Fact CheckedNorth Carolina is a relatively cheap state for car insurance, but that doesn’t mean you can count on every company having low rates. What you pay for car insurance depends on personal factors, including your driving record, location and driving experience.
The best way to find your cheapest car insurance in North Carolina is by comparing rates from multiple insurers before you buy a policy. And to give you a sense of the insurers offering drivers like you the best rates, we compared prices from 13 car insurance companies in North Carolina.
The cheapest car insurance in North Carolina, at a glance
These are the cheapest average rates from some of the largest auto insurance companies in North Carolina. We separated our comparisons by:
Coverage type
Full coverage | Progressive, $93 per month
Minimum coverage | Progressive, $44 per month
Driving record
Speeding ticket | Progressive, $140 per month
At-fault accident | Progressive, $93 per month
DWI | Progressive, $384 per month
Driver age
Young drivers | Progressive, $139 per month
Millennial drivers | Progressive, $93 per month
Gen X drivers | State Farm, $92 per month
Senior drivers | Progressive, $93 per month
Credit-based insurance score
Good credit | Progressive, $93 per month
Poor credit | Progressive, $93 per month
These are median rates. For details on how our sample driver’s insurance coverage, driving record, age and credit score change throughout this analysis, check out our methodology.
Strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Thorough rating guidelines for evaluating auto insurance companies.
More than 120 million rates analyzed by our team of specialists.
More than 130 insurance companies analyzed in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
You can trust the prices we show because our data analysts eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data. We look at rates from every ZIP code in a state where coverage is offered and data is available. And we change only one variable at a time when comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds. That means you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.
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Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina by coverage type
Increasing the amount of insurance you have means your rates will be higher than if you had a policy with basic coverage. But increasing your insurance coverage could help you avoid surprise costs like medical bills and car repairs after an at-fault accident.
It’s possible to find cheap full coverage (which has more insurance coverage than a basic policy) by comparing rates from a few companies. We recommend shopping around at least once a year to make sure you get the best deal on the coverage you need.
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for full coverage, with an average rate of $93 per month or $1,112 per year.
You’ll likely need to have full coverage if you have an auto loan or lease your vehicle. “Full coverage” is a term for a policy that includes the insurance North Carolina requires, plus comprehensive and collision coverage. This type of policy helps pay for damage to your car related to weather, animals, falling objects, fire and theft, as well as damage from collisions.
| Company | NerdWallet rating | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | 4.8/5 | $93 |
| State Farm | 4.8/5 | $106 |
| Farmers | 4.6/5 | $124 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | 3.8/5 | $136 |
| Travelers | 4.9/5 | $143 |
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for minimum coverage, with an average rate of $44 per month or $530 per year.
A policy with minimum coverage comes with liability insurance, which pays for injuries and property damage you cause to other drivers. North Carolina also requires insurance that pays for injuries and property damage that uninsured and underinsured drivers cause to you and your car.
While minimum coverage is the cheapest type of car insurance, it could leave you unprotected after a serious accident. It’s also not an option for many drivers, since those with auto loans or leases usually have to carry full coverage whether they want to or not.
| Company | NerdWallet rating | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | 4.8/5 | $44 |
| National General | 3.4/5 | $44 |
| Nationwide | 4.8/5 | $45 |
| State Farm | 4.8/5 | $45 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | 3.8/5 | $47 |
These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers, according to our August 2026 analysis.
North Carolina requires drivers to carry liability insurance, uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, and uninsured motorist property damage coverage in the following amounts:
$50,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$100,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$50,000 property damage liability per accident.
$50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person.
$100,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident.
$50,000 uninsured motorist property damage coverage 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.
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Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina by city
Prepare to pay more for car insurance if you live in, or move to, a city. Cities usually see higher car insurance costs because they often have more crowded roads, theft and vandalism than rural areas. These factors mean more claims and, ultimately, more expensive car insurance for you.
Make sure to estimate your car insurance costs before you move to a new home. The company with the cheapest car insurance for you can change from one neighborhood to the next.
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in Charlotte for full coverage, with an average rate of $98 per month or $1,171 per year.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Progressive $1,171 After a DUI Progressive $4,871 After an accident Progressive $1,171 After a speeding ticket Progressive $1,770 Having poor credit Progressive $1,171 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history State Farm $541 After a DUI National General $1,113 After an accident State Farm $578 After a speeding ticket State Farm $806 Having poor credit Progressive $625 Rates refreshed August 2026.
State Farm has the cheapest car insurance in Fayetteville for full coverage, with an average rate of $107 per month or $1,280 per year.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history State Farm $1,280 After a DUI State Farm $5,372 After an accident State Farm $1,366 After a speeding ticket State Farm $1,930 Having poor credit Progressive $1,374 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history State Farm $539 After a DUI National General $1,419 After an accident State Farm $617 After a speeding ticket State Farm $807 Having poor credit Progressive $730 State Farm has the cheapest car insurance in Greensboro for full coverage, with an average rate of $106 per month or $1,267 per year.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history State Farm $1,267 After a DUI State Farm $5,343 After an accident Progressive $1,331 After a speeding ticket State Farm $1,921 Having poor credit Progressive $1,331 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history State Farm $545 After a DUI National General $1,008 After an accident State Farm $574 After a speeding ticket State Farm $800 Having poor credit Progressive $704 Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in Raleigh for full coverage, with an average rate of $86 per month or $1,036 per year.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Progressive $1,036 After a DUI Progressive $4,284 After an accident Progressive $1,036 After a speeding ticket Progressive $1,563 Having poor credit Progressive $1,036 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history State Farm $538 After a DUI National General $835 After an accident Progressive $555 After a speeding ticket State Farm $800 Having poor credit Progressive $555 Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in Winston-Salem for full coverage, with an average rate of $87 per month or $1,047 per year.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Progressive $1,047 After a DUI Progressive $4,327 After an accident Progressive $1,047 After a speeding ticket Progressive $1,578 Having poor credit Progressive $1,047 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Nationwide $498 After a DUI National General $948 After an accident Progressive $541 After a speeding ticket Nationwide $725 Having poor credit Progressive $541
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina by age
Car insurance is usually most expensive for young drivers. Rates are higher for young people because they usually have less experience behind the wheel than older drivers. Their inexperience means younger drivers are more likely to be in accidents and make claims.
Insurance costs get cheaper as you age, as long as your driving record stays clean. Make sure to shop for car insurance every year to be sure you don’t pay more than you have to for your age.
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for young drivers in North Carolina, with an average rate of $139 per month or $1,672 per year for full coverage.
It can be hard to find cheap car insurance as a young driver. It might help to look for insurers that offer discounts for having good grades, completing a driving safety course or for living away from home while a student is in school. It’s much cheaper for young drivers to join a parent or guardian’s existing policy than to buy a separate auto insurance policy.
Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Progressive 4.8/5$139 Farmers 4.6/5$186 Travelers 4.9/5$217 Penn National 4.0/5$218 National General 3.4/5$227 Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Progressive 4.8/5$71 Penn National 4.0/5$78 National General 3.4/5$81 Travelers 4.9/5$82 Farmers 4.6/5$84 These are median rates for 20-year-old drivers who get their own standalone policy, according to our August 2026 analysis. A driver who’s added to an existing policy may have cheaper rates.
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for millennials in North Carolina, with an average rate of $93 per month or $1,112 per year for full coverage.
The cost of car insurance gets cheaper once you’re in your 30s, assuming you have a clean driving record and aren’t newly licensed anymore. If you’re a good driver, usage-based insurance could help you lower your rates even more.
With usage-based insurance, you receive the same coverage as a regular policy, but your rates depend on habits like your speed, acceleration and phone usage, as well as the miles you drive.
Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Progressive 4.8/5$93 State Farm 4.8/5$111 Farmers 4.6/5$124 North Carolina Farm Bureau 3.8/5$137 Travelers 4.9/5$143 Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Progressive 4.8/5$44 National General 3.4/5$46 Nationwide 4.8/5$47 State Farm 4.8/5$47 North Carolina Farm Bureau 3.8/5$47 These are median rates for 30-year-old drivers, according to our August 2026 analysis.
State Farm has the cheapest car insurance for Gen X drivers in North Carolina, with an average rate of $92 per month or $1,107 per year for full coverage.
You should be able to find cheap rates from a few insurance companies in your 40s and 50s. At this point in your life, your car insurance needs might have changed. For example, if you’ve paid off your car and it now costs more to insure than it’s worth, you might no longer need to carry full coverage (or pay full coverage prices).
Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate State Farm 4.8/5$92 Progressive 4.8/5$93 North Carolina Farm Bureau 3.8/5$117 Farmers 4.6/5$124 Travelers 4.9/5$143 Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate State Farm 4.8/5$40 North Carolina Farm Bureau 3.8/5$41 Nationwide 4.8/5$42 Progressive 4.8/5$44 National General 3.4/5$47 These are median rates for 50-year-old drivers, according to our August 2026 analysis.
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for senior drivers in North Carolina, with an average rate of $93 per month or $1,112 per year for full coverage.
The cost of car insurance is relatively low for 60-year-old drivers, though in North Carolina you may pay more than you did when you were in your 50s. While rates often get more expensive once you’re in your 70s, car insurance for senior drivers may still be cheaper than it is for some younger drivers.
Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Progressive 4.8/5$93 State Farm 4.8/5$105 Farmers 4.6/5$122 North Carolina Farm Bureau 3.8/5$134 Travelers 4.9/5$143 Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Nationwide 4.8/5$44 Progressive 4.8/5$44 State Farm 4.8/5$45 North Carolina Farm Bureau 3.8/5$46 Penn National 4.0/5$49 These are median rates for 70-year-old drivers, according to our August 2026 analysis.
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Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina by driving record
A driving violation on your record can make it harder to find cheap car insurance. But even though you might be considered a high-risk driver by insurers, some companies may still offer you relatively low rates.
Rates tend to increase with the severity of the violation. North Carolina’s Safe Driver Incentive Plan can help you understand how different violations could affect your insurance rates.
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina after a speeding ticket, with an average rate of $140 per month or $1,678 per year for full coverage.
Car insurance may get more expensive after a speeding ticket, but not always. According to North Carolina’s Safe Driver Incentive Plan, certain drivers may avoid a rate increase for going less than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.
Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Progressive 4.8/5$140 State Farm 4.8/5$160 Farmers 4.6/5$191 North Carolina Farm Bureau 3.8/5$205 Penn National 4.0/5$221 Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Nationwide 4.8/5$65 Progressive 4.8/5$67 State Farm 4.8/5$67 National General 3.4/5$67 North Carolina Farm Bureau 3.8/5$68 Rates refreshed August 2026.
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina after an at-fault accident, with an average rate of $93 per month or $1,112 per year for full coverage.
Most of the time an at-fault accident, or one that you’re responsible for, makes insurance more expensive. Some insurance companies offer accident forgiveness, which can help you avoid a rate increase after your first accident.
Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Progressive 4.8/5$93 State Farm 4.8/5$113 Farmers 4.6/5$124 North Carolina Farm Bureau 3.8/5$136 Penn National 4.0/5$146 Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Progressive 4.8/5$44 North Carolina Farm Bureau 3.8/5$47 State Farm 4.8/5$48 Penn National 4.0/5$49 Nationwide 4.8/5$50 Rates refreshed August 2026.
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina after a DWI, with an average rate of $384 per month or $4,609 per year for full coverage.
Your insurance will get a lot more expensive if you’re caught driving under the influence. On average, someone with a clean record pays $1,789 per year for car insurance. That same person could pay $7,641 per year after a DWI citation. Besides higher insurance rates, you may be required to complete substance abuse classes before you can drive again.
Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Progressive 4.8/5$384 State Farm 4.8/5$444 National General 3.4/5$486 Farmers 4.6/5$523 Travelers 4.9/5$597 Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate National General 3.4/5$76 Nationwide 4.8/5$172 State Farm 4.8/5$182 Progressive 4.8/5$183 Penn National 4.0/5$195 Rates refreshed August 2026.
If your driving record has caused insurers to deny you car insurance, you could try to get coverage through the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility. This program can help you get all of the minimum types of car insurance that North Carolina requires.
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Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina by credit history
Like most states, North Carolina allows insurers to consider your credit when they set your rates. Insurers use information from your credit report to come up with a credit-based insurance score, which they use to estimate how likely you are to file a claim.
A credit-based insurance score is different from the credit score you might be more familiar with. But if you can build your credit, you could improve your credit-based insurance score and lower your rates.
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for drivers with poor credit, with an average rate of $93 per month or $1,112 per year for full coverage.
Rates refreshed August 2026.
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for drivers with good credit, with an average rate of $93 per month or $1,112 per year for full coverage.
Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Progressive 4.8/5$93 State Farm 4.8/5$106 Farmers 4.6/5$124 North Carolina Farm Bureau 3.8/5$136 Travelers 4.9/5$143 Company NerdWallet rating Median monthly rate Progressive 4.8/5$44 National General 3.4/5$44 Nationwide 4.8/5$45 State Farm 4.8/5$45 North Carolina Farm Bureau 3.8/5$47 Rates refreshed August 2026.
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for military families
USAA offers auto insurance to active military, veterans, certain federal employees and their families only.
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
More than expected
Available in: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, & WY.
USAA is only available to a few groups of people, including active and retired members of the military, their families and employees of some federal agencies. Because of that restriction, USAA isn't ranked with the other insurers. But if you’re eligible for coverage, it’s worth considering for its relatively cheap rates.
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 2023 Toyota Camry LE for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.
We analyzed rates for drivers 20 to 70 years old in 10-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.
