DUI Car Insurance in North Carolina

A DUI stays on your North Carolina driving record for seven years, and most drivers in the state pay higher premiums for three to five years after a DUI, though the exact timeline depends on your insurer and overall driving history. Insurers see the conviction and use it to calculate your rates.

MoneyGeek's analysis found North Carolina drivers pay an average of $402 per month after a DUI, compared to $105 per month with a clean record, making cheap rates hard to find (Read more). 

Unlike most states, North Carolina doesn't require an SR-22 filing. Instead, you'll need to file a DL-123 form to prove you carry the state's minimum liability coverage of 30/60/25.

After a DUI conviction, you must file a DL-123 form with the North Carolina DMV to prove you carry active insurance. Unlike most states, North Carolina doesn't require an SR-22. Your insurer submits the DL-123 on your behalf, and it stays on file for three years from your license reinstatement date. If your policy lapses or gets canceled during this period, your insurer notifies the DMV, which results in immediate license suspension.

North Carolina drivers with a DUI pay an average of $402 per month for full coverage, nearly four times the $105 per month drivers with clean records pay. The rate increase is worse than the national average. Nationally, drivers with a DUI pay $219 per month compared to $122 for those without one, a 79% increase. North Carolina drivers see a 283% jump, making it among the most expensive states to insure a vehicle after a DUI conviction.

A DUI places drivers in a higher pricing tier, increasing the need to search for best car insurance rates for high-risk drivers.

Read more: Average Cost of Car Insurance in North Carolina

State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance for North Carolina drivers with a DUI, while Progressive ranks as the best overall car insurance provider for DUI drivers, based on MoneyGeek's scoring system.

State Farm charges an average of $183 per month for drivers with a DUI. That's $219 less per month than the state average of $402, saving drivers thousands of dollars per year.

Progressive combines affordability, strong customer experience and coverage options. The company charges $216 per month for DUI drivers while scoring 4.79 out of 5 in MoneyGeek's ratings, which weigh affordability, customer experience and coverage options.

Drivers don't receive a payout or rebate for being DUI-free. Facebook ads claim you can get money back or a special rate reduction just for not having a DUI. These are scams. No such program exists. Safe drivers do pay less than those with DUIs on their record, but that's simply how insurers price risk.

Car insurance rates increase after a DUI, but other costs add up quickly. Here's what you'll pay:

• Fines and fees. North Carolina requires court-imposed fines after a DUI conviction, ranging from $200 to $10,000 based on the severity of the offense (Level 5 to Aggravated Level 1) and any prior history. Court costs and administrative fees add another $190 to $200.
• Towing/impound fee. Your vehicle is towed and stored after arrest. Expect to pay $100 to $250 for towing, plus $20 to $40 per day in impound storage fees.
• Drug education and treatment. DUI offenders must complete a substance use assessment (around $100) and attend ADETS (Alcohol and Drug Education Traffic School), which costs $160 to $260. More intensive treatment varies by provider.
• DMV reinstatement fee. License reinstatement requires a $167.75 DWI reinstatement fee, an $83.50 license restoration fee and a $50 service fee. Civil revocation fees of $100 apply if your license was suspended immediately after arrest.
• Attorney fees and damages. If you caused an accident while driving under the influence, you're responsible for any medical or property damage. Legal representation costs $2,500 to over $10,000.
• Ignition interlock device. Required for some DUI convictions with a BAC of 0.15 or higher, installation costs $70 to $150, with monthly monitoring fees of $60 to $80. North Carolina requires a 45-day no-driving period before an interlock device can be installed.
• Probation supervision and testing. If placed on supervised probation, you pay around $40 per month and additional costs for drug testing or monitoring.

Follow these tips to find affordable DUI car insurance in the state. If traditional coverage options aren't available, alternative steps appear below.

MoneyGeek's expert answers to common questions about DUI insurance in North Carolina:

MoneyGeek analyzed financial stability, customer satisfaction, claims and affordability data from state insurance departments and Quadrant Information Services to determine the top companies for drivers with DUIs in North Carolina.

The rates above reflect a 40-year-old male with and without a DUI driving a 2012 Toyota Camry LE with 12,000 annual miles. We modified this base profile to create additional rate scenarios.