Compare Cheap Auto Insurance in North Carolina

Progressive offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in North Carolina, with an average annual premium of $996. That’s 46 percent cheaper than the state average of $1,830. State Farm and Erie also offer competitive rates at $1,178 per year and $1,447 per year, respectively.

Erie also has the best rates for minimum coverage at only $457 per year, which is 32 percent below the state average. State Farm has the next cheapest average rates at $461 annually — also well below the state average.

Progressive has the best rates for car insurance for teens in North Carolina at $2,591 per year on average. That’s 47 percent below the state average. State Farm offers rates that are slightly higher at $2,858 per year on average, and Erie also offers affordable rates at around $3,272 per year.

For North Carolina drivers with a speeding ticket, Progressive has the lowest rates at $1,336 per year on average — 49 percent less than the state average. State Farm and Farmers also offer below-average rates, at $1,631 per year and $2,209 per year, respectively.

Progressive and State Farm offer the best car insurance rates for drivers with an at-fault accident on their record in North Carolina. Progressive’s average annual premium is $1,401, which is 37 percent cheaper than the state average of $2,208. Meanwhile, State Farm has an average annual rate of $1,588 per year, also well below the state average.

Progressive offers the cheapest rates for drivers convicted of a DUI in North Carolina at $4,027 per year on average. That’s 36 percent below the state average. State Farm also has affordable rates, with an average annual premium of $4,423.

Drivers with low credit in North Carolina will find the lowest average rates from Progressive. Its average annual premium of $973 is 53 percent cheaper than the state average. Farmers and Travelers also offer below-average rates, at $1,587 per year and $2,245 per year, respectively.

Erie is the overall best provider in North Carolina based on various customer satisfaction metrics. It also happens to offer competitive average rates in most driver categories, making it a worthwhile option. However, your rates may differ, so always get quotes from multiple companies.

State Farm also has a strong customer service record in North Carolina, as does Nationwide. In CRASH Network’s Insurer Report Card, which surveys collision repair shops on insurers’ claims practices, the North Carolina Farm Bureau ranked number one overall among 97 companies nationally.

1. Shop around: We recommend always getting quotes from at least three different providers so you can compare rates and discounts. Make sure to get quotes for the same coverage so you can more accurately compare costs among providers.
2. Use discounts: Look into what discounts you may qualify for from the companies you’re interested in and make sure they’re applied to your quote. Most companies offer discounts for bundling policies, insuring more than one vehicle, being a good student (for young drivers), and more. If you’re unsure about what’s available, contact an agent.
3. Increase your deductibles: If you have full coverage, your collision and comprehensive policies each have a deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance covers anything. Increasing your deductibles can lower your premium, but make sure you can afford to pay the amounts if you need to file a claim.
4. Improve your credit: In North Carolina, drivers with low credit pay an average of 72% more for car insurance than those with good credit. Working to improve your credit, while not an immediate fix, can help lower your rates significantly.

Charlotte has the most expensive average auto insurance rates in North Carolina, at $1,962 on average, which is 7 percent higher than the state average. By contrast, Winston-Salem, which is much less populated, has an average annual rate of $1,594 — 15 percent below the state average.

In North Carolina, drivers must carry insurance with at least the following limits to abide by state law:

• Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist property damage coverage: $55,000 per accident

The required uninsured motorist coverages will help pay for your injuries or damage to your vehicle if you’re in an accident caused by an uninsured driver. In general, these minimum limits offer basic financial protection, but they may not be enough if you’re in an accident and need to file a claim. They also won’t cover damage to your own vehicle if you cause an accident or it’s damaged in a non-collision incident. We recommend getting higher limits as well as full coverage when possible.

We analyze average auto insurance premiums in North Carolina for full and minimum coverage for good drivers with good credit, as well as other driver profiles, including those with DUIs, accidents, low credit, and teenagers. Full coverage averages use the following limits:

• Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $100,000 per accident
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible