The Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina for November 2024
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Nerdy takeaways
Progressive offers the cheapest full coverage in North Carolina, with an average rate of $861 per year according to NerdWallet's November 2024 analysis.
Full coverage in North Carolina costs an average of $1,966 per year, or $164 per month.
If you want the cheapest policy possible, get minimum coverage. The average cost of minimum coverage in North Carolina is $660 per year, or $55 per month.
Auto insurance is an important purchase, but finding cheap car insurance in North Carolina isn’t always easy. The best way to find cheap car insurance is to compare rates from multiple insurers.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.Keep reading to find the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for different driver profiles and coverage types among:
Cheap car insurance in North Carolina
Here's the cheapest full coverage car insurance in North Carolina for 35-year-old drivers with different driving records.
| Category | Cheapest company | Median annual rate |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving history | Progressive | $861 |
| After a DUI | Progressive | $3,736 |
| After an accident | Progressive | $1,457 |
| After a speeding ticket | Progressive | $1,403 |
| Having poor credit | Progressive | $954 |
The cheapest car insurance company in North Carolina is Progressive at $861 per year on average, or $72 per month, according to the most recent NerdWallet analysis of full coverage car insurance rates in North Carolina. Meanwhile, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in North Carolina is $1,966 per year, or about $164 per month.
Minimum coverage in North Carolina is $660 per year on average, but we found you can likely get a cheaper policy. For example, Erie offers the cheapest rates in North Carolina at $432 per year, on average, for minimum coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record.
Did your rates go up? Auto insurance prices are on the rise in North Carolina. Be sure to get car insurance quotes from three or more companies to find the lowest rate possible.
Looking for the absolute best auto insurance? Check out our roundup of the best car insurance in North Carolina.
Looking for the cheapest car insurance in your city? NerdWallet analyzed auto insurance rates in some of the largest North Carolina cities, including:
How we chose the cheapest companies in North Carolina
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed car insurance rates from 13 auto insurers in North Carolina and listed the five cheapest options for drivers in several age brackets and with different histories, all driving a 2021 Toyota Camry LE. For minimum coverage, we looked at rates that reflect the minimum requirements in North Carolina. For full coverage, we used the below coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$50,000 property damage liability per accident.
$100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Cheap auto insurance in North Carolina for 20-year-old drivers
Drivers in their 20s may have to get a lot of quotes to find the best cheap car insurance. Prices can be sky-high for younger 20-somethings, but tend to come down as drivers get more experience on the road. Still, some companies routinely have better insurance rates for young drivers, so it's best to shop around to find them.
Cheapest full coverage car insurance in North Carolina for 20-year-olds
Drivers in North Carolina with clean driving records may want to consider the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $956 | $80 |
| Travelers | $1,781 | $148 |
| Penn National | $1,792 | $149 |
| Erie | $1,838 | $153 |
| Farmers | $1,921 | $160 |
Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in North Carolina for 20-year-olds
Drivers in North Carolina who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these companies, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $442 | $37 |
| Penn National | $586 | $49 |
| Travelers | $619 | $52 |
| Farmers | $625 | $52 |
| Erie | $628 | $52 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 20-year-olds with poor credit
Drivers with poor credit in North Carolina should look at the following insurers with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $442 | $37 |
| Travelers | $625 | $52 |
| Farmers | $625 | $52 |
| Penn National | $630 | $53 |
| Erie | $688 | $57 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 20-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket
For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in North Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $637 | $53 |
| Penn National | $849 | $71 |
| Travelers | $908 | $76 |
| Farmers | $916 | $76 |
| Utica National | $923 | $77 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 20-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash
For drivers with a recent accident in North Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $637 | $53 |
| Penn National | $849 | $71 |
| Farmers | $908 | $76 |
| Travelers | $908 | $76 |
| Erie | $961 | $80 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 20-year-old drivers after a DUI
The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI is shown here, alongside the insurers' average rates for minimum coverage.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| National General | $981 | $82 |
| Progressive | $1,655 | $138 |
| Penn National | $2,213 | $184 |
| Travelers | $2,350 | $196 |
| Farmers | $2,398 | $200 |
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.Cheap auto insurance in North Carolina for 30-year-old drivers
By the time they reach their 30s, most drivers will enjoy cheaper car insurance rates than in their teens and 20s. Still, factors like a person’s driving record and car make and model can increase prices. Drivers in their 30s can get lower rates by shopping around and taking advantage of any car insurance discounts.
Cheapest full coverage car insurance in North Carolina for 30-year-olds
Drivers in North Carolina seeking full coverage auto insurance can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $871 | $73 |
| Erie | $1,365 | $114 |
| Travelers | $1,756 | $146 |
| Penn National | $1,792 | $149 |
| National General | $1,850 | $154 |
Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in North Carolina for 30-year-olds
Drivers in North Carolina who want their state's minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $438 | $37 |
| Erie | $448 | $37 |
| National General | $576 | $48 |
| Penn National | $586 | $49 |
| Travelers | $599 | $50 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 30-year-olds with poor credit
Drivers with poor credit in North Carolina should consider the following companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $442 | $37 |
| Erie | $497 | $41 |
| Farmers | $625 | $52 |
| Travelers | $625 | $52 |
| Penn National | $630 | $53 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 30-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket
For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in North Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $631 | $53 |
| Erie | $687 | $57 |
| Penn National | $849 | $71 |
| Utica National | $853 | $71 |
| National General | $854 | $71 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 30-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash
For drivers in North Carolina with a recent accident, here are the lowest average rate options for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $631 | $53 |
| Erie | $677 | $56 |
| Penn National | $849 | $71 |
| Travelers | $900 | $75 |
| Farmers | $908 | $76 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 30-year-old drivers after a DUI
For the cheapest auto insurance after a DUI, we found the following options for minimum coverage.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| National General | $877 | $73 |
| Progressive | $1,655 | $138 |
| Erie | $1,804 | $150 |
| Penn National | $2,213 | $184 |
| Travelers | $2,263 | $189 |
Cheap auto insurance in North Carolina for 40-year-old drivers
Drivers in their 40s tend to have better insurance rates than their younger counterparts on average, but still pay more than older age groups. Shopping around for cheap car insurance quotes with multiple insurers is the best way to find lower rates. Good drivers who don’t get behind the wheel often might want to consider pay-per-mile insurance, which charges drivers by how many miles they drive.
Cheapest full coverage car insurance in North Carolina for 40-year-olds
Drivers in North Carolina with clean driving records may want to think about the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $861 | $72 |
| Erie | $1,322 | $110 |
| Travelers | $1,756 | $146 |
| Penn National | $1,792 | $149 |
| National General | $1,822 | $152 |
Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in North Carolina for 40-year-olds
Drivers in North Carolina who want just the minimum coverage may want to check prices from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $430 | $36 |
| Progressive | $438 | $37 |
| National General | $557 | $46 |
| Penn National | $586 | $49 |
| Travelers | $599 | $50 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 40-year-olds with poor credit
Drivers with poor credit in North Carolina can check out the following insurers with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $442 | $37 |
| Erie | $480 | $40 |
| Travelers | $625 | $52 |
| Farmers | $625 | $52 |
| Penn National | $630 | $53 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 40-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket
For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in North Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $625 | $52 |
| Erie | $656 | $55 |
| Utica National | $817 | $68 |
| National General | $824 | $69 |
| Penn National | $849 | $71 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 40-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash
For drivers with a recent accident living in North Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $631 | $53 |
| Erie | $648 | $54 |
| Penn National | $849 | $71 |
| Travelers | $900 | $75 |
| Farmers | $908 | $76 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 40-year-old drivers after a DUI
The cheapest minimum coverage auto insurance we found for drivers with a DUI came from the following companies.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| National General | $835 | $70 |
| Progressive | $1,655 | $138 |
| Erie | $1,731 | $144 |
| Penn National | $2,213 | $184 |
| Travelers | $2,263 | $189 |
Cheap auto insurance in North Carolina for 50-year-old drivers
Drivers in their 50s have cheaper car insurance rates than most other age groups on average. Prices will continue to drop as they inch toward their 60s and gain more driving experience. Rates can still vary depending on other factors such as a driver’s gender and location, so it’s smart to shop around to find the best rate. Our list of cheap auto insurance companies is a good place to start.
Cheapest full coverage car insurance in North Carolina for 50-year-olds
Drivers in North Carolina with clean driving records may want to get quotes from these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $861 | $72 |
| Erie | $1,322 | $110 |
| Travelers | $1,756 | $146 |
| Penn National | $1,792 | $149 |
| National General | $1,822 | $152 |
Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in North Carolina for 50-year-olds
Drivers in North Carolina who opt for the state minimum coverage may want to consider the following companies, with the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $430 | $36 |
| Progressive | $434 | $36 |
| National General | $557 | $46 |
| Penn National | $586 | $49 |
| Travelers | $599 | $50 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 50-year-olds with poor credit
Drivers with poor credit in North Carolina can check with the following companies, which showed the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $442 | $37 |
| Erie | $480 | $40 |
| Farmers | $625 | $52 |
| Travelers | $625 | $52 |
| Penn National | $630 | $53 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 50-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket
For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in North Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $625 | $52 |
| Erie | $654 | $54 |
| Utica National | $817 | $68 |
| National General | $824 | $69 |
| Penn National | $849 | $71 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 50-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash
For drivers living in North Carolina with a recent accident, here are the insurers with the lowest average minimum coverage rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $631 | $53 |
| Erie | $651 | $54 |
| Penn National | $849 | $71 |
| Travelers | $900 | $75 |
| Farmers | $908 | $76 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 50-year-old drivers after a DUI
The cheapest auto insurance we found for drivers with a recent DUI comes from the following companies, listed with rates for minimum coverage.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| National General | $846 | $71 |
| Progressive | $1,655 | $138 |
| Erie | $1,735 | $145 |
| Penn National | $2,213 | $184 |
| Travelers | $2,263 | $189 |
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.Cheap auto insurance in North Carolina for 60-year-old drivers
Although 60-year-olds have cheaper car insurance rates than many other age groups on average, prices will start increasing as they get older. To find cheap car insurance for seniors, drivers in their 60s should make sure to shop around to find the best rate. Drivers in this age group should also take advantage of any available discounts for senior citizens.
Cheapest full coverage car insurance in North Carolina for 60-year-olds
Drivers in North Carolina with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $861 | $72 |
| Erie | $1,294 | $108 |
| Travelers | $1,756 | $146 |
| Geico | $1,786 | $149 |
| Penn National | $1,792 | $149 |
Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in North Carolina for 60-year-olds
Drivers in North Carolina who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $430 | $36 |
| Progressive | $438 | $37 |
| National General | $557 | $46 |
| Penn National | $586 | $49 |
| Travelers | $599 | $50 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 60-year-olds with poor credit
Drivers with poor credit in North Carolina can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $442 | $37 |
| Erie | $477 | $40 |
| Farmers | $625 | $52 |
| Travelers | $625 | $52 |
| Penn National | $630 | $53 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 60-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket
For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in North Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $625 | $52 |
| Erie | $650 | $54 |
| Utica National | $817 | $68 |
| National General | $824 | $69 |
| Penn National | $849 | $71 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 60-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash
For drivers with a recent accident living in North Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $631 | $53 |
| Erie | $645 | $54 |
| Penn National | $849 | $71 |
| Travelers | $900 | $75 |
| Farmers | $908 | $76 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 60-year-old drivers after a DUI
The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for minimum coverage.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| National General | $846 | $71 |
| Progressive | $1,655 | $138 |
| Erie | $1,722 | $144 |
| Penn National | $2,213 | $184 |
| Travelers | $2,263 | $189 |
Cheap auto insurance in North Carolina for 70-year-old drivers
Car insurance costs may start to rise for 70-year-old drivers. To find the cheapest possible coverage, shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies. Also, look for insurers that offer discounts for seniors. For example, some insurers offer discounts to senior drivers who take a defensive driving course.
Cheapest full coverage car insurance in North Carolina for 70-year-olds
Drivers in North Carolina with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $861 | $72 |
| Erie | $1,294 | $108 |
| Travelers | $1,756 | $146 |
| Penn National | $1,792 | $149 |
| National General | $1,822 | $152 |
Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in North Carolina for 70-year-olds
Drivers in North Carolina who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $426 | $36 |
| Progressive | $434 | $36 |
| National General | $557 | $46 |
| Penn National | $586 | $49 |
| Travelers | $599 | $50 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 70-year-olds with poor credit
Drivers with poor credit in North Carolina can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $442 | $37 |
| Erie | $477 | $40 |
| Farmers | $625 | $52 |
| Travelers | $625 | $52 |
| Penn National | $630 | $53 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 70-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket
For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in North Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $631 | $53 |
| Erie | $649 | $54 |
| Utica National | $817 | $68 |
| National General | $824 | $69 |
| Penn National | $849 | $71 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 70-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash
For drivers with a recent accident living in North Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $637 | $53 |
| Erie | $650 | $54 |
| Penn National | $849 | $71 |
| Travelers | $900 | $75 |
| Farmers | $908 | $76 |
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for 70-year-old drivers after a DUI
The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for minimum coverage.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| National General | $846 | $71 |
| Progressive | $1,655 | $138 |
| Erie | $1,722 | $144 |
| Penn National | $2,213 | $184 |
| Travelers | $2,263 | $189 |
Minimum auto insurance limits required in North Carolina
North Carolina requires drivers to carry liability insurance, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UMBI) and uninsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD) in the following amounts:
$30,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$60,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$25,000 property damage liability per accident.
$30,000 UMBI per person.
$60,000 UMBI per accident.
$25,000 UMPD per accident.
Liability car insurance covers the cost of any damage, injuries or deaths you cause in a car accident, up to your policy’s predefined limits.
Uninsured motorist coverage will cover expenses from injuries or damage after an accident with a driver who doesn’t have car insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage will cover the same expenses if you’re hit by a driver with some car insurance, but not enough to cover all costs from the crash.
While this will satisfy legal requirements, the bare minimum may not provide the soundest financial protection. If you cause a severe crash with someone driving a luxury car, for instance, you could easily owe more than $25,000 in vehicle repairs. And if you carry only the minimum limits, you’d pay any extra costs.
Check out NerdWallet’s guide to state car insurance requirements for more details on what each coverage type pays for.
Alternative car insurance for high-risk drivers
Drivers who are denied car insurance on the voluntary market — because of poor credit, DUIs or other factors — can seek coverage through the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility.
Budget-conscious shoppers can also use NerdWallet to find cheap car insurance in North Carolina. Try our car insurance comparison tool from the state’s largest insurers
For our “good driver” profile, NerdWallet averaged insurance estimates for single male and female drivers with good credit and no tickets or violations. The analysis included 5-10 of the largest insurance companies in each state; smaller insurers were also included when rates were available. Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries were excluded from our analysis as rates were not available.
For full coverage policies, we used the following coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$50,000 property damage liability per accident.
$100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. Some policies include additional coverages at the insurer’s discretion.
We used a 2021 Toyota Camry LE for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.
We analyzed rates for drivers 20 to 70 years old in ten-year increments. For the average cost of full and minimum coverage in each state, we looked at 35-year-old drivers.
We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:
For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect the minimum required coverage by law in the state.
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.
We looked at 35-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company overall, the cheapest company for minimum coverage and the cheapest company for drivers with poor credit in states where credit history is used to price rates. We looked at 20-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company for young drivers.
These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different. Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.
