Best Cheap Car Insurance in Charlotte, North Carolina

• Charlotte is the most expensive city in North Carolina for car insurance. Full coverage insurance in Charlotte averages $1,731 annually; minimum coverage averages $796 annually.
• Erie, State Farm, and Progressive offer some of the cheapest average rates in Charlotte. They also rank well for customer satisfaction in North Carolina.
• Finding the cheapest car insurance for you will depend on individual factors like your vehicle, coverage limits, driving record, credit history, and more. To get the best insurance at the best rate, compare quotes from at least three providers.

Erie Insurance has the cheapest full-coverage rates in Charlotte, 38 percent cheaper than the city average. In our analysis, State Farm, Progressive, and GEICO also had full coverage rates that weighed in below the average.

Erie also tops the list for cheap minimum liability car insurance in Charlotte. Its average rate is $461 per year ($38 monthly), 42 percent lower than the citywide average. Progressive, Nationwide, and State Farm follow close behind.

Erie, State Farm, and Progressive don’t just have cheap average rates in Charlotte — they also happen to rank highly in a number of third-party measures of customer satisfaction. Here’s a summary of how they stack up:

Erie

• Why we chose it: Erie is a regional provider, offering high-quality affordable car insurance in 12 states and Washington, DC. It scored well above-average on J.D. Power customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction surveys, indicating that customers are happy with their coverage and claims experiences. Erie had below-average complaint scores (suggesting above-average service) and was named to the honor roll in CRASH Network’s study on claims handling and payment practices among repair shops. 
• Who it’s best for: Customers who want cheap auto insurance rates with highly-rated customer service from Erie’s network of helpful agents. While Erie’s personalized service earned praise, some customers found its online and app experiences less than ideal. Be aware that you can begin a quote online with Erie, but must complete your quote by phone with an agent.

State Farm

• Why we chose it: State Farm was the runner-up for cheapest full coverage auto insurance in Charlotte and a top-five contender in the minimum coverage category. In our analysis, State Farm’s average full-coverage rate came in 21 percent cheaper than the citywide average. State Farm scored above-average for customer satisfaction and claims practices, and had a lower incidence of customer complaints than the NAIC industry average. 
• Who it’s best for: State farm offers cheaper-than-average insurance with better-than-average service. It offers great bundling discounts for people who also need home or renters insurance, and has a variety of extra coverages like rideshare insurance. Note that State Farm scored a C- in CRASH Network’s survey of repair shops. You may want to work with a direct repair (“in-network”) shop for a smoother experience if you need a covered repair.

Progressive

• Why we chose it: Progressive has some of the cheapest average rates for both full coverage and minimum liability coverage in Charlotte. As the nation’s second-most popular auto insurance provider, Progressive is well-known for its long list of discounts and money-saving features like accident forgiveness. While Progressive didn’t score as well as our other two top cheap providers on third-party customer satisfaction measures, their scores were in the average range among insurance companies overall.
• Who it’s best for: Drivers who want cheap auto insurance rates and don’t need a lot of  hand-holding. If you’re shopping for a new policy, Progressive makes it easy to get online quotes that show you multiple coverage options, so you can choose the policy that gives you the best value. 

In 2023, the city of Charlotte had 32,932 traffic accidents – roughly twice as many accidents as Raleigh had and more than 10 percent of the state’s total accidents for the year.⁴

The most common causes of car accidents in Charlotte are distracted driving, speeding, alcohol impairment, and lane departures.⁵ To keep yourself safe, pay attention and observe traffic laws when you’re driving in Charlotte (and everywhere else). Also make sure your auto insurance liability limits are high enough to protect you and your assets in the event of an accident. Collision and comprehensive coverage can help ensure that you can get back on the road with needed repairs or replacement if your car is damaged in an accident.

North Carolina has enacted changes to its auto insurance requirements, starting on July 1, 2025. Beginning on that date, new and renewed car insurance policies must have the following minimum liability coverage levels:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $50,000

In addition, new and renewed policies will automatically include underinsured motorist coverage, and new drivers can expect to pay an inexperienced driver surcharge for the first eight years after first getting their licenses. The surcharge is highest during your first three years of driving and begins phasing out in year four.⁶

We analyzed average premiums for full and minimum coverage in Charlotte, North Carolina for good drivers with good credit. Full coverage averages use the following limits:

• Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 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

We assess customer satisfaction and claims practices through third-party sources such as J.D. Power, CRASH Network, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).