The cheapest car insurance for most drivers in North Carolina is Erie, at an average of $62 per month. The other cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina are Utica National, North Carolina Farm Bureau, GEICO, and State Farm.
Car insurance rates can vary from person to person, so be sure to compare quotes before you buy to find the cheapest car insurance for you.
Average cost per month | ||
|---|---|---|
Erie | $62 | |
Utica National | $67 | |
Farm Bureau | $67 | |
GEICO | $76 | |
State Farm | $78 |
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
Mobile app
Offers new car replacement
Good student discount
Accident forgiveness
Bundle home & auto
Offers classic car insurance
Coverage for rideshare drivers
Usage-based discount
Offers gap coverage
Offers motorcycle insurance
Why we chose it
Erie’s cheap rates and high claims satisfaction scores stack up well against larger competitors in North Carolina. Erie also offers a range of endorsements and perks, like new car replacement and rate lock.
Pros and cons
Pros
Low car insurance rates
Lots of useful add-ons, like new car replacement
Accident forgiveness automatically included after three years
Cons
Not available in every state
More details
Why we chose Erie:
Erie’s cheap rates make it one of the best companies for affordable car insurance in North Carolina. You can also save on your car insurance with Erie’s discounts — including special savings if you’re 21 years old or younger, or if there’s a young driver on your policy.
Erie also offers a range of coverage options, including gap insurance (which may be required by your lender or lessor), new car replacement coverage, personal belongings coverage, and more. You may also qualify for Erie’s accident forgiveness perk at no extra cost.
How does the cost of car insurance from Erie compare to average in North Carolina?
The average cost of car insurance from Erie in North Carolina is $62 a month or $738 per year, which is 32% cheaper than the statewide average.
Utica National
4.0
Mobile app
Bundle home & auto
Good student discount
Offers motorcycle insurance
Why we chose it
Utica National has cheap average rates in North Carolina, and you don’t need a clean record to get affordable coverage. It also has discounts that may make it easier to find lower rates.
Pros and cons
Pros
Lots of discounts
Offers auto, home, boat, motorcycle, and snowmobile insurance
Cons
No online quote tool
Very little information available online
More details
Why we chose Utica National:
Utica National is one of the cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina, even with an accident, speeding ticket, or other driving violation on your record.
Utica National’s discounts include a low-mileage discount for driving less, and good student discounts for young drivers who keep their high school or college GPA up. Some auto policies even include coverage for vet bills if your pets are injured in a car accident.
How does the cost of car insurance from Utica National compare to average in North Carolina?
The average cost of car insurance from Utica National in North Carolina is $67 a month or $805 per year, which is 26% cheaper than the statewide average.
Farm Bureau
4.7
All 50 states
Bundle home & auto
Good student discount
Mobile app
Offers classic car insurance
Usage-based discount
Why we chose it
Farm Bureau offers cheap car insurance rates, solid basic coverage, and high customer service scores for North Carolina drivers.
Pros and cons
Pros
Cheap rates
Offers new car replacement
Special discount for drivers under 25
Cons
Not a ton of coverage options
More details
Why we chose Farm Bureau:
NC Farm Bureau is one of the cheapest companies for car insurance in North Carolina. You have to be a Farm Bureau member to get coverage, but membership fees are fairly low, and come with a host of other benefits. Farm Bureau's rates are even affordable if you have teen drivers in the family or you have a history of accidents and driving violations.
Farm Bureau also has great customer service. It doesn’t have a claims satisfaction rating from J.D. Power, but Farm Bureau receives very few complaints from its customers compared to the industry average.
How does the cost of car insurance from Farm Bureau compare to average in North Carolina?
The average cost of car insurance from NC Farm Bureau is $67 a month or $807 per year, which is 26% cheaper than the statewide average.
GEICO
4.7
Offers classic car insurance
All 50 states
Offers motorcycle insurance
Good student discount
Mobile app
Usage-based discount
Why we chose it
GEICO is among our picks for top car insurance companies in North Carolina because of its low rates, convenient mobile app, and solid customer service.
Pros and cons
Pros
Available in all 50 states
Easy-to-use digital tools
Plenty of discounts
Cons
Only sells through GEICO agents
Doesn’t underwrite its other products
More details
Why we chose GEICO
You may be able to find cheap car insurance with GEICO even if you have bad credit or a newly licensed driver on your policy.
We also like GEICO’s convenient mobile app, which lets you estimate the cost of repairs to your vehicle before you make a claim. Although it’s one of the largest insurance companies in the country, GEICO gets fewer complaints from its customers than expected.
How does the cost of car insurance from GEICO compare to average in North Carolina?
The average cost of car insurance from GEICO in North Carolina is $76 a month or $913 per year, which is 16% cheaper than the statewide average.
State Farm
4.8
Bundle home & auto
Coverage for rideshare drivers
Good student discount
Mobile app
Usage-based discount
Offers classic car insurance
Offers motorcycle insurance
Why we chose it
State Farm has some of the best car insurance rates in North Carolina, as well as high customer service ratings. State Farm can even be an affordable pick for drivers with spotty records.
Pros and cons
Pros
Available in almost every state
Low rates for teens and drivers with accidents
High customer satisfaction ratings
Cons
Limited coverage options
More details
Why we chose State Farm:
State Farm is one of the best and cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina — in fact State Farm’s average rates are even low for drivers with a spotty driving record.
State Farm also earns high customer satisfaction ratings and receives fewer complaints than is average for the industry, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
How does the cost of car insurance from State Farm compare to the average in North Carolina?
The average cost of State Farm car insurance in North Carolina is $78 a month or $937 per year, which is 14% cheaper than the statewide average.
Best car insurance companies in North Carolina
The best car insurance company in North Carolina is USAA, according to the 2023 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, which measures how drivers feel about their car insurance company, including price, claims service, policy offerings, interaction with representatives, and billing. [1]
USAA is only available to members of the military, veterans, and their families, which makes Auto-Owners the best-rated car insurance company in North Carolina for the general public.
Company | Score | |
|---|---|---|
1 | USAA | 876 |
2 | Tennessee Farm Bureau | 866 |
3 | Erie | 859 |
4 | Kentucky Farm Bureau | 857 |
5 | Alfa | 851 |
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
If you have a less-than-perfect driving record, you can still find affordable car insurance. We found that Erie has the best rates for most violations in North Carolina.
A single speeding ticket can nearly double your insurance rates, while a DUIcan quadruple them. To avoid paying more for car insurance (among other consequences), it’s always a good idea to have a designated driver and obey posted speed limit signs.
Erie | Utica National | Farm Bureau | GEICO | State Farm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At-fault accident | $838 | $1,615 | $1,387 | $2,209 | $1,693 |
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 |
Cheapest car insurance after an accident in North Carolina
The cheapest car insurance company in North Carolina if you have an at-fault accident on your record is Erie. On average, car insurance from Erie costs $70 a month or $838 a year after an accident.
Rates for drivers with an at-fault accident | |
|---|---|
Erie | $838 |
Farm Bureau | $1,387 |
Utical National | $1,615 |
State Farm | $1,693 |
GEICO | $2,209 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in North Carolina
With an average rate of $1,084 per year, drivers in North Carolina pay some of the lowest car insurance rates in the country. That said, drivers with a DUI or DWI in North Carolina will still see a significant increase in their car insurance rates, paying an average of $4,860 per year, or 348% more than drivers without a DUI.
But drivers with a DUI can still save money on their car insurance by comparing quotes from multiple companies. According to our research, Farm Bureau, Erie, and State Farm have the lowest rates for drivers with a DUI.
Rates for drivers with DUIs | |
|---|---|
Farm Bureau | $3,481 |
Erie | $3,493 |
State Farm | $4,334 |
Utica National | $4,916 |
GEICO | $5,329 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in North Carolina
Even though North Carolina has low average rates, a speeding ticket can significantly raise your car insurance rates. North Carolina drivers with a speeding ticket on their record pay an average of $1,699 per year for car insurance, which is almost $700 more than the average rate for drivers with a clean driving record.
We found that Utica National, Erie, and Farm Bureau had the cheapest average rates for North Carolina drivers with a speeding ticket on their record.
Rates for drivers with speeding tickets | |
|---|---|
Utica National | $1,017 |
Erie | $1,267 |
Farm Bureau | $1,270 |
State Farm | $1,541 |
GEICO | $1,634 |
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.
Rates for drivers with bad credit | |
|---|---|
National General Insurance | $997 |
Utica National | $1,066 |
Erie | $1,112 |
MetLife | $1,164 |
Progressive | $1,164 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina by city
The cost of car insurance is different depending on where in North Carolina you live. Traffic congestion and population density, crime rates, and other local factors all play a part in what your insurance costs.
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina’s largest cities.
Largest cities | Cheapest company | Average yearly rate for the cheapest company | Overall citywide average |
|---|---|---|---|
Charlotte | Erie | $859 | $1,274 |
Raleigh | Erie | $759 | $1,099 |
Greensboro | Erie | $773 | $1,106 |
Durham | Erie | $746 | $1,092 |
Winston-Salem | Erie | $672 | $975 |
Fayetteville | Erie | $872 | $1,305 |
Cary | Erie | $688 | $982 |
Wilmington | Erie | $738 | $1,072 |
High Point | Erie | $753 | $1,065 |
Concord | Erie | $807 | $1,146 |
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.
