North Carolina Farm Bureau offers the cheapest minimum car insurance at $22 per month or $265 annually, saving $302 compared to the state average. Data from Quadrant Information Services confirms these rates as the lowest in the state as of December 2024. Read our research methodology to learn how we found the cheapest North Carolina car insurance.
Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina
North Carolina Farm Bureau has the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina, with average annual rates of $531 for full coverage and $265 for minimum coverage.
Updated: December 17, 2024
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Key Takeaways
As of December 2024, North Carolina's cheapest car insurance companies are North Carolina Farm Bureau, Erie, State Farm, Progressive and Nationwide.
North Carolina Farm Bureau offers the state's lowest car insurance rates: $22 for minimum coverage and $44 for full coverage per month.
On average, drivers pay $47 for minimum coverage and $99 for full coverage.
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What Is the Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina?
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in North Carolina
For many North Carolina drivers, the cheapest car insurance company is North Carolina Farm Bureau. The average monthly cost of minimum and full coverage policies is $33 — $40 less than the state average. Erie, State Farm, Progressive and Nationwide also provide affordable rates.
North Carolina Farm Bureau | $33 | $40 |
Erie | $39 | $34 |
State Farm | $44 | $29 |
Progressive | $55 | $18 |
Nationwide | $69 | $4 |
*We used combined minimum and full coverage rates for a 40-year-old driver with good credit and no driving violations to calculate these averages.
Best Car Insurance Rates in North Carolina
North Carolina Farm Bureau offers the cheapest car insurance for minimum and full coverages in the state. However, the best rate for you depends on your details. Below are the most affordable car insurance rates for different driver profiles.
Minimum Coverage | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $22 |
Full Coverage | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $44 |
Drivers With Bad Credit | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $30 |
Drivers With a DUI | National General | $69 |
Drivers With an Accident | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $30 |
Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $32 |
Cheapest Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in North Carolina
North Carolina Farm Bureau provides the cheapest minimum coverage at $22 per month, followed by Erie ($25), State Farm ($29), and Progressive ($42). These rates are well below the $47 state average. Check the table below for a full comparison of affordable options.
North Carolina Farm Bureau | $22 | $25 |
Erie | $25 | $22 |
State Farm | $29 | $19 |
Progressive | $42 | $6 |
Nationwide | $43 | $4 |
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in North Carolina
North Carolina Farm Bureau is the cheapest full coverage auto insurance provider, with rates averaging $44 per month or $531 annually, saving $54 compared to the state average. Check the table below for other options.
North Carolina Farm Bureau | $44 | $54 |
Erie | $53 | $46 |
State Farm | $59 | $39 |
Progressive | $68 | $30 |
Nationwide | $95 | $4 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina for Young Drivers
In North Carolina, Erie offers the best rates for young adult drivers. A minimum coverage policy averages just $26 a month for 25-year-olds.
Erie | $26 | $24 |
North Carolina Farm Bureau | $28 | $22 |
State Farm | $40 | $9 |
Progressive | $42 | $8 |
*We used minimum coverage for a 25-year old driver with good credit and no driving violations to determine the cheapest provider.
Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Young Drivers in North Carolina
Young drivers in the Tar Heel State can find affordable auto insurance with Erie, offering minimum coverage for just $26 monthly. Rates may vary based on your driving record, but these companies are a great starting point for finding budget-friendly options.
Erie | Minimum Coverage | $26 |
Erie | Full Coverage | $54 |
Erie | Drivers With Bad Credit | $34 |
National General | Drivers With a DWI | $74 |
North Carolina Farm Bureau | Drivers With an Accident | $37 |
North Carolina Farm Bureau | Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $40 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina for Seniors
North Carolina Farm Bureau offers the most affordable rates for senior drivers, with an average monthly premium of $22 for minimum coverage.
North Carolina Farm Bureau | $22 | $26 |
Erie | $25 | $24 |
State Farm | $28 | $20 |
Nationwide | $41 | $7 |
Progressive | $42 | $7 |
*We used minimum coverage for a 65-year old driver with good credit and no driving violations to determine the cheapest provider.
Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Seniors in North Carolina
North Carolina Farm Bureau offers some of the cheapest rates for senior drivers in the Tar Heel State. Quotes may vary, so refer to the table below for affordable car insurance options.
North Carolina Farm Bureau | Minimum Coverage | $22 |
North Carolina Farm Bureau | Full Coverage | $44 |
North Carolina Farm Bureau | Drivers With Bad Credit | $29 |
National General | Drivers With a DUI | $77 |
North Carolina Farm Bureau | Drivers With an Accident | $29 |
North Carolina Farm Bureau | Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $32 |
Cheap Auto Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in North Carolina
Drivers in North Carolina with a DWI, at-fault accident or speeding ticket are considered high-risk and pay higher premiums than those with a clean record. Rates vary by offense. Below are the best car insurance options for high-risk drivers.
Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina With a DWI
National General offers the best rates for North Carolina drivers with DWIs, averaging $69 per month ($828 per year) for minimum coverage. Check the table below for a list of insurance providers and their average monthly premiums.
National General | $69 | $111 |
North Carolina Farm Bureau | $83 | $97 |
Erie | $103 | $77 |
State Farm | $110 | $70 |
Progressive | $166 | $14 |
Nationwide | $173 | $7 |
*We used a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a DWI on record to calculate these averages.
Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina With an Accident
North Carolina Farm Bureau is the cheapest company for drivers after an at-fault accident, with rates averaging $30 per month ($354 annually). The table below lists other insurers with affordable options for drivers with accidents. Rates are for minimum coverage policies.
North Carolina Farm Bureau | $30 | $39 |
Erie | $36 | $33 |
State Farm | $39 | $30 |
Progressive | $56 | $13 |
Nationwide | $67 | $2 |
*We used a 40-year-old driver with good credit and an at-fault accident on record to calculate these averages.
Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina With a Speeding Ticket
North Carolina Farm Bureau offers the cheapest insurance for Tar Heel State drivers with speeding tickets, averaging $32 monthly. Check the table below to compare other providers offering minimum coverage for drivers with speeding tickets.
North Carolina Farm Bureau | $32 | $41 |
Erie | $39 | $34 |
State Farm | $42 | $31 |
Progressive | $62 | $12 |
Nationwide | $64 | $10 |
National General | $67 | $7 |
*We used a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a speeding ticket on record to calculate these averages.
Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina for Drivers With Bad Credit
North Carolina Farm Bureau is the cheapest car insurance provider for drivers with poor credit scores, offering rates as low as $30 monthly or $360 annually for minimum coverage. Review the table below for more options.
North Carolina Farm Bureau | $30 | $40 |
Erie | $34 | $37 |
Progressive | $42 | $28 |
National General | $52 | $18 |
Nationwide | $52 | $18 |
State Farm | $61 | $9 |
*These rates are based on a 40-year-old driver with bad credit and a clean driving record.
Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina by City
Location affects car insurance rates, with factors like population, flood risks and crime influencing costs.
For example, North Carolina Farm Bureau offers a minimum coverage policy for $21 per month in Cary, while in Charlotte, the same coverage costs $29. Check the table below for your city's most affordable car insurance and its lowest average monthly premium.
Cary | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $21 |
Charlotte | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $29 |
Durham | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $21 |
Fayetteville | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $27 |
Greensboro | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $23 |
High Point | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $21 |
Raleigh | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $24 |
Wilmington | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $24 |
Winston-Salem | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $21 |
*The lowest rate reference is for a minimum coverage policy for 40-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
Cheapest Home and Auto Insurance in North Carolina
For affordable bundle home and auto insurance in North Carolina, Travelers offers an average annual premium of just $1,657. Check the table below for more options.
Travelers | $1,657 |
Nationwide | $1,772 |
State Farm | $2,152 |
Metropolitan | $2,382 |
MetLife | $2,382 |
Allstate | $2,449 |
*Rates are for a 40-year-old driver with good credit and no driving violations.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the average monthly cost of full coverage car insurance is $99, while minimum coverage averages $47. By understanding the average cost of car insurance in North Carolina, you can better gauge if you're getting a fair price on your policy.
North Carolina Car Insurance Cost by City
In North Carolina, car insurance rates vary by city. The table below shows local areas' average minimum and full coverage costs.
Cary | $46 | $90 |
Charlotte | $63 | $122 |
Durham | $45 | $88 |
Fayetteville | $63 | $127 |
Greensboro | $50 | $101 |
High Point | $45 | $90 |
Raleigh | $54 | $103 |
Wilmington | $50 | $94 |
Winston-Salem | $46 | $91 |
Is Car Insurance in North Carolina Expensive?
Car insurance in North Carolina ranks 28th in the U.S., making it more affordable than in many other states. Factors contributing to this include the state's lower population density, fewer natural disasters and a reduced risk of vehicle theft, keeping insurance costs down.
North Carolina Car Insurance Minimum Requirements
North Carolina's minimum car insurance requirements include $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage per accident. This provides basic financial protection for drivers.
If you finance or lease a vehicle, you’ll likely need comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to the minimum requirements. While a minimum coverage auto insurance policy is the least costly upfront, it provides the lowest level of financial protection. For more security, experts suggest opting for full coverage insurance with the highest deductible and liability limits that fit your budget.
Bodily injury liability
It helps cover medical expenses, such as hospital bills and rehabilitation, for injuries you cause to others in an accident. The minimum limits are $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.
Property damage liability
This coverage pays for damage you cause to another person's property, such as their car or home. The minimum limit is $25,000 per accident. It helps with repair or replacement costs.
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage
It helps cover medical expenses and property damage if a driver hits you without insurance or not enough coverage. The minimum limits are $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.
Alternative Ways to Satisfy North Carolina Car Insurance Requirements
In North Carolina, drivers can use surety bonds as an alternative to car insurance. A third party guarantees payment up to the bond amount if you’re at fault in an accident, meeting minimum coverage requirements.
Business owners with over 25 vehicles may opt for self-insurance, demonstrating financial ability to cover claims while complying with state laws.
How Much Car Insurance Should I Get in North Carolina?
MoneyGeek recommends full coverage car insurance, which includes liability, collision and comprehensive coverage. We suggest the following liability limits:
- $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 in property damage per accident
Comprehensive coverage pays for non-collision damage to your car, like theft, vandalism or natural disasters. Collision coverage helps cover the costs if your car is damaged in a road accident.
For those with a valuable car, MoneyGeek advises getting both comprehensive and collision insurance, even though it's not required by law. When selecting your deductible for these coverages, choose an amount you're comfortable paying out of pocket before your insurance covers the rest.
Cheap Car Insurance in North Carolina: Bottom Line
North Carolina Farm Bureau offers the cheapest car insurance in the state, with full coverage at $44 monthly and minimum coverage at $22. While affordability is important, experts recommend choosing the highest coverage you can afford for better financial protection.
Cheap Car Insurance in North Carolina: FAQ
MoneyGeek answers common questions about affordable car insurance in North Carolina to help residents find the right coverage for their needs
What are the cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina?
North Carolina Farm Bureau offers the state's cheapest auto insurance, with minimum coverage at $22 per month and full coverage at $44.
Who has the cheapest car insurance rates for young drivers in North Carolina?
Young drivers in North Carolina can get the best rates with Erie, offering minimum coverage for $26 per month, $24 less than the state average.
Who offers the cheapest car insurance rates for seniors in North Carolina?
Seniors in North Carolina can save with North Carolina Farm Bureau, which offers minimum coverage car insurance for $22 per month, $26 less than the state average.
Should you buy the cheapest car insurance available in North Carolina?
While cheap car insurance may seem appealing, sufficient financial protection is crucial. North Carolina Farm Bureau is the best option in the state, combining affordability and quality service, with minimum coverage starting at $22 and full coverage at $44 per month.
How much does car insurance in North Carolina cost, on average?
In North Carolina, the average monthly cost of full coverage car insurance is $99, while minimum coverage averages $47.
What are car insurance requirements in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, drivers must have minimum coverage auto insurance, which includes bodily injury liability of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident, along with property damage liability of $25,000. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is also required, matching the liability limits of $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
Affordable Car Insurance in North Carolina: How We Found the Best Cheap Rates
MoneyGeek obtained North Carolina auto insurance rates from the North Carolina Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We examined 47,430 auto insurance quotes from nine providers across 94 ZIP codes to determine the most affordable car insurance companies in North Carolina.
North Carolina Driver Profile
We used a driver profile with the following background information to identify the cheapest auto insurance companies in North Carolina:
- 40-year-old male
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
- Clean driving record
- 12,000 miles driven annually
To find the cheapest option for various driver backgrounds, we adjusted this sample profile by age, driving record, credit score, car make and model, and military service where specified.
Standard Coverage Levels in North Carolina
We compared North Carolina car insurance companies that offer minimum and full coverage policies. We set the limits of the minimum coverage car insurance policy to the minimum amount required by law in North Carolina.
The minimum coverage liability limits in North Carolina are:
- $30,000 for bodily injury liability per person
- $60,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 for property damage liability per accident
- $30,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $60,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 uninsured/Underinsured property damage coverage
For full coverage policy rates, we used the following liability limits:
- $100,000 for bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 for property damage liability
- Comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Home and Auto Coverage Levels in North Carolina
MoneyGeek analyzed the rates of insurance companies for a full coverage auto insurance policy that includes the following coverage and limits:
- $100,000 in property damage liability
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- Comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
We also analyzed rates for a homeowners insurance policy that includes the following limits and coverage:
- $250,000 dwelling coverage
- $25,000 other structures coverage
- $100,000 personal property coverage
- $25,000 loss of use coverage
- $100,000 personal liability coverage
- $1,000 medical payments coverage
- All-perils coverage with a $1,000 deductible
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.