Durham, NC Car Insurance
How much does car insurance cost in Durham?
Car insurance in Durham costs an average of $569 for a six-month policy or $95 per month on average. In 2023, our data shows North Carolina Farm Bureau is the cheapest car insurance company in Durham with rates at $425 for a six-month policy.
When compared to the national average, North Carolina is more or less on par when it comes to car insurance rates. Durham residents typically enjoy affordable premiums for a standard car insurance policy. In fact, our research shows that residents of Durham pay slightly less than the statewide average every six months ($569 to North Carolina's $574).Â
Still, 40% of our customers in Durham utilized The Zebra's quote tool because they believe they're paying too much for their car insurance with their current policy. If you, too, need help with your car insurance, read on to learn more about what a fair rate looks like in Durham based on common factors like credit score, coverage level and more.
| Car Insurance in Durham vs. North Carolina | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| Durham Average | $569 |
| North Carolina Average | $574 |
The cheapest car insurance companies in Durham
North Carolina Farm Bureau is the cheapest at $71 per month or $425 for a six-month policy.
In second place is State Farm, which costs $445 per month.
Rounding out the list is GEICO as the third-cheapest insurance company. On average, a GEICO policy in Durham costs $476 per six-month policy.
The Zebra's key takeaways about car insurance in Durham:
- The average cost of a car insurance policy in Durham is $569 per six-month policy — $95 per month.
- The cheapest company in Durham is North Carolina Farm Bureau ($425).
- Durham's premiums are fairly average for North Carolina car insurance.
- 40% of Zebra customers in Durham stated they used our product because they were paying too much for car insurance with their current provider.
Are you paying too much for auto insurance?
Durham car insurance rates by company
According to our data for 2023, the cheapest car insurance company for full coverage in Durham is North Carolina Farm Bureau at $71 per month or $425 per six-month policy, while the second cheapest is State Farm at $74 per month or $445 for a six-month policy.
Learn more about top-rated car insurance companies based on The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey.
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Cheapest car insurance companies in Durham, NC
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $425 |
| State Farm | $445 |
| GEICO | $476 |
| MetLife | $576 |
| Progressive | $590 |
| Nationwide | $776 |
| Allstate | $911 |
Dynamic auto insurance data methodology
Methodology: The auto insurance rates displayed above and throughout this page are dynamic, meaning the data will refresh when the most recent information is made available. Rates are based on a sample driver profile — a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord and full coverage. This profile was adjusted based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies, like age, coverage level, driving record and others.
Shop around for the best rates
The only way to know which company is the cheapest coverage for you is to compare. Our comparison will do the leg work for you. Enter your ZIP code to see rates from Progressive, Allstate, GEICO and Nationwide (+ other top companies) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in Durham.
Average car insurance in Durham by rating factor
Car insurance companies base their policy premiums on a series of rating factors. Rating factors are details about each driver that determine the amount of risk that driver poses to the insurance company. Things like age, location, previous claims, tickets, and credit score can be considered. While most companies use the same suite of rating factors, some place more importance on certain factors over others. Because of this, the impact this will have on your premium may vary.
As these factors may change as time goes on, it's important to compare quotes at each renewal cycle to ensure you're still getting the best rates.Â
Q: I didn't have an accident — Why is my insurance going up?
A: End-of-year earnings (revenue of premiums versus the cost of paying insureds’ claims) is also a major rating factor for how much you will pay for car insurance in Durham. Even if you’ve had no claims with your insurance company, you could still be paying more with a particular insurance company because the price of doing business has increased in Durham.
Auto insurance premiums by age in Durham
While different insurance companies place various levels of importance on rating factors, age remains one of the most important when it comes to assessing rates. In insurance terms, age typically translates to years of driving experience, making younger drivers less experienced and therefore, more of a risk to insure. Unsurprisingly, teen drivers have a higher accident rate than any other age group. Because of this, they face the highest premium bracket of any age group regardless of location.
In Durham, teen drivers pay $682 more per policy period than drivers in their 20s. That's a 111% difference; the largest difference between any two age groups.Â
While this may seem unfair, it's important to remember that insurance companies are in the business of risk management. By charging higher rates for teen drivers, they are able to offset the increased cost of paying claims. In other words, it's not personal; it's just business.
Cheapest car insurance companies for teen drivers in Durham, NC
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $752 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $918 |
| GEICO | $1,242 |
| MetLife | $1,268 |
| Progressive | $1,282 |
| Nationwide | $1,829 |
| Allstate | $2,069 |
| Age Bracket | Cheapest Companies | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 20s | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $425 |
| 30s | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $422 |
| 40s | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $422 |
| 50s | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $422 |
| 60s | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $422 |
| 70s | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $422 |
Zebra Tip:Â The cheapest companies for Durham drivers between 20-40 are North Carolina Farm Bureau, GEICO and State Farm
Our data tells us that drivers between the ages of 20-40 make up the bulk of Durham drivers. On average, this group pays $603 every six months. By going with these companies, these groups can potentially save 20%.
Auto insurance premiums for minimum coverage in Durham
State minimum coverage describes the minimum amount of liability limits set by your state's laws. Many drivers simply carry the mandated amount of coverage, but just as many select plans with more coverage options in order to get the most protection out of their insurance policy.
In Durham, 20% of drivers have the state minimum coverage, according to our data. Drivers who own their vehicle may choose the amount of coverage they desire, leaving you the option to just go with state minimum coverage (it tends to be the most affordable option for premiums). Those who lease or finance their vehicle may be subject to certain coverage restrictions according to their lending assocation, often requiring that drivers carry comprehensive and collision coverage. While drivers are only required to have a certain amount of coverage, only having the state minimum coverage level leaves you at risk of being underinsured.
With comprehensive and collision coverage (known as "full coverage" insurance) can increase your rates dramatically. These coverages require a deductible, which can also impact your rates. You can raise your deductible amount to help lower your monthly premiums, but that means your out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident are higher.Â
Other common optional coverages include roadside assistance or uninsured motorist coverage. These can offer assistance if in need of a tow and protect you against drivers who do not carry auto insurance coverage. While they can add to your overall car insurance premiums, experts at The Zebra still recommend carrying such coverage options, as they can go a long way in protecting both you and your vehicle.
Q: Can I lower my car insurance coverage?
A: Possibly — if your vehicle is paid off.
In an analysis of our data, 43% of drivers in Durham have owned vehicles. If you are not leasing or financing your vehicle, you should consider if dropping comprehensive or collision coverage is right for you. We recommend getting the actual cash value of your vehicle via Kelley Blue Book or another reputable source. The general rule of thumb is if your vehicle is worth less than $4,000, you probably don't need collision coverage. Bear in mind, however, that dropping these coverages means that you will have to pay for any repairs out of your own pocket.
Cheapest car insurance companies for minimum coverage in Durham, NC
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $184 |
| State Farm | $192 |
| GEICO | $223 |
| MetLife | $245 |
| Progressive | $254 |
| Nationwide | $293 |
| Allstate | $392 |
- Minimum: State liability coverage only
- Basic: State liability + collision and comprehensive (full) coverage
- Better: Better liability limits at 50/100/50. Full coverage included with towing and rental car benefits. May include additional personal medical benefits and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- Best: Best liability limits at 100/300/50. Full coverage included with better towing and rental car benefits and better personal medical benefits and increased uninsured/underinsured coverage.
Most of our customers in Durham opt for the basic level of coverage, but this may not be the best option for everyone. While we understand state minimum coverage is a budget-friendly solution, it does leave you at risk for damages that exceed your liability limits. north Carolina's 30/60/25 liability limits provide coverage for damage you cause up to $30,000 per person in bodily injury, $60,000 per accident in bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. While this may be sufficient for most standard car accidents, it might not be for bodily injury claims or multi-vehicle accidents.
Learn more about insurance laws in North Carolina.
Durham car insurance rates by credit score
In most states, including North Carolina, credit score is a rating factor in determining premiums. In the eyes of insurance companies, drivers with lower credit scores are more likely to file claims or engage in risky driving behavior, according to data analysis over the years. Because of this association, poor credit means higher insurance premiums.
In fact, Durham drivers with poor credit (300-579) pay 36% more than drivers with excellent credit (800-850). Our data tells us most drivers in Durham have a "Good" credit score. In 2023, North Carolina Farm Bureau is the cheapest option for Durham drivers for this credit range.
Cheapest car insurance companies for bad credit in Durham, NC
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| MetLife | $576 |
| Progressive | $590 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $681 |
| GEICO | $688 |
| Nationwide | $997 |
| State Farm | $1,022 |
| Allstate | $1,465 |
Zebra Tip: If you recently improved your credit score, shop around for car insurance!
In Durham, our data shows drivers with "Fair" credit pay $223 less for car insurance in a year than drivers with "Poor" credit. If you have recently paid off a loan or other credit-improving actions, check your preferred credit monitoring software to see if your recent efforts could save you on your car insurance!
Auto insurance rates with an at-fault accident
At-fault and collision-type accidents are the most common type of insurance claims. In 2023, an at-fault accident raised the average car insurance rates in Durham from $95 to $160 per month. The cheapest insurance company in Durham after an at-fault accident is North Carolina Farm Bureau.
Location aside, your driving record is one of the most important rating factors insurance companies use to determine your rate. Accidents and other violations like tickets and DUIs always result in rate increases. A citation such as this is likely to stay on your record (and impact your premiums) for three to five years. The best way to keep your rates low and your record clean is to avoid accidents and other charges as best you can.
Cheapest car insurance companies after an at-fault accident in Durham, NC
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $639 |
| State Farm | $688 |
| MetLife | $875 |
| Progressive | $895 |
| GEICO | $990 |
| Nationwide | $1,246 |
| Allstate | $1,866 |
Durham car insurance rates by violation
Below you can see how much different violations and claims will increase your rate in Durham.
Car insurance rate increases after violations and citations in Durham, NC
Why is car insurance in Durham so expensive?
When looking at insurance rates in Durham, it is actually one of the more affordable places to insure your car. North Carolina as a whole is fairly well aligned with the national average rate for auto insurance. Still, some areas can be more costly than others, and different rating factors like your age, driving history, and credit score can raise premiums.Â
Below you'll find a rundown of why car insurance can be so expensive in Durham — regardless of your driving profile.
Certain areas of a city can vary in car insurance rates. Some zip codes have higher rates of crime, theft and uninsured motorists, resulting in higher premiums. The areas of a city that are more prone to crime are seen as riskier investments for insurance companies, thus higher rates for those who live there.
With about 107 square miles in Durham, some areas are safer than others.Â
Expensive Durham ZIP codes:Â 27706, 27701, 27704, 27703, 27712
Cheap Durham ZIP codes:Â 27517, 27560, 27709, 27713, 27705
Like many southeastern American cities, Durham's infrastructure is not built on a grid system, and roads can be windy and spread out wide. Driving a personal vehicle is the residents' main form of transportation, so there is a high number of drivers on the road compared to cities with more public transportation systems. More drivers means the higher potential for accidents.Â
According to our data, about 28% of drivers in Durham are not currently insured. If you’re hit by an uninsured driver in Durham, you could be left paying for the damage yourself.
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Zebra Tip: Consider uninsured property damage coverage
In cities or ZIP codes with high rates of uninsured drivers, we recommend carrying uninsured motorist coverage (also called UMPD). This coverage will provide assistance to you if you or your vehicle are damaged by an underinsured or uninsured driver. This coverage typically has a lower deductible and is cheaper than collision. Plus, the rate increase after a UMPD claim can be hundreds of dollars cheaper than a collision claim.
Consider bundling car insurance with your home or renters coverage
Almost across the board, car insurance companies offer a multi-policy discount. Bundling two or more policies under one insurance provider can earn you this discount. One of the most common combinations for bundling is homeowners and auto policies.
If you currently have separate policies for your home and car, it's definitely worth shopping around to see if you could save money by bundling them together. In many cases, you'll find you can save up to 10% on the combined premiums. Compare auto insurance quotes with as many companies as possible to guarantee the best rate for your driving profile.Â
Cheapest car insurance companies for bundling home and auto insurance in Durham, NC
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $383 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $447 |
| GEICO | $459 |
| MetLife | $538 |
| Progressive | $590 |
| Nationwide | $695 |
| Allstate | $749 |
Find the best rates for both auto and home insurance in minutes!
Frequently asked questions
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.