Looking for Cheap Car Insurance in North Carolina?
Between the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway and the fast-driving Charlotteans, one might expect North Carolina to be an expensive state for car insurance. But thanks to somewhat affordable rates and state laws that cap the amount of money a person can be liable for in an accident or injury, car insurance in North Carolina is great for the cheap car insurance seeker.
Insurance companies weigh different factors when they decide how much to charge you. It's important to shop around for car insurance because rates vary from carrier to carrier, and some locations tend to be more expensive than others. Whether you're looking for cheap NC car insurance or affordable auto coverage in Charlotte, Jacksonville, Greensboro, or anywhere else in North Carolina, an independent agent can help you find a great rate.
Put the brakes on your car insurance search, and let Carlay do the work for you! Select the kind of coverage you want, or want to compare and let Carlay find the best rates. Carlay will handle the switchover, so all you have to do is drive happy. With Carlay, saving on car insurance is as easy as a pedal to the metal!
Here are some quotes from Carlay customers in North Carolina:
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in North Carolina?
With the average cost to insure a basic safety vehicle in North Carolina at $1,793 per year and full coverage rates at $1,726 per year, it's generally a good idea to take out full coverage on your car insurance.
In contrast, the national average is $1,783 per year to buy basic liability car insurance and $2,485 to buy full-coverage car insurance.
What contributes to the insurance rates in North Carolina?
Car insurance is one of the most complicated things about buying a car. Here are some factors that may affect your rate:
- High accident rate
Like it or not, North Carolina drivers share the highways with an alarming number of other drivers. And while they may be friendly, they're also involved in a lot of accidents—the fifth most in the United States according to 2019 data.
- Severe weather
Catastrophic weather events are common in North Carolina, and they're generally not cheap to recover from. The Tar Heel State is full of severe weather that brings hurricanes and flooding to the state. While you'll most certainly have some relief in your premium by following our guide, you should know the risks before you head over to our comparison tool and find the best deal for you.
- Uninsured drivers
North Carolina measures a number of factors that contribute to safe driving. With a moderate uninsured driver rate of about 10% and relatively low rates of car thefts and fatalities, North Carolina ranks in the middle half of the safest states to drive in.
Here's how Carlay's rates compare to the average annual premiums in North Carolina:
| All Coverage Before Carlay | All Coverage After Carlay | Minimum Coverage Before Carlay | Minimum Coverage After Carlay | Full Coverage Before Carlay | Full Coverage After Carlay | |
| NC | $2,248 | $1,384 | $3,351 | $1,508 | $2,366 | $1,450 |
| National Average | $2,489 | $1,671 | $2,360 | $1,390 | $2,761 | $1,963 |
| NC | National Average | |
| All Coverage Before Carlay | $2,248 | $2,489 |
| All Coverage After Carlay | $1,384 | $1,671 |
| Minimum Coverage Before Carlay | $3,351 | $2,360 |
| Minimum Coverage After Carlay | $1,508 | $1,390 |
| Full Coverage Before Carlay | $2,366 | $2,761 |
| Full Coverage After Carlay | $1,450 | $1,963 |
Top auto insurance providers in North Carolina
North Carolina's insurance providers are top-notch, with big names like State Farm, Nationwide, and Allstate available.
When you are in the market for pet insurance, there's no shortage of information to be found. Each company has its own underwriting formula, so you may find that the same coverage will be more expensive with one company than another.
Some of the factors you might want to consider when comparing auto insurance rates include your age, driving record, location, and of course, the type of vehicle you drive. When you drive a Mercedes-Benz G-class, your insurance company charges you more for full coverage than it does for the Honda CR-V because Mercedes vehicles are more expensive. Carlay customers in North Carolina have found some great deals with popular insurers. Check out these deals:
| Insurance Company | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay | |
| Kemper | $3,201 | $1,900 | Compare Prices |
| State Auto | $3,498 | $1,697 | Compare Prices |
| Dairyland | $4,007 | $1,464 | Compare Prices |
| National General | $2,578 | $1,128 | Compare Prices |
| Safeco | $3,341 | $1,127 | Compare Prices |
| Nationwide | $2,714 | $1,004 | Compare Prices |
| Travelers | $2,614 | $862 | Compare Prices |
| Allstate | $2,914 | $855 | Compare Prices |
What Car Insurance Do You Need in North Carolina?
If you want to drive in North Carolina, you'll need insurance. The minimum amount of insurance coverage is:
| Coverage | Amount | Description |
| Bodily injury liability | $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident | Covers the costs associated with injuries you cause to others |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident | Covers the costs associated with damage you cause to other people's vehicles or property |
It's a bad idea to drive without adequate insurance. You not only risk an expensive, unpleasant fine if you get
caught:
- Fine of up to $150
- Suspension of license + reinstatement fee of $50
- Suspension of registration for 30 days
- Jail time or probation for up to 45 days
- Financial liability in the event of an accident
Once you've held up your legal obligations by securing the minimum insurance required by law, consider these helpful coverage options:
| Coverage | Description |
| Collision insurance | Covers damages that are the result of a collision with a vehicle or stationary object |
| Comprehensive insurance | Covers damages that aren't the result of a collision, such as vandalism, theft, or a natural disaster |
| Uninsured motorist coverage | Reimburses you for your expenses from an accident caused by an uninsured driver |
| Personal injury protection | Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs after an accident |
| Rental reimbursement | Reimburses you for your rental car expenses while your car is being repaired after a claimable accident |
Carlay is ready to help you find the right policy. Carlay is revolutionizing the way people buy insurance by taking all of the hard work out of shopping around for good rates. By comparing quotes from more than 50 insurance providers like Travelers and Safeco and handling all the paperwork, Carlay makes sure that you have an easy time getting a new policy.
Now that you know which type of insurance you need, let's take a moment to go over what factors affect the cost.
How is Your Cost of Car Insurance Determined in North Carolina?
When figuring out your car insurance rate, different factors are weighed. Some of the most important ones include your age, driving record, location, and type of vehicle.
- Cost to insure your car in North Carolina by age
Insurance companies have a bias against younger drivers—you can expect to pay more simply because you are young.
What young drivers in North Carolina need to know
- North Carolina has a graduated driver license program and requires that new drivers complete an approved driver
education course.
- Young drivers in North Carolina may be able to secure lower car insurance rates by demonstrating safe driving
habits using a telematics device.
- To be eligible for a good student discount on their car insurance, student drivers in North Carolina need to maintain a good grade point average.
As a young driver, you might find insurance rates higher than your parents did, but shopping around and maintaining a clean driving record can help you secure the lowest rates you're eligible for.
Your age can affect your car insurance rates in a big way. Check out the average cost of car insurance from Carlay by age and how it compares to the national average:
| Age Group | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay |
| 18-20 | $2,835 | $1,145 |
| 21-24 | $2,732 | $1,030 |
| 25-34 | $2,652 | $1,010 |
| 35-44 | $2,391 | $930 |
| 45-54 | $2,148 | $801 |
| 55-64 | $2,187 | $849 |
| 65+ | $2,030 | $738 |
- Cost to insure your car in North Carolina with a poor driving record
Insurance companies like to reward good drivers with lower premiums. High-risk driver profiles—speeding tickets, accidents, reckless driving violations—can lead to high North Carolina car insurance rates for at least three years. So, if you have tickets or violations, it may be harder to find car insurance. However, using Carlay to compare prices can help you save money.
Here are some of the discounts that Carlay customers with poor driving records have found:
| Driving Violation | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay |
| Clean Record | $2,689 | $1,023 |
| Open Container | $4,033 | $2,223 |
| Passing School Bus | $3,480 | $1,794 |
| Defective Equipment | $3,088 | $1,454 |
| Failure to Obey Traffic Sign | $3,071 | $1,198 |
| Speeding under 15 | $3,241 | $1,151 |
| Eluding Police | $3,241 | $1,149 |
| Speeding over 15 | $3,183 | $1,134 |
| Vehicle Theft | $2,700 | $1,130 |
| Driving on Sus. License | $3,365 | $1,113 |
- Cost to insure your car in North Carolina based on where you live
North Carolina is home to about 10.5 million people, but almost 40% of the population lives in rural areas. The state has a low population density; however, cities like Raleigh and Charlotte have higher rates of accidents, thefts, and claims.
North Carolina experiences more severe weather than most states, including tropical storms, flooding, and droughts. These events can damage vehicles and result in payouts from insurance companies. Insureds living in areas affected by inclement weather may also find above-average premiums.
The following are the top 10 most affordable cities for car insurance in North Carolina:
| City | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay |
| Cary | $2,824 | $1,122 |
| Charlotte | $2,535 | $966 |
| Concord | $2,862 | $861 |
| Durham | $2,506 | $884 |
| Fayetteville | $2,506 | $932 |
| Greensboro | $2,604 | $962 |
| High Point | $2,564 | $1,116 |
| Jacksonville | $2,420 | $1,009 |
| Raleigh | $2,575 | $1,128 |
| Winston Salem | $2,676 | $1,097 |
- Cost to insure your car in North Carolina based on the type of car you drive
Some insurers consider how much you drive and the type of car you drive when setting your premium. Your insurer may give you a discount if you have a relatively inexpensive car. It's not guaranteed, but cars that cost less to fix or replace tend to have lower insurance premiums.
Meaning that if you drive an inexpensive car like a Nissan Sentra or Ford Escape, you'll likely pay less for full-coverage insurance than if you drive something more expensive, like an Acura TSX.
Here's a chart showing the insurance premiums for some popular car makes and models with and without Carlay:
How to Save Money On Car Insurance in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, insurance rates are typically quite affordable, but if you're looking for ways to save a little more money, here are some things you can do.
- Shop around for quotes
A little comparison shopping can land you the best car insurance deal. But filling out online forms and getting follow-up calls from agents—who sometimes try to sell you more than you need—can be a drag.
Carlay is an insurance application that will help you find and acquire the lowest quote for your car. All you have to do is sign up and answer a few questions. Then, Carlay will help you finalize the details of your new policy when you're ready. In fact, the average Carlay customer saves a whopping $879 per year on their premiums.
- Look for discounts
There are many discounts on offer for those with the right qualifications. And some of these can reduce your premium by a significant amount.
For drivers in North Carolina, here are some discounts you may want to look into:
| Discount type | Who is eligible? |
| Safe driving discount | Most insurers offer an automatic 5% (or so) discount if you agree to share certain information with them through an app or telematics device. Once they assess your habits, you can see additional savings of up to 30% for good driving. |
| Good driving discount | If you have a clean record with no at-fault accidents and no moving violations, most car insurance companies will reward you with a discounted premium. |
| Multi-line discount | By insuring multiple products with the same insurer, you can usually save up to 12% on each. Possible bundles include auto, home, renter's, condo, life, and health insurance. |
| Safety feature discount | Cars with safety features like multiple airbags and anti-lock brakes may be eligible for sayings of up to 30%, depending on the insurer. |
- Increase your deductible
It's tempting to increase your deductible. Your premiums will go down, which might be appealing—but not if it gets you in a sticky financial situation. You won't want to bite off more than you can chew if you get into an accident and need to pay your deductible all at once.
Registering Your Car in North Carolina
Registering a car in North Carolina can be easy -- as long as you bring the right documents:
- Valid driver's license or ID card
- Proof of insurance
- Proof of sales tax payment
- Car title or signed lease agreement
- Smog check certificate
- Safety inspection certificate
North Carolina drivers must renew their vehicle registrations annually.