Best Auto Insurance Rates in North Carolina

Compare Auto Insurance in North Carolina

Monday, February 18 2019 By Steve Bowen

North Carolina is known for some of the best barbeque in the world, and it's home to the first successful air flight. If you’re going to be travelling closer to the ground, you’re going to want the good car insurance! Here you will find all the most current info about insuring your car in North Carolina. From average costs to local laws, we've got you covered. 

Average North Carolina Car Insurance Rates

How much is car insurance in North Carolina? Residents should be pleased to learn that for many drivers, average insurance premiums here are lower than the national average. The average cost of auto insurance in North Carolina is $655.37 a year. The national average price is $889.01.

Your rate can vary based on your coverage, driving record, and number of claims in your zip code.

North Carolina (NC) Average Annual Car Insurance Rates

Coverage	Rates
Liability	$359.42
Collision	$293.59
Comprehensive	$136.08
Total Cost Per Year	$655.37
Price Per Month	$54.61
Source: Facts + Statistics: Auto insurance

The graph below shows the change in average North Carolina rates from 2011 to 2015, the most recent year the data is available. According to the III, North Carolina car insurance rates increased from $600 in 2011 to $655 in 2015, a jump of $55 dollars, or 9.22 percent.

Shopping for car insurance in North Carolina can seem like a lot of work. From researching companies to comparing rates, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

Let QuoteWizard help. Fill out our easy to use (and understand) form and you’ll be well on your way to finding affordable car insurance. How? We’ll put you in touch with top insurance companies so you can compare quotes and get the best rates.

Last year, 94,418 people used QuoteWizard to compare car insurance quotes in North Carolina from multiple companies and get the cheapest rates.

Best Car Insurance Companies in North Carolina

Last year, these were the most common car insurance companies reported by QuoteWizard users living in the state of North Carolina. Out of the 94,418 North Carolina drivers that used QuoteWizard to request insurance quotes last year, 8,549 had no car insurance.

Top 10 Vehicles

These are the most common vehicles owned by North Carolina drivers requesting car insurance quotes through QuoteWizard in the past year.

North Carolina Car Insurance Rate Factors

The III states that only 6.5 percent of North Carolina's drivers are uninsured. This puts NC in at 48^th place percentage of uninsured drivers in the country. Only Massachusetts and New York have lower percentages of uninsured drivers. This low number keeps car insurance rates down for all North Carolina drivers.

Best and Worst Drivers in North Carolina 

Our data shows that North Carolina is the 25th worst driving state in the US. Charlotte, Durham, and Greensboro are respectively the 7th, 18th, and 19th worst driving cities in America.

This ranking is based on accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and citations. 

Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles

13,276 vehicles were reported stolen in North Carolina in 2016. If you drive a car with a high theft rate, expect to pay higher insurance rates. These are North Carolina's most commonly stolen cars:

Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau- Hot Wheels Report 2017

1. 1997 Honda Accord
2. 2004 Ford Pickup (Full Size)
3. 2007 Toyota Camry
4. 1998 Honda Civic
5. 2003 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
6. 2015 Nissan Altima
7. 2015 Toyota Corolla
8. 2016 Chevrolet Impala
9. 1999 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
10. 2002 Ford Explorer

Car Insurance Discounts 

1. If you’re a safe driver with a clean record, that can add up to lower rates
2. If you bundle your car insurance with your home or renters insurance, you can cut up to 20 percent off your total bill 
3. If you’re 55 or over, see if a senior citizens discount is available 
4. Have more than one car? Look into a multiple car discount
5. If you’re married, insurers often offer discounts to married couples 
6. If you live in a safe neighborhood, you could save money

North Carolina Car Insurance Laws

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in North Carolina

Every North Carolina registered driver needs the minimum 30/60/25 coverage. This means that NC driver need to have the following basic insurance: 

• $30,000 for bodily injury per person
• $60,000 for bodily injury per incident 
• $25,000 for injury or destruction of property of others in a single accident

Furthermore, you’re required to have the following underinsured coverage:

• $30,000 of uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $60,000 of uninsured motorist bodily injury per incident
• $25,000 of uninsured property damage per incident

Recommended Coverage Levels 

NC’s coastal location makes it an annual target for hurricanes. And hurricanes can cause plenty of damage to your car. Comprehensive coverage is an excellent way to make sure you’re protected. It’s there to cover you against weather-related damages and other issues not involving a collision.

It may come as a surprise to you that state-required minimum liability covers only the basics. Your liability insurance will cover the other driver in an accident, but you’d need to take care of your own expenses. Also, the costs of a car accident can quickly surpass the minimum amount. This being the case, we recommend:

• Individual Body Injury Liability: $100,000 
• Total Bodily Injury Liability: $300,000 
• Property Damage Liability: $100,000 

Required Proof of Car Insurance 

All North Carolina drivers must have proof of current insurance. It's also required to register or renew registration with the DMV. 

The fine for lack of proof of insurance ranges from $50 to $150 depending on number of offenses. There can also be license suspension, probation, and jail time.

SR-22 Requirements 

North Carolina doesn’t require its drivers to file an SR-22 form to prove minimum car insurance. However, if you are moving to NC, you still need to fulfill the SR-22 requirements from your previous state.

Totaled Cars with Rebuilt or Salvage Titles  

In North Carolina, total loss is calculated as a percentage of the car's actual cash value. If the damage exceeds that, the car is totaled. In North Carolina, the total loss percentage is 75 percent.  If damages to your car meet or exceed 75 percent of the car's actual cash value, your insurer considers it a total loss.

It’s hard to find insurance for a rebuilt or salvage vehicle in North Carolina. Some insurance companies won't cover such vehicles. Expect to pay higher rates if your car has a rebuilt or salvage title -- if you can get coverage

State of North Carolina Traffic Safety Laws

Distracted Driving Laws 

North Carolina has laws in place to cut down on distracted driving accidents. The state prohibits all drivers from texting while driving. Talking on the phone while driving is okay. Minors are prohibited from using any devices while driving. There is a $100 fine for ignoring the ban. Minors receive a $25 fine if they’re using a cellphone while driving.

DWI Law and Penalties 

If you drive in North Carolina with a Blood Alcohol Content level of 0.08 percent or higher, you're guilty of DUI. Depending on how many DUIs you have on your record, fines range from $200 to $10,000. You will also face license suspension, probation, or up to 36 months jail time.

In any case, a DUI will affect your premiums. Our research shows that drivers with DUIs pay an extra $830 per year for car insurance.  

Senior Drivers in North Carolina 

Car insurance rates tend to increase when a driver turns 65. As you get older, these rates hike up further. All NC drivers need to renew their driver’s license every eight years unless you’re 66 or older, in which case you renew every 5 years. NC drivers 60 or older don’t need to fulfill the parallel parking portion of the test.

Vehicles Registered in Another State 

When driving a vehicle registered to another state in NC, you need the insurance required by that state. You also need proof of insurance.

North Carolina Department of Insurance

Website:

NCDOI Homepage

Director of Insurance:

Mike Causey

Phone:

(855) 408-1212

File a Consumer Insurance Complaint

Website:

Services for Consumers

Sources:

• NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System
• Insurance Information Institute – Minimum Coverage Levels by State
• National Insurance Crime Bureau
• Governors Highway Safety Association
• Insurance Information Institute – Insurance Expenditures by State
• North Carolina DMV - Division of Motor Vehicles
• North Carolina Auto Insurance Market Share

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