The best car insurance in North Carolina for 2023

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Gianetta PalmerContributing WriterGianetta Palmer is a contributing writer at Policygenius, where she covers life insurance, home insurance, and auto insurance. Her writing has also appeared in TIME, Readers Digest, Healthline, and elsewhere.&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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Kristi Sullivan, CFP®Kristi Sullivan, CFP®Certified Financial PlannerKristi Sullivan, CFP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, she was a regional consultant at Fidelity Investments for nine years.

Updated|4 min read

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The cheapest car insurance for most drivers in North Carolina is Erie, which offers coverage for $62 per month. That comes to $738 per year, which is $346 cheaper per year than the statewide average in North Carolina (which is already very cheap at $1,084 annually).

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The other cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina are Utica National, North Carolina Farm Bureau, GEICO, and State Farm. But rates can vary, so be sure to compare quotes to find the cheapest car insurance for you.

Company

Average monthly cost

Average annual cost

Erie

$62

$738

Utica National

$67

$805

Farm Bureau

$67

$807

GEICO

$76

$913

State Farm

$78

$937

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: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • 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 North Carolina

Erie

4.9

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

Erie logo

Erie is a regional company, but rates stack up well versus larger competitors, and it earns top ratings for claims satisfaction. Erie also offers a range of endorsements and perks, like new car replacement and rate lock.

Pros

  • Cheaper than average rates for drivers with clean records

  • Policies come with pet injury coverage, travel expenses after a disabled vehicle, and accident forgiveness after three years at no extra cost

  • Offers extra endorsements and perks, like new car replacement, rate lock, and vanishing deductible

  • Great reputation for claims satisfaction among customers

Cons

  • Receives more customer complaints about service and settlements than average

Erie has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina. On average, Erie is $62 per month, or $738 per year. That’s $346 cheaper per year than the statewide average in North Carolina.

We also found that Erie has the best rates for drivers across different age groups, from 18-year-old drivers all the way up to 60-year-old drivers.

Utica National

Utica National logo

Utica is a small, New York-based insurance company that has a bare-bones online presence. It offers plenty of car insurance discounts, but no online quote tool, so you may have to contact a Utica agent for an estimate.

Pros

  • Lots of discounts

  • Offers auto, home, boat, motorcycle, and snowmobile insurance

Cons

  • Very little information available online

  • No online quote tool

Utica is the second-cheapest car insurance company in North Carolina, according to our analysis. On average, a full-coverage policy costs $67 per month. That’s $805 per year, which is $279 cheaper than the statewide average in North Carolina.

North Carolina Farm Bureau

North Carolina Farm Bureau logo

North Carolina Farm Bureau, an affiliate of the national group of Farm Bureau insurance companies that offers coverage to due-paying members (anyone can get a membership). Farm Bureau has cheap rates and great service, plus discounts on local retailers.

Pros

  • Cheaper-than-average rates

  • Gets very few complaints

  • Offers a few discounts

Cons

  • Must be a member to get covered

North Carolina Farm Bureau car insurance costs $67 per month, or $807 per year, making it the third-cheapest car insurance company in the state. 

We also found that Farm Bureau can have some of the best rates for North Carolina drivers who have a driving violation on their records. Any North Carolina resident can become a Farm Bureau member, for a relatively low annual fee, and a North Carolina Farm Bureau membership comes with other perks and discounts besides access to Farm Bureau insurance.

GEICO

4.7

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

GEICO logo

GEICO is nationally available and often has some of the cheapest rates. GEICO gets fewer service complaints than average, even though claims satisfaction can be mixed. Drivers can also customize their car insurance from GEICO with a few useful add-ons.

Pros

  • Available in every state and the District of Columbia

  • Usually has some of the cheapest rates

  • Gets fewer complaints than expected for its service

  • Allows drivers to add different types of useful coverages to a basic policy

Cons

  • Mixed reputation for claims satisfaction

The average cost of GEICO car insurance in North Carolina is $76 per month, or $913 per year. That’s $171 cheaper per year than the statewide average.

State Farm

4.8

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

State Farm logo

As the country’s biggest car insurance company, State Farm makes it easy for drivers to get coverage, make claims, and stay in contact. Also, State Farm is one of the cheapest insurers for most drivers, and tends to have great customer service.

Pros

  • Coverage available in nearly every state (along with in-person offices)

  • Cheap car insurance, including for some high-risk drivers

  • Consistently high customer service ratings

  • Some discounts, especially for good drivers

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer as many coverage options as some competitors

On average, State Farm costs $78 per month, or $937 per year. Even though it’s only the fifth-cheapest company in North Carolina, State Farm is still $147 cheaper than average.

Best car insurance companies in North Carolina

The best car insurance company in North Carolina is USAA, according to the 2022 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study. [1] This study measures how drivers feel about their insurance company, including price, claims service, policy offerings, interaction with representatives, and billing.

Since USAA is only available to members of the military, veterans, and their families, Auto-Owners is the best-rated car insurance company for the general public. But both score higher than the average in the Southeast region (849), of which North Carolina is a part.

Rank

Company

Score

1

USAA

886

2

Auto-Owners Insurance

871

3

Erie

868

4

State Farm

855

5

Nationwide

850

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.

We found that Erie has the best rates for most age groups in North Carolina.

Age

Cheapest company

Average cost

16

State Farm

$1,781

18

Erie

$1,654

21

GEICO

$826

25

Erie

$760

30

Erie

$760

35

Erie

$742

45

Erie

$713

55

Erie

$681

60

Erie

$681

65

Erie

$728

70

Erie

$816

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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 your situation. 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.

But if you do find yourself with a less-than-perfect driving record, some companies offer more affordable rates than others. We found that Erie has the best rates for most violations in North Carolina.

Violation

Erie

Utica National

Farm Bureau

GEICO

State Farm

At-fault accident

$838

$1,615

$1,387

$2,209

$1,693

DUI

$3,493

$4,916

$3,481

$5,329

$4,334

Suspended license

$2,400

$3,254

$2,395

$3,277

$2,664

Open container

$1,150

$1,190

$1,154

$1,504

$1,388

Expired registration

$1,150

$1,190

$1,154

$1,504

$1,273

Driving without lights

$760

$1,190

$1,154

$1,504

$1,273

Running a red light

$1,150

$1,190

$1,154

$1,504

$1,388

Following too closely

$1,267

$1,362

$1,270

$1,634

$1,541

Hit and run

$3,493

$4,916

$5,358

$5,329

$4,334

Not-at-fault accident

$760

$927

$844

$935

$995

Passing a school bus

$1,541

$1,935

$1,542

$2,026

$1,795

Reckless driving

$1,541

$1,935

$1,542

$2,378

$1,795

Speeding

$1,267

$1,017

$1,270

$1,634

$1,541

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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. We found that National General has the best rates for bad credit in North Carolina.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

National General Insurance

$997

Utica National

$1,066

Erie

$1,112

MetLife

$1,164

Progressive

$1,164

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: $1,274

  • Raleigh: $1,099

  • Greensboro: $1,106

  • Durham: $1,092

  • Winston-Salem: $975

  • Fayetteville: $1,305

  • Cary: $982

  • Wilmington: $1,072

  • High Point: $1,065

  • Concord: $1,146

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.

Find car insurance in your city:

Frequently asked questions

Who has the lowest car insurance in North Carolina?

Erie has the lowest average rates for full coverage in the state, at $738 per year.

How much is car insurance per month in North Carolina?

Drivers in North Carolina pay an average of $90 per month, or $1,084 per year.

Is North Carolina a no-fault state or an at-fault state?

North Carolina is an at-fault state, which means the insurance of the driver who is at-fault for an accident will pay for any property damage or medical expenses caused by the accident. Drivers who don't have enough insurance to cover the expenses caused by an at-fault accident will be expected to pay the costs out of pocket.

Is car insurance mandatory in North Carolina?

Yes, drivers in North Carolina are required by law to have 30/60/25 levels of liability insurance, including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

References

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Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of oureditorial standards.

  1. J.D. Power

    . "

    2022 Auto Insurance Study

    ." Accessed January 23, 2023.

Authors

Gianetta Palmer is a contributing writer at Policygenius, where she covers life insurance, home insurance, and auto insurance. Her writing has also appeared in TIME, Readers Digest, Healthline, and elsewhere.

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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