Best Auto Insurance Rates in North Carolina

On average, your neighbors pay $54 a month.

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Compare Auto Insurance in North Carolina

Friday, August 3 2018 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 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.

North Carolina average car insurance rates

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.

  1. Nationwide
  2. GEICO
  3. State Farm
  4. Allstate
  5. Progressive
  6. Liberty Mutual
  7. 21st Century
  8. AIG
  9. Farmers
  10. MetLife
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Top 10 Vehicles in North Carolina

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

  1. Acura CSX
  2. Ford F150
  3. Honda Accord EX/LX
  4. Toyota Camry LE/XLE/SE
  5. Ford Explorer
  6. Ford Ranger
  7. Chevrolet Silverado
  8. Ford Mustang
  9. Ford Taurus
  10. Honda Civic EX
Get a quote for your vehicle. Request Quote Get a Quote For Your Vehicle

Best High-Risk Insurance Companies 

If you have a poor driving or insurance history, insurers may consider you high-risk. It’s costly for insurance companies to cover high-risk drivers. Some insurers won't cover them at all. But the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility is there to help you get minimum coverage. It's a state-sponsored program that ensures every driver can get coverage. Click the link to see if you qualify. 

These companies offer policies for high-risk drivers in North Carolina as well: 

Best Teen Driver Insurance Companies

Teens are high-risk drivers due to inexperience. As such, teens pay more for auto insurance than any other age group. Between their higher chances of accidents and tickets, teens are an insurance liability. 

Our data shows that teens pay an average of $438 a month for car insurance. The amount can drop to $278 if they’re on a parent's plan. This is still a high price. Luckily, there are many companies that offer a discount for teens with good grades.

These insurance companies offer good coverage for North Carolina teens: 

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 48th 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.

North Carolina drivers saved up to $383 on their car insurance policies by comparing rates through our simple form.
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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 

Minimum coverage may seem a good deal short term, but not after an accident. This coverage doesn’t include collision or comprehensive coverage. Should you go beyond the limits of your minimum coverage, the cost to you could be heavy. 

Minimum coverage pays for damages to other people and their property. However, it does nothing to cover you, your injuries, or your property. If you only have minimum coverage and you cause an accident, your expenses come out-of-pocket. 

Collision coverage takes care of damages after an accident. Comprehensive coverage pays for damages that only involve your car. This includes events like disasters, theft, and vandalism.

Given that, we recommend the following coverage: 

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

Better coverage means better peace of mind. If your finances allow, get comprehensive and collision coverage. Also get a deductible that works with your budget. To protect against drivers with low or no insurance, consider underinsured coverage. Also, look at medical payment coverage and personal injury protection. They cover medical costs after an accident. 

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.

Car Insurance Risk in North Carolina 

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. 

Traffic Fatalities 

In 2015, there were 1,379 traffic fatalities in North Carolina, a 7.4 percent increase from 2014. In 2016, that number jumped by 4.4 percent to 1,441 deaths.

Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in North Carolina 

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

Save Money with 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 15 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. Drive less. Living close to work or taking the bus sometimes could help you get the low mileage discount 
  6. Drop your comprehensive coverage
  7. If you’re married, insurers often offer discounts to married couples 
  8. Take a certified defensive driving course 
  9. If you live in a safe neighborhood, you could save money
  10. Make sure your car as up-to-date safety features and anti-theft devices

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:

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