bundling discount, per Insurify data. And many companies offer car insurance discounts for completing a defensive driving course, among other things.
Buy coverage through North Carolina’s high-risk program. Look for an agent who offers high-risk auto insurance for drivers who can’t buy coverage elsewhere.[4] Around one-quarter of all North Carolina drivers get coverage through this program as of 2023, per state data.
North Carolina minimum car insurance requirements for high-risk drivers
North Carolina doesn’t require you to file special insurance forms, like the SR-22, as in many other states, if convicted of certain driving offenses. Instead, the NCDOI relies on a points-based Safe Driver Incentive Plan, which adds an additional surcharge of 40% to 340% to your car insurance premium, depending on the severity of your driving behavior.
The specific types and amounts of coverage you have to carry aren’t different if you’re a high-risk driver. Here are the minimum-coverage requirements in North Carolina:[5]
Coverage Type | North Carolina Minimum Requirement | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability per person | $50,000 | Injuries you cause to someone else in an accident |
| Bodily injury liability per accident | $100,000 | Total injuries you cause to others in a multi-person accident |
| Property damage liability | $50,000 | Damages you cause to other people’s belongings in an accident, such as their vehicle or work equipment |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage | Same as for liability insurance | Injuries and property damage to you and your passengers if a driver without sufficient coverage hits you |
Who is a high-risk driver in North Carolina?
High-risk car insurance works a bit differently in North Carolina. It’s unique among states because it uses two different point systems for driving infractions: one for your driving privileges and one for insurance rate increases.[6]
This means that if the state convicts you of a traffic violation, the NCDOI will increase your car insurance rates by a preset schedule:
Speeding tickets: 40%–260%, depending on severity
At-fault accident: 40%–70%, depending on severity
Reckless driving: 90%
Hit and run: 90%–340%, depending on severity
DWI/DUI convictions: 340%
In North Carolina, drivers are guilty of a DWI (driving while intoxicated) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% for regular cars and 0.04% for commercial vehicles. No specific limits exist for other types of drugs, but if you’re obviously impaired, North Carolina authorities can still charge you with DWI.
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How long will North Carolina consider you a high-risk driver?
In North Carolina, insurance companies can charge you high-risk auto insurance rates for a period of three or five years, depending on the severity of the infraction and when it happened.
Some driving infractions, like a DWI, are misdemeanors and will stay on your criminal record permanently, according to the NCDOI. The state will also revoke your driver’s license for at least one year and may permanently suspend it if you get three or more DWI convictions.
In some cases, North Carolina will even revoke your driver’s license for 30 days or more for speeding tickets, depending on how fast you were going.[7]
North Carolina high-risk drivers insurance FAQs
Getting more than one car insurance quote can help you find affordable coverage even if you have an incident on your record. Here are a few other things to know when shopping around.
What is the best auto insurance for high-risk drivers in NC?
Direct Auto, Nationwide, and Erie Insurance are the best companies for quality, affordable coverage for high-risk drivers in North Carolina. Each insurer is different, though, so another insurer might work better for you.
What’s the cheapest auto insurance in North Carolina?
Erie offers the cheapest coverage in North Carolina for high-risk drivers. Minimum coverage costs an average of $74 per month.
How long are you considered a high-risk driver for insurance?
For insurance purposes, an insurer will consider you a high-risk driver for either three or five years in North Carolina, depending on when and what type of infraction you committed.
What factors make a driver high-risk for car insurance in North Carolina?
Getting convicted of most types of driving violations, such as speeding, driving while intoxicated, an at-fault accident, or failure to yield for school buses, can result in mandatory insurance surcharges on your premiums, unless the crimes were very minor, per the NCDOI.
Sources
- Ncdoi.gov. "Safe Driver Incentive Plan."
- NCLEG. "Impaired driving."
- NCLEG. "Prohibitions on using credit scoring to rate noncommercial private passenger motor vehicle."
- NCRB. "North Carolina Reinsurance Facility."
- Ncdoi.gov. "Changes to the Rating of Automobile Insurance Policies, Effective July 1, 2025."
- NC DMV. "North Carolina Driver Handbook."
- NCDOT. "License Suspensions."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 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 500+ 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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