Getting Car Insurance After a DUI in North Carolina: Everything You Need to Know

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.

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.

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:

• Nationwide: $2,240 per year
• State Farm: $2,572 per year

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 per year
• State Farm: $1,457 per year

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.