How much car insurance costs in North Carolina vs. South Carolina

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Car insurance rates vary significantly depending on where you live. Insurance premiums in North Carolina and South Carolina differ widely due to state laws, traffic conditions and weather events, among other factors.

For instance, policyholders in North Carolina pay $145 a month for car insurance, while premiums for the same coverage in South Carolina are $167 per month, according to a data study by Insure.com.

Whether you’re moving from one state to another or simply curious about how your location impacts your premiums, understanding the difference in auto insurance rates can help you make informed decisions.

This guide provides a detailed comparison of car insurance rates between North Carolina and South Carolina and outlines the key factors influencing insurance premiums.

Average car insurance rates in North Carolina vs. South Carolina

In North Carolina, the average monthly car insurance premium is $145, while in South Carolina, it’s $167. For a 6-month policy, drivers in North Carolina typically pay $871, while South Carolina drivers pay an average of $1,005.

Policyholders in South Carolina typically face higher car insurance premiums than those in North Carolina. These differences are primarily driven by factors such as population density, weather patterns and state laws. However, individual rates vary depending on factors such as driving history, age, coverage limits, and ZIP code.

Below is an overview of average car insurance rates in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Premium type	North Carolina	South Carolina
Avg. Monthly Premium	$145	$167
Avg. 6 Month Premium	$871	$1,005
Avg. Annual Premium	$1,741	$2,009

Learn more about average monthly car insurance rates.

North Carolina vs. South Carolina: Rates by different coverage levels

If you compare car insurance rates between North Carolina and South Carolina, the cost will vary significantly depending on the type of coverage you choose. The annual rate in North Carolina is $1,741 for full coverage, whereas in South Carolina, it is slightly higher at $2,009. This difference reflects the varying risk factors and market conditions in both states.

Car insurance rates vary by coverage level because the more protection a policy provides, the higher the cost. Full coverage, which includes liability, comprehensive and collision coverage, is more expensive than basic liability-only insurance, which covers only damages to other driver’s vehicles and their injuries in an at-fault accident.

Below are the car insurance rates in North Carolina and South Carolina for various coverage levels and types.

Coverage type	North Carolina	South Carolina
Full Coverage – 100/300/100 BI/PD – 500 Comp/Coll	$1,741	$2,009
State Minimum BI/PD	$476	$720
Liability Only – 50/100/50 BI/PD	$523	$925
Non-Owners	$470	$368
SR22	$1,784	$2,210

Cheapest car insurance providers: North Carolina vs. South Carolina

Car insurance rates differ in North Carolina and South Carolina due to differences in state laws, risk factors, population density, traffic patterns, weather risks and repair costs, all of which contribute to the cost of coverage.

States with higher accident rates or natural disasters may have higher premiums, while those with more competition among insurers may see lower rates. The frequency and severity of claims, along with state-specific laws and discount programs, also influence the rates insurance companies offer.

Cheapest car insurance providers in North Carolina

Erie Insurance offers the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina at $1,082 a year on average followed by State Farm at $1,180 and North Carolina Farm Bureau at $1,217 a year.

The table below shows car insurance providers in North Carolina with affordable car insurance rates.

Company	Annual rate
Erie Insurance	$1,082
State Farm	$1,180
North Carolina Farm Bureau	$1,217
Nationwide	$1,513
GEICO	$1,617
Penn National Insurance	$1,872
Farmers	$2,028
Progressive	$2,028
Utica National Insurance Group	$2,070
Allstate	$2,994

Cheapest car insurance providers in South Carolina

Auto-Owners has the cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina with an average annual cost of $1,475. Progressive and Travelers also have affordable rates, at $1,816 and $1,949 respectively.

Below, you see car insurance providers with affordable rates for drivers in South Carolina.

Company	Annual rate
Auto-Owners	$1,475
Progressive	$1,816
Travelers	$1,949
GEICO	$2,054
State Farm	$2,106
Southern Farm Bureau	$2,202
Allstate	$2,336
Sentry Insurance	$3,681
USAA*	$1,451

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

Car insurance cost in North Carolina and South Carolina by ZIP code

Car insurance rates aren’t the same everywhere—your ZIP code comes into play. Even within the same state, your rates can vary significantly depending on your location.

Here’s a quick comparison of car insurance costs in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Car insurance cost in North Carolina by ZIP code

If you’re in North Carolina, you might be paying more or less for your car insurance based on your ZIP code. For instance, the 27519 ZIP code has the cheapest car insurance rates in North Carolina, among the top 10 most populous ZIP codes analyzed, with an average annual cost of $1,538.

Insurance companies also factor in the crime rates of a specific area, especially the frequency of car theft and vandalism. If a ZIP code has a higher rate of stolen vehicles or accidents, you might end up paying a bit more for coverage.

ZIP code	City	Annual rate
27519	Cary	$1,538
27587	Wake Forest	$1,700
28078	Huntersville	$1,705
28027	Concord	$1,732
28269	Charlotte	$1,760
28173	Waxhaw	$1,767
28277	Charlotte	$1,774
27406	Greensboro	$1,831
27610	Raleigh	$1,842
28215	Charlotte	$2,131

Car insurance cost in South Carolina by ZIP code

Car insurance rates in South Carolina vary by ZIP code due to population density, traffic and crime rates. For example, among the top 10 most populous ZIP codes, the average annual rate in ZIP code 29445 is $2,022, while in ZIP 29681, it’s lower at $1,870.

Areas with more traffic and higher crime rates tend to have higher premiums. To save on insurance, consider shopping around, raising your deductible and looking for discounts like safe driving or bundling policies.

ZIP code	City	Annual rate
29681	Simpsonville	$1,870
29072	Lexington	$2,019
29445	Goose Creek	$2,022

Top car insurance providers: North Carolina vs South Carolina

Shopping for car insurance can be overwhelming, especially when you have so many options. Insurance rates vary from state to state based on a number of factors, such as driving habits, accident rates and insurance laws. Below, we’ll compare car insurance rates from top car insurance companies in South Carolina and North Carolina.

Top car insurance companies in North Carolina

State Farm tops the list with an overall ranking of 4.73 and a customer satisfaction score of 0.79. It’s a great option if you’re looking for an insurer with good customer service.

Erie Insurance follows closely with a ranking of 4.64 and a customer satisfaction score of 0.89.

The table below highlights the top car insurance providers in the state, ranking them based on overall performance and customer satisfaction.

Company	Overall ranking	Customer satisfaction rating
State Farm	4.73	673
Erie Insurance	4.64	676
Nationwide	4.48	669
North Carolina Farm Bureau	4.43	667
GEICO	4.21	651
Farmers	4.09	676
Progressive	3.64	637
Allstate	2.67	634

Top car insurance companies in South Carolina

State Farm leads with an overall ranking of 4.48 and a customer satisfaction rating of 0.79, closely followed by Auto-Owners at 4.46 with a satisfaction rating of 0.54. Travelers comes next with a ranking of 4.19 and a satisfaction score of 0.52.

When choosing an insurance provider, it’s important to consider the customer satisfaction rating. This rating reflects how well the company treats its policyholders, handles claims, and responds to customer concerns.

Company	Overall ranking	Customer satisfaction rating
State Farm	4.48	673
Auto-Owners	4.46	650
Travelers	4.19	642
GEICO	4.17	651
Progressive	3.91	637
Allstate	3.28	634
USAA*	4.5	759

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

Comparing car insurance requirements in North Carolina and South Carolina

North Carolina and South Carolina laws require drivers to carry minimum liability car insurance coverage to drive on the road legally. However, the specific coverage requirements vary between the two states. Below is a detailed comparison of the minimum car insurance requirements in North Carolina and South Carolina:

Coverage requirement	North Carolina	South Carolina
Minimum coverage limits	30/60/25	25/50/25

Frequently asked questions

Is car insurance cheaper in North Carolina than in South Carolina?

Car insurance in North Carolina is generally cheaper than in South Carolina. The average monthly cost in North Carolina is $145, which is $22 less than the average in South Carolina of $167.

Can I use my North Carolina insurance in South Carolina?

If you’re just visiting South Carolina for a short time, your North Carolina car insurance should cover you. Most car insurance policies provide coverage across the U.S., so if your North Carolina policy meets the state’s minimum requirements, it will generally apply in South Carolina as well.

However, if you’re planning to move to South Carolina and stay for a longer period, you’ll need to switch your car insurance to a South Carolina provider. Each state has its own insurance rules, and you are required to have insurance that meets the minimum requirements of the state where your car is registered. Maintaining a North Carolina policy while living in South Carolina could be considered insurance fraud, especially if you’re involved in an accident.

Are there specific minimum coverage requirements in North Carolina and South Carolina?

North Carolina and South Carolina have different minimum car insurance requirements. In North Carolina, drivers are required to have liability insurance with at least $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident and $25,000 in property damage coverage.

South Carolina, on the other hand, mandates $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident and $25,000 in property damage coverage. If you’re moving between these states, make sure your insurance meets the requirements of the state you’re in to avoid any gaps in coverage.

Shivani Gite

Contributing Writer

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.