3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
10+ years in the insurance and financial services industry
Austin is an assistant manager and former agent with a decade of experience in the property and casualty insurance space. He previously worked with Answer Financial.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Save up to $717 by comparing quotes from the top 70+ insurance companies
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Advertiser Disclosure
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Why you can trust Insurify: Insurify’s expert insurance writers and editors operate independently of our insurance partners. As an independent agent and insurance comparison website, we make money through commissions from insurers. But that does not influence any editorial content, including reviews. Learn more.
Finding the best car insurer in North Carolina for you will depend on a few different factors like your coverage needs, price, customer service, and the insurer’s ability to handle claims successfully. Insurify’s data shows that on average, North Carolina drivers pay monthly rates of $92, scoring some of the cheapest rates in the country. Cost will ultimately vary depending on your age, location in the state, driving record, and credit history. But generally, North Carolina drivers pay around 47% less than the national average for car insurance.
Best car insurance companies in North Carolina
You have many car insurance companies to choose from — each with its unique offerings. The best auto insurance company for you will depend heavily on your individual situation and needs. Whether you value finding the cheapest coverage, scoring discounts for your teen drivers, superior customer service, or something else, you can find an auto insurance company you can trust.
Find Car Insurance in North Carolina
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Insurance Company
Best For
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
Insurify Quality Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.
Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
835
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$45/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$68/mo
A highly recognizable name in car insurance, GEICO is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. The company started out as the Government Employees Insurance Company, serving U.S. government workers and military personnel. In addition to auto insurance, GEICO also sells homeowner, flood insurance, life insurance, business insurance, and identity protection, among other products. A.M. Best gives GEICO its highest rating for financial stability and credit. However, GEICO has nearly twice as many complaints as expected in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index.
Pros
Good rates for good drivers, seniors, and young drivers
Accident forgiveness available
Cons
High rates for drivers with certain violations, like DUIs
No rideshare or new car replacement coverage available
Good communication
John - February 4, 2023
Verified
They offer the best rate.
Shannon - February 1, 2023
Verified
Any time I called them, they were on top of it and gave me an answer right away.
GEICO ranks as the overall best car insurance in North Carolina because of its Insurify Quality Score of 4.3 out of 5, low rates, numerous available discounts, and personalized coverage options. GEICO offers online quotes and unique coverage options, including emergency road service, mechanical breakdown insurance, rental reimbursement, and more. On average, North Carolina drivers pay $54 per month for liability and $92 for full-coverage insurance with GEICO.
Pros
Personalized coverage options
Below-average customer complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index
Many advertised discounts
Cons
No gap coverage or rideshare insurance
Below-average customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast region from J.D. Power[1]
Limited number of local agents
Best cheap car insurance in North Carolina: State Farm
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$65/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$98/mo
State Farm has been in business for more than 100 years, and today sells auto and other vehicle insurance, homeowners, life, health, pet, disability, and small business insurance. Available in all 50 states, State Farm car insurance policies offer multiple ways to save, from customizing coverage types, to a robust list of discounts. The company has far fewer complaints than expected for the industry, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index. State Farm also ranks among the top 10 companies for customer satisfaction in every region on the J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction Index.
Pros
High rates of customer satisfaction
Rideshare insurance available
Cons
No gap insurance offering
May not be the cheapest choice for drivers with violations
If you feel drawn to a larger insurer with modern features, easy access, and a range of discounts, you should consider State Farm. The company provides drivers in the state with the best value coverage, with a high Insurify Quality Score of 4.4 out of 5 and affordable premiums. State Farm drivers can benefit from accident-free and good driver savings discounts. And it has a Steer Clear savings program for drivers younger than 25 who have gone three or more years without any moving violations or at-fault accidents. State Farm drivers pay $78 per month for liability and $131 for full-coverage car insurance on average.
Pros
Below-average customer complaints in the NAIC complaint index
Available in all 50 states
Multiple discounts available
Cons
No gap insurance coverage if you total your car
No accident forgiveness
Steer Clear program is unavailable for drivers older than 25
Most affordable car insurance in North Carolina: Erie
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
870
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$40/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$60/mo
For nearly 100 years, Erie Insurance has been selling auto coverage. The company operates in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and also offers more than two dozen types of insurance, including home, life, and business insurance. A.M. Best gives Erie an A+ rating for financial stability and credit strength. The company has a lower-than-expected number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Customer Complaint Index, and ranks third in overall customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power rankings. The company also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Pros
Excellent BBB, J.D. Power, and A.M. Best ratings
Competitive rates for teenagers and drivers with speeding tickets
Cons
Available in only 12 states
Customers can’t buy a policy or file a claim online
Founded in 1925, Erie has the most affordable car insurance rates in North Carolina, starting at just $48 for liability coverage and $80 for full coverage. Erie provides discounts for cars with anti-theft devices, students, customers who bundle insurance policies, and more. Additionally, customers benefit from first accident forgiveness and a rate-lock feature to help you manage your premiums over time.
Pros
First accident forgiveness after being a customer for three years
Several available discounts, including for young drivers
High Insurify Quality Score of 4.4 out of 5
Cons
Limited coverage options
You’ll need to file most claims over the phone
Erie’s diminishing deductible feature unavailable in North Carolina
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.2
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
833
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$54/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$81/mo
Founded by Sears department store executives in 1931, Allstate offers auto, home, motorcycle, ATV, renters, condo, and term life insurance. Operating in all 50 states, the company has superior ratings from A.M. Best for financial strength and credit. However, Allstate has many negative reviews on consumer websites, and a slightly higher-than-average complaint rating in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Consumer Complaint Index. Allstate offers many discounts, including for good students, multiple policies, bundling auto and home insurance, new vehicles, safe driving, and good payment history.
Pros
Well-established with superior ratings from A.M. Best
Pay-per-mile option available
Cons
Low customer satisfaction
Rates are merely average compared to other insurers
Good company, but costs more for premiums
Patricia - February 1, 2023
Verified
My rate for auto insurance jumped approximately $100 after six months and I was unable to get a satisfactory explanation.
Burl - January 30, 2023
Verified
They’ve given good service, but there were times when things could have been handled a bit more professionally.
Though teens and young drivers can face high car insurance costs, Allstate offers young drivers a few different ways to save. The company’s Smart Student discount provides a significant discount to students younger than 25 who maintain or exceed a B- average or a 2.7 GPA, complete the teenSmart driver education program, and attend school 100 miles away from where they store their car. Allstate drivers pay $65 per month for liability and $109 for full-coverage car insurance on average.
Pros
Student discount and teenSmart driver education program
Roadside assistance available
Offers accident forgiveness
Cons
Below-average customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast region from J.D. Power
Above-average customer complaints in the NAIC complaint index
Higher full-coverage rates than some North Carolina insurers
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.1
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
815
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$76/mo
In business since 1925, Nationwide is one of the largest insurers, and sells car, homeowners, life insurance, umbrella insurance, and more. In addition to liability, collision and comprehensive, Nationwide provides optional coverages such as towing and labor, rental car, and gap. The company also offers accident forgiveness, and a vanishing deductible that lowers your deductible for each year you drive safely. Nationwide has an A+ rating from A.M. Best for financial stability, and an only slightly higher-than-expected number of customer complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index.
Pros
Numerous discount and savings opportunities
SmartRide (for safe drivers) and SmartMiles (for low-mileage drivers)
Cons
Not available in every state
Some discounts and programs not available in all states
Reliable when needed; will fight for you; good discounts for being a loyal customer. They’re on your side.
Alexander - December 4, 2022
Verified
Premiums are high and they dropped us after two claims.
Nationwide has been around for more than 90 years and has an Insurify Quality Score of 4.1 out of 5. On average, Nationwide drivers pay $92 for full-coverage insurance, and premiums remain affordable even if you have a serious incident on your record. Drivers with an accident have average monthly rates of $131, and drivers with a DUI pay $182.
This insurer also offers an accident forgiveness program, which helps prevent your car insurance rate from increasing after your first accident. You can also save with Nationwide through its usage-based programs, SmartRide and SmartMiles.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
819
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$55/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$81/mo
Although its founding in 1937 makes Progressive comparatively young, it is among the largest car insurers in the U.S. The company offers car, home, renters, commercial, and other types of insurance. Progressive customers can enjoy savings by bundling their car insurance with another type of Progressive policy – typically homeowners or renters. Available discounts range from multi-policy and multi-car discounts, to the Snapshot save driver discount. Progressive has an A.M. Best rating of A+ for financial stability. However, the company has a slightly higher-than-expected number of complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index.
Pros
Rewards for good drivers
Numerous coverage options and discounts available
Cons
Higher-than-expected amount of complaints
Ranked 11 out of 15 companies in the J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking
Very good service but too expensive
Dewey - February 2, 2023
Verified
I called with questions; the answers were complete and to the point.
Progressive provides great options for seniors through the company’s Name Your Price Tool, a diminishing deductible discount, and accident forgiveness options. Progressive claims safe drivers participating in the Snapshot program can also receive an average savings of $146. Progressive earned an Insurify Quality Score of 4.1 out of 5 and offers flexible customer service hours. On average, drivers pay $71 per month for liability and $114 for full coverage.
Pros
Wide selection of coverage options
More than 35,000 insurance agents
Accident forgiveness
Cons
For some drivers, rates may be more expensive than other insurers’ premiums
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.2
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$51/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$57/mo
For a little more than 20 years, Direct Auto has specialized in providing insurance for non-standard drivers who may struggle to find affordable coverage elsewhere, and to drivers who need SR-22 certification. Today, the company sells car, motorcycle, and term life insurance, car insurance in Mexico, roadside assistance, and vehicle protection plans. Direct operates in just 16 states. The company has an A+ rating from A.M. Best for financial and credit strength, but nearly 35 times the number of expected complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Customer Complaint Index.
Pros
Customers can bundle car insurance with other auto-related products
Direct Auto specializes in insurance for high-risk drivers and provides several car insurance options including liability, comprehensive, collision, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage. Direct Auto offers an affordable average rate of $65 per month for both liability and full-coverage insurance. The company also provides discounts to help you save up to 25% on your car insurance premium. This insurer has 30 offices in North Carolina and earned an IQ Score of 3.2 out of 5.
Pros
In-person experience possible due to multiple offices throughout the state
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.8
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
819
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$45/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$108/mo
In business for more than 100 years, Liberty Mutual offers auto, homeowners, condo, renters, flood, life and other insurance products. Policyholders have access to numerous discounts, including bundling, good student, military, student-away-at-school, claims-free, violation-free, and multi-car discounts. Liberty Mutual has an A rating for financial strength from A.M. Best and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, the company has three times the expected rate of complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index, and low ratings on consumer review sites Trustpilot and Sitejabber.
Pros
Wide range of available discounts
Accident forgiveness available
Cons
Many negative reviews and customer complaints
Premiums are relatively high compared to industry average
Service has always been great
Jackie - January 30, 2023
Verified
I can’t figure how much I am paying.
Rickie - January 29, 2023
Verified
I got uninsured motorist added to meet the minimum state liability for less than what I was paying before, but now my rates have gone up even though I have an impeccable driving record and travel way under 10K miles annually.
Several insurance companies don’t offer discounts for military families, but Liberty Mutual does. As an active, retired, or reserved military member, you can qualify for savings. The company also rewards drivers with clean driving records, homeowners, and good students. Liberty Mutual has an Insurify Quality Score of 3.8 out of 5 and allows you to get a customized quote online. On average, customers pay $68 per month for liability and $163 for full coverage.
Pros
Military discount
Discounts for no driving violations
Customizable coverage, with options for lifetime repair guarantee, gap coverage, and teacher’s auto insurance
Cons
High rates for full-coverage insurance
Above-average customer complaints in the NAIC complaint index
Below-average customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast region from J.D. Power
How Insurify’s experts used internal proprietary data to rate the top auto insurers
Data scientists at Insurify analyzed more than 40 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partner providers across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page.
The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers' vehicles, driving records, and demographic information. Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Service’s database of auto insurance rates.
With these insights, Insurify is able to offer drivers insight into how companies price their car insurance premiums. The data included on this page represent averages across all driver ages, gender, credit scores, and driver profiles for Illinois drivers.
How to shop for the best car insurance in North Carolina
When shopping for the best car insurance in North Carolina, you’ll want to consider a few important factors:
Your coverage needs: All insurers offer basic or minimum coverage options, but you may want added coverage for your specific needs, whether it’s roadside assistance or rental reimbursement. Select an insurer that offers the coverage you need.
Reviews and customer satisfaction: Companies with high customer service satisfaction ratings should stand out over companies with bad reviews. Find customer reviews online to see how policyholders view various insurers.
Communication options: Make sure you can contact your insurer and get a timely response. Ideally, you should have the option to contact a local agent, submit a support ticket online, or reach someone by phone during the day.
Claim-filing process: Look into how companies handle claims, including whether you can file claims easily via phone or through an online system. Some companies even allow you to check your claim status online or through a mobile app.
Compare rates: Compare car insurancerates and coverage options from a handful of different insurance companies side by side to ensure you find the best deal.
How to get the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina
Finding the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina depends on factors like your city, age, and driving history, but you can take a few specific actions to lower costs:[2]
Ask about discounts
Common savings include multi-policy, safe driver, bundling, good student, loyalty, and affinity discounts. Proactively ask your insurer if you qualify for any advertised discounts.
Keep your driving record clean
Drivers with clean records earn the cheapest rates. Practice safe driving habits and try to avoid receiving any violations or tickets.
Choose a car with safety and anti-theft features
Many insurers reward drivers for driving vehicles equipped with safety and anti-theft features. If your existing car doesn’t have them, look into getting them installed.
Shop around and gather quotes
To find the cheapest rates, you can use an insurance-comparison tool like Insurify to see how car insurance companies in North Carolina stack up against each other for your coverage needs.
Minimum car insurance requirements in North Carolina
All motor vehicles operating in North Carolina must meet minimum insurance coverage requirements for bodily injury and property damage liability.[3]Bodily injury covers the costs associated with injury or death you cause in an auto accident, while property damage coverage pays for damages you cause to another person’s vehicle or other property.
Coverage Requirement
Coverage Amount
Bodily injury
$30,000 per person
Bodily injury
$60,000 per accident
Property damage
$25,000 per accident
Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in North Carolina
North Carolina requires minimum liability auto insurance to cover damage to the other vehicle and the other person’s medical expenses from an accident. Liability-only coverage doesn’t pay for repairs to your car or your personal medical expenses after an accident.
Minimum coverage may make sense if you drive an older vehicle that would be cheaper to replace in an accident. However, if paying for vehicle repairs out of pocket would cause financial stress, you should consider full-coverage auto insurance.
Full-coverage insurance builds on liability by also protecting your vehicle and covering your medical bills after an accident — up to your coverage limit — with collision and comprehensive coverage. If you lease or finance your car, the leasing company or lender will likely require you to buy full coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle against natural disasters, falling objects, fires, theft, riots, civil unrest, and more. Collision coverage helps pay for damage to your car due to any type of collision — usually up to the actual cash value of your vehicle.[4] While full coverage may cost more, it’ll provide the highest level of protection for your vehicle.
“If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, there is always a risk of having to pay a significant amount out of pocket and/or being sued for injuries [and] damages,” says P.J. Miller, vice president and independent insurance agent withWallace & Turner Insurance in Ohio.
Most North Carolina auto insurers have average quotes for both liability and full-coverage insurance that fall below the national average rate of $148 per month.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Find Car Insurance in North Carolina
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
North Carolina car insurance rates by driving and accident history
Violations or tickets on your record can increase your car insurance rates. This includesspeeding tickets, driving under the influence, and at-fault accidents, which can stay on your driving record for several years. It can also affect your rates in a good way if you maintain a driving record free of violations. Rates for drivers with clean records start as low as $65 and $80 per month.
The table below provides insight into how certain violations can affect car insurance rates in North Carolina. For example, Nationwide customers with a clean driving record pay about 29% less for car insurance each month than customers with speeding tickets.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
SR-22 insurance in North Carolina
Many states require drivers convicted of a DUI to get an SR-22 — a form that your insurer files with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to verify that you carry the state’s minimum amount of auto coverage.
North Carolina doesn’t require SR-22s, however. If you have a DUI conviction in North Carolina, talk to your insurance company about your coverage options.
Important Information
While North Carolina doesn’t require suspended drivers to file SR-22s to restore their licenses, the state does apply multiple fees. For example, drivers suspended for driving while intoxicated will need to pay a $140.25 reinstatement fee.
North Carolina car insurance quotes by credit tier
North Carolina, and many other states, allow insurers to factor in your credit score when calculating car insurance rates.
Your credit history shows how well you manage your finances and if you pay bills on time. Auto insurers tend to give drivers with a higher credit score lower rates than drivers with a poor credit history.
Car insurance quotes in North Carolina cities
Car insurance rates can vary by city within North Carolina. Some larger cities may have more traffic or higher vehicle repair costs on average, which can lead to increased car insurance rates. The following cities have some of the cheapest average rates in North Carolina.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Larger cities like Charlotte, Durham, Chapel Hill and the state capital, Raleigh, have higher average monthly insurance rates.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Find Car Insurance in North Carolina
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
North Carolina car insurance rates by driver age
Your age will also affect car insurance rates. Statistics show that teenagers and drivers younger than 25 tend to have more accidents than other drivers, so auto insurers adjust car insurance rates accordingly. Similar to other states, North Carolina teen drivers can expect to pay more than other drivers. Drivers in their 50s and 60s earn the cheapest average rates.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
North Carolina car insurance FAQs
You probably care about price when shopping for car insurance, but you likely also have many other questions. Check out Insurify’s library of car insurance knowledgearticles on topics like how to get auto insurance on a Saturday, and the 10 best and worst sites for comparing car insurance quotes online.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina?
Comparing multiple quotes at once can help you find the cheapest car insurance rate for your situation. In North Carolina, some of the cheapest insurance carriers include Direct Auto, Erie, Nationwide, and GEICO. Liability coverage in the state starts as low as $48 per month, and full-coverage costs start at $65.
Who has the best car insurance for farmers in North Carolina?
Nationwide provides farm and ranch insurance, which includes coverage for tractors, machinery, and even rented or leased equipment. Farm insurance falls under the category of business insurance and typically can be purchased for individual pieces of equipment or under a blanket policy up to a certain amount.
What car insurance does North Carolina require?
North Carolina’s minimum car insurance requirements include liability coverage for up to at least $30,000 in bodily injury per person and $60,000 in bodily injury per accident. Also, your insurance must cover at least $25,000 in property damage per accident. Liability insurance covers the other vehicle and doesn’t cover damage to your own vehicle or your medical bills incurred after an accident.
What are the best car insurance companies in North Carolina?
Some of the best car insurance companies in North Carolina include GEICO, State Farm, Erie, and Nationwide. These insurance companies have a variety of coverage options, great rates, good customer service scores, and positive feedback from customers.
How does credit score affect car insurance premiums in North Carolina?
A better credit score typically results in lower car insurance costs. Anything that falls below 630 qualifies as a poor credit score, while anything above 720 qualifies as an excellent credit score.
Is North Carolina a no-fault state?
North Carolina is an at-fault state.[5] This means the driver responsible for the accident must pay for damages and injury that occurred in an accident out of pocket (if they’re uninsured) or through their insurer.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Amy is a personal finance and technology writer. With a background in the legal field and a bachelor's degree from Ferris State University, she has a talent for transforming complex topics into content that’s easy to understand. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
10+ years in the insurance and financial services industry
Austin is an assistant manager and former agent with a decade of experience in the property and casualty insurance space. He previously worked with Answer Financial.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
GEICO
State Farm
Erie Insurance
Allstate
Nationwide
Progressive
Direct Auto
Liberty Mutual
