Cheapest Car Insurance in North Carolina for 2025
Quick Answer
The cheapest car insurance in North Carolina is National General’s minimum coverage, costing on average $942 annually or $78 per month. National General also sells the cheapest full coverage car insurance in North Carolina, averaging $1,625 annually or $135 per month. However, your driving record, age and other factors can all affect the cost of auto insurance in North Carolina.
The cheapest car insurance in North Carolina is a minimum coverage policy from National General, at $942 annually or $78 per month, according to Experian data from January 2025 and based on policies quoted through our automotive insurance marketplace. On average, minimum coverage auto insurance in North Carolina costs $1,001 annually or $83 per month.
The cheapest full coverage car insurance in North Carolina is also offered by National General and costs an average of $1,625 annually or $135 per month. On average, full coverage car insurance in North Carolina costs $1,898 annually or $158 per month.
Buying minimum coverage car insurance gives you enough protection to meet North Carolina's basic liability insurance requirements. If you'd like additional protection, you can buy full coverage car insurance, which also includes comprehensive and collision coverage. If your vehicle is leased or financed, you are usually required to carry full coverage on your vehicle until your lease term ends or the vehicle is paid off.
Regardless of whether you're buying full coverage or minimum coverage, the price you pay for car insurance can vary depending on factors such as:
- Your age (younger drivers usually pay higher rates for car insurance)
- Your driving record (incidents and violations typically increase your premiums)
- Your annual mileage (driving more can mean higher rates)
- The type and amount of coverage you purchase
Although our data on the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina can be a good general guideline, your premiums could be higher or lower. Before buying an auto insurance policy, take the time to compare insurance quotes from several different providers.
Cheapest Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in North Carolina
North Carolina, like most states, requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage in order to drive. Liability insurance includes bodily injury liability coverage, which helps cover the cost if you injure someone in an accident, and property damage liability coverage, which pays for damages you cause to another individual's car or property.
North Carolina drivers are required to buy minimum bodily injury liability insurance of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident and minimum property damage liability coverage of $25,000 per accident. In July 2025, those requirements will increase to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $50,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage.
Purchasing only the minimum liability insurance is one way to pay less for auto insurance, but you may want more protection in case of an accident. Even though North Carolina's minimum requirements are fairly high, most insurance professionals recommend buying coverage of at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injuries, as well as $100,000 for property damage.
Learn more: How Much Car Insurance Do I Need?
The table below shows the insurance companies offering the cheapest minimum coverage auto insurance policies in North Carolina.
| Carrier | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| National General | $942 | $78 |
| Progressive | $1,056 | $88 |
| GEICO | $1,084 | $90 |
| Safeco | $1,175 | $98 |
| Dairyland Insurance | $1,325 | $110 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Costs above represent insurance quotes, not policy premiums
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in North Carolina
Full coverage auto insurance adds comprehensive and collision coverage to your liability insurance coverage. Full coverage insurance isn't required by any state, but lenders or lessors typically require it if you have a car that's leased or financed.
- Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car if it's damaged due to a collision with another car, object or animal.
- Comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace your car if it's damaged by something other than driving, such as hail, a falling tree, vandalism or theft.
Learn more: What Is Full Coverage Car Insurance?
The table below shows the carriers offering the cheapest full coverage auto insurance policies in North Carolina.
| Carrier | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| National General | $1,625 | $135 |
| Progressive | $1,808 | $151 |
| GEICO | $2,015 | $168 |
| Safeco | $2,388 | $199 |
| Dairyland Insurance | $3,394 | $283 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Costs above represent insurance quotes, not policy premiums
Cheapest Car Insurance for Young Drivers in North Carolina
It can cost a lot of money to insure new drivers. In general, younger drivers pay higher premiums for auto insurance because they're statistically more apt to have accidents, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). On average, teenage drivers pay $3,512 annually for auto insurance, according to Experian data.
Car insurance rates are generally highest for 16-year-olds and start to decrease when your child turns 25. Before that date, you can help reduce your car insurance costs by putting your child on your auto insurance instead of getting them a separate policy. Being on your policy gives your teenager the benefit of the lower rates you're likely to enjoy from years of driving experience, homeownership or being married.
If your young adult gets good grades, that can help too. Many insurance companies offer discounts on auto insurance for young drivers who maintain a certain grade point average, attend college away from home and don't take a car, or complete a driver safety course.
You may want to buy your young adult their own car insurance if there are lots of accidents or moving violations on their driving record. With a high-risk driver on your policy, your car insurance premiums are likely to go up. Purchasing separate coverage from an insurance provider specializing in high-risk drivers may save you some money in this case.
The table below shows the insurance companies offering the cheapest full coverage car insurance in North Carolina for drivers ages 16 to 25.
| Carrier | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| National General | $2,488 | $207 |
| Progressive | $2,658 | $222 |
| GEICO | $2,856 | $238 |
| Dairyland Insurance | $4,478 | $373 |
| Safeco | $4,741 | $395 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Young drivers include those ages 16 to 25; costs above represent insurance quotes, not policy premiums
Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors in North Carolina
Your auto insurance premiums will typically drop as you get older and gain more driving experience. However, rates tend to rise again around your 70th birthday. Drivers ages 70 and up have a higher rate of serious accidents, which means more risk for insurers and can mean higher rates for you.
It's still possible to find cheap car insurance for seniors, however. For example, some carriers offer discounts for drivers over a certain age. You might also qualify for lower rates if you're a retired military servicemember or if you go a certain time without having a car accident.
The table below shows the car insurance carriers offering the cheapest full coverage car insurance for seniors in North Carolina.
| Carrier | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| National General | $1,167 | $97 |
| Progressive | $1,243 | $104 |
| GEICO | $1,268 | $106 |
| Safeco | $1,610 | $134 |
| Dairyland Insurance | $2,562 | $214 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Senior drivers include those ages 65 and up; costs above represent insurance quotes, not policy premiums
It's smart to reassess your auto insurance needs as you get older and your driving habits evolve. For instance, if you're retired, you're probably driving less than you did when you were commuting to work. This could qualify you for a cheaper low-mileage car insurance policy. On the other hand, if retirement means embarking on a cross-country road trip in a motor home, you might need to buy RV insurance to protect your RV.
Learn more: How to Buy Car Insurance as a Senior
Car Insurance for Prior Incidents in North Carolina
Driving safely can reduce your risk of getting traffic citations or having auto accidents. This reduced risk can pay off in lower insurance premiums. On average, North Carolina drivers with a clean driving history (no incidents or violations on their motor vehicle record) pay an average of $1,605 annually for auto insurance.
On the other hand, a driving record showing moving violations or accidents (even if you weren't at fault) could lead insurance companies to categorize you as a high-risk driver. Insurers may increase your premiums to compensate for the increased risk that you'll file a claim. A motor vehicle record that includes several car accidents or serious infractions such as DUIs generally has a larger impact on your auto insurance costs and could even lead your insurance company to cancel your coverage.
Learn more: How to Get Affordable Car Insurance as a High-Risk Driver
Even without a pristine driving record, though, it's possible to find affordable auto insurance. The table below shows the average cost of car insurance in North Carolina for drivers with negative marks on their driving records. (Incidents include things like traffic accidents or insurance claims; violations include moving violations, such as speeding tickets.)
| Driving Record | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Clean Record | $1,605 |
| 1 Incident | $1,836 |
| 1 Violation | $3,253 |
| 2 Incidents | $1,879 |
| 2 Violations | $3,768 |
| 3+ Incidents | $2,211 |
| 3+ Violations | $3,851 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Costs above are a blended average of full and minimum coverage policies sold through Experian's marketplace
Minimum Required Coverage in North Carolina
North Carolina drivers are required to maintain minimum car insurance coverage in the following amounts:
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
On July 1, 2025, North Carolina's minimum liability requirements will increase to:
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
If you don't have the minimum required liability coverage that North Carolina requires, your car's license plate may be revoked. You may also face civil penalties, late fees and interest and could have your account sent to collections.
How to Save Money on Car Insurance
Auto insurance is necessary, sure—but why pay more than necessary for it? Here are some tips to help you save on car insurance.
Eliminate Extra Coverage
You're probably paying for "nice to have" car insurance extras that you may not really need. The cost of coverage for rental car reimbursement, windshield replacement or roadside assistance can add up, and canceling these add-ons can be an easy way to save. To determine whether add-on coverage is worth it, estimate how much it might save you and think about whether you can do without. For instance, if your household owns several cars, you may be able to drop rental coverage and borrow a car from another family member while yours is in the shop.
If your car is paid off and not worth very much, canceling your collision and comprehensive coverage could be another option. The most collision and comprehensive coverage will pay out is your vehicle's value. It's not always cost-effective to pay for this coverage if your car is only worth a few thousand dollars. However, before you cancel coverage, be sure you could afford to replace or repair your vehicle without insurance.
Increase Your Deductible
When you file a car insurance claim, you generally need to pay a deductible before the insurance coverage kicks in. Insurance companies typically let you select a deductible of $250 to $2,000 when you purchase coverage. Raising your deductible usually lowers your premiums because you're taking on more of the risk of a claim.
Before raising your deductible, however, think about whether you could pay the higher amount in case of a claim. Evaluate the state of your emergency fund and your other financial resources. Ask your insurance carrier how changing your deductible would affect your car insurance premiums.
Find Discounts
Ask your current car insurance company if they offer any discounts that you aren't already taking advantage of. Then visit other providers' websites to see what discounts they have available.
Some of the most common car insurance discounts include deals for bundling home and auto insurance, paying your premium upfront, stopping paper statements or setting up automatic payments. Insurance companies may also offer discounts for getting car insurance quotes online or signing documents digitally. Remember to check with your workplace and any membership groups you're a part of; they may have discounts on car insurance you weren't aware of.
Learn more: Top Car Insurance Discounts
Reduce Your Mileage
If you log a lot of miles on the road, our odds of having a car accident go up. That's why some auto insurance companies discount rates if you drive fewer than 12,000 miles per year. You can reduce your mileage—and possibly your insurance premiums—by walking, carpooling, biking or taking public transportation instead of driving. Look into switching to remote work if your employer allows.
Low-mileage car insurance plans typically monitor your mileage using self-reported or third-party odometer readings or devices installed in your car. You may also want to investigate pay-per-mile car insurance. Pay-per-mile coverage charges a monthly base rate plus a per-mile charge for each additional mile that you drive.
Practice Safe Driving
Maintaining a clean driving record can help keep your auto insurance premiums down. Make it your goal to go without moving violations or accidents. If you need help brushing up on the rules of the road, investigate safe driving courses. Many insurance companies offer discounts to customers who complete an approved defensive driving or driver safety class.
Improve Your Credit
Insurance companies in North Carolina, as in most states, can check your credit-based insurance score when they're determining your premiums. Having a poor score could mean paying more for car insurance. Credit-based insurance scores are different from your consumer credit scores; however, they are based on much of the same information. That means taking steps to improve your consumer credit score may positively impact your credit-based insurance score, which could save you money on car insurance.
Shop Around
Different insurance companies use different methods when determining car insurance rates, so the price you're quoted may vary widely from one insurer to another. Comparing quotes from several different companies can be a good way to find lower prices on car insurance. Make it a habit to shop around with different providers at least once a year or whenever renewal time for your current policy gets near.
You can get auto insurance quotes from insurance company websites or by contacting insurers directly. If you'd like a more efficient way to investigate your insurance options, try using Experian's free car insurance comparison tool. It collects car insurance quotes from multiple top insurance companies in North Carolina, quickly showing you which carrier offers the cheapest car insurance.
Methodology
This analysis is based on a review of auto insurance policies and quotes provided through Experian's insurance marketplace. Policy premium and quote averages are based on driver data across all genders and ages unless otherwise noted.
Experian's insurance marketplace matches users with auto insurance coverage from more than 30 carriers across 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Don’t overpay for auto insurance
If you’re looking for ways to cut back on monthly costs, it could be a good idea to see if you can save on your auto insurance.
Find savings
About the author
Karen Axelton
Karen Axelton specializes in writing about business and entrepreneurship. She has created content for companies including American Express, Bank of America, MetLife, Amazon, Cox Media, Intel, Intuit, Microsoft and Xerox.
Read more from Karen