Minimum car insurance requirements in North Carolina

The minimum car insurance requirements in North Carolina are 50/100/50 in liability limits. State minimum coverage pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others, but does not cover damage to your own vehicle.

  • 50/100/50 in liability coverage to help pay for injuries and property damage you cause in an accident.

Keep in mind that the minimum coverage required by North Carolina is just the bare minimum. Experts suggest raising your limits and adding extra coverage like collision and comprehensive to better protect yourself. Having enough coverage can give you peace of mind while driving.

State Minimum Requirements50/100/50
State minimum car insurance$644
Liability-only car insurance$717
Full coverage car insurance$2,587

Average cost of car insurance in North Carolina

Car insurance in North Carolina costs an average of $2,587 per year, for full coverage insurance with 100/300/100 liability limits and $500 deductibles. Minimum coverage costs an average of $644 annually.

Rates vary based on insurer, ZIP code, driving record, vehicle type and coverage selections. Drivers with clean records and good credit pay lower premiums.

Average annual premium$2,587
Average monthly premium$216

Cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina

Erie Insurance has the cheapest average full coverage car insurance in North Carolina.

Different companies calculate risk differently, so prices can vary significantly for the same driver. Comparing multiple companies can help drivers find lower prices and better coverage.

Company State minimum Liability-only Full coverage 
Erie Insurance$309$346$1,168
Progressive$493$537$1,480
State Farm$445$510$1,714
Nationwide$575$589$2,452
Farmers$705$795$2,479
North Carolina Farm Bureau$653$737$2,795
Penn National Insurance$656$740$2,797
GEICO$746$834$3,233
Utica National Insurance Group$1,056$1,176$3,496
Allstate$883$976$4,643

North Carolina car insurance rates by age group

Age plays a role in car insurance rates. In North Carolina, younger drivers with less experience usually pay the most. As drivers get older and gain more experience, their rates usually go down.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates in North Carolina based on age.

Age groupFull coverage car insurance
Teens (16-19)$5,950
Young Adults (20-24)$2,804
Adults (25-60)$2,547
Seniors (65-75)$2,680

North Carolina car insurance costs by coverage level

Generally, North Carolina minimum car insurance is the cheapest option. However, it won't protect you or your vehicle, even if you increase your limits. Although full coverage is more expensive, it includes collision and comprehensive coverages, which pay for damages to your car from an accident or events like severe weather.

Compare North Carolina car insurance costs based on coverage level below.

State minimum car insurance$644
Liability-only car insurance$717
Full coverage car insurance$2,587

Cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina by driver profile

Those with violations and accidents pay higher insurance rates. The highest rates in North Carolina are for drivers with DUI

Comparing quotes becomes especially important for high-risk drivers because insurers apply rate increases differently.

ProfileAverage annual premiumAnnual premium for profile$ Increase% Increase
At-Fault Accident$2,587$4,356$1,77068%
Bad Credit$2,587$4,623$2,03679%
Careless driving$2,587$3,596$1,00939%
Claims$2,587$2,736$1496%
DUI$2,587$10,911$8,324322%
Reckless driving$2,587$4,652$2,06680%
Speeding$2,587$3,806$1,22047%
Texting ticket$2,587$3,596$1,00939%

How much does car insurance cost in North Carolina per month?

The average monthly cost of car insurance in North Carolina depends on how much coverage you pick. Minimum coverage is the cheapest, while full coverage gives you more protection for a higher price.

Coverage LevelAverage monthly premiumAverage annual cost 
State Minimum BI/PD$54$644
Liability Only - 50/100/50 BI/PD$60$717
Full Coverage - 100/300/100 BI/PD - 500 Comp/Coll$216$2,587

Car insurance discounts in North Carolina

Drivers in North Carolina can lower insurance costs by qualifying for discounts. Discount availability varies by carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims..

Common discounts include:

  • Multi-policy discount
  • Safe driver discount
  • Good student discount
  • Defensive driving discount
  • Multi-vehicle discount
  • Anti-theft discount
  • Paperless discount
  • Telematics discount

Compare discounts when shopping for coverage.

Discount type Premium before discount Premium after discount $ Saving % Saving
Air Bags$2,587$2,571$161%
Anti-Theft Device$2,587$2,574$131%
Comp and Coll Deductibles$2,587$2,390$1968%
Daily Commute$2,587$2,540$462%
Days Advanced Purchase$2,587$2,421$1657%
Education$2,587$2,271$3159%
Electronic Funds Transfer$2,587$2,446$1405%
Homeowner$2,587$2,483$1044%
Loyalty - Years Renewal With Company$2,587$2,291$29613%
Marital Status$2,587$2,427$1595%
Multi Policy$2,587$2,347$2398%
Paperless/Electornic Documents$2,587$2,531$562%
Payment Type$2,587$2,427$1606%
Primary Use$2,587$2,070$51619%
Profession$2,587$2,325$26210%
Safety Devices$2,587$2,572$151%
Telematics$2,587$2,364$2238%
Years Insured$2,587$2,101$48613%

How to lower car insurance costs in North Carolina

You can reduce your insurance rates in North Carolina by shopping around, bundling policies and qualifying for discounts.

Common ways to lower insurance costs include:

  • Compare quotes from multiple insurers
  • Raise your deductibles
  • Maintain a clean driving record
  • Bundle insurance policies
  • Drive a lower-cost vehicle
  • Ask about available discounts
  • Remove unnecessary coverage from older vehicles

Regularly reviewing coverage can help drivers avoid overpaying.

Car insurance rates in North Carolina by model year

The vehicle you drive also affects North Carolina car insurance rates. For example, newer cars cost more to repair since they have expensive parts, such as collision warning systems, cameras, and anti-theft devices.

See how the model and age of the vehicle affect North Carolina car insurance rates below.

Compare Accord insurance rates by state

L O A D I N G
CompanyAverage annual premium
Nationwide$2,278
State Farm$2,294
Travelers$2,520
UAIC$2,680
GEICO$3,072
Mercury Insurance$3,808
Allstate$4,208
Farmers$4,559
Progressive$4,588
AIG$5,738

Compare auto insurance rates by city in North Carolina

Auto insurance rates vary not just by state, but also by city. Cities have different levels of risk based on factors like accident rates, claim costs, weather and more. That means where you live in North Carolina will impact what you pay. Below, we've gathered North Carolina car insurance rates by city for comparison.

CityAnnual insurance premium
Apex
$2,272
Bessemer City
$1,979
Charlotte
$2,647
Raleigh
$2,455

Car insurance rates change regularly, influenced by changes in the cost of repairs, claim rates and other factors. Recent years have seen car insurance rates rise across the country, but not every state has seen the same increases.

We've tracked car insurance premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. trends in North Carolina to show you how things have changed and help you prepare for potential changes in the future. Take a look at the chart below.

Coverage recommendations and insurance comparisons are based on commonly available personal auto insurance policies and state insurance requirements.

Example coverage scenarios use the following assumptions unless otherwise noted:

  • 40-year-old driver
  • Honda Accord LX
  • Good credit
  • Clean driving record
  • 12,000 annual miles driven
  • Full coverage with 100/300/100 liability limits
  • $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles

Additional data comparisons include:

  • State minimum liability requirements
  • Multiple deductible levels
  • Optional coverage endorsements
  • High-risk driver scenarios
  • Multiple vehicle values and driver profiles

Coverage examples are for comparison purposes only. Actual premiums, requirements and coverage availability vary by insurer and driver profile.

North Carolina car insurance coverage guide: FAQ

How much is car insurance in North Carolina?

Car insurance in North Carolina costs an average of $2,587 annually for full coverage and $644 annually for minimum coverage.

Erie Insurance offers the cheapest average full coverage rates in North Carolina.

Full coverage includes liability insurance and all coverages required by state law, plus collision and comprehensive coverage for damage to your own vehicle after covered losses.

Insurance companies raise premiums after violations because drivers with DUIs and accidents are statistically more likely to file future claims.

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