Best car insurance in Wilmington, NC (2024)

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Nicole WakelinAutomotive journalistNicole Wakelin is an automotive journalist who has covered the industry for over a decade. She’s always loved cars and the fact that they regularly hand her the keys to shiny new automobiles so she can write about them is a constant source of amazement. She covers breaking news, writes reviews, and attends auto shows and new vehicle launches across the country. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications both online and in print. These include U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, TrueCar, Kelley Blue Book, and Autobytel. In addition, she speaks to all things automotive at conferences, on the radio, and on podcasts, including co-hosting the weekly Wheel Bearings Podcast. Nicole is a current member and former Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. She is also a juror for both the Women’s World Car of the Year and the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year.&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.

Updated|2 min read

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Wilmington drivers pay an average of $1,072 per year for full coverage car insurance, slightly less than the statewide average for North Carolina, which is just $1,084 per year. But even though rates are already low in Wilmington, drivers can still save even more on their car insurance by comparing rates before picking a policy.

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The best way to make sure you’re finding the most affordable rates on car insurance is to shop around. Policygenius can help you see what you’ll pay for coverage with top car insurance companies, so you can be sure you’re picking the policy that’s best for you.

Key takeaways

  • Erie has the lowest average rates for full coverage car insurance in Wilmington at $738 per year.

  • National General has the cheapest rates for Wilmington drivers with bad credit at $989 per year.

  • North Carolina requires at least $35,000 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.

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 Wilmington, NC

How much you pay for car insurance depends on your age, driving record, ZIP code, and credit history. But your rates will also depend on the company you choose — since costs can vary from company to company, even for the same driver.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

Erie

$738

893

Farm Bureau

$786

--

Utica National

$885

--

GEICO

$886

874

State Farm

$904

882

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Wilmington, NC

Rates of theft and vandalism, the number of accidents and traffic tickets issued nearby, and even the average costs of car repairs in your neighborhood can all affect what you’ll pay for car insurance.

ZIP code

Average cost

28409

$1,060

28412

$1,062

28405

$1,069

28403

$1,070

28401

$1,098

Choosing the right car insurance company in Wilmington, NC

The right car insurance company for you is whichever one offers you the best coverage at the  lowest rates — which means the right company for one driver may not be the right one for another.

The best way to find the right car insurance company for you is to shop around and compare rates before picking a policy. Policygenius makes it easy to compare options, so you can feel confident you’re choosing the right company for you.

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

Any kind of moving violation will have a negative impact on your car insurance rates, but more serious violations, like a DUI or an at-fault accident, will mean much higher rates.

Violation

Erie

Farm Bureau

Utica National

GEICO

State Farm

At-fault accident

$836

$1,346

$1,691

$2,167

$1,641

DUI

$3,474

$3,371

$4,937

$5,214

$4,192

Suspended license

$2,388

$2,320

$3,309

$3,207

$2,557

Open container

$1,147

$1,121

$1,269

$1,474

$1,347

Expired registration

$1,147

$1,121

$1,269

$1,474

$1,226

Driving without lights

$759

$1,121

$1,269

$1,474

$1,226

Running a red light

$1,147

$1,121

$1,269

$1,474

$1,347

Following too closely

$1,263

$1,234

$1,437

$1,600

$1,494

Hit and run

$3,474

$5,185

$4,937

$5,214

$4,192

Not-at-fault accident

$759

$821

$1,017

$907

$960

Passing a school bus

$1,536

$1,497

$2,017

$1,989

$1,740

Reckless driving

$1,536

$1,497

$2,017

$2,331

$1,740

Speeding

$1,263

$1,234

$1,119

$1,600

$1,494

Collapse table

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

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

Farm Bureau

$3,371

Erie

$3,474

State Farm

$4,192

Utica National

$4,937

GEICO

$5,214

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

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

Utica National

$1,119

Farm Bureau

$1,234

Erie

$1,263

State Farm

$1,494

GEICO

$1,600

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

Credit score also matters when it comes to car insurance. Generally, the lower your credit score, the more you’ll pay for car insurance, so if you’re a Wilmington driver with poor credit, it’s all the more important to shop around and find your most affordable rates.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

National General Insurance

$989

Erie

$1,109

MetLife

$1,147

Progressive

$1,147

Penn National

$1,149

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Buying car insurance in Wilmington, NC

All Wilmington drivers must meet the minimum insurance requirements in North Carolina, which are:

  • 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 BI minimum ($60,000 per accident)

North Carolina drivers must be able to provide proof of insurance if requested. If you are convicted of driving without insurance, penalties may include fines and revocation of your vehicle's license plates.

How to get cheap car insurance in Wilmington, NC

  • Drive safely: Drive with care to avoid at-fault accidents and traffic violations 

  • Shop around: Get more than one quote so you can compare companies before you buy

  • Don’t miss discounts: Ask what kind of discounts are offered, including savings for low mileage drivers, safe drivers, good students, and paying your premiums in full

  • Bundle policies: Get your renters or homeowners insurance from the same company as your auto insurance and you’ll save on both policies

Frequently asked questions

Who has the cheapest car insurance rates in Wilmington?

Our data shows the company with the cheapest car insurance in Wilmington is Erie, but car insurance rates can vary widely, so you should shop around to find the best rates for you.

How can I save money on my car insurance in Wilmington?

You’ll save money on your car insurance by avoiding accidents and tickets and shopping around before you buy a policy. You should make sure to reshop for car insurance before your policy is up for renewal each year, to make sure you’re not missing out on a better deal somewhere else.

Does North Carolina require car insurance?

Yes, North Carolina requires at least $35,000 per person/$60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

What happens if you drive without insurance in North Carolina?

Driving without insurance is a misdemeanor in North Carolina, which means you could have your driver's license suspended. You could also be fined $50-$150 or put in jail, so it is important to have at least the minimum required level of liability coverage.

Authors

Nicole Wakelin is an automotive journalist who has covered the industry for over a decade. She’s always loved cars and the fact that they regularly hand her the keys to shiny new automobiles so she can write about them is a constant source of amazement. She covers breaking news, writes reviews, and attends auto shows and new vehicle launches across the country.

Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications both online and in print. These include U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, TrueCar, Kelley Blue Book, and Autobytel. In addition, she speaks to all things automotive at conferences, on the radio, and on podcasts, including co-hosting the weekly Wheel Bearings Podcast.

Nicole is a current member and former Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. She is also a juror for both the Women’s World Car of the Year and the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year.

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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