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Last updated: February 3, 2026The Best Car Insurance in North Carolina in 2026
Depending on your needs and budget, Erie, State Farm, USAA, Nationwide, and Progressive are among our top picks for auto insurance in North Carolina.
Best Value
Editor's Rating:
5/5
5/5Full Coverage Averages in North Carolina
- Annual Premium: $1,447
- Monthly Premium: $121
Best with Young Drivers
Editor's Rating:4.9/5
4.9/5Full Coverage Averages in North Carolina
- Annual Premium: $1,178
- Monthly Premium: $98
Best for Military and Veterans
Editor's Rating:5/5
5/5Full Coverage Averages Nationally
- Annual Premium: $1,533
- Monthly Premium: $128
Key Takeaways
- Drivers looking for cheap rates in North Carolina without sacrificing customer service should consider Erie for car insurance. State Farm, USAA, Nationwide, and Progressive also offer great coverage for various driver categories.
- Car insurance in North Carolina is relatively affordable compared to the national average. Full coverage policies in the state cost an average of $1,830 annually, while minimum coverage costs around $669 per year.
- Average pricing data provides a useful starting point to get an idea of what you might pay with different insurers, but your quoted rates may differ based on your driving history and other factors.
Summary of the Best Auto Insurance in North Carolina
- Best Value: Erie
- Best for Households with Young Drivers: State Farm
- Best for Military and Veterans: USAA
- Best for Safe Drivers: Nationwide
- Best for High-Risk Drivers: Progressive
Compare the Best Cheap Auto Insurance in North Carolina
| Company | Full Coverage Monthly Avg. in NC | Minimum Coverage Monthly Avg. in NC | Southeast customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | $121 | $38 | Above average |
| State Farm | $98 | $38 | Above average |
| USAA | Data not available | Data not available | Above average |
| Nationwide | $179 | $55 | Above average |
| Progressive | $996 | $498 | Not rated |
| North Carolina | $152 | $56 | – |
Breaking Down the Best Cheap Auto Insurance in North Carolina
1. Best Value - Erie
What We Like Most:
- Competitive rates in North Carolina
- Accident forgiveness
- Many available discounts
Why we chose it
Erie offers the cheapest minimum coverage rates and the third-cheapest rates for full coverage in North Carolina. It’s a great choice for people in North Carolina looking for cheap rates. Erie offers a good selection of discounts that are not always available from other providers, such as vehicle storage and accident forgiveness. It also ranked first for the Southeast region in J.D. Power’s most recent Auto Insurance Study, scoring over 20 points higher than the next-best company.
Erie includes several add-ons in its auto policies as part of its Xtra Protection features, including $75 per passenger for accommodation if something happens to your vehicle on a road trip, pet medical coverage up to $500 for up to two pets, up to $350 of property damage if your belongings are damaged in an accident, $75 reimbursed towards the cost of a locksmith should you lock yourself out of your car, and more.
Who it’s best for
Drivers on a budget, people who value high levels of customer service, drivers looking for accident forgiveness
Erie North Carolina Pricing
| Erie North Carolina | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $121 | $38 |
| Annually | $1,447 | $457 |
| Difference from North Carolina average | -21% | -32% |
2. Best for Households with Young Drivers - State Farm
What We Like Most:
- Multiple ways for young drivers to save
- Many local agents in NC
- Cheap rates
Why we chose it
Teens and young drivers pay more for auto insurance than any other age group due to their lack of driving experience and higher likelihood of getting into an accident. If you’re adding a teen driver to your policy, it’s worth getting a quote from State Farm. Along with Progressive, State Farm offers the lowest average rates for young drivers in North Carolina among our top picks at $2,858 per year, which is 42 percent below the state average. It also has some of the cheapest full and minimum coverage rates for customers without young drivers.
State Farm distinguishes itself through its network of captive local agents, who work solely for State Farm. (Independent agents, on the other hand, represent multiple insurance companies). Working with a captive agent offers personalized service, as the agent can provide in-depth knowledge of State Farm’s coverage options and potential discounts. State Farm has agents in over 100 North Carolina cities and towns.
FYI:
Note that State Farm’s Steer Clear young driver education program is not available in North Carolina. That said, its baseline rates are still competitive.
Who it’s best for
Families with teen or young drivers, drivers looking for a local North Carolina agent, people who need rideshare insurance
State Farm North Carolina Pricing
| State Farm North Carolina | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $98 | $38 |
| Annually | $1,178 | $461 |
| Difference from North Carolina average | -36% | -31% |
3. Best for Military and Veterans - USAA
What We Like Most:
- Military-specific coverage and perks
- Available internationally for overseas military members/families
- High customer satisfaction ratings
Why we chose it
With nearly 100,000 active duty military members, North Carolina is home to the fourth-largest military population in the country.1 If you are part of the North Carolina military community, consider USAA for auto insurance. USAA offers some of the most competitive rates in the auto insurance industry. It is also consistently ranked among the best in the auto insurance industry for customer service, financial security, claims satisfaction, and more.
USAA offers a 15 percent discount to military members who have comprehensive coverage and garage their car on a military installation. It also has two telematics programs, including a low-mileage program called SafePilot Miles that charges you based on how much you drive. Although deployed military members don’t have the luxury of bringing their families overseas with them, military members stationed overseas can get approval for their families to join them, and USAA makes it easy to transfer your insurance to several international locations.
Who it’s best for
Military members, veterans, and their families; people stationed in USAA-approved locations; low-mileage drivers
4. Best for Safe Drivers - Nationwide
What We Like Most:
- Generous telematics discounts
- Strong regional customer service
- Highly-rated digital tools
Why we chose it
Nationwide ranked third for customer satisfaction in the Southeast region in J.D. Power’s most recent study, making it a great option for drivers who value customer service and are not necessarily looking for the cheapest rates. Nationwide is a particularly good choice for safe drivers thanks to its generous telematics program, SmartRide, which provides a 10 percent discount for signing up and a discount of up to 40 percent at renewal if you drive safely.
In addition, Nationwide has a safe driver discount available to drivers who have been without at-fault accidents and major violations for five years, and those over 55 who complete a state-approved safety course can also get a discount.
FYI:
Nationwide’s pay-per-mile insurance, SmartMiles, is not available in North Carolina.
Who it’s best for
Safe drivers, those who want to manage their policies online, drivers looking for gap insurance or new car replacement
Nationwide North Carolina Pricing
| Nationwide North Carolina | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $179 | $55 |
| Annually | $2,150 | $661 |
| Difference from North Carolina average | +17% | -1% |
5. Best for High-Risk Drivers - Progressive
What We Like Most:
- Affordable rates for high-risk drivers
- Easy online quotes and purchasing
- Various coverage options and discounts available
Why we chose it
If you’re a new driver, someone with a history of accidents, or otherwise a high-risk driver, it might be difficult to find car insurance at an affordable rate. In some cases, auto insurance providers aren’t even willing to insure you as a high-risk driver because of the financial risk it would entail. Luckily, Progressive is known for offering affordable rates to drivers with DUIs, and in North Carolina, it has some of the cheapest average rates for other violations as well.
The national average cost of insuring a driver with a DUI (called a DWI in North Carolina) is $4,461 annually. In North Carolina, the average cost of insurance after a DWI is $6,244 annually, but Progressive’s average rate is 36 percent cheaper. It can also help bring your car insurance costs down with sizable discounts, including for bundling, being a homeowner, insuring multiple cars, and signing policy documents online.
Who it’s best for
People with DUIs or other violations on their records, households with multiple vehicles
Progressive North Carolina Pricing
| Progressive North Carolina | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $83 | $42 |
| Annually | $996 | $498 |
| Difference from North Carolina average | -21% | -32% |
Best Cheap Picks — Detailed Customer Satisfaction Summary
| Company | J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study – Southeast2 | CRASH Network Report Card3 | J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction4 | NAIC Complaint Index5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | 718 | A- | 743 | 1.29 |
| State Farm | 677 | C- | 716 | 2.46 |
| USAA | 749 | D+ | 741 | 3.10 |
| Nationwide | 691 | C | 729 | 2.55 |
| Progressive | 645 | C | 673 | 2.79 |
| Average | 667 (out of 1,000) | C+ | 700 (out of 1,000) | 1 |
| What the study measures | Customer satisfaction regionally, based on responses from over 40,000 customers | Claims handling and payment practices, based on an annual survey of collision repair shops | Satisfaction with the claims process, based on responses from nearly 10,000 customers who recently filed a claim | Consumer complaints relative to market share. The lower the score, the better |
Average Cost of Auto Insurance in North Carolina
Full Coverage Rates in North Carolina
On average, North Carolinians pay about $1,830 a year for a full coverage policy. This translates to around $152 per month and is around 22 percent cheaper than the national average.
| Category | Full coverage average (annual) | Full coverage average (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $1,830 | $152 |
| National Average | $2,356 | $196 |
Minimum Coverage
A minimum coverage policy in North Carolina typically costs $669 per year, which is lower than the national average. Exact rates can vary based on driving history, vehicles, and other factors. We recommend getting quotes from different providers and comparing rates to find the policy that’s best for you.
| Category | Minimum coverage average (annual) | Minimum coverage average (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $669 | $56 |
| National Average | $722 | $60 |
Auto Insurance Costs by City in North Carolina
Location is an important factor that providers consider when calculating your auto insurance rates. Rates can vary significantly depending on your city. On average, North Carolinians living in Winston-Salem can expect the cheapest car insurance rates among major cities in the state, at $1,594 annually, or $133 monthly.
Residents of Charlotte typically have some of the highest average premiums in North Carolina, but they’re still below the national average. Overall, regardless of where in the state they live, North Carolinians can look forward to paying lower than the national average for full coverage auto insurance.
| City | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $1,961 | $163 |
| Greensboro | $1,767 | $147 |
| Raleigh | $1,708 | $142 |
| Durham | $1,656 | $138 |
| Winston-Salem | $1,594 | $133 |
How Many Car Accidents Happen in North Carolina?
There were a total of 284,546 car accidents in North Carolina in 2024, based on data from the state’s Department of Transportation.6 This represented a very slight increase of 0.1 percent from the previous year. There were over 1,500 fatal car crashes, and another 73,293 caused injuries. Most accidents took place in October, November, and December, and 72 percent of all crashes occurred between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6:59 p.m.
Seventeen percent of crashes were due to distracted driving, 5 percent were speed-related, and 4 percent were alcohol-related. However, speeding and alcohol use were responsible for an outsized number of deaths, each responsible for 21 percent of fatalities.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in North Carolina
North Carolina increased its minimum coverage limits as of July 1, 2025. They are now as follows:
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
North Carolina’s updated minimum liability limits provide a decent amount of coverage, especially compared to its prior limits of 30/60/25. However, they may still not be adequate in the event of a serious accident. We recommend getting quotes for higher coverage and evaluating how the rates compare. While minimum coverage costs less in premiums, it can cost you a lot more if you cause an accident and have insufficient coverage.
GOOD TO KNOW:
North Carolina increased minimum coverage limits for any policies sold or renewed as of July 1, 2025. If you have an annual policy, it’s possible you still have the old minimum limits, but you will be required to increase them at your next renewal.
Methodology
To identify the top car insurance providers in North Carolina, we assess providers based on the following:
- Pricing (40%): We looked at average yearly costs for full and minimum coverage for a good driver profile in North Carolina. We also looked at average premiums for high-risk driver profiles, including those with an accident, DUI, or speeding ticket. Lastly, we reviewed offered discounts and whether they included significant savings opportunities like usage-based, good driving, and bundling discounts. We base minimum coverage on state limits, and the following limits for full coverage:
- Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
- Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
- Claims Handling (25%): We value a provider’s ability to offer a speedy and fair claims process. We reviewed third-party studies from sources like J.D. Power’s Claims Satisfaction Report and the CRASH Network Insurer Report Card for insurers offering policies in North Carolina. We also considered financial strength ratings from AM Best to assess a company’s ability to fulfill claims.
- Customer Experience (25%): The total experience of retrieving a quote, buying a policy, and dealing with the insurer was assessed based on these factors: ease of online quote retrieval and buying process and complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
- Coverage Options (10%): We prefer companies that offer additional coverages beyond the minimum requirements in North Carolina. This includes gap coverage, accident forgiveness, new car replacement, and other add-ons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you need insurance when using a rental in North Carolina. However, all rental cars already come with the state minimum coverage, so you don’t necessarily need to purchase additional coverage unless you want extra protection.
If you have a nationwide provider, then you will maintain your coverage when you move out of state. Your rates may change based on where you move (some states are more or less expensive than others for car insurance).
North Carolina is not a no-fault state — it is an at-fault state, also known as a tort state. In at-fault states, the driver who caused the accident will be responsible for covering the other party’s losses.
North Carolina follows a pure contributory negligence law, meaning you won’t be able to receive any compensation from the other driver if your negligence contributed in any way to the accident. Even if you were one percent at fault in an accident, you wouldn’t be able to receive any payment from the other party in a civil suit.
The minimum car insurance requirements in North Carolina are as follows:
- $30,000 for bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $60,000 for total bodily injury liability (when two or more people are injured in an accident you caused)
- $25,000 for property damage liability
You must also get uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with the same liability limits.
Sources
DoD Personnel, Workforce Reports & Publications. DMDC. (2026).
https://dwp.dmdc.osd.mil/dwp/app/dod-data-reports/workforce-reportsIt’s Now a Buyer’s Market for Auto Insurance, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2025, June 10).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-auto-insurance-studyTop Rated U.S. Car Insurance Companies for 2025. Crash Network. (2025).
https://www.crashnetwork.com/irc/Satisfaction with Auto Insurance Claims Strained by Higher Deductibles, More Total Losses, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2025, Oct 28).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-studyConsumer Insurance Search Results. NAIC. (2026).
https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htmNORTH CAROLINA 2024 TRAFFIC CRASH FACTS. North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. (2024).
https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Documents/Crash%20Data%20and%20Information/2024.pdf
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