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North Carolina has it all: bustling city life, fantastic food, the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, stunning coastlines, and the Outer Banks. Thankfully, locals who hit the road to explore their home state won’t have to pay an arm and a leg for car insurance.
- Key takeaways
- Best car insurance companies in North Carolina
- Farm Bureau: Highest customer satisfaction
- Erie: Most affordable coverage
- State Farm: Best for new drivers
- Nationwide: Best for coverage options
- GEICO: Best for drivers with poor credit
- North Carolina auto insurance requirements
- How to choose a car insurance provider in North Carolina
- How much does car insurance cost in North Carolina?
- North Carolina car insurance rates by city
- Methodology
- FAQs about car insurance costs in North Carolina
Key takeaways
- The best car insurance in North Carolina by customer satisfaction is Farm Bureau, which costs an average of $864 a year for comprehensive coverage.
- Drivers with a clean driving record pay an average of $106 monthly in North Carolina.
- Erie offered the cheapest insurance on our list, averaging $754 annually for full coverage and $347 for minimum insurance per year.
Best car insurance companies in North Carolina
North Carolina drivers pay an average of $1,275 a year for full coverage car insurance and $489 annually for minimum liability coverage. Erie offered the cheapest annual full coverage insurance, averaging $754 a year, and the lowest cost minimum coverage, averaging $347.
Allstate had the highest annual full and minimum coverage options, costing an average of $1,780 and $800, respectively.
| Provider | J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating | Estimated annual full coverage | Estimated annual minimum liability coverage |
| Farm Bureau | 866/1,000 | $864/year | $372/year |
| Erie | 859/1,000 | $754/year | $347/year |
| State Farm | 847/1,000 | $936/year | $388/year |
| Progressive | 836/1,000 | $1,376/year | $516/year |
| Nationwide | 834/1,000 | $1,237/year | $438/year |
| Allstate | 832/1,000 | $1,780/year | $800/year |
| GEICO | 828/1,000 | $1,096/year | $537/year |
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Farm Bureau: Highest customer satisfaction
Farm Bureau earned North Carolina’s highest customer satisfaction score and offered the second-lowest prices for full and minimum coverage on our list of the best car insurance companies. Although Farm Bureau generally supports farm communities, its auto insurance is available to anyone who signs up and pays the annual membership fee. Membership to Farm Bureau also provides perks like saving money on a new car or discounts at certain hotels and theme parks.
- It earned the highest customer satisfaction score in the state
- Members qualify for additional discounts or auto rentals, hotel stays, and more
- Farm Bureau may have fewer coverage options than some competitors
- You may find better pricing and discount options with a Farm Bureau competitor
Get a quote now | Farm Bureau review
Erie: Most affordable coverage
Erie Insurance generally has the most affordable full and minimum liability coverage in North Carolina. It also earned the second-highest customer satisfaction ranking and offers benefits beyond traditional policies, including covering up to $500 of your pet’s vet bills if injured in a car accident.
- Erie has multiple agents in North Carolina
- It has various coverage options, including locksmith services and glass repair coverage
- You may find more coverage options with some competitors
- Erie offers fewer discounts than some other insurance companies
State Farm: Best for new drivers
Young drivers in North Carolina pay an average of $2,067 yearly for car insurance. State Farm offers policies specifically for new drivers and a discount of up to 25% on new driver policies. However, it earned only the third-highest customer satisfaction score in North Carolina and had slightly higher costs for full and minimum coverage insurance.
- State Farm earned 847 out of 1,000 in customer satisfaction
- It has multiple local agents throughout North Carolina
- State Farm was more expensive than some competitors in North Carolina
- It does not offer some specialty policies, such as accident forgiveness
Get a quote now | State Farm review
Nationwide: Best for coverage options
Nationwide has many coverage options and customer perks, including fender bender forgiveness. Although it costs more than some competitors — $1,237 yearly for full coverage and $438 for minimum coverage — it may be a good choice for car insurance in North Carolina because of its multiple options and loyalty rewards.
- Nationwide has popular options, including gap coverage and vanishing deductibles
- It offers perks to drivers, including pet insurance and key fob replacement
- Nationwide had more expensive full and minimum coverage than some competitors
- It had a relatively low customer satisfaction rating
Get a quote now | Nationwide review
GEICO: Best for drivers with poor credit
Drivers with poor credit scores in North Carolina pay an average of $1,698 yearly for car insurance. GEICO may be a good option for people trying to rebuild their credit since it could offer lower prices, depending on your situation. However, it earned the lowest customer satisfaction scores on our list.
- GEICO has multiple coverage options, including emergency roadside service
- It has various discounts to help drivers lower their insurance premiums
- GEICO does not have some options, like a vanishing deductible
- You can likely find lower-cost options with a competitor for full and minimum coverage
Get a quote now | GEICO review
North Carolina auto insurance requirements
In North Carolina, all drivers are required to maintain uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and liability policies in the following minimum amounts:
- $30,000 for bodily injury for each person
- $60,000 for bodily injury for all persons in an accident
- $25,000 for property damage
Additionally, all policies must be provided by a company licensed to do business in North Carolina. Out-of-state insurance policies are not permitted.
How to choose a car insurance provider in North Carolina
If you’re looking for a new insurance provider, consider the following:
- Research the company: Research the carrier’s ability to pay claims on a website like Standard & Poor’s or AM Best. Check with the North Carolina Department of Insurance or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to confirm a company is licensed in North Carolina and doesn’t have excessive complaints.
- Compare quotes: Get quotes from at least three companies and compare them to ensure policy amounts, coverage options, and discounts are the same or similar. It’s also a good idea to look at your current coverage to ensure you’re getting the same level of coverage that you’re used to.
- Ask for reviews: Talk to friends and family and check review websites like the Better Business Bureau to see what existing customers say. Some online complaints are expected, but take excessive complaints as a warning to steer clear.
How much does car insurance cost in North Carolina?
The average cost of car insurance in North Carolina is $1,275 annually for full coverage, compared to the national average of $1,582. Minimum coverage in North Carolina costs an average of $489 annually.
Drivers in Wilmington are likely to pay the least, an average of $1,208 a year for full coverage. In contrast, Fayetteville drivers pay the most, an annual average of $1,517.
North Carolina car insurance rates by city
Along with other factors like your age, gender, and driving history, the number of people driving in your city can affect your car insurance rates. Charlotte has a population of 879,709, and drivers there pay an average of $1,500 yearly for car insurance. Durham, however, has a much smaller population of only 285,527, and drivers spend an average of $1,304 annually.
| City | Avg. annual full-coverage premium |
| Fayetteville | $1,517/year |
| Charlotte | $1,500/year |
| Raleigh | $1,315/year |
| Greensboro | $1,311/year |
| Durham | $1,304/year |
| Wilmington | $1,208/year |
Methodology
Our analysis was conducted using six different auto insurance marketplaces to determine the best auto insurance in each state. The data we analyzed included coverage premiums from up to 10 different insurance providers. We looked at rates by city, driver profile, and credit score, as well as factored in the impact of driving violations. This data is for comparative purposes only. Your actual quote may be different.
FAQs about car insurance costs in North Carolina
What are the minimum car insurance coverage requirements in North Carolina?
North Carolina’s minimum car insurance requirements are $30,000 for bodily injury per person and $60,000 for all persons in an accident. Drivers must also have $25,000 in property damage coverage, and all drivers must have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
How much does car insurance cost in North Carolina?
Car insurance in North Carolina costs an average of $1,275 a year for full coverage and $489 annually for minimum liability coverage.
Which car insurance companies cover North Carolina?
Several nationally recognized insurance companies cover North Carolina, including Allstate, State Farm, Nationwide, Erie, Farm Bureau, GEICO, and Progressive.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in North Carolina?
The cheapest car insurance in North Carolina is Erie, which costs a yearly average of $754 for full coverage and $347 for minimum liability coverage.
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