Why did your auto premium go up more than the state approved?
Auto increases beyond the approved change usually come from two things printed on your policy, not from a second rate filing: Safe Driver Incentive Plan points from a ticket or at-fault accident, and the inexperienced-operator factor applied when a newly licensed driver is on the policy. Consent to rate does not apply to auto liability.
SDIP points
North Carolina's Safe Driver Incentive Plan assigns points for convictions and at-fault accidents. Each point level carries a percentage surcharge applied on top of the base premium, so a single point can move a premium by more than an approved statewide rate change. Points sit on the policy for a set experience period and then drop off, which is why a premium can fall at a later renewal without any rate change at all.
The inexperienced-driver factor
When a driver licensed fewer than three years is rated on the policy, an inexperienced-operator factor is applied. It is largest in the first year of licensure and steps down as the driver gains experience. Adding a household driver mid-term produces an increase that has nothing to do with the approved rate change for your county.
Questions to ask
- Are the same vehicles, drivers, and coverage limits on both declarations pages?
- Were SDIP points added, and for which conviction or accident date?
- When does each point level drop off the policy?
- Is an inexperienced-operator factor being applied, and to which driver?
- Did a discount, such as multi-policy or good student, drop off this term?
Check your own increase against the approved change → · Every NC auto rate filing on record →
Be told before the next one
One email when a filing is made, when a hearing is set, and when a change takes effect. Four to eight a year. Nothing on this site is ever hidden behind it.