Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina

The average cost of car insurance in North Carolina is 35% lower than the national average auto insurance premium. There are several factors that affect how much you'll pay for car insurance in North Carolina, including your driving record, age and location, the amount of coverage you purchase, and the insurance company you buy it from.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in North Carolina by Category

• After an at-fault accident: $152 per month      
• Driver with poor credit: $59 per month
• Teen driver: $145 per month      
• After a DUI: $168 per month          

Average Cost of Car Insurance in North Carolina by Company

Note: Rates are an approximation based on a 45-year-old man in North Carolina with a clean driving record. Actual rates will vary.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in North Carolina by Age

Note: Rates are an approximation based on a driver in North Carolina with minimum coverage and a clean driving record. Actual rates will vary.

How to Lower the Cost of Car Insurance in North Carolina

1. Shop around and compare quotes. We recommend comparing quotes from at least three different insurance companies to make sure you are getting the best rate.
2. Choose a higher deductible. Your deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premiums but means you will have to pay more out-of-pocket when you file a claim.
3. Consider lowering your coverage. Consider purchasing only the minimum amount of coverage required by your state, rather than purchasing higher limits or a full coverage policy.
4. Look for discounts you may be eligible for. For instance, most insurance companies offer a good-driver discount for customers with a clean driving record, a good-student discount, or a discount for paying your premiums in full up front.

To learn more, check out our guide to how much car insurance you need in North Carolina as well as our picks for the cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina.

Drivers in North Carolina can find cheap car insurance with “no deposit” or “no down payment,” but all that really means is you only have to pay the first month's premium to get coverage. You cannot get car insurance in North Carolina without paying something upfront. But you can minimize the cost of coverage in North Carolina, which ranks 19 for the cheapest car insurance rates in the country. The average monthly premium in North Carolina is about $121 per month for full coverage and around $43 per month for state minimum coverage. Drivers in North Carolina should expect to pay about that much in advance each month to keep their car insurance policy active.

The biggest drawback of paying for auto insurance monthly is that it's almost always more expensive than paying in full for six or 12 months of coverage upfront. Some North Carolina insurance companies charge slightly more for month-to-month premiums, and there can also be payment processing fees. Most car insurance companies also discount rates for customers who pay in advance.

You can still find cheap car insurance options if you can't afford a big deposit, though. The best no-down-payment car insurance keeps rates low and only requires the first month's payment to start your policy.

The city in North Carolina with the least expensive auto insurance premiums is Hendersonville, which has an average premium of $788 per year. By comparison, the average cost of car insurance in North Carolina overall is $735 per year.

Cheapest Cities for Car Insurance in North Carolina

1. Hendersonville: $788 per year
2. Asheville: $796 per year
3. Burlington: $815 per year
4. Chapel Hill: $825 per year

Some cities in North Carolina have cheaper car insurance premiums than others because insurance companies take a driver's ZIP code into account when calculating their premium, alongside other factors. For example, drivers who live in dense urban areas typically pay more for coverage than drivers in rural areas because they're more likely to get into an accident. And if an area has a particularly high theft rate, car insurance may be more expensive due to the risk of vehicles being stolen.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina. 

You can get car insurance discounts in North Carolina based on how you drive, the car you own, and your relationship with your insurance company. In North Carolina, car insurance companies are allowed to consider factors like employment, residential, and marital status when setting premiums. That means there are also discounts available for being married, owning a home, or being affiliated with certain employers.

Almost anyone can get a discount on car insurance in North Carolina because most insurance companies make it easy to qualify for a variety of savings. North Carolina insurers typically offer discounts that fall into one of three categories—policy discounts, driver discounts, and vehicle discounts.

Policy discounts typically reward customer behavior that is desirable to the insurance company. For example, most North Carolina drivers can save by registering for paperless billing or getting both home and auto policies from the same company. Driver discounts are available to North Carolina residents who are lower-risk to insure, like those with clean driving records. And vehicle discounts help drivers save if their car has certain safety features or anti-theft systems.

Car Insurance Discounts in North Carolina

Remember, discounts vary among different insurance companies, so it's always best to contact the provider directly to determine which discounts you qualify for.

National General is the cheapest insurance for drivers who have committed SR-22-type violations in North Carolina. North Carolina is one of eight states that do not require high-risk drivers to file an SR-22 form as proof of insurance, but coverage can still be a lot more expensive than average for drivers who would need an SR-22 elsewhere.

For example, drivers in North Carolina can expect to pay an average of 296% more for car insurance after actions like DUI, driving with a suspended license or reckless driving.

Cheap Insurance Companies in North Carolina for High-Risk Drivers

Note: Premiums are for a 45-year-old driver in North Carolina; individual premiums will vary.

Fortunately, the increase in premiums after a high-risk offense is only temporary. If you practice safe driving habits moving forward, you should see your premiums begin to go down. 

To learn more, check out WalletHub's guides to SR-22 insurance and the cheapest car insurance companies.

Best High-Risk Auto Insurance Companies in North Carolina

Note: Rates are an approximation based on the cheapest three companies in North Carolina for a high-risk driver. Actual rates will vary.

High-risk auto insurance in North Carolina costs an average of $1,085 per year and is typically for drivers with major violations, such as a DUI, on their driving record. High-risk drivers face higher rates because they are likely to cost insurers more than an average driver.

Exactly how much high-risk drivers in North Carolina pay for auto insurance depends in part on why they are classified as high-risk. For instance, a driver with a DUI will pay more for auto insurance than a driver who received a speeding ticket for going 20 mph above the speed limit.

How Your Driving History Affects Your Premiums in North Carolina

Note: Rates are an approximation based on a driver in North Carolina with minimum coverage. Actual rates will vary.

Tips for Finding Affordable High-Risk Car Insurance in North Carolina

• Comparison-shop. The best way to get affordable car insurance is to compare rates from at least three insurance companies. In North Carolina, the average high-risk driver could pay anywhere from $645 to $2,432 for a policy, depending on their choice of insurer. That means drivers could save around $1,786 simply by comparing quotes. At a minimum, it's a good idea to comparison-shop for insurance three and five years after a traffic violation, so you can get a lower rate when the violation falls off your record.
• Avoid filing claims. Claims can dramatically increase your premium. In North Carolina, a collision claim raises rates by $346, on average. Before filing a claim, calculate whether the cost of the damage exceeds your deductible plus the average premium surcharge.
• Switch to a practical car or go car-free. Some vehicles are more expensive to insure than others. Your car's make, model, year, safety features, and price tag all impact how much you'll pay. Consider a practical vehicle that's more affordable to insure if you're already high-risk. If the premium is still more than you can afford, you could switch to non-owner car insurance and go car-free for a while.
• Drive safely. The easiest way to avoid traffic violations is to obey traffic laws and drive safely. You can't undo the past, but you can make good choices now. Focus on keeping a clean driving record and consider a driver safety course to potentially lower your premiums right away.

Last-Resort Options for High-Risk Drivers in North Carolina

If you've been denied coverage from traditional insurers, look into North Carolina's assigned risk program. With assigned risk insurance, drivers who cannot get accepted normally are assigned to insurance companies that collectively pool together to take the risk of insuring them. It's a last resort, and you'll have to prove that you've tried and failed to get insurance multiple times to qualify.

In the end, the need for high-risk car insurance is a temporary situation. Serious violations like DUIs are on your record for 7 years in North Carolina, but most violations fall off your record within three to five years. No matter how long it takes, your high-risk status will eventually change with time if you can prove you're a safe and responsible driver again.

The best car insurance in North Carolina for drivers with a DUI is from National General, Nationwide, and Erie. Getting a DUI in North Carolina will raise insurance premiums by an average of $1,510 per year, but drivers can minimize the cost of post-DUI car insurance by comparing quotes from the cheapest companies.

Best DUI Insurance in North Carolina

• National General: $758 per year
• Nationwide: $1,188 per year
• Erie: $1,341 per year
• North Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,349 per year
• State Farm: $1,523 per year

Insurance for drivers with a DUI is expensive because the violation indicates that you are more likely to file a claim than the average driver. In North Carolina, a DUI will only affect your rate for about 3-5 years, so the higher rates won't last forever. 

Car insurance in North Carolina is actually not very expensive compared to the national average, thanks to its mostly rural population and state laws that create insurance caps. In North Carolina, you can expect to pay around $2,219 per year for full coverage car insurance, compared to the national average of $4,211 per year. Car insurance in North Carolina is less expensive than the national average, which is around $4,211 per year for full coverage and about $1,407 per year for minimum coverage.

The cost of car insurance is steadily increasing, too, both in North Carolina and nationwide. As the cost of providing insurance goes up, the premiums insurers charge also rise. All insured drivers share the increasing cost of insurance. That is why your rates tend to go up every time your policy is renewed, regardless of whether any individual factors—like your driving record or location—have changed.

There are several unique reasons why car insurance goes up every year in North Carolina, too, even if your details remain the same.

Top Reasons Car Insurance Is Expensive in North Carolina

• People in North Carolina are driving more. As a result, the number of accidents, claims, and payouts is rising, too. For example, there were approximately 1,412 fatal crashes in 2020 in North Carolina, versus 911 fatal crashes in 2015.
• Auto repairs are getting more expensive. Vehicles today cost more to repair due to the added technology and features. For example, a National Association of Insurance Commissioners study found that the average cost of vehicle repairs was around 8% higher in 2018 than it was in 2014.
• People in North Carolina drive uninsured. As the cost of car insurance continues to rise, more drivers take the risk of driving without car insurance. In 2019, 7% of drivers lacked even minimum liability insurance in North Carolina. The cost of uninsured drivers is passed on to consumers through higher premiums.
• Healthcare in North Carolina is getting more expensive. Car insurance companies are hit hardest when paying out claims involving medical bills, and it's not getting any cheaper. Healthcare spending increases by an average of 7.0% every year in North Carolina.
• North Carolina is experiencing more severe weather. In North Carolina, weather events like severe storms, tropical cyclones, and droughts are becoming increasingly common. These weather events cause insurers to pay out a higher number of claims, which tend to be more expensive and less predictable. As a result, they have to raise rates to keep pace.

However, there could be other issues elevating your rates.

If your driving record is clean and your rates are still high, your car insurance might be expensive because of your:

Age. Drivers under 25 and older than 65 pay more for auto coverage because they are statistically more likely to be involved in serious and fatal accidents. In North Carolina, 16-year-old drivers pay an average of $1,738 per year, 25-year-old drivers pay an average of $534 per year, and people over 65 pay an average of $511 per year.

Location and driving patterns. Population-dense cities have higher premiums than rural areas because city living usually means more accidents, more property crime, and more frequent claims. In North Carolina, the most expensive locations for insurance are Gastonia, Fayetteville, and Charlotte. You can also expect rates to change based on your driving patterns—long commutes or regular driving in high-risk areas can cost you.

Financial responsibility. In North Carolina, drivers with no credit pay 39% more on their premiums than drivers with excellent credit. You can also demonstrate financial responsibility by maintaining minimum car insurance with no gaps in coverage. Letting your coverage lapse could result in a higher rate when you get your next policy.

Claims history. Numerous recent claims can drive up your premiums. That's one reason why it sometimes makes sense to pay out of pocket rather than file a claim, especially if a claim won't get you much more than your deductible.

How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance in North Carolina

Multiple factors affect the cost of car insurance. Some things you can't control, but you do have a say in most of the contributing factors. Driving safely, obeying traffic laws, and keeping a clean driving record are the best ways to keep your insurance costs down.

Other than that, the best way to lower your car insurance costs is to compare rates from at least three insurance companies. Ideally, you should check your rates every 6-12 months, when you renew your policy. But at a minimum, be sure to check your record and shop for rates every three to five years, since you may be able to get a lower rate if a traffic violation falls off your record.

In North Carolina, the most expensive policies cost roughly $2,099 per year, and the least expensive coverage costs around $636 per year, when all driver profile information is the same. That means you could save as much as $1,463 simply by shopping around. Be sure to confirm you're getting all the discounts you're eligible for, too.

Drivers in North Carolina need $30,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per person (up to $60,000 per accident) and $25,000 of property damage liability insurance. North Carolina also requires uninsured motorist protection. UM replaces the liability coverage an at-fault driver should've had and pays for your costs up to your policy limits.

Here's How Much Car Insurance Drivers Need in North Carolina:

If you lease or finance your car, you may be required to carry coverage types that are not mandatory under North Carolina law. Lenders usually require comprehensive and collision insurance. Collision insurance covers repairs to your car when you hit another car or object. If the damage to your vehicle was caused by something other than a collision—like a natural disaster, vandalism, falling objects, or animals—it is most likely covered by comprehensive insurance. Lenders may also require gap insurance, which covers the difference between what you owe on your loan or lease and what the vehicle was worth if it gets stolen or totaled.

Even if you're not required to carry these optional coverage types, you may still need them. You can learn more about when to drop optional coverage and the penalties for driving without insurance in North Carolina to make sure you're paying for the coverage you need.

The cheapest states for car insurance are Iowa, Vermont and Nebraska, according to WalletHub's Cheap Car Insurance Study. They are the cheapest states for auto insurance in large part because they have low population density and relatively few uninsured motorists. In contrast, New York, Florida and New Jersey are the most expensive states for car insurance.

Population and uninsured motorists are the two main reasons for variations in policy costs from state to state. After all, fewer people means fewer drivers on the road, which means fewer accidents. And a low percentage of uninsured motorists means that more of the people on the road are responsible drivers. It also means insurance companies face fewer claims from their own customers who've been hit by uninsured motorists. Both a low population and low numbers of uninsured motorists keep claims and premiums down.

10 Cheapest States for Car Insurance:

1. Iowa
2. Vermont
3. Nebraska
4. Wyoming
5. South Dakota
6. Montana
7. New Hampshire
8. West Virginia
9. North Dakota
10. Maine

In addition to the population and number of uninsured drivers, other factors that affect car insurance costs include state laws, crime rates, and special weather hazards. State laws govern how much insurance coverage drivers are required to carry, and no-fault laws impact insurers' risks. Crime rates mainly impact comprehensive coverage, which covers losses due to theft or violence. Weather hazards - like hurricanes, hail or snowstorms - cause more breakdowns and accidents.