The Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina for March 2024

Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina with an average annual rate of $906 for full coverage.
Ben Moore
By Ben Moore 
Updated
Edited by Lacie Glover

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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.

The cheapest car insurance company in North Carolina is Progressive at $906 per year on average, or $76 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 $1,597 per year, or about $133 per month.

Minimum coverage in North Carolina is $502 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 $364 per year, on average, for minimum coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record.

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 2020 Toyota Camry L. 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.

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which include rates from every locale in North Carolina where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

Cheap car insurance in North Carolina for 20-year-olds

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:

  1. Progressive: $906 per year, or about $76 per month.
  2. Travelers: $1,372 per year, or about $114 per month.
  3. Farmers: $1,484 per year, or about $124 per month.
  4. Erie: $1,495 per year, or about $125 per month.
  5. Penn National: $1,497 per year, or about $125 per month.

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:

  1. Progressive: $392 per year, or about $33 per month.
  2. Travelers: $472 per year, or about $39 per month.
  3. Farmers: $476 per year, or about $40 per month.
  4. Allstate: $480 per year, or about $40 per month.
  5. Penn National: $480 per year, or about $40 per month.

Cheapest auto 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:

  1. Progressive: $392 per year, or about $33 per month.
  2. Farmers: $476 per year, or about $40 per month.
  3. Travelers: $476 per year, or about $40 per month.
  4. Penn National: $480 per year, or about $40 per month.
  5. Erie: $601 per year, or about $50 per month.

Cheapest auto 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:

  1. Progressive: $565 per year, or about $47 per month.
  2. Travelers: $692 per year, or about $58 per month.
  3. Penn National: $698 per year, or about $58 per month.
  4. Farmers: $698 per year, or about $58 per month.
  5. Allstate: $703 per year, or about $59 per month.

Cheapest auto 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:

  1. Progressive: $571 per year, or about $48 per month.
  2. Farmers: $696 per year, or about $58 per month.
  3. Travelers: $697 per year, or about $58 per month.
  4. Penn National: $703 per year, or about $59 per month.
  5. Allstate: $710 per year, or about $59 per month.

Cheapest auto 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.

  1. National General: $775 per year, or about $65 per month.
  2. Progressive: $1,501 per year, or about $125 per month.
  3. Travelers: $1,820 per year, or about $152 per month.
  4. Penn National: $1,857 per year, or about $155 per month.
  5. Farmers: $1,857 per year, or about $155 per month.

Cheapest 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 who want their state's minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Progressive: $906 per year, or about $76 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,114 per year, or about $93 per month.
  3. Travelers: $1,355 per year, or about $113 per month.
  4. National General: $1,439 per year, or about $120 per month.
  5. State Farm: $1,453 per year, or about $121 per month.

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:

  1. Erie: $377 per year, or about $31 per month.
  2. Progressive: $392 per year, or about $33 per month.
  3. National General: $450 per year, or about $38 per month.
  4. Travelers: $455 per year, or about $38 per month.
  5. Farmers: $476 per year, or about $40 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage:

  1. Progressive: $906 per year, or about $76 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,316 per year, or about $110 per month.
  3. Travelers: $1,482 per year, or about $124 per month.
  4. Farmers: $1,484 per year, or about $124 per month.
  5. Penn National: $1,497 per year, or about $125 per month.

Cheapest auto 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:

  1. Progressive: $571 per year, or about $48 per month.
  2. Erie: $575 per year, or about $48 per month.
  3. National General: $669 per year, or about $56 per month.
  4. Travelers: $690 per year, or about $57 per month.
  5. Farmers: $703 per year, or about $59 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage:

  1. Progressive: $1,330 per year, or about $111 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,747 per year, or about $146 per month.
  3. State Farm: $2,180 per year, or about $182 per month.
  4. Travelers: $2,198 per year, or about $183 per month.
  5. Farmers: $2,223 per year, or about $185 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage.

  1. Progressive: $3,528 per year, or about $294 per month.
  2. National General: $4,500 per year, or about $375 per month.
  3. Erie: $4,799 per year, or about $400 per month.
  4. Travelers: $5,501 per year, or about $458 per month.
  5. State Farm: $6,069 per year, or about $506 per month.

Cheapest 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:

  1. Progressive: $906 per year, or about $76 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,065 per year, or about $89 per month.
  3. State Farm: $1,303 per year, or about $109 per month.
  4. Travelers: $1,355 per year, or about $113 per month.
  5. National General: $1,425 per year, or about $119 per month.

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:

  1. Erie: $360 per year, or about $30 per month.
  2. Progressive: $392 per year, or about $33 per month.
  3. National General: $441 per year, or about $37 per month.
  4. Travelers: $450 per year, or about $37 per month.
  5. State Farm: $472 per year, or about $39 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage:

  1. Progressive: $906 per year, or about $76 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,261 per year, or about $105 per month.
  3. Travelers: $1,482 per year, or about $124 per month.
  4. Farmers: $1,484 per year, or about $124 per month.
  5. Penn National: $1,497 per year, or about $125 per month.

Cheapest auto 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:

  1. Erie: $551 per year, or about $46 per month.
  2. Progressive: $571 per year, or about $48 per month.
  3. National General: $654 per year, or about $55 per month.
  4. Travelers: $685 per year, or about $57 per month.
  5. State Farm: $698 per year, or about $58 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage:

  1. Progressive: $1,330 per year, or about $111 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,669 per year, or about $139 per month.
  3. State Farm: $1,948 per year, or about $162 per month.
  4. Travelers: $2,182 per year, or about $182 per month.
  5. Farmers: $2,223 per year, or about $185 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in North Carolina for 40-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest full coverage auto insurance we found for drivers with a DUI came from the following companies.

  1. Progressive: $3,528 per year, or about $294 per month.
  2. National General: $4,478 per year, or about $373 per month.
  3. Erie: $4,570 per year, or about $381 per month.
  4. State Farm: $5,397 per year, or about $450 per month.
  5. Travelers: $5,501 per year, or about $458 per month.

Cheapest 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:

  1. Progressive: $906 per year, or about $76 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,016 per year, or about $85 per month.
  3. State Farm: $1,215 per year, or about $101 per month.
  4. Travelers: $1,355 per year, or about $113 per month.
  5. National General: $1,453 per year, or about $121 per month.

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:

  1. Erie: $354 per year, or about $30 per month.
  2. Progressive: $392 per year, or about $33 per month.
  3. State Farm: $442 per year, or about $37 per month.
  4. Travelers: $450 per year, or about $37 per month.
  5. National General: $460 per year, or about $38 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage:

  1. Progressive: $906 per year, or about $76 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,203 per year, or about $100 per month.
  3. Travelers: $1,482 per year, or about $124 per month.
  4. Farmers: $1,484 per year, or about $124 per month.
  5. Penn National: $1,497 per year, or about $125 per month.

Cheapest auto 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:

  1. Erie: $540 per year, or about $45 per month.
  2. Progressive: $571 per year, or about $48 per month.
  3. State Farm: $652 per year, or about $54 per month.
  4. Travelers: $685 per year, or about $57 per month.
  5. National General: $686 per year, or about $57 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage rates:

  1. Progressive: $1,330 per year, or about $111 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,590 per year, or about $132 per month.
  3. State Farm: $1,813 per year, or about $151 per month.
  4. Travelers: $2,182 per year, or about $182 per month.
  5. Farmers: $2,223 per year, or about $185 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage.

  1. Progressive: $3,528 per year, or about $294 per month.
  2. Erie: $4,344 per year, or about $362 per month.
  3. National General: $4,523 per year, or about $377 per month.
  4. State Farm: $5,007 per year, or about $417 per month.
  5. Travelers: $5,501 per year, or about $458 per month.

Cheapest 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:

  1. Progressive: $906 per year, or about $76 per month.
  2. Erie: $991 per year, or about $83 per month.
  3. State Farm: $1,221 per year, or about $102 per month.
  4. Travelers: $1,355 per year, or about $113 per month.
  5. National General: $1,460 per year, or about $122 per month.

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:

  1. Erie: $354 per year, or about $29 per month.
  2. Progressive: $392 per year, or about $33 per month.
  3. State Farm: $442 per year, or about $37 per month.
  4. Travelers: $450 per year, or about $37 per month.
  5. National General: $465 per year, or about $39 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage:

  1. Progressive: $906 per year, or about $76 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,171 per year, or about $98 per month.
  3. Travelers: $1,482 per year, or about $124 per month.
  4. Farmers: $1,484 per year, or about $124 per month.
  5. Penn National: $1,497 per year, or about $125 per month.

Cheapest auto 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:

  1. Erie: $538 per year, or about $45 per month.
  2. Progressive: $571 per year, or about $48 per month.
  3. State Farm: $652 per year, or about $54 per month.
  4. Travelers: $685 per year, or about $57 per month.
  5. National General: $693 per year, or about $58 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage:

  1. Progressive: $1,330 per year, or about $111 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,549 per year, or about $129 per month.
  3. State Farm: $1,817 per year, or about $151 per month.
  4. Travelers: $2,182 per year, or about $182 per month.
  5. Farmers: $2,223 per year, or about $185 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage.

  1. Progressive: $3,528 per year, or about $294 per month.
  2. Erie: $4,233 per year, or about $353 per month.
  3. National General: $4,534 per year, or about $378 per month.
  4. State Farm: $5,013 per year, or about $418 per month.
  5. Travelers: $5,501 per year, or about $458 per month.

Cheapest 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:

  1. Progressive: $906 per year, or about $76 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,145 per year, or about $95 per month.
  3. Travelers: $1,355 per year, or about $113 per month.
  4. State Farm: $1,385 per year, or about $115 per month.
  5. Farmers: $1,484 per year, or about $124 per month.

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:

  1. Progressive: $392 per year, or about $33 per month.
  2. Erie: $416 per year, or about $35 per month.
  3. Travelers: $455 per year, or about $38 per month.
  4. Farmers: $476 per year, or about $40 per month.
  5. Penn National: $480 per year, or about $40 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage:

  1. Progressive: $906 per year, or about $76 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,365 per year, or about $114 per month.
  3. Travelers: $1,482 per year, or about $124 per month.
  4. Farmers: $1,484 per year, or about $124 per month.
  5. Penn National: $1,497 per year, or about $125 per month.

Cheapest auto 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:

  1. Progressive: $571 per year, or about $48 per month.
  2. Erie: $639 per year, or about $53 per month.
  3. Travelers: $690 per year, or about $57 per month.
  4. Farmers: $703 per year, or about $59 per month.
  5. Penn National: $703 per year, or about $59 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage:

  1. Progressive: $1,330 per year, or about $111 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,801 per year, or about $150 per month.
  3. State Farm: $2,069 per year, or about $172 per month.
  4. Travelers: $2,198 per year, or about $183 per month.
  5. Farmers: $2,223 per year, or about $185 per month.

Cheapest auto 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 full coverage.

  1. Progressive: $3,528 per year, or about $294 per month.
  2. National General: $4,657 per year, or about $388 per month.
  3. Erie: $4,946 per year, or about $412 per month.
  4. Travelers: $5,501 per year, or about $458 per month.
  5. State Farm: $5,741 per year, or about $478 per month.

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

Methodology

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.

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