High-Risk Car Insurance in North Carolina

The North Carolina Reinsurance Facility (NCRF) ensures that all eligible drivers can purchase liability insurance. Created in 1973, the NCRF operates as a reinsurance pool where insurers can cede high-risk policies to the Facility while maintaining the customer relationship. All licensed insurers in North Carolina must participate in the NCRF, with risk and costs shared among carriers based on their market share.

To obtain insurance in North Carolina, you must:  

• Hold a valid North Carolina driver's license or SR-22 filing requirement
• Meet the definition of "eligible risk" under North Carolina law (NCGS § 58-37-1)
• Maintain North Carolina residency or have a vehicle registered in the state

You might need the Reinsurance Facility if you have DUI convictions, multiple traffic violations, at-fault accidents or coverage gaps.

The North Carolina Reinsurance Facility operates as a reinsurance pool for high-risk drivers. When you obtain insurance through a licensed North Carolina insurer, that company may cede your policy to the NCRF based on your risk profile. The Facility shares the risk among all participating insurers based on their market share in North Carolina.

Even if your policy is ceded to the Facility, you maintain your relationship with your original insurer. The company continues to service your policy, handle claims and provide customer support. This system ensures all eligible drivers can access required liability coverage.

Policies ceded to the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility cost more than voluntary market coverage for high-risk drivers. The elevated premiums reflect the increased risk insurers assume when covering drivers with serious violations, DUIs or multiple accidents. Actual rates vary based on your driving record, location, coverage level and other factors.

The North Carolina Department of Insurance regulates NCRF rates and oversees program operations. The Facility ensures that even the highest-risk drivers can access the liability coverage required by state law for legal driving throughout North Carolina.

For North Carolina Reinsurance Facility (NCRF):

1. Contact a licensed North Carolina insurance agent to discuss your coverage needs.
2. Your agent will work with insurers to find you a policy that meets your requirements.
3. The insurer will write your policy and may cede it to the NCRF if you're considered high-risk.
4. You'll work directly with your insurer for all policy matters, even if your policy is ceded to the Facility.

For more information, call the North Carolina Rate Bureau at (919) 783-9790 or visit ncrb.org.

The NCRF ensures North Carolina drivers who can't get standard coverage still have access to the liability insurance state law requires.

State Farm offers competitive full coverage rates for high-risk drivers in North Carolina across several violation types. Rates vary by individual circumstances, coverage level and specific violation.

Explore more options in our affordable high-risk car insurance in the U.S. guide.

*Rates are for full coverage (100/300/100 liability with comprehensive and collision) based on a 35-year-old male driver in North Carolina with good credit and the specified violation. Click on any violation to see detailed rate comparisons from multiple insurers.

North Carolina drivers with a DUI pay rates ranging from $183 per month with State Farm to as high as $662 from other insurers for full coverage. A DUI stays on your criminal record permanently in North Carolina. The lookback period for sentencing purposes is seven years for misdemeanor DUI and 10 years for felony DUI. Most insurers consider DUIs when calculating premiums for three to five years, though some carriers may look back up to seven years.  

For reducing your premiums, check our car insurance after a DUI guide for helpful strategies.

North Carolina drivers with speeding tickets find rates ranging from $76 per month through State Farm to as high as $273 for full coverage from other insurers. Your actual premium increase depends on how much you exceeded the speed limit and whether you're a repeat offender. Speeding violations remain on your driving record for three years in the state.

North Carolina drivers with an at-fault accident can find full coverage rates from $71 per month through State Farm to as high as $240 from other insurers. Companies increase premiums because at-fault accidents indicate you're more likely to file future claims, especially when the accident involved injuries or property damage. These accidents remain on your driving record for three to five years.

North Carolina drivers with a distracted driving violation can find full coverage for as little as $71 per month through State Farm, while other insurers charge up to $250. The state prohibits handheld cellphone use while driving, with violations resulting in a $100 fine for adults ($25 for drivers under 18). Though distracted driving citations are less severe than DUI or reckless driving offenses, they'll still increase your insurance premiums across most providers.

At-fault accidents increase full coverage rates in North Carolina by 40% ($42 per month) compared to drivers with clean records. A DUI results in a steeper penalty, raising premiums by 281% or $295 per month. North Carolina drivers with violations pay more than those without infractions.  

Compare to clean-record costs in our average cost of car insurance in North Carolina guide.

High-risk drivers in North Carolina pay higher premiums, but you can still find affordable coverage by shopping around. Learn why insurers charge higher rates, where to find affordable coverage and what to do after a denial.

Get additional strategies to reduce your rates in our cheap car insurance after a bad driving record resource.

Insurance companies label you high risk in North Carolina when you have:

• DUI or DWI convictions
• At-fault accidents or moving violations
• A suspended or revoked license
• Limited driving experience
• Sports cars or racing activity
• Coverage gaps or poor credit
• Reckless driving charges

Drivers over 65 may also pay higher premiums.

Follow these strategies to save money and find quality high-risk car insurance coverage in North Carolina.

State Farm offers competitive high-risk car insurance rates across several violation types in North Carolina. Full coverage ranges from $71 monthly for drivers with at-fault accidents or distracted driving violations to $183 per month for those with DUI convictions, though rates vary based on your specific violation and coverage needs.

The North Carolina Reinsurance Facility ensures all eligible drivers can access required liability coverage. Insurers may cede high-risk policies to the Facility while maintaining your customer relationship.  

Once you've improved your driving history, keep comparing rates through our cheapest car insurance in North Carolina guide 
for better options.  

Learn strategies for reducing premiums and securing coverage with violations in our cheap car insurance after a bad driving record resource.

We calculated average rates using full coverage policies featuring 100/300/100 liability limits plus comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. State minimum rates were determined using North Carolina's mandatory 30/60/25 liability requirements.

All rate calculations use this standard profile:

• Driver aged 35
• Male
• Annual mileage of 12,000
• Good credit score
• One violation (DUI, speeding ticket, at-fault accident or distracted driving)

We reviewed rates from major carriers by violation type to determine the most affordable insurers for high-risk drivers in North Carolina. Filter options allow users to compare full coverage and state minimum coverage based on their needs.