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25 Years of insurance experience
78.5M Quotes reviewed
170 Insurance providers evaluated
34.5K ZIP codes analyzed

If you live in North Carolina, you can expect to pay an average of around $216 per month for full coverage car insurance, or $2,587 per year. If you carry only your state’s minimum required liability coverage, your cost drops to about $54 monthly or $644 annually.

Location plays a big role in what you pay for car insurance. Insurers calculate rates based on state-specific risk factors such as accident frequency, repair and medical costs, theft rates, and even weather-related risks. Urban areas with heavy traffic or higher crime rates tend to see higher premiums, while rural areas are often cheaper. Beyond location, your age, driving record, credit score, ZIP code, and the type of car you drive also affect your rate.

Average car insurance cost in North Carolina

If you’re a resident of North Carolina, full coverage car insurance typically costs about $216 per month, adding up to $2,587 a year. Choosing the minimum required coverage can lower your monthly car insurance cost to $54, or $644 annually.

The amount you pay for car insurance can vary widely based on factors such as your age, driving record, credit history, location, and the make and model of your vehicle.

Cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina

If you’re looking for affordable insurance, Erie Insurance tops the list of the cheapest car insurance companies. Its average annual cost is $1,168 per year or $97 monthly for a policy with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles.

Progressive also provides affordable insurance rates in North Carolina for a full coverage policy at an average annual insurance cost of $1,480 or $123 monthly.

While these companies offer some of the lowest average premiums in North Carolina, your actual rate will depend on factors unique to you. Comparing multiple quotes is the best way to find coverage that fits both your budget and needs.

Affordable car insurance providers in North Carolina

Graph
Table
Company nameAverage per month costAverage annual cost
Erie Insurance$97$1,168
Progressive$123$1,480
State Farm$143$1,714
Nationwide$204$2,452
Farmers$207$2,479
North Carolina Farm Bureau$233$2,795
Penn National Insurance$233$2,797
GEICO$269$3,233
Utica National Insurance Group$291$3,496
Allstate$387$4,643
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Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to calculate average auto insurance rates for vehicles from 2006 to 2023.

Our hypothetical driver is a 40-year-old male who commutes 12 miles to work each day, with policy limits of 100/300/50 ($100,000 for injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries and $50,000 for property damage in an accident) and a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage.

Rates for vehicles up until 2023 includes uninsured motorist coverage (since some states require it, we do it for all) and PIP or Medical Payments, if it is required by state law. This hypothetical driver has a clean record and good credit.

For liability 100/300 is rates the same hypothetical driver but with liability limits of 100/300/50, uninsured/underinsured motorist in matching amounts and PIP or MedPay, if required by state. We recommend limits this high, even if you have only liability coverage. A state-minimum policy includes only the basic state liability limits and any other state-required coverages, such as uninsured motorist or PIP.

Averages were calculated using data from six large carriers, such as Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm. Rates were averaged across multiple ZIP codes and insurance companies. Average rates are for comparative purposes; your rate will depend on your personal factors.

Average cost of car insurance by coverage levels in North Carolina

Your car insurance premium is determined by the coverage limits you choose.

If you purchase only the state’s minimum liability limits, you’ll pay $54 per month or $644 annually. While an affordable option, it only includes liability coverage. That means any damage to your own vehicle won’t be covered.

If you’re looking for more robust protection, consider choosing full coverage car insurance. It includes liability coverage, plus collision and comprehensive insurance. Collision coverage covers damage to your vehicle in an accident, no matter who’s at fault. Comprehensive insurance covers theft, vandalism or weather-related damage to your car.

In North Carolina, drivers typically pay $216 per month or $2,587 annually for full coverage car insurance.

Although it costs more than minimum coverage, full coverage can be a smart choice -particularly if you have a newer or financed vehicle.

Coverage limitsAverage annual cost
State minimum liability-only$644
Liability only$717
Full coverage$2,587
Non-owner state minimum liability$581
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Auto insurance premiums vary significantly from city to city, so drivers need to be sure they’re getting the best deal. Insure.com has done the research for you. Get more information on auto insurance rates by city below.

Car insurance rates in North Carolina by city

Average car insurance cost in North Carolina by city

Car insurance rates can vary widely depending on where you live, even within North Carolina.

Cities like Greensboro, Fayetteville, or Charlotte tend to have higher premiums due to heavier traffic, more frequent accidents, and a greater risk of theft or damage.

On the other hand, car insurance is generally more affordable in cities like Cary or Concord, with average annual premiums between $2,269 and $2,332.

This is largely because these cities have fewer accidents, less traffic, and lower rates of vehicle theft or vandalism.

CityAverage annual cost
Cary$2,269
Concord$2,332
Wilmington$2,360
Winston-Salem$2,374
Raleigh$2,455
Durham$2,516
High Point$2,604
Charlotte$2,647
Fayetteville$2,655
Greensboro$2,679
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Average car insurance cost in North Carolina by age

Insurers consider age a key risk factor when determining car insurance rates. Our data shows that young drivers typically pay higher premiums due to their limited experience behind the wheel.

Generally, rates are highest for teens, begin to drop after age 25 and rise again once drivers reach their early 70s.

Let’s take a closer look at how much you might pay in North Carolina for a full coverage policy based on your age and gender.

Average car insurance cost in North Carolina for young drivers

If you’re a young driver, you can expect to pay above average premiums. Insurers see young drivers as high-risk, which means higher premiums until you gain more experience behind the wheel.

For instance, 20-year-old male drivers in North Carolina pay an average of $3,211 per year for car insurance, while females of the same age pay $3,211.

But by the time you turn 25, insurance premiums drop to $2,570 a year on average for male drivers and $2,570 for female drivers.

Age of driverAverage annual cost for Male driversAverage annual cost for Female drivers
20$3,211$3,211
21$2,826$2,826
22$2,699$2,699
23$2,673$2,673
24$2,588$2,588
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Average car insurance cost in North Carolina for adult drivers

On average, an adult male driver in North Carolina pays $2,547 a year for full coverage or $212 per month. Women pay $2,547 a year or $212 per month for the same coverage.

However, exact rates can vary widely from driver to driver, so it’s helpful to compare quotes to find the best price for your vehicle.

Age of driverAverage annual cost for Male driversAverage annual cost for Female drivers
25$2,570$2,570
30$2,555$2,555
35$2,624$2,624
40$2,587$2,587
45$2,538$2,538
50$2,548$2,548
55$2,470$2,470
60$2,494$2,494
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Average car insurance cost in North Carolina for senior drivers

If you’re a senior driver, your car insurance costs go up as you get older. At age 65, men pay about $2,552 per year, while women pay $2,552. But by age 70, average premiums rise to $2,717 for men and $2,717 annually for women. At 75, rates increase even further – $2,771 for male drivers and $2,771 for female drivers.

Insurers charge more because older drivers are seen as a higher risk due to slower reaction times and changes in vision. But you can still keep costs down by maintaining a clean driving record and taking advantage of senior discounts.

Age of driverAverage annual cost for Male driversAverage annual cost for Female drivers
65$2,552$2,552
70$2,717$2,717
75$2,771$2,771
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Minimum car insurance requirements in North Carolina

Whether you’re purchasing a policy for the first time or relocating to North Carolina, it’s important to understand the state’s liability coverage requirements.

Drivers in North Carolina must carry at least the following minimum coverage limits to stay compliant with the law:

  • Bodily injury per person: $30,000
  • Bodily injury per accident: $60,000
  • Property damage liability: $25,000

Cheapest cars to insure in North Carolina

Your car’s make and model can significantly impact its insurance costs. Vehicles that are expensive to repair or have higher theft or accident rates typically come with higher premiums. On the other hand, vehicles with high safety ratings and affordable repairs are more affordable to insure.

Jeep Wrangler tops the list for cheapest car to insure in North Carolina at an average cost of $1,486 a year, followed closely by Honda CR-V at $1,544 per year.

The table below outlines the vehicles with the lowest insurance costs.

Make ModelAverage annual premium
Jeep Wrangler$1,486
Honda CR-V$1,544
Acura RDX$1,550
Subaru Outback$1,580
Honda Pilot$1,587
Volkswagen Tiguan$1,591
Subaru Forester$1,641
Jeep Gladiator$1,653
Toyota RAV4$1,668
Subaru Legacy$1,668
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Most expensive cars to insure in North Carolina

BMW M8 Gran Coupe stands out as the most expensive car to insure in North Carolina, with an average annual cost of $5,168.

The table below shows the most expensive vehicles to insure in North Carolina along with their average annual insurance costs.

Make ModelAverage annual premium
BMW M8 Gran Coupe$5,168
BMW M8$5,013
Mercedes-AMG EQS$4,922
Audi RS7$4,859
Audi RS6$4,603
Mercedes-AMG G63$4,525
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo$4,422
Mercedes-Benz S-Class$4,407
Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid$4,403
BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe$4,356
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Car insurance rates can differ widely based on your location and driving profile. The best way to find the right coverage at the best price is to compare quotes from at least three insurance companies. Shopping around can help you save money on your car insurance premiums.

Methodology

Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Service to get 2023 car insurance data. Our team of data analysts and expert editors has analyzed 56,838,240 insurance quotes from 136 insurance companies across 34,523 ZIP codes to determine the average premiums. The insurance rates are based on a sample profile of a 40-year-old male driver with a clean driving record and a good insurance score. Quotes premiums are for different coverage limits, including

  • Full coverage policy limits of $100,000 per person for bodily injury, $300,000 total for all bodily injuries per accident and $100,000 for property damage per accident.
  • State minimum limits
  • Liability-only policy with limits of $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident and $100,000 for property damage per accident.

We also collected average car insurance rates for drivers of different age groups:

  • Young drivers aged 20-24
  • Adult drivers aged 25-60
  • Senior drivers aged 65-75

The quoted insurance rates are for comparison purposes, and your rates may vary.

78.5M

Quotes reviewed

170

No. of carriers analyzed

34.5K

ZIP codes analyzed

How much is car insurance in other states

Alaska$2,215/Year
Alabama$2,107/Year
Arkansas$2,723/Year
Arizona$2,333/Year
California$3,010/Year
Colorado$3,222/Year
Connecticut$2,726/Year
Delaware$3,097/Year
Florida$3,852/Year
Georgia$2,739/Year
Hawaii$1,721/Year
Iowa$2,228/Year
Idaho$1,791/Year
Illinois$1,901/Year
Indiana$1,856/Year
Kansas$2,410/Year
Kentucky$2,976/Year
Louisiana$4,180/Year
Massachusetts$2,430/Year
Maryland$2,273/Year
Maine$1,701/Year
Michigan$3,146/Year
Minnesota$2,561/Year
Missouri$2,410/Year
Mississippi$2,455/Year
Montana$2,541/Year
North Dakota$2,079/Year
Nebraska$2,387/Year
New Hampshire$1,650/Year
New Jersey$2,736/Year
New Mexico$2,486/Year
Nevada$3,284/Year
New York$2,898/Year
Ohio$1,739/Year
Oklahoma$2,705/Year
Oregon$1,927/Year
Pennsylvania$2,428/Year
Rhode Island$2,706/Year
South Carolina$2,367/Year
South Dakota$2,635/Year
Tennessee$2,214/Year
Texas$2,631/Year
Utah$2,250/Year
Virginia$1,837/Year
Vermont$1,504/Year
Washington$2,175/Year
Wisconsin$2,026/Year
West Virginia$2,557/Year
Wyoming$1,984/Year
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Shivani Gite
Contributing Writer

 
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Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions.

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