DUI impact on car insurance
A DUI conviction combined with an at-fault accident that totaled your car and a one-year license suspension will have a severe and long-lasting impact on your car insurance:
- **Significant Rate Increase:** After a DUI in North Carolina, your car insurance premium can increase dramatically—by as much as 358%, with average annual rates jumping from about $955 to $4,371 or more[2][1]. This is one of the steepest increases in the country.
- **Mandatory SR-22:** You will likely be required to file an SR-22, which is a certificate proving you have the state-required minimum insurance coverage. This filing is necessary to reinstate your license and signals to insurers that you are a high-risk driver[3][5].
- **Policy Cancellation or Non-Renewal:** Many insurers may choose to cancel your policy or refuse to renew it after a DUI and serious accident. You may need to seek coverage from companies specializing in high-risk drivers, often at even higher rates[3][5][8].
- **Loss of Discounts:** Any safe driver or multi-policy discounts will likely be lost, further increasing your costs[3].
- **Long-Term Impact:** The elevated rates and high-risk status typically last for at least three years, but in North Carolina, the impact of a DUI can affect your premiums for up to ten years[1][3].
- **Difficulty Finding Coverage:** Some insurers may refuse to cover you altogether, requiring you to shop around for companies willing to insure high-risk drivers[5][8].
In summary, you should expect your car insurance to become much more expensive and harder to obtain for several years following a DUI, at-fault accident, and license suspension. Shopping around and maintaining a clean record going forward are critical steps to eventually lowering your premiums[2][3][5].
Citations:
[1] https://www.insurance.com/auto-insurance/dui-car-insurance-in-north-carolina/
[2] https://www.thezebra.com/auto-insurance/north-carolina-car-insurance/nc-dui-auto-insurance/
[3] https://nclawtalk.com/dwi-car-insurance-rates-in-nc/
[4] https://www.federaldefensenc.com/what-does-a-dwi-conviction-mean-for-my-insurance-rates-2/
[5] https://www.lawinfo.com/resources/dui/car-insurance-after-legal-conviction-of-dui.html
[6] https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/how-much-does-a-dui-cost-over-10-years.html
[7] https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/car-insurance-with-dui/
[8] https://ashevilleduiguy.com/dui-affect-car-insurance-in-north-carolina/
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