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, $98 per month
Minimum coverage | Erie, $42 per month
Driving record
Speeding ticket | Progressive, $145 per month
At-fault accident | Progressive, $98 per month
DWI | Progressive, $392 per month
Driver age
Young drivers | Progressive, $147 per month
Millennial drivers | Progressive, $98 per month
Gen X drivers | Progressive, $98 per month
Senior drivers | Progressive, $98 per month
Credit-based insurance score
Good credit | Progressive, $98 per month
Poor credit | Progressive, $98 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.
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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 $98 per month or $1,174 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 | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,174 | $98 |
| Erie | $1,402 | $117 |
| State Farm | $1,413 | $118 |
| Farmers | $1,537 | $128 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,675 | $140 |
Erie has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for minimum coverage, with an average rate of $42 per month or $499 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 | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $499 | $42 |
| Progressive | $572 | $48 |
| National General | $574 | $48 |
| State Farm | $591 | $49 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $604 | $50 |
These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers, according to our January 2026 analysis.
- Minimum car insurance required in North Carolina
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.
- Charlotte
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in Charlotte for full coverage, with an average rate of $103 per month or $1,235 per year.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Progressive $1,235 After a DUI Progressive $4,960 After an accident Progressive $1,235 After a speeding ticket Progressive $1,838 Having poor credit Progressive $1,235 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history State Farm $596 After a DUI National General $1,332 After an accident State Farm $634 After a speeding ticket State Farm $866 Having poor credit Progressive $675 Rates refreshed January 2026.
- Fayetteville
State Farm has the cheapest car insurance in Fayetteville for full coverage, with an average rate of $119 per month or $1,427 per year.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history State Farm $1,427 After a DUI State Farm $5,799 After an accident Progressive $1,450 After a speeding ticket State Farm $2,121 Having poor credit Progressive $1,450 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history State Farm $609 After a DUI State Farm $2,251 After an accident State Farm $641 After a speeding ticket State Farm $867 Having poor credit Erie $765 - Greensboro
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in Greensboro for full coverage, with an average rate of $117 per month or $1,405 per year.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Progressive $1,405 After a DUI Progressive $5,669 After an accident Progressive $1,405 After a speeding ticket Progressive $2,095 Having poor credit Progressive $1,405 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history State Farm $591 After a DUI National General $1,123 After an accident State Farm $642 After a speeding ticket State Farm $864 Having poor credit Erie $750 - Raleigh
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in Raleigh for full coverage, with an average rate of $91 per month or $1,094 per year.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Progressive $1,094 After a DUI Progressive $4,368 After an accident Progressive $1,094 After a speeding ticket Progressive $1,624 Having poor credit Progressive $1,094 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history National General $584 After a DUI State Farm $2,269 After an accident Progressive $599 After a speeding ticket State Farm $861 Having poor credit Progressive $599 - Winston-Salem
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in Winston-Salem for full coverage, with an average rate of $92 per month or $1,105 per year.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Progressive $1,105 After a DUI Progressive $4,414 After an accident Progressive $1,105 After a speeding ticket Progressive $1,641 Having poor credit Progressive $1,105 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Erie $557 After a DUI National General $992 After an accident Progressive $585 After a speeding ticket Erie $849 Having poor credit Progressive $585
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.
- Cheapest for young drivers
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for young drivers in North Carolina, with an average rate of $147 per month or $1,767 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 Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,767 $147 Penn National $1,877 $156 Farmers $2,310 $193 Erie $2,677 $223 Travelers $2,684 $224 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Penn National $601 $50 Progressive $924 $77 National General $1,038 $87 Travelers $1,048 $87 Erie $1,053 $88 These are median rates for 20-year-old drivers who get their own standalone policy, according to our January 2026 analysis. A driver who’s added to an existing policy may have cheaper rates.
- Cheapest for millennial drivers
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for millennials in North Carolina, with an average rate of $98 per month or $1,174 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 Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,174 $98 Erie $1,452 $121 State Farm $1,475 $123 Farmers $1,537 $128 North Carolina Farm Bureau $1,694 $141 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Erie $520 $43 Progressive $572 $48 National General $594 $50 Penn National $607 $51 North Carolina Farm Bureau $609 $51 These are median rates for 30-year-old drivers, according to our January 2026 analysis.
- Cheapest for Gen X drivers
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for Gen X drivers in North Carolina, with an average rate of $98 per month or $1,174 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 Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,174 $98 State Farm $1,237 $103 Erie $1,318 $110 North Carolina Farm Bureau $1,454 $121 Farmers $1,537 $128 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Erie $486 $41 State Farm $523 $44 North Carolina Farm Bureau $534 $45 Progressive $572 $48 Penn National $607 $51 These are median rates for 50-year-old drivers, according to our January 2026 analysis.
- Cheapest for senior-age drivers
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for senior drivers in North Carolina, with an average rate of $98 per month or $1,174 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 Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,174 $98 State Farm $1,407 $117 Erie $1,480 $123 Farmers $1,521 $127 North Carolina Farm Bureau $1,656 $138 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $572 $48 Erie $574 $48 State Farm $587 $49 North Carolina Farm Bureau $598 $50 Penn National $607 $51 These are median rates for 70-year-old drivers, according to our January 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.
- Cheapest after a speeding ticket
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina after a speeding ticket, with an average rate of $145 per month or $1,745 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 Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,745 $145 State Farm $2,107 $176 Erie $2,192 $183 Farmers $2,344 $195 North Carolina Farm Bureau $2,506 $209 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Erie $758 $63 Progressive $842 $70 National General $846 $71 State Farm $855 $71 North Carolina Farm Bureau $865 $72 Rates refreshed January 2026.
- Cheapest after an at-fault accident
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina after an at-fault accident, with an average rate of $98 per month or $1,174 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 Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,174 $98 State Farm $1,501 $125 Farmers $1,537 $128 North Carolina Farm Bureau $1,675 $140 Erie $1,692 $141 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $572 $48 Erie $592 $49 North Carolina Farm Bureau $604 $50 State Farm $625 $52 Travelers $672 $56 Rates refreshed January 2026.
- Cheapest after a DWI
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina after a DWI, with an average rate of $392 per month or $4,703 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 $1,780 per year for car insurance. That same person could pay $7,324 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 Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $4,703 $392 State Farm $5,799 $483 National General $5,885 $490 Erie $6,053 $504 Farmers $6,331 $528 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate National General $1,029 $86 Erie $2,022 $169 Penn National $2,209 $184 Progressive $2,239 $187 State Farm $2,266 $189 Rates refreshed January 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.
- Cheapest for poor credit
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for drivers with poor credit, with an average rate of $98 per month or $1,174 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,174 $98 Farmers $1,537 $128 Erie $1,607 $134 Travelers $1,934 $161 Penn National $2,031 $169 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Erie $565 $47 Progressive $572 $48 Penn National $652 $54 Travelers $678 $57 Farmers $678 $57 Rates refreshed January 2026.
- Cheapest for good credit
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for drivers with good credit, with an average rate of $98 per month or $1,174 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,174 $98 Erie $1,402 $117 State Farm $1,413 $118 Farmers $1,537 $128 North Carolina Farm Bureau $1,675 $140 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Erie $499 $42 Progressive $572 $48 National General $574 $48 State Farm $591 $49 North Carolina Farm Bureau $604 $50 Rates refreshed January 2026.
Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for military families
USAA
- High customer satisfaction ratings.
- One-stop shop for insurance as well as banking and investing products.
- Policies available in all states and Washington, D.C.
- Available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
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.
