Best car insurance in Charlotte, NC (2024)

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Laura GunnFreelance contributorLaura Gunn is an insurance expert and writer. As a former English teacher, she made the transition to full-time writing and editing in 2016. Since that time she has written extensively about insurance topics, as well as topics pertaining to education and marketing.Her work has been published in The Millennial Source, News Hunt 360, Realty Today, HNGN, and other publications.&Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing Editor & Auto Insurance ExpertAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.
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Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Certified Financial PlannerIan Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.

Updated|2 min read

Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.

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The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Charlotte, North Carolina, is $1,274 a year. This comes in $190 above the state's average of $1,084. Neither of these numbers guarantee your rates, however. Individual rates vary from driver to driver and depend on a number of personal factors, like age, address, credit score, and past driving history.

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Ready to start shopping? Policygenius can show you options from top car insurance companies so you can be sure you’re making the right choice.

Key takeaways

  • ERIE has the lowest average rate for full coverage car insurance in Charlotte at $859 per year.

  • North Carolina requires a minimum of $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, as well as $25,000 in property damage liability coverage.

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is also required in North Carolina.

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: 50/100

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Charlotte, NC

A single driver can get multiple quotes for the same coverage that differ by hundreds of dollars, which is why it's so important to shop around before choosing a policy. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Charlotte:

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

Erie

$859

893

Farm Bureau

$919

--

Utica National

$955

--

GEICO

$972

874

National General Insurance

$1,144

838

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Charlotte, NC

Where you live in Charlotte will determine how much the car insurance company will charge for coverage. Insurers consider population, crime levels, frequency of traffic accidents or incidents, and even amount of available off-street parking.

ZIP code

Average cost

28269

$1,106

28277

$1,148

28202

$1,158

28210

$1,159

28209

$1,161

28226

$1,162

28270

$1,166

28203

$1,167

28211

$1,167

28207

$1,170

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Charlotte, NC

Finding the right car insurance at an affordable price can seem complicated, so it's important to consider the most important factors to you and compare all your options.

  • Cost: Different companies charge different rates for similar coverage, so it's important to compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies to find the best rate

  • Coverage: Make sure the company you choose offers the coverage you need. Remember, the higher you set your limits, the better protected you’ll be 

  • Customer service: Do a little research on the insurance company itself. Read customer reviews and check claims satisfaction ratings to see how the companies stack up

Ready to start shopping? Policygenius can show you options from top car insurance companies so you can be sure you’re making the right choice.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Charlotte, NC

How safely you drive can also play a major role in current and future car insurance rates. If a driver has a history of driving issues and insurance claims, it can affect the driver’s car insurance rates. Some violations are more costly than others, depending on the severity.

Violation

Erie

Farm Bureau

Utica National

GEICO

National General Insurance

At-fault accident

$974

$1,576

$1,878

$2,446

$1,937

DUI

$4,054

$3,954

$5,623

$6,035

$3,074

Suspended license

$2,786

$2,721

$3,739

$3,705

$3,214

Open container

$1,336

$1,312

$1,388

$1,656

$1,480

Expired registration

$1,336

$1,312

$1,388

$1,656

$1,480

Driving without lights

$884

$1,312

$1,388

$1,656

$1,480

Running a red light

$1,336

$1,312

$1,388

$1,656

$1,480

Following too closely

$1,473

$1,445

$1,582

$1,809

$1,643

Hit and run

$4,054

$6,085

$5,623

$6,035

$4,657

Not-at-fault accident

$884

$960

$1,099

$995

$1,164

Passing a school bus

$1,790

$1,752

$2,245

$2,267

$2,081

Reckless driving

$1,790

$1,752

$2,245

$2,644

$2,081

Speeding

$1,473

$1,445

$1,205

$1,809

$1,643

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Charlotte, NC

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

National General Insurance

$3,074

Farm Bureau

$3,954

Erie

$4,054

Utica National

$5,623

GEICO

$6,035

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Charlotte, NC

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

Utica National

$1,205

Farm Bureau

$1,445

Erie

$1,473

National General Insurance

$1,643

GEICO

$1,809

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Charlotte, NC

Your credit score can also impact car insurance rates: the lower a driver's credit score, the higher their insurance rates, but a high credit score may help lower your rates, so be sure to reshop your car insurance coverage whenever your finances improve.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

National General Insurance

$1,155

Utica National

$1,264

Erie

$1,291

MetLife

$1,353

Progressive

$1,353

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Buying car insurance in Charlotte, NC

Drivers in every North Carolina are required to abide by the minimum state requirements for car insurance requirements. If you live in Charlotte, be sure to have at least the following levels of coverage:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $30,000

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $60,000

  • Property damage liability coverage: $25,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Must match highest bodily injury liability minimum ($60,000 per accident)

North Carolina is a at-fault state, so the responsibility for covering damages in an accident falls on the driver who caused the accident, including the other party’s medical bills and repair costs. Make sure you have enough coverage so you’re not paying out an expensive liability.

How to get cheap car insurance in Charlotte, NC

If the cost of your car insurance is too expensive, then consider some of these tips to make sure you’re getting the most affordable coverage possible:

  • Ask about discounts and bundles options

  • Carry minimum coverage on older cars

  • Drive safely and avoid moving violations

  • Review your car insurance every year to make sure you’re still getting the best rates

  • Reshop your car insurance whenever your policy is up for renewal to make sure you’re getting the best rates

Frequently asked questions

How much is car insurance a month in North Carolina?

The average cost of car insurance in North Carolina is $1,084 per year, which breaks down to $90 per month. Drivers in Charlotte pay an average of $106 per month, which is $16 higher than the state average.

Is North Carolina a no-fault state?

No, North Carolina is an at-fault state, which means the driver who is at fault for an accident is responsible for the bodily injury and property damage costs associated with the accident, whether or not they have enough insurance to cover those costs.

What kind of driving violations have the biggest impact on car insurance rates in NC?

Violations that involve alcohol or other substances often have the biggest impact on insurance rates. Having a DUI/DWI on your motor vehicle record can significantly increase your rates.

Is car insurance expensive in North Carolina?

No. In fact, at $1084 per year, North Carolina has one of the lowest average car insurance rates in the nation.

Authors

Laura Gunn is an insurance expert and writer. As a former English teacher, she made the transition to full-time writing and editing in 2016. Since that time she has written extensively about insurance topics, as well as topics pertaining to education and marketing.

Her work has been published in The Millennial Source, News Hunt 360, Realty Today, HNGN, and other publications.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.

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