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.
Affordable Insurance Premiums in North Carolina
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 | Travelers | $918 |
| 4 | Erie | $929 |
| 5 | State Farm | $940 |
| 6 | Titan | $1,024 |
| 7 | Progressive | $1,228 |
| 8 | Allied | $1,432 |
| 9 | Allstate | $1,540 |
| 10 | Nationwide | $1,569 |
Compare quotes from over 20 insurance companies that provide coverage throughout North Carolina. Enter your ZIP code below to get started.
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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% |
Best Car 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 |
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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 |
North Carolina Auto 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
Driving Laws in North Carolina
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
Ticket Impact on Auto 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 |
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North Carolina Car Insurance FAQs
Who has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina?
NC Farm Bureau offers the cheapest premiums for North Carolina drivers with an average rate of $426 for a six-month policy, or $71 per month. If you're interested in seeing quotes from multiple insurance companies, use our comparison tool to get started.
How much is car insurance in North Carolina?
The average cost of car insurance in North Carolina is $873 per year for full coverage or $428 for liability-only.
What type of car insurance is required in North Carolina?
North Carolina requires bodily injury and liability limits of 30/60/25 along with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
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
Will I lose my accident free discount if I file a hit and run claim?
Can an employer file an claim on your personal insurance if you were driving a company vehicle?
If I insure a vehicle owned by my parents, could they be sued if I were involved in an accident?
Why was a hit and run listed as an at-fault accident on my insurance?
