Are you a resident of North Dakota? Do you plan to buy a new car or purchase a new auto insurance policy? Here are few things that you absolutely must know. For starters, your age, gender, the make and model of your car, and your location will play an important role in determining the amount of your premium. However, the most important factor that affects your premium is your driving record.

Accidents, speeding tickets, alcohol-related offenses have an adverse effect on your driving record, and spike up your insurance premium. In North Dakota, the average annual insurance rate is $1334. Grand Forks has the lowest annual average insurance premium rate ($1003) in North Dakota. But with one accident on your record, you will have to pay an annual average premium rate of $1235. With two accidents, your average insurance premium rate could go up to $1843.

In North Dakota, driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol is a serious offense, and four such convictions are considered a felony. A second DUI on your record could result in permanent confiscation of your vehicle. Even a single DUI drives up your insurance premium to almost double the original amount. In Grand Forks, after one DUI conviction, your premium will be increased to $1866. In Leith, the average annual insurance rate is $1330. This could go up to $2474 after a DUI conviction.

A legal recourse to the exorbitant insurance premiums after a DUI conviction is to take a defensive driving course. This helps marginally lower your insurance premiums. In Grand Forks, a defensive driving course completion certificate would help bring down your premium from $1866 to $1586. In Leith, one of the most expensive auto insurance cities in North Dakota, a defensive driving course helps lower the premium from $2474 to $2103.