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- Car insurance in North Carolina averages $47 per month for minimum-coverage policies and $127 each month for full coverage.
- Erie offers the lowest average prices in North Carolina for both minimum and full coverage.
- Drivers with at-fault accidents, DUIs, and speeding tickets often pay more for North Carolina car insurance.
Best Car Insurance Rates in North Carolina
Erie, Nationwide, and State Farm tend to offer the cheapest auto insurance rates for North Carolina drivers. That said, it’s important to get quotes from various providers to determine which company has the lowest prices for your vehicle.
- Our researchers used cost data from Quadrant Information Services to find insurance premium estimates for different coverage types, driver profiles, and cities in North Carolina. We used this data to determine the cheapest coverage options from quality car insurance providers, and you’ll find details in tables throughout the article.
- To determine an overall rating for each top insurance company, our team considers not only affordability but also industry standing, availability, and coverage options. We then factor in the customer experience and online reviews to establish a numerical rating out of the highest possible score of 5.0.
- Unless stated otherwise, estimates reflect the profile of a 40-year-old driver with a clean driving record and good credit history.
- You’ll find detailed cost estimates in the sections below, but we’ve listed out the cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina for a few driver profiles right here:
- Cheapest full coverage: Erie followed by State Farm
- Cheapest minimum coverage: Erie followed by North Carolina Farm Bureau
- Cheapest for teen drivers: State Farm followed by Erie
- Cheapest for drivers with a traffic violation: Erie followed by North Carolina Farm Bureau
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in North Carolina
We’ve selected the auto insurance providers that offer North Carolina’s best mix of affordable coverage and high-quality plans. While Erie has the Tar Heel State’s cheapest rates, State Farm received the highest score of any company we ranked.
| Car Insurance Provider | Overall Rating | Average Monthly Rate: Minimum Coverage | Average Monthly Rate: Full Coverage | Number of Discounts |
| State Farm | 4.7 | $39 | $96 | 12 |
| GEICO | 4.4 | $56 | $128 | 16 |
| Erie | 4.6 | $27 | $81 | 6 |
| Nationwide | 4.4 | $36 | $132 | 10 |
| Progressive | 4.5 | $44 | $129 | 13 |
Cheapest Car Insurance Coverage in North Carolina
The cheapest car insurance in North Carolina, as with any other state, will almost certainly be minimum-liability coverage. While this will meet your state’s car insurance requirements, it won’t protect your own vehicle or take care of personal bodily injuries, making it a barely-serviceable option.
Getting a full-coverage auto insurance plan will cover your own car and medical bills instead of only those for other drivers. While this will cost significantly more than minimum coverage, the value of saving money if you get involved in an at-fault accident will be well worth it.
Cheapest Minimum-Liability Car Insurance in North Carolina
The average rate estimate for a minimum-coverage policy in North Carolina is $47 per month or $567 per year. Erie tends to offer the cheapest minimum-liability policies with estimates of $27 per month or $318 per year.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Rate for Minimum Coverage | Average Yearly Rate for Minimum Coverage |
| Erie | $27 | $318 |
| Nationwide | $36 | $431 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $34 | $412 |
| State Farm | $39 | $463 |
| Utica | $54 | $652 |
| Penn National | $41 | $489 |
| Farmers | $44 | $528 |
| Progressive | $44 | $528 |
| GEICO | $56 | $666 |
| Allstate | $99 | $1,187 |
Cheapest Full-Coverage Car Insurance in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the average rate for full-coverage auto insurance is $127 per month or $1,527 per year. Overall, Erie offers the cheapest average estimates for full-coverage insurance at $81 per month or $972 per year.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Rate for Full Coverage | Average Yearly Rate for Full Coverage |
| Erie | $81 | $972 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $99 | $1,186 |
| State Farm | $96 | $1,151 |
| Nationwide | $132 | $1,589 |
| GEICO | $128 | $1,537 |
| Utica | $128 | $1,540 |
| Penn National | $119 | $1,425 |
| Farmers | $129 | $1,545 |
| Progressive | $129 | $1,545 |
| Allstate | $232 | $2,551 |
North Carolina Car Insurance Quotes by Driver Profile
Coverage rates for car insurance in North Carolina will vary from what’s listed above. That’s because auto insurance companies base individual premiums on several variables. Don’t be surprised if your age, driving record, and location in North Carolina all contribute to your car insurance premium.
Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina: Age
Age is one of the biggest factors in car insurance pricing. Young drivers and especially teen drivers often pay far more for auto coverage than other age groups. In the table below, you’ll find the average rate estimates for North Carolina drivers of different ages:
| Driver Age | Average Monthly Rate for Full Coverage |
| 16 | $358 |
| 20 | $157 |
| 30 | $130 |
| 40 | $127 |
| 50 | $124 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina: High-Risk Drivers
Your driving history is another key component in your North Carolina auto insurance rates. Any at-fault accidents or traffic violations such as speeding tickets can result in higher premiums.
How much your driving record impacts your monthly cost varies by car insurer. Below is a list of the top insurers in North Carolina and their average minimum-coverage rates for good drivers versus those marked as high-risk drivers.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Rate for Clean Driving Records | Average Monthly Rate for High-Risk Drivers |
| Utica | $232 | $169 |
| Erie | $185 | $131 |
| Nationwide | $277 | $246 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $276 | $144 |
| State Farm | $213 | $146 |
| Penn National | $251 | $174 |
| Farmers | $272 | $189 |
| Progressive | $272 | $189 |
| GEICO | $313 | $280 |
| Allstate | $527 | $482 |
Car Insurance Rates in North Carolina: Speeding Ticket
A single speeding ticket can cause your premiums to go up. For North Carolina drivers, Utica tends to offer the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket with an average rate estimate of $184 per month or $2,217 per year. Erie also offers extremely competitive rates for drivers whose recent driving history includes a speeding ticket.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Rate After a Speeding Ticket | Average Yearly Rate After a Speeding Ticket |
| Erie | $131 | $1,566 |
| Nationwide | $193 | $2,313 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $144 | $1,729 |
| State Farm | $146 | $1,748 |
| Utica | $128 | $1,540 |
| Penn National | $174 | $2,087 |
| Farmers | $189 | $2,264 |
| Progressive | $189 | $2,264 |
| GEICO | $208 | $2,490 |
| Allstate | $348 | $4,173 |
Car Insurance Rates in North Carolina: At-Fault Accident
Drivers will also likely see higher rates if they’re found at fault for a car accident. Erie generally offers the cheapest coverage for North Carolina drivers with a recent accident, with an average rate estimate of $215 per month or $2,578 per year. State Farm and North Carolina Farm Bureau have relatively inexpensive coverage for drivers with an at-fault accident as well.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Rate After an At-Fault Accident | Average Yearly Rate After an At-Fault Accident |
| Erie | $131 | $1,566 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $144 | $1,729 |
| State Farm | $146 | $1,748 |
| Nationwide | $246 | $2,949 |
| Utica | $169 | $2,029 |
| Penn National | $174 | $2,087 |
| Farmers | $189 | $2,264 |
| Progressive | $189 | $2,264 |
| GEICO | $280 | $3,355 |
| Allstate | $482 | $5,789 |
Car Insurance Rates in North Carolina: DUI
A violation for driving under the influence (DUI) can cause one’s auto insurance premiums to skyrocket. For North Carolina motorists with a DUI on their record, Erie offers average estimates of $343 per month or $4,121 per year. State Farm and Utica also offer some of the more affordable premiums for these drivers.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Rate After a DUI | Average Yearly Rate After a DUI |
| Utica | $440 | $5,274 |
| Nationwide | $506 | $6,068 |
| Erie | $343 | $4,121 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $584 | $7,008 |
| State Farm | $397 | $4,768 |
| Penn National | $460 | $5,516 |
| Farmers | $499 | $5,992 |
| Progressive | $499 | $5,992 |
| GEICO | $603 | $7,237 |
| Allstate | $1,000 | $12,001 |
Average Cost of Car Insurance in North Carolina
The average cost of car insurance in North Carolina comes out to $567 per year for minimum-liability insurance and $1,527 annually for full coverage. These rates are about 26% lower than the national average for minimum coverage and 23% lower than the national rate for full coverage.
Average Car Insurance Cost in North Carolina by City
Where you live in North Carolina can significantly impact your auto insurance premium. Potential risk factors such as population density, crime rates, and weather patterns vary between ZIP codes, and you can expect car insurance rates to do the same. The table below shows the average rates for car insurance in North Carolina’s largest cities.
| Cities in North Carolina | Average Monthly Rate for Minimum Coverage | Average Monthly Rate for Full Coverage |
| Charlotte | $58 | $153 |
| Greensboro | $44 | $125 |
| Raleigh | $46 | $126 |
| Winston-Salem | $40 | $114 |
| Durham | $44 | $128 |
| Fayetteville | $52 | $145 |
| Wilmington | $46 | $121 |
| Cary | $41 | $113 |
| Asheville | $34 | $110 |
| Jacksonville | $44 | $129 |
| High Point | $43 | $119 |
| Gastonia | $53 | $143 |
| Mooresville | $43 | $124 |
| Chapel Hill | $37 | $112 |
| Concord | $49 | $132 |
| Rocky Mount | $41 | $132 |
| Wake Forest | $45 | $124 |
| Greenville | $45 | $130 |
| Apex | $41 | $113 |
| Hickory | $41 | $123 |
North Carolina Minimum Car Insurance Coverage
According to North Carolina law, all drivers must either meet or exceed the following minimum coverage requirements:
- $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
- $60,000 uninsured underinsured motorist coverage per accident
- $30,000 uninsured underinsured motorist coverage per person
- $25,000 uninsured underinsured property damage coverage per accident
While liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage are important, they don’t cover the majority of bills after an accident. Both insurance agents and experts recommend moving beyond state minimum-coverage car insurance policies. Higher limits could protect you from paying large amounts of money out of pocket after an accident.
If you have collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, you’ll be covered in the event of theft, vandalism, a car accident, or severe weather. Other types of coverage such as personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage (MedPay) could make it easier to cover potential medical bills as well.
Cheap Car Insurance in North Carolina: Conclusion
The cheapest car insurance in North Carolina often comes from Erie, which has average rates of $27 per month. It’s important to compare auto insurance quotes from various providers, though, to find out if you could receive more affordable coverage elsewhere.
You may also want to consider the protection of a full-coverage policy. The best rates we found for full coverage came in as low as $81 per month from Erie. More coverage generally means higher premiums, but also more financial protection and peace of mind.
Best Car Insurance in North Carolina: Recommended Providers
While certain companies are known to offer reasonable premiums to North Carolina drivers, you’ll need to get car insurance quotes from various providers to find your best rates. We recommend considering Erie and Nationwide as you begin your search for the best auto insurer.
Erie: 4.6 out of 5.0
Erie typically provides the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for both full-coverage and minimum-coverage plans. For those who are eligible, Erie may be the best choice and is a great affordable option.
Nationwide: 4.4 out of 5.0
The price estimates for Nationwide car insurance in North Carolina were extremely competitive, nearly matching those from Erie. That, combined with the company’s reputation and financial strength, makes it stand out for those seeking coverage in the Tar Heel State. Nationwide is also known to offer plenty of safe driving discounts, with 10 choices for North Carolina motorists.
Cheapest Auto Insurance in North Carolina: FAQ
Which company gives the cheapest car insurance?
Erie generally offers the cheapest car insurance when it comes to national averages. Drivers in North Carolina tend to receive their lowest premiums from Nationwide and State Farm.
How much is car insurance per month in North Carolina?
The average cost of car insurance per month in North Carolina is $47 for a minimum-coverage policy and $127 for full coverage. Our team found rates in North Carolina as low as $27 per month for minimum coverage and $81 for a full-coverage policy.
How to reduce car insurance in North Carolina?
The easiest ways to reduce your car insurance cost in North Carolina are by lowering your amounts and types of coverage, increasing your deductible, and seeking out driver discounts. Improving your credit score and bundling coverage with homeowners or renters insurance are other ways to get lower rates over the long term.
How much is car insurance on average in North Carolina?
Car insurance in North Carolina averages out to $567 per year for minimum coverage and $1,527 annually for full-coverage policies.
Is it illegal to drive without insurance in North Carolina?
Yes, it is illegal to drive without insurance in North Carolina. Expect to receive a misdemeanor if you’re caught driving without coverage and current registration. It’s possible that you could be fined, lose permission to drive, or even face a short time in prison.
Is it cheaper to pay car insurance every six months or monthly?
You’ll typically get charged less if you pay off your car insurance policy every six months rather than each month. Many auto insurers give discounts for paying policies upfront, though this savings opportunity isn’t universally offered.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car insurance providers.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team considers auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car insurance company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, financial strength, and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurers with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Customer Service: Reputable car insurance providers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We consider complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), J.D. Power claims servicing scores, and customer feedback.
- Online Experience: Insurers with easy-to-use websites and highly rated mobile apps scored best in this category.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
