Updated: November 21, 2024
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The best car insurance provider for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI) offenders in North Carolina for both full coverage and state-minimum policies is Nationwide. It is also the most affordable company for those who have a DUI, followed by State Farm and North Carolina Farm Bureau.
For drivers in North Carolina seeking the most affordable full coverage car insurance after a DUI, the top two providers are Nationwide, at $2,240 per year, and State Farm, at $2,572 per year.
The top two cheapest providers for minimum coverage car insurance in North Carolina after a DUI are Nationwide, at $1,234 per year, and State Farm, at $1,457 per year.
For North Carolina drivers with a DUI seeking full coverage, Nationwide stands out as the best provider with an annual cost of $2,240, notable for its strong scores in affordability, customer satisfaction, and financial stability.
In North Carolina, insurers are not legally required to provide car insurance for people with a DUI. While some do, it is fairly common to receive a rejection — and providers that do offer policies often tack on a hefty increase to offset the risk of giving car insurance to DUI offenders. Case in point, costs can increase by 303.82% in North Carolina for drivers with a DUI.
Drivers in North Carolina can be charged with a DUI conviction if they are found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08%. However, you can be charged for a lower BAC if you are noticeably impaired or cannot drive properly.
Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
On a national level, the providers with the cheapest car insurance for DUI drivers are Progressive and State Farm. However, this can vary from state to state as a number of external factors are taken into account. In North Carolina, the top two most affordable car insurance for DUI offenders are Nationwide and State Farm.
A full coverage policy provides the most financial protection against accidents, but it is a significant factor in the cost of your policy. For drivers with a DUI who want the most affordable full coverage policy in North Carolina, the cheapest options are:
| 1 | Nationwide | $2,240 |
| 2 | State Farm | $2,572 |
| 3 | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $2,743 |
| 4 | Erie | $2,848 |
| 5 | GEICO | $3,765 |
For North Carolina drivers who truly want the cheapest car insurance with a DUI, a policy following state-minimums may be your choice. The cheapest providers in the state are:
| Nationwide | $1,234 |
| State Farm | $1,457 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,512 |
| Erie | $1,574 |
| Travelers | $2,015 |
| GEICO | $2,074 |
| Progressive | $2,095 |
| Allstate | $2,124 |
| MetLife | $2,283 |
Keep in mind that while policies following state-minimums can be affordable, they often do not provide enough financial protection against accidents. The level of car insurance you really need will depend on a number of factors, such as how expensive your car is and whether it is still on a loan. Generally, MoneyGeek recommends having the highest amount of liability coverage you can afford, with a good starting point being 100/300/100 in coverage.
We chose our top companies based on a combination of affordability, customer satisfaction, financial stability and more. Nationwide is the best company in North Carolina for both full coverage and minimum coverage policies after getting a DUI.
The best car insurance companies for DUI policies in North Carolina are Nationwide and Erie, which both have good scores in claims ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability and financial stability. Review our rankings below to see why they’re the best in North Carolina.
Erie’s post-DUI car insurance policies cost an average of $2,848 per year. Compared to the average cost of the same policy without a DUI, which is $716, this is 297.95% more expensive.
In North Carolina, Erie ranks as the second-best full-coverage car insurance for people with a DUI. While it is not the most affordable, the company offers several discounts to help you lower your costs. However, it does not offer gap insurance or roadside assistance.
On average, Nationwide charges $2,240 per year for car insurance after a DUI. This is 273.35% higher than the price of the same policy with no DUI, which stands at an average of $600 per year.
Nationwide is the best and most affordable post-DUI car insurance provider in the state. The company offers many common discounts such as bundling, anti-theft, automatic discounts and more that can help you lower your premiums.
Drivers in North Carolina looking for cheap car insurance with a DUI may opt for a policy following the state’s minimum requirements. However, note that these policies often do not offer the best protection in the event of an accident. However, if you value affordability, take a look at MoneyGeek’s top picks below.
Erie charges an average of $1,574 per year for car insurance after a DUI. This is $1,191 higher than the cost of the same policy for drivers with a clean record.
Erie ranks as the second-best car insurance provider for someone with a DUI, earning the highest claims rating amongst other providers in North Carolina. The company also offers great add-on coverages, such as better car replacement and rental car reimbursement, but does not offer gap insurance or roadside assistance.
Nationwide charges an average of $1,234 for car insurance after a DUI, which is $933 higher than the cost of the same policy for drivers with clean records.
Nationwide scores the highest in affordability and earns above-average scores in financial stability, customer satisfaction and claims. While the company does offer a good variety of discount opportunities, they do not provide certain add-ons such as new or better car replacement coverage.
In North Carolina, car insurance after a DUI costs an average of $3,397 per year for a full coverage policy. Compared to the same policy for a driver with a clean record, those with a DUI pay 303.82% more per year on average. Below you can compare the cost of full coverage insurance before and after a DUI.
How long does a DUI affect the cost of your car insurance?
The length of time that a DUI affects your insurance costs depends on your state’s look-back period. The look-back period is how long a DUI stays on your record before it’s “forgiven”. In North Carolina, the look-back period is seven years. DUI repeat offenders are sentenced with longer look-back periods to accommodate criminal sentencing.
Full Coverage
$841
Full Coverage
$3,397This is 304% more expensive.
The cost of car insurance after a DUI is significantly higher because insurers will consider you a risky driver. For instance, a driver with a clean record is less likely to get into an altercation or accident compared to someone who has chosen to drive under the influence. Find out how your rates may change after a DUI using MoneyGeek's auto insurance calculator below.
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Nov 21, 2024
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The cost of a DUI goes beyond increased premiums. Other costs can include:
In some cases, auto insurance companies will not cover DUI-convicted drivers. Insurers are private businesses and can legally refuse to renew policies for DUI offenders.
On top of facing rejections, North Carolina’s seven-year look-back period can make it extra challenging for drivers with a DUI to get car insurance. This means seven years of increased rates, which is why it’s important to compare quotes and find the best rates for your insurance needs.
While other states may require SR-22 insurance after a DUI, North Carolina does not. However, there are still providers who offer better policies to high-risk drivers. The term high-risk driver doesn’t just refer to those with a DUI, it also includes young drivers or those who have old or vintage cars. If you have a high-risk driver profile, comparing quotes among providers is crucial to get the best rates and offers available to you.
Getting a DUI doesn’t just mean increased premium rates — it is also a criminal offense. This means potentially having to pay fines, receive a jail sentence, or perform community service. The severity of your punishment will depend on the level of your misdemeanor, with Level V being the lowest and Level I being the highest.
Driving with a BAC at or above 0.08% is considered a DUI
Blood alcohol content indicates the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream, which is what law enforcement uses to determine your alcohol intake while driving.
In North Carolina, it is considered illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. However, you can be charged or arrested even if your BAC is lower but you are noticeably impaired or cannot drive well.
Driving with a BAC of 0.15% will result in increased penalties
Drivers who have been found with a BAC of 0.15% may receive more severe punishments. This includes requiring an ignition interlock device to be installed on the vehicle.
Administrative license suspension on first offense
If you receive a DUI in North Carolina for the first time, your license will be suspended for at least 30 days.
Limited driving privileges during suspension
Once you get a DUI charge, you can only continue to drive under a restricted license/permit after 10 days.
Ignition interlock requirements
If you have been found to have a BAC of 0.15% or higher, the state will require you to have an ignition interlock. This is a portable breathalyzer for car ignitions that prevents users from starting their vehicles after drinking alcohol.
Open container laws
North Carolina has an open container law, which means possessing or consuming alcohol in public places, including your car, is illegal.
Repeat offender laws
Drivers in North Carolina who have repeatedly driven under the influence can receive multiple DUI convictions. It can mean having a minimum active jail term of one year and going through a substance abuse program.
Looking for car insurance after a DUI can be a challenge. Review the most commonly asked questions below to understand what you need and where to look first.
After receiving a DUI conviction in North Carolina, insurers can reject your application for a policy or renewal at their discretion. If they choose to insure you, expect your costs to increase exponentially.
The cheapest car insurance for DUI offenders in North Carolina is from Nationwide. Their post-DUI car insurance policies cost an average of $2,240 per year.
In North Carolina, the look-back period for a DUI is seven years. This means that the DUI will be on your record for at least seven years and will affect your insurance rates during that period.
It’s possible to get car insurance after a DUI by comparing quotes from different providers.
To determine the top companies for individuals with DUIs in North Carolina, MoneyGeek analyzed each company’s financial stability, customer satisfaction, claims and affordability based on data obtained from state insurance departments and Quadrant Information Services. The rates above are based on a 40-year-old male with and without a DUI driving a 2010 Toyota Camry LE with 12K annual mileage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
