NC Auto Insurance After Violations & Tickets
North Carolina requires 50/100/50 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.
Find Coverage with Points on Your LicenseNorth Carolina at a Glance
50/100/50
Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)
At-fault
The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause
Required
Uninsured motorist coverage must be on every policy
Yes
A defensive driving course can reduce points on your record
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in North Carolina
SR-22 filing is required only for serious offenses like DUI, driving while license revoked, or accumulating 12 driving record points within three years, but most point violations do not trigger SR-22.
Bodily Injury Liability
Property Damage Liability
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Full Coverage (Collision + Comprehensive)
SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility
What Drivers Pay in North Carolina
$204–$324/mo
Typical monthly rate in North Carolina, drivers after a speeding ticket
Rate data: ValuePenguin and CarInsurance.com, 2026
What Affects Your Rate
- Insurance points assigned to violation type — 2 points for speeding 10+ over, 4 points for at-fault accident, 12 points for DUI
- Time since violation — most carriers reduce surcharges after 3 years when points fall off the MVR
- Violation recency and frequency — a second violation within 3 years compounds surcharges and may trigger non-renewal
- Credit-based insurance score — North Carolina allows credit scoring; drivers with violations and low credit pay the highest combined rates
See What Points Are Really Costing You
Find Coverage with Points on Your LicenseCoverage Types
Liability Insurance
Covers injuries and property damage you cause to others. North Carolina's 30/60/25 minimums are legal but low — a serious accident can exceed these limits and expose you to personal liability. After a violation, liability is the only coverage legally required, but underinsuring creates risk if you cause a second accident.
Full Coverage
Combines liability, collision, and comprehensive. Protects your vehicle in accidents you cause, theft, weather, and vandalism. Full coverage premiums spike most sharply after violations — collision costs often double after an at-fault accident because you've proven claim risk on your own vehicle.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Pays for your injuries and vehicle damage when an at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. North Carolina requires insurers to offer UM/UIM matching your liability limits; you must reject it in writing to decline.
SR-22 Insurance
SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with the NC DMV proving you carry continuous coverage. Required after DUI, driving while license revoked, or suspension due to excessive points. The filing costs $15–$35, but the high-risk classification raises premiums $100–$250/mo.
Non-Standard Auto Insurance
Coverage from carriers specializing in high-risk drivers — those with DUI, SR-22 requirements, suspended licenses, or multiple violations. Non-standard carriers accept profiles that standard carriers decline or non-renew, but charge 40–100% higher base rates due to elevated claim risk.
Collision Coverage
Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident you cause, regardless of fault. Required by lenders if you're financing. Collision premiums increase most sharply after at-fault accidents — you've demonstrated direct claim risk on this coverage type.