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

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Car insurance rates can look very different depending on where you live. Premiums in North Carolina and South Carolina vary widely due to differences in state insurance laws, traffic patterns, claims trends and even weather risks.

For example, drivers in North Carolina pay an average of $220 per month for car insurance. In South Carolina, the same level of coverage costs about $201 monthly.

If you’re planning a move — or just wondering how your ZIP code affects what you pay — understanding these differences can help you budget smarter and choose the right coverage for your situation.

Average car insurance rates in North Carolina vs. South Carolina

In North Carolina, drivers pay an average of $220 per month for car insurance, compared with $201 per month in South Carolina.

For a standard six-month policy, that works out to $1,319 in North Carolina and $1,209 in South Carolina.

Overall, drivers in South Carolina typically pay lower premiums than those in North Carolina. While statewide averages show a clear difference, your personal rate may be higher or lower depending on factors such as your driving history, age, vehicle type, 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	$220	$201
Avg. 6 Month Premium	$1,319	$1,209
Avg. Annual Premium	$2,638	$2,417

How car insurance rates compare by coverage level in North Carolina and South Carolina

Car insurance costs in North Carolina and South Carolina vary based on the coverage level you select. In North Carolina, full coverage averages $2,638 per year, compared with $2,417 annually in South Carolina.

Those differences reflect how insurers price policies in each state based on overall claims data, vehicle values and driver risk profiles.

Coverage level affects cost because:

Full coverage includes liability, collision and comprehensive protection.
Liability-only coverage pays for damage or injuries you cause to other drivers but does not cover your own vehicle.
State minimum liability meets only the legal coverage requirements in each state.

The table below compares average premiums across common coverage types in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Coverage types	North Carolina	South Carolina
Full Coverage – 100/300/100 BI/PD – 500 Comp/Coll	$2,638	$2,417
State Minimum BI/PD	$693	$832
Liability Only – 50/100/50 BI/PD	$693	$915
Non-Owners	$681	$448
Gap Insurance	NA	NA
SR22 with 1 DUI	$11,394	$4,006

Cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina vs. South Carolina

Even within the same state, car insurance prices can differ widely from one company to another. To help you compare your options, we’ve highlighted the insurers offering the lowest average rates in both North Carolina and South Carolina. These numbers give you a starting point — but your personal rate may vary.

Cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina

In North Carolina, Progressive offers the lowest average rate at $1,460 per year. Followed by:

State Farm: $1,653
Nationwide: $2,486

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

Company	Annual rate
Progressive	$1,460
State Farm	$1,653
Nationwide	$2,486
Penn National Insurance	$2,713
North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance	$2,719
GEICO	$3,111
Allstate	$4,342

Cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina

In South Carolina, Auto-Owners offers the lowest average annual rate at $1,731 per year. Other affordable options include:

Travelers: $2,193 per year
GEICO: $2,440 per year

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

Company	Annual rate
Auto-Owners	$1,731
Travelers	$2,193
GEICO	$2,440
Progressive	$2,632
Allstate	$2,701
State Farm	$3,278
Dairyland	$4,790
USAA*	$1,949

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

How to find the cheapest car insurance in your state

Compare at least three quotes
Ask about discounts
Adjust deductibles carefully
Review coverage limits

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Average car insurance rates by ZIP code in North Carolina and South Carolina

Car insurance rates can vary significantly by ZIP code — even within the same state. Insurers use location-based data when setting premiums, which means two drivers with similar profiles could pay different rates depending on where they live.

Below is a comparison of average car insurance costs by ZIP code in North Carolina and South Carolina.

How much does car insurance cost by ZIP code in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, rates can differ noticeably across ZIP codes. Among the most populous ZIP codes analyzed, 27519 has the lowest average annual premium at $2,356.

Here’s a closer look at how average car insurance rates compare across ZIP codes in North Carolina.

ZIP code	City	Annual rate
27519	Cary	$2,356
27587	Wake Forest	$2,557
28078	Huntersville	$2,565
28173	Waxhaw	$2,607
28277	Charlotte	$2,627
28027	Concord	$2,703
28269	Charlotte	$2,706
27616	Raleigh	$2,830
27610	Raleigh	$2,842
28215	Charlotte	$3,357

How much does car insurance cost by ZIP code in South Carolina?

Among the most populous ZIP codes analyzed, drivers in ZIP code 29072 pay an average of $2,285 per year. In comparison, drivers in ZIP code 29681 pay about $2,073 annually.

The table below shows how average car insurance premiums compare across ZIP codes in South Carolina, giving you a clearer picture of how location may impact your rate.

ZIP code	City	Annual rate
29681	Simpsonville	$2,073
29072	Lexington	$2,285

What are the top car insurance companies in North Carolina and South Carolina?

The top car insurance companies in North Carolina and South Carolina are ranked based on overall performance and customer satisfaction scores. Below, we highlight the highest-rated insurers in each state, using standardized comparisons of financial strength, complaints data and service ratings.

What are the top car insurance companies in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, Nationwide ranks highest overall, with a score of 4.45 and a customer satisfaction rating of 0.64.

Close behind is State Farm, earning an overall ranking of 4.40 and a satisfaction score of 0.87.

The table below shows the highest-rated car insurance companies in North Carolina, based on overall score and customer satisfaction.

Company	Overall ranking	Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking
Nationwide	4.45	691
State Farm	4.40	677
Progressive	4.17	645
GEICO	4.08	670
Allstate	2.81	654

What are the top car insurance companies in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, Auto-Owners leads with an overall ranking of 4.67 and a customer satisfaction score of 0.44.

It’s followed by GEICO at 4.36, with a satisfaction rating of 0.60.

Progressive rounds out the top three with an overall ranking of 3.89 and a satisfaction score of 0.60.

Below are the top-rated car insurance providers in South Carolina, based on overall performance and customer satisfaction.

Company	Overall ranking	Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking
Auto-Owners	4.67	654
GEICO	4.36	670
Progressive	3.89	645
Travelers	3.83	606
State Farm	3.64	677
Allstate	3.55	654
USAA*	4.38	749

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

What are the minimum car insurance requirements in North Carolina and South Carolina?

Both North Carolina and South Carolina require drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability car insurance to legally operate a vehicle. However, the required coverage limits are set by each state and may differ.

Minimum coverage typically includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Some states may also require additional protections, such as personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

The table below compares the minimum car insurance requirements in North Carolina and South Carolina, so you can see how the coverage limits differ at a glance.

Coverage requirement	North Carolina	South Carolina
Minimum coverage limits	50/100/50	25/50/25

So, which state is more affordable for car insurance?

If you’re weighing a move — or simply comparing costs — car insurance can make a meaningful difference in your budget. On average, drivers in North Carolina pay about $2,638 per year for full coverage, while drivers in South Carolina pay around $2,417. Over time, that gap can add up, especially if you’re insuring multiple vehicles or planning a long-term relocation.

When it comes to finding the cheapest option, Progressive has the lowest average rates in North Carolina, while Auto-Owners stands out in South Carolina. But averages only tell part of the story. Your actual premium will depend on your driving record, vehicle, coverage choices and even your ZIP code.

Even a few hundred dollars in annual savings can tip the scales when comparing overall living costs. Before making a decision, it’s smart to compare personalized quotes from multiple insurers to see which state — and which company — truly offers the best value for your situation.

Frequently asked questions about home and auto bundle insurance

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

Car insurance in North Carolina is expensive than South Carolina. The average monthly cost in North Carolina is $220, which is $19 more than the average in South Carolina of $201.

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.

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.