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).
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 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 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, 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 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
Read our full GEICO car insurance review
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.
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
Read our full State Farm car insurance review
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 |
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 |
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.
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.
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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.
