Here's what you need to know when driving in North Carolina
Across the Tar Heel State, there are 221,456 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Cheap Car Insurance
What's the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NC Farm Bureau | $852 |
| 2 | Auto-Owners | $861 |
| 3 | GEICO | $886 |
| 4 | Utica National | $890 |
| 5 | Travelers | $918 |
| 6 | Erie | $929 |
| 7 | State Farm | $940 |
| 8 | Titan | $1,024 |
| 9 | MetLife | $1,028 |
| 10 | GMAC Insurance Group | $1,041 |
| 11 | Safeco | $1,055 |
| 12 | Metropolitan | $1,199 |
| 13 | Penn National | $1,225 |
| 14 | Progressive | $1,228 |
| 15 | Unitrin | $1,274 |
| 16 | Encompass | $1,357 |
| 17 | Allied | $1,432 |
| 18 | Allstate | $1,540 |
| 19 | Nationwide | $1,569 |
See rates now!
Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in North Carolina
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. North Carolina drivers without a recent speeding ticket typically save 32% on their car insurance premiums — far exceeding the 17% national average. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $423 | 32.96% |
| No Accidents | $442 | 33.97% |
| Good Credit | $147 | 14.60% |
Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in North Carolina
Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In North Carolina, the typical teen driver pays $2,583 per year — approximately half the national average for teens, but more than twice the statewide average for all drivers in the Tarheel State.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $4,037 | $2,650 |
| 17 | $3,202 | $2,063 |
| 18 | $2,987 | $1,816 |
| 19 | $2,987 | $925 |
Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in North Carolina
If you have a clean driving record — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably pay less for car insurance. Conversely, a bad driving record will cause your rates to skyrocket: car insurance premiums typically increase by 48% after a DUI, 33% after an at-fault accident, and 32% after a speeding ticket in North Carolina. The post-citation penalties assessed by car insurance companies after violations and at-fault accidents in North Carolina are substantially higher than nationwide averages. If you have a clean driving record, be sure to check for good-driving discounts from your insurer.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $1,302 | 33.97% |
| DUI | $1,658 | 48.15% |
| Speeding Violation | $1,282 | 32.96% |
| Bad Credit | $1,006 | 14.60% |
What are the Best Auto Insurance Companies in North Carolina?
Every auto insurance company advertises its cheap prices. But as with any product, the most affordable car insurance option is not always the finest choice. Considering what's at stake, it's worthwhile to do the homework to discover an insurance policy that will cover your car completely in the event of a collision. It's worth contrasting options to find a great value, rather than settling for the cheapest car insurance you can find.
Review top insurance companies' financial strength and claims satisfaction levels to better understand the quality of service they will provide. Claims satisfaction — measured by J.D. Power — is rated on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and ranging from "Poor" to "Superior" — assesses an insurance company's financial strength and ability to satisfy its policy and contractual obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| Auto-Owners | 5 | Superior |
| Erie | 5 | Superior |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Liberty Mutual | 3 | Excellent |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| Nationwide | 4 | Superior |
| Peerless | 3 | Excellent |
| Penn National | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| Safeco | 3 | Excellent |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| Travelers | 3 | Superior |
| Unitrin | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Utica National | Not Rated | Excellent |
Compare North Carolina's leading insurers!
What is the Best Auto Insurance Coverage in North Carolina?
The minimum insurance requirement in North Carolina is $30,000 Bodily Injury per person, $60,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $25,000 Property Damage per accident.
For the minimum required coverage in North Carolina, you can expect to owe an average of $428 each year. This average cost is cheaper than the U.S. average by 35%. If you opt for better car insurance coverage, you can choose a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, insuring against damages caused by car-on-car collisions, auto theft, or weather incidents. Better car insurance has a cost: in North Carolina, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $814, 90% more than liability-only car insurance. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 104% more than for a liability-only policy.
Analyze average premiums for liability-only and comprehensive coverage levels in the table below.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| North Carolina | $428.34 | $813.57 | $873.48 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Car insurance laws
State minimum insurance requirements in North Carolina
In North Carolina, drivers are required to maintain auto insurance at or above the below levels:
Liability
- Bodily Injury $30,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $60,000 per accident
- Property Damage $25,000 per accident
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
- Bodily Injury $30,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $60,000 per accident
- Property Damage $25,000 per accident
Optional coverage in North Carolina (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Medical Payments
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
North Carolina Car Insurance FAQs
What is the minimum car insurance in North Carolina?
In order to legally drive in North Carolina, you need to have bodily injury liability coverage of at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per incident, as well as $25,000 in property liability damage.
Is car insurance required in North Carolina?
Yes — car insurance is required by law in North Carolina.
Why is North Carolina car insurance so expensive?
In 2017, North Carolina was the cheapest state on average in which to insure a vehicle. Minimum coverage in NC is 35% cheaper than it is in other US states. If you're paying too much for auto insurance, it could be because there are things on your driving profile — poor credit, accidents, or an overpriced insurance company — are causing you to pay more.
How much does car insurance cost in North Carolina cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Asheville, North Carolina, and the most expensive in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $1,188 |
| 2 | Charlotte | $1,110 |
| 3 | Gastonia | $1,060 |
| 4 | Indian Trail | $1,029 |
| 5 | Wilson | $1,019 |
| 6 | Goldsboro | $1,004 |
| 7 | Concord | $994 |
| 8 | Greenville | $979 |
| 9 | Rocky Mount | $976 |
| 10 | Salisbury | $976 |
| 11 | Kannapolis | $976 |
| 12 | Wilmington | $972 |
| 13 | Raleigh | $952 |
| 14 | Durham | $951 |
| 15 | Greensboro | $945 |
| 16 | High Point | $944 |
| 17 | Huntersville | $933 |
| 18 | Hickory | $923 |
| 19 | Burlington | $868 |
| 20 | Cary | $856 |
| 21 | Apex | $855 |
| 22 | Winston Salem | $847 |
| 23 | Chapel Hill | $846 |
| 24 | Asheville | $819 |
Recent North Carolina Car Insurance Questions and Answers
Can it be cheaper to have two cars on an auto policy instead of just one?
Thank you for your question. This actually happens quite often.
How does the price of a non-owners policy compare to liability insurance?
A non-owners policy gives provides liability coverage so that they can drive a non-owned vehicle. As such, it will be much cheaper because there is no specific vehicle to insure.
Will using Amazon in-car delivery raise my insurance rate?
From what I understand, using Amazon's in-car delivery should not affect your insurance rates. Because the couriers don't drive your vehicle(s) and are simply dropping items off in a parked car, I don't see any concerning factors an insurance company would worry about — unless a courier vandalizes or steals your car, which seems unlikely. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Can a dismissed ticket affect my insurance?
The only likely scenario in which a dropped ticket would still affect you would be if there was an accident involved. If the ticket was dropped, but your insurance company paid out to any party for a claim, the accident would still show.
Driving Laws
North Carolina Texting and Driving Laws
- Ban on all cell phones for school bus drivers
- Ban on all cell phones for drivers <18 years old
- Ban on text messaging for all drivers
North Carolina DUI Laws
North Carolina has a seven-year lookback period. Each subsequent DWI within a seven-year period leads to enhanced penalties.
There are five levels of misdemeanor DWI offenses in North Carolina. Judges use mitigating factors to determine which level to apply to an intoxicated individual. Such mitigating factors include:
- The driver’s BAC
- The driver’s driving record
- Level of observable impairment
- Voluntary submission or participation in assessment and treatment
- And other factors
How Do Tickets Affect Car Insurance Rates in North Carolina?
If you receive a ticket, your auto insurance premiums may get more expensive. By how much depends on the specific citation, your insurance company's pricing strategy, and local insurance regulations. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
See below average auto insurance rates in North Carolina after some common violations.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $4,358 | 360% | $3,411 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $4,011 | 324% | $3,064 |
| DUI | $4,011 | 324% | $3,064 |
| Racing | $4,358 | 360% | $3,411 |
| Reckless Driving | $1,743 | 84% | $796 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $2,763 | 192% | $1,816 |
| At-Fault Accident | $1,402 | 48% | $455 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $1,275 | 35% | $328 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $1,275 | 35% | $328 |
| Passing a School Bus | $1,718 | 81% | $771 |
| Improper Passing | $1,403 | 48% | $456 |
| Following Too Closely | $1,403 | 48% | $456 |
| Speeding | $1,402 | 48% | $455 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $1,275 | 35% | $328 |
| Illegal Turn | $1,275 | 35% | $328 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $1,275 | 35% | $328 |
| Failure to Yield | $1,275 | 35% | $328 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $1,300 | 37% | $353 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $1,300 | 37% | $353 |
| Distracted Driving | $1,236 | 30% | $289 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $1,265 | 34% | $318 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $1,142 | 21% | $195 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $957 | 1% | $10 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,265 | 34% | $318 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,265 | 34% | $318 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,265 | 34% | $318 |
North Carolina Tour Guide Scholarship
At The Zebra, we know better than most just what a pain buying car insurance can be. We also know that students suffer from higher-than-average policy rates. Talk about a double-whammy. That’s why, this year, we’ve decided to continue The Zebra’s annual scholarship with the goal of helping to alleviate the financial pressures of college-bound students in the North Carolina area, while also getting an insider view of the Tar Heel State.
Prompt
So, students, we want to see your favorite road trip destination(s) in your state— from your unique perspective. If it makes sense to hit the open road and be our virtual tour guide, that's great! But there are no limits to what we're looking for: a narrated animation, a slideshow of memorabilia, an illustrated map of the best roadside attractions on the way. This is a chance for you to showcase any place you love in as an original way as possible.
How do I choose a location?
The length of the road trip to your feature destination is inconsequential. So if you have an awesome spot in mind that's just two miles from home, we want to see it.
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled at or planning to attend a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States. Upon notification, winner(s) must supply a current proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance.
How to Apply
1. Create a video
Your original video should not exceed 2 minutes
2. Post online
The video must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
3. Submit by email
Email your submission to scholarships@thezebra.com
4. Please include...
your name, address, and phone number when you submit
Details
Award
Selected winner(s) will be awarded a check for $1,000
Deadline
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31st, 2020
Notification
Winner(s) will be selected and notified by email by January 31st, 2021
Judges: The Zebra
The winner will be selected based on creativity in the content and presentation
*Upon notification, winner(s) must also supply a current proof of enrollment at a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States.
Fine Print
By participating, entrants represent that the video submitted is their sole and original work and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any other party. In other words, no copyrighted music or images may be used.
Employees of The Zebra and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Written credits for any technical or talent positions (e.g., editor, director, actors) should be included with your submission, along with any sources used to create the video.