North Carolina Auto Insurance (2024)

While North Carolina auto insurance averages $91 monthly for full coverage. However, there are various factors that affect auto insurance rates, so you should compare North Carolina car insurance quotes to find the best deal for you.

Learn more about car insurance in North Carolina below. Then, enter your ZIP code above to compare North Carolina auto insurance rates with the best auto insurance companies.

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Cheapest North Carolina Auto Insurance Companies

The amount you pay for your car insurance depends on a variety of factors, one of which is your location. North Carolina drivers typically see rates 30% lower than the national average.

However, a lot more than your ZIP code goes into your insurance rates. You’ll also need to consider factors like your age, gender, driving history, credit score, and how much coverage you need.

While North Carolina Farm Bureau is often the cheapest option for insurance in the Tarheel State, you might find better prices elsewhere due to your unique circumstances.

As you browse the prices of insurance based on the different factors below, remember that these are just averages. When you get an actual quote, your rates might be much higher or lower.

North Carolina Minimum Auto Insurance Rates

Most states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of insurance before they can legally drive or register a car. North Carolina auto insurance laws require all drivers to carry the following coverages:

• Bodily injury per person — $30,000
• Bodily injury per accident — $60,000
• Property damage per accident — $25,000

North Carolina auto insurance requirements are low compared to other states, which helps keep your prices down. Take a look below to see how much you might pay for minimum insurance in North Carolina.

Liability Auto Insurance Average Rates From Top Providers

North Carolina Farm Bureau’s average cost slightly beats out competitors State Farm and Erie. However, minimum insurance in North Carolina is very affordable, potentially as low as $29 a month.

North Carolina Full Coverage Auto Insurance Rates

Full coverage auto insurance refers to a suite of insurance products that offer better protection than minimum insurance. While North Carolina doesn’t require drivers to carry full coverage, you might need it if you have a car loan or lease.

Full coverage typically includes liability, comprehensive, collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and personal injury protection or medical payments insurance. It costs more, but full coverage better protects you and your car after an incident.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Rates From Top Providers

In a trend that will continue, Farm Bureau is once again your cheapest option, followed by State Farm and Erie. You might find affordable rates with USAA, but only active or retired military members and their families are eligible for coverage.

You can also add optional insurance products to increase the value of your policy. In North Carolina, drivers opt for roadside assistance, GAP coverage, and rental car reimbursement. Just be careful how much insurance you add to your policy — your rate can increase quickly.

North Carolina Auto Insurance Rates by Age

One of the first things an insurance company looks at when determining how much to charge you is your age. A driver’s age can make a big difference in insurance rates, especially when determining what age group has the most fatal crashes. Young drivers pay some of the highest rates due to a mix of inexperience on the road, a higher likelihood of engaging in reckless behaviors, and a statistically high number of claims.

You won’t be stuck with high rates forever, though. As long as you keep your driving record clean, insurance prices start dropping around age 25.

Teenagers represent the age group with the highest auto insurance rates. This is because most auto insurance companies consider teens high-risk drivers due to their lack of driving experience.

Although Farm Bureau usually has the lowest rates, State Farm offers much lower prices for young drivers. Although it is a little more expensive, Geico auto insurance discounts can help lower rates for qualified students and young drivers.

As drivers age and get closer to retirement, they may see a slight bump in auto insurance rates. Statistically, accident rates for senior drivers are a bit higher than average.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Age and Gender

As the data above shows, as long as you keep your driving record clean, you can expect your insurance rates to go down as you develop more experience behind the wheel.

North Carolina Auto Insurance Rates by Credit Score

With the exception of a few, most states allow car insurance companies to look at your credit score when determining your rates (learn about auto insurance and your credit score). Unfortunately, for drivers with low credit scores, North Carolina insurance companies are allowed to use them.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Credit Score

Drivers with low credit scores can pay up to 56% more for their insurance than those with higher scores. Comparing rates is integral to finding an affordable price if your credit score is on the low side.

The average cost of car insurance in North Carolina when you have a low credit score shows why comparing quotes is essential. While State Farm is usually an affordable option, the best insurance companies in North Carolina regarding credit scores are Erie and Progressive.

North Carolina Auto Insurance Rates After an Accident

No matter how big or small, getting into an accident can ruin your day, especially if you’re the at-fault driver. Unfortunately, having an at-fault accident on your driving record can hurt your insurance rates.

Farm Bureau, State Farm, and Erie have the lowest average prices after an accident. While your rates will be higher after an accident, they won’t stay that way forever. If you can avoid further accidents for three years, your rates will start to drop.

North Carolina Auto Insurance Rates After a DWI

According to a study completed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DWIs are dangerous infractions that take the lives of over 10,000 Americans every year. States are cracking down on DWI offenders, and North Carolina is no exception.

North Carolina splits DWIs into five groups, with a Level V being the least serious and Level I being the most severe. The consequences of a DWI depend on its level:

• Level V: Consequences include a fine of up to $200, up to 60 days in jail, 24 hours of community service, and potential license suspension for 30 days.
• Level IV: Consequences include a fine of up to $500, up to 120 days in jail, 48 hours of community service, and license suspension for up to 60 days.
• Level III: Consequences include a fine of up to $1,000, six months in jail, 72 hours of community service, and license suspension for up to 90 days.
• Level II: Consequences include a fine of up to $2,000 and at least seven days and up to 365 days in jail.
• Level I: Consequences include a fine of up to $4,000 and a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of two years in jail.

Levels I and II are reserved for repeat offenders or for DWIs that hurt another driver, had a minor as a passenger, or where the driver had a suspended or revoked license.

If you continue to get DWI convictions, you’ll face a felony DWI charge. However, a single DWI usually isn’t enough to lose your insurance. Your rates will be higher, though, which you can see below.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record

While the Farm Bureau, State Farm, and Erie have the cheapest rates, you’ll still pay a much higher premium. No matter what insurance you have, you should always compare rates after getting a DWI. You might find much cheaper coverage with a different company.

Cheap North Carolina Auto Insurance by City

From lush forests to beautiful coasts, North Carolina has a wide selection of great cities to live in. But your ZIP code significantly affects how much insurance will cost you.

It might come as no surprise that car insurance in Charlotte is among the most expensive. Large cities have higher rates due to increased traffic, accidents, and car thefts.

For example, consider the rates for auto insurance in Raleigh. Raleigh has about half the population of Charlotte, and rates are considerably cheaper.

On the other hand, some areas have higher insurance rates for reasons beyond heavy traffic. Wilmington insurance quotes tend to match those in Raleigh, even though Wilmington is a much smaller city.

One reason for Wilmington’s higher rates is that it’s a coastal city, and North Carolina’s beach towns are often in the path of vehicle-destroying hurricanes. For more specifics take a look at quoting auto insurance rates by ZIP code.

North Carolina Auto Insurance Laws

Aside from requiring minimum liability auto insurance, North Carolina has a few other laws regarding car insurance.

For starters, you can face steep consequences if you’re caught driving without car insurance. You’ll face a fine between $50 and $150, a reinstatement fee of $100, up to 45 days of jail or probation, and up to 30 days of license suspension.

If you have too many infractions on your driving record, your insurance company might turn your policy over to the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility (NCRF). NCRF ensures that all eligible drivers have the minimum car insurance required by the state.

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North Carolina SR-22 Auto Insurance

North Carolina is one of the few states that does not require drivers to carry cheap SR-22 auto insurance after a license suspension or DWI. Instead, North Carolina has the Safe Driver Incentive Plan.

The plan assigns points to common infractions — the more points you have, the more your insurance will cost. You can get an idea of how many points you’ll get for some offenses below:

• 12 points — Manslaughter, DWI with blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or DWI in a commercial vehicle with a BAC of 0.04%
• 10 points — Speeding to elude arrest or driving with a suspended license
• 4 points — Reckless driving, passing a school bus when its display signs are up, or excessive speeding
• 2 points — Improper passing, tailgating, or driving on the wrong side of the road

Your insurance will increase depending on the number of points you get. A two-point violation will increase your rates by 45%, while 12 points can raise the price of your insurance by 400%.

It is also worth mentioning that some situations result in no points. These situations can be any of the following — property damage only, damage of $2,300 or less, no conviction for moving violation, and the household has no convictions or at-fault accidents during a certain time period.

Find the Best Auto Insurance in North Carolina Today

Although the average price of insurance in North Carolina is 30% less than the rest of the nation, North Carolinians should still compare rates with as many companies as possible. While Farm Bureau, State Farm, and Erie are often the cheapest options, you might find better coverage elsewhere.

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