Car Insurance in Wilmington, NC

Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance in Wilmington at $65/mo.
Compare and save on auto insurance in or near Wilmington, NC with The Zebra.

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By Kristine Lee

Updated November 3, 2026

Reviewed By Beth Swanson

Edited By Renata Balasco

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Cheap companies in Wilmington, NC
Why is car insurance in Wilmington so expensive?
Rates after an accident or ticket in Wilmington
Wilmington auto insurance FAQs

How much does car insurance cost in Wilmington, NC?

Car insurance in Wilmington, NC averages $644 ($107 per month) — about the same as the average premium of North Carolina ($657).^[1]

For drivers looking for full coverage, Progressive offers the cheapest full coverage rates in Wilmington at $65/mo. For minimum liability coverage, Allied is the cheapest option at $39/mo.

For the 41% of our customers in Wilmington who feel like they're paying too much, this article summarizes all the ways you can pay less.^[2]

Car insurance in Wilmington is on the cheaper side compared to the US average.
Progressive offers the cheapest full coverage rates in Wilmington at $65/mo. For state-minimum coverage, Allied is the cheapest option at $39/mo.
A 6-month full coverage policy costs $298 more than liability insurance in Wilmington, NC.
An at-fault accident in Wilmington can cause rate hikes of up to $286 on a 6-month policy.

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Cheap liability and full coverage auto insurance in Wilmington, NC

As of 2026, Progressive offers Wilmington's lowest full coverage rates, with premiums of around $65 per month. For liability coverage, Allied also has the lowest monthly premium at about $39. USAA is another good option for military members and their immediate families.

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Updating data...

Company	Full coverage (6-month)	State minimum (6-month)
Progressive	$391	$251
State Farm	$418	$238
MetLife	$565	$338
GEICO	$597	$286
North Carolina Farm Bureau	$629	$314
Penn National	$630	$316
Allied	$680	$235
Nationwide	$726	$244
Utica National Ins Group	$733	$448
Erie	$867	$433
Allstate	$1,124	$530

Source: The Zebra • Current as of: Nov 3, 2026

Around 38% of Wilmington drivers carry only the minimum coverage required by the state.^[1] The cost difference between full and liability-only coverage in Wilmington averages about $298 for a 6-month policy. While dropping full coverage can save you a lot on your monthly premium, it does leave your vehicle vulnerable to damage you cause or damage caused by weather and uninsured drivers.

Consider whether or not you’d want this coverage for Wilmington’s frequent thunderstorms or rate of uninsured drivers.^[2]

What’s the piece of insurance advice you give to friends/family?

I always advise people not to carry the minimum coverage. For example, $25,000 won’t cover a lot of cars. If you so much as bump into the back of a Tesla, that amount won’t go far. So, whatever you have to do, sacrifice that extra $5 a month to increase your coverage — at least to 50/100/50 at the minimum.

-Johnny Hawkins, Licensed Agent at The Zebra

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.

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Why is car insurance in Wilmington so expensive?

For 2026, Wilmington is on the cheaper side for car insurance. What you pay is determined by local and regional factors, such as the frequency of natural disasters, severe storms, the number of uninsured drivers, and traffic volume, all of which can lead to higher premiums.

1. Weather

North Carolina experiences a variety of severe weather, and Wilmington faces some of the state's greatest risks. Hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding, and strong winds can cause costly property damage and insurance claims. As weather-related losses continue to rise, insurers may adjust coverage options and premiums for homeowners in the area.

2. Busy coastal highways and commuter traffic

As Wilmington continues to grow, congestion on Interstate 40, U.S. Highway 17, U.S. Highway 74, and other major roads has increased. More vehicles on the road lead to a greater likelihood of accidents and insurance claims, which can contribute to higher premiums for local drivers.

Weather Risk, Population, and Insurance Coverage in Wilmington, North Carolina.

3. Uninsured drivers

According to our data, 23% ( for the state) of drivers in Wilmington are uninsured. In an accident where an uninsured driver is at fault, there's no liability policy available to pay for the damage, and the insured driver’s insurer ends up covering the cost of damages. This creates additional claim expenses for insurers that may factor into Wilmington's car insurance rates.

Car insurance rates after an accident in Wilmington

In Wilmington, an at-fault accident can raise your car insurance by $286 for a 6-month policy. Keeping a clean driving record is the best way to avoid increases.

Premiums can go up after multiple violations such as accidents, speeding tickets, reckless driving, or DUIs. The impact usually lasts three to five years, though serious violations like DUIs can affect your rates even longer.

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Updating data...

Accident/Violation	Avg. 6 Mo. Premium
Not-at-fault accident	$717
Speeding in school zone	$995
Driving with expired registration	$995
Leaving scene of an accident/hit and run	$2,800
Racing	$2,800
Failure to wear a seat belt	$752
DUI	$3,006
Open container	$998
At-fault accident - greater than $2000	$930
Improper passing	$1,090
Two comp claims	$779
Illegal turn	$995
Speeding 16 - 20 MPH over limit	$1,069
Failure to stop at a red light	$995
At-fault accident - $1000-$2000	$864
Cell phone violation	$995
Driving with a suspended license	$2,038
Reckless driving	$1,323
One comp claim	$745
At-fault accident - less than $1000	$864
Wrong way/wrong lane	$995

Source: The Zebra

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North Carolina drivers in and near Wilmington saved money on car insurance recently using The Zebra:

This quote from GEICO helped a Chevrolet Equinox driver in Wilmington, NC cut their insurance costs.

Our licensed agents guided a driver in Winston Salem, NC to find this smart deal on their Toyota Camry with Dairyland Insurance.

Our licensed agents guided a driver in Candler, NC to find this smart deal on their Toyota Camry with Liberty Mutual.

This quote from National General helped a Cadillac Escalade driver in Charlotte, NC cut their insurance costs.

This quote from The General helped a Hyundai SONATA driver in Walkertown, NC cut their insurance costs.

*Quotes generated for The Zebra users within the last 30 days. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Wilmington car insurance FAQs:

How much is car insurance in Wilmington, NC?

The average for a six-month auto insurance policy in Wilmington is $644 or $107 per month. This is about the same as North Carolina state average.

Who has the cheapest car insurance in Wilmington, NC?

Cheapest full coverage in Wilmington, NC: Progressive $65/mo.
Cheapest state minimum in Wilmington, NC: Allied $39/mo.

What's the average cost of car insurance in North Carolina?

In 2026, the average cost of car insurance in North Carolina is $657 for a 6-month policy. Compared to the rest of the US, this is cheaper than the national average.

Can I lower my coverage to save money in Wilmington?

Lowering your coverage limits, raising deductibles, or dropping optional insurance features will reduce your premiums, but you will assume more financial responsibility yourself if a loss occurs.

Why is car insurance so expensive in Wilmington, NC?

Even if you have a clean driving record, Wilmington drivers may still see high insurance rates. Some of this could be your personal driving factors like claims history, driving violations, credit, or age. But it could also be your location. Wilmington does have a rate of uninsured drivers and severe weather events like heavy thunderstorms and hurricanes. Despite these factors, it is on the cheaper side to get car insurance in Wilmington.

Sources:

Data Methodology. The Zebra's Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool

Data Methodology. The Zebra's Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool
Anonymous User Surveys. The Zebra

Anonymous User Surveys. The Zebra

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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 editorial 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.