The best car insurance in North Carolina

Gianetta Palmer

Published November 15, 2021

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The average cost of a full coverage car insurance policy in North Carolina is $1,009 per year, making North Carolina one of the ten cheapest states in the U.S. for car insurance. But prices can vary based on your age, driving record, and the company you choose, which is why it’s so important to shop around and make sure you’re finding the most affordable coverage.

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Key Takeaways

GEICO has the lowest average insurance rates in North Carolina at $736 per year for full coverage
North Carolina drivers insured with GEICO who get a DUI could see their insurance rates increase by more than $4,000 annually
North Carolina requires $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is also required in North Carolina

Cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina

Insurance companies all use basically the same information to set insurance rates. However, each company has its own method for using details like your driving history and age to calculate prices, that’s why some companies offer better prices than others, even for the exact same coverage.

GEICO

$736

871

Erie

$787

880

Utica National

$805

North Carolina Farm Bureau

$807

State Farm

$854

881

Cheapest car insurance companies by age in North Carolina

Statistics show young drivers are more likely to be in a car accident and file claims, and that’s why they pay the highest car insurance rates of any age group. That’s why it’s all the more important for young drivers to shop around for coverage and make sure they’re getting the best deal.

State Farm

$1,605

State Farm

$1,557

GEICO

$668

GEICO

$657

GEICO

$721

GEICO

$745

GEICO

$742

GEICO

$691

Choosing the right car insurance company in North Carolina

Car insurance is required in North Carolina, so when it’s time to choose a company, it comes down to what’s most important to you. Is it finding the lowest rates, or would you pay more for top-notch customer service and claims handling? Do you want to bundle policies, or is auto the only coverage you need?

Policygenius can help you figure out what you need from your car insurance and then show you options from top companies, so you know you’re getting the best deal.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in North Carolina

A single speeding ticket can nearly double your insurance rates, while a DUI conviction can quadruple that amount. To avoid paying more for car insurance, it’s always a good idea to have a designated driver and obey posted speed limit signs.

At-fault Accident

$1,917

$851

$1,615

$1,387

$1,554

DUI

$5,079

$3,601

$4,916

$3,481

$3,999

Driving with a suspended license

$3,106

$2,469

$3,254

$2,395

$2,452

Driving with an open container

$1,302

$1,174

$1,190

$1,154

$1,272

Driving with expired registration

$1,302

$1,174

$1,190

$1,154

$1,165

Driving without Lights

$1,302

$1,174

$1,190

$1,154

$1,165

Failure to show documents

$1,302

$1,174

$1,190

$1,154

$1,165

Failure to stop at a red light

$1,302

$1,174

$1,190

$1,154

$1,272

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in North Carolina

In North Carolina, insurance companies can use your credit score as a factor when setting rates, but it can’t be the only deciding factor. The table below the average rates for drivers in North Carolina with poor credit.

National General

$997

Utica National

$1,066

Erie

$1,088

MetLife

$1,169

Penn National

$1,170

Car insurance costs in North Carolina cities

Where you live in North Carolina will also affect how much you pay. Population density, crime rates, and the number of reported accidents and claims in a given area can all mean higher or lower car insurance rates. Here’s what drivers pay in the 10 biggest cities in North Carolina:

Charlotte: $1,179
Raleigh: $1,019
Greensboro: $1,032
Durham: $1,017
Winston-Salem: $907
Fayetteville: $1,209
Cary: $908
Wilmington: $994
High Point: $995
Concord: $1,064

If you live in a city with high insurance rates, maintaining a good driving record could help you save money on your insurance.

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Buying car insurance in North Carolina

If you want to drive in North Carolina, state law says that all vehicles must meet the following minimum requirements for insurance (or otherwise prove financial responsibility):

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: $60,000

North Carolina is an at-fault state when it comes to car accidents. That means that the driver responsible for an accident is also responsible for coverage the damage or injuries they’ve caused (that’s what your liability coverage is for).

How to get cheap car insurance in North Carolina

North Carolina drivers pay some of the cheapest rates in the nations, but there are additional ways to save, including common discounts:

Safe-driver discount: For drivers without any accident claims during a given timeframe
Multi-car discount: For having more than one car on your policy
Military discount: A discount for active-duty military personnel and their families
Bundling discount: For combining home and auto or other coverage from the same company

Discounts vary by company, and you might not qualify for all of them, so comparing quotes from top companies is a great way to lower the cost of your car insurance.

Frequently asked questions

Who has the lowest car insurance in North Carolina?

GEICO has the lowest average rates for full coverage in the state, at $733 per year.

I have a teenager getting their driver’s license soon, how can I lower their insurance rates?

Many companies offer students who maintain at least a B average a discount. Some companies also offer special programs to encourage teens to drive safely in exchange for discounts.

I moved to another apartment in my building, will that raise my rates?

Moving to another apartment in your building will probably not increase your insurance rates, unless your parking situation changed or you bought instead of renting. However, moving across the street could change your rates if the address is in a different ZIP code.

I got a ticket for racing, will my insurance go up?

Your driving record is one of the biggest factors used to determine car insurance rates. A ticket for illegal racing could increase your rates by thousands annually.

Methodology

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.

Gianetta Palmer

Freelance contributor

Gianetta Palmer is a freelance writer who lives in the Georgia mountains. Her writing on health and car insurance, has appeared on numerous sites.