Best car insurance in Raleigh, 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.

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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.

Updated|2 min read

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The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Raleigh is $1,099 a year. This comes in just $15 above North Carolina's already low 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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The best way to find a deal on car insurance is to shop around and compare companies before you buy. 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 Raleigh at $759 a year

  • 27607 is the Raleigh ZIP code with the cheapest average rates for full coverage car insurance, at $993 a 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: $50,000 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 Raleigh, NC

All car insurance companies use the same factors to calculate your rates, but they can come up with very different final numbers, even for the same exact driver. That’s why it’s so important to shop around and find the company that will offer you the most coverage at the lowest rates.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

Erie

$759

893

Farm Bureau

$809

--

Utica National

$890

--

State Farm

$941

882

GEICO

$968

874

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Raleigh, NC

Where you live in Raleigh can also play a major role in car insurance rates. Factors like crime rates, population density, and even frequency of traffic accidents or claims can affect your car insurance rates.

ZIP code

Average cost

27607

$993

27606

$994

27608

$998

27605

$1,007

27695

$1,021

27617

$1,050

27613

$1,059

27612

$1,061

27615

$1,068

27614

$1,077

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Raleigh, NC

Buying car insurance can seem complicated, but it doesn't have to be. 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, that's why 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 Raleigh, NC

How safely you drive will also have a big impact on car insurance rates. Drivers who have recent accidents and violations should expect to see higher insurance rates. Just how high those rates will be, however, will depend on the severity of the violations.

Violation

Erie

Farm Bureau

Utica National

State Farm

GEICO

At-fault accident

$861

$1,386

$1,709

$1,710

$2,316

DUI

$3,582

$3,474

$5,012

$4,373

$5,436

Suspended license

$2,462

$2,390

$3,354

$2,670

$3,348

Open container

$1,181

$1,154

$1,276

$1,403

$1,578

Expired registration

$1,181

$1,154

$1,276

$1,278

$1,578

Driving without lights

$781

$1,154

$1,276

$1,278

$1,578

Running a red light

$1,181

$1,154

$1,276

$1,403

$1,578

Following too closely

$1,302

$1,270

$1,448

$1,557

$1,705

Hit and run

$3,582

$5,344

$5,012

$4,373

$5,436

Not-at-fault accident

$781

$845

$1,023

$1,000

$992

Passing a school bus

$1,581

$1,541

$2,038

$1,813

$2,101

Reckless driving

$1,581

$1,541

$2,038

$1,813

$2,478

Speeding

$1,302

$1,270

$1,124

$1,557

$1,705

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

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

Farm Bureau

$3,474

Erie

$3,582

State Farm

$4,373

Utica National

$5,012

GEICO

$5,436

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

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

Utica National

$1,124

Farm Bureau

$1,270

Erie

$1,302

State Farm

$1,557

GEICO

$1,705

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

If you have a lower credit score, then you should expect to pay higher insurance rates, which makes it all the more important for drivers with poor credit to shop around and compare rates before picking a policy.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

National General Insurance

$994

Erie

$1,141

Progressive

$1,169

MetLife

$1,169

Penn National

$1,171

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Buying car insurance in Raleigh, NC

Drivers in Raleigh are required to abide by the North Carolina state minimum car insurance requirements. Every driver in North Carolina must carry at least the following amounts 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)

Aside from the required state minimums, it's important to know that North Carolina is an at fault state. That means that, after an accident, the insurance company of the driver found responsible will have to pay for the other party’s medical bills and repair costs. That’s why it’s important to set high liability limits, to make sure you’re fully covered in case of an accident.

How to get cheap car insurance in Raleigh, NC

If your car insurance seems too expensive, then consider some of these tried-and-true tips for making sure you’re getting the most affordable coverage possible:

  • Ask about discounts live savings for good students or for going paperless

  • Bundle multiple policies with the same company

  • Reduce coverage on older cars

  • Drive safely and avoid moving violations

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

Frequently asked questions

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

North Carolina is an at-fault state. The insurance of the driver who is at-fault for an accident will pay for the costs associated with the accident.

Is car insurance required in North Carolina?

North Carolina is like most states in the U.S. and car insurance is required. The state requires all drivers to have bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Is car insurance expensive in North Carolina?

No, car insurance isn't expensive in North Carolina. We found that the average cost of car insurance in North Carolina is $1,084 per year, which makes it the third-cheapest state.

Does North Carolina require car insurance?

Yes, North Carolina requires car insurance with a minimum of $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $60,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons, and $25,000 for property damage liability per accident.

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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