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Erie, Nationwide, and GEICO consistently deliver some of the lowest rates for North Carolina motorists seeking affordable coverage.
Monthly premiums for full coverage in North Carolina average $102, sitting below the national figure of $186. What you'll actually spend depends on your unique profile—driving record, age bracket, and location within the Tar Heel State all shape your final rate. Comparing personalized quotes across multiple carriers is the surest path to uncovering your best price.
Below, you'll find North Carolina's most competitive car insurance options organized by coverage level, driver profile, and insurance company.
Affordable full-coverage car insurance in North Carolina
Full-coverage insurance averages $102 monthly in North Carolina, below the national average of $186. Erie, Nationwide, GEICO, and Travelers rank among the state's cheapest car insurance providers.
| Average monthly full coverage cost | |
| North Carolina average | $102 |
| National average | $186 |
| Erie | $100 |
| Nationwide | $100 |
| GEICO | $115 |
| Travelers | $126 |
Affordable liability-only car insurance in North Carolina
Among the most affordable liability car insurance providers in North Carolina, Erie, Nationwide, and Progressive lead the competition.
Liability-only coverage costs $65 per month on average in North Carolina, while the national average sits at $104.
| Average monthly liability-only cost | |
| North Carolina average | $65 |
| National average | $104 |
| Erie | $65 |
| Nationwide | $65 |
| Progressive | $66 |
| Direct Auto | $65 |
Cheap car insurance in North Carolina by age
Age dramatically affects insurance premiums, with young adults often paying the most because they have less experience on the roads. Car insurance for teens costs the most, averaging $206 monthly in North Carolina.
Rates decline as drivers enter their 20s, averaging $133 per month. Insurance premiums continue declining through a person's 30s and 40s, settling around $111 and $102 monthly.
Rates can climb again for drivers in their 60s and beyond. North Carolina seniors face average costs of $91 per month in their 60s and $89 in their 70s.
Sometimes you'll see seniors paying a bit more for car insurance, and this is often due in part to perceived health and safety risks for this demographic.
| Age group | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| Teens | $206 | $132 |
| 20s | $133 | $85 |
| 30s | $111 | $71 |
| 40s | $102 | $65 |
| 50s | $99 | $63 |
| 60s | $91 | $58 |
| 70s | $89 | $57 |
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Cheap car insurance in North Carolina for high-risk drivers
Moving violations or accidents on your record can push your premiums higher, and that's true across the country. Below are North Carolina's average costs for drivers with accidents, speeding tickets, or DUIs, representing rates for car insurance if you have a bad driving record.
| Violation | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| Accident | $152 | $97 |
| Speeding ticket | $143 | $91 |
| DUI | $197 | $125 |
Compare low-cost car insurance after an accident
North Carolina drivers with accident histories can find more affordable coverage through Erie, Nationwide, and GEICO. For everyone, full-coverage premiums average $152 monthly after an accident.
| Company | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| Erie | $136 | $89 |
| Nationwide | $140 | $91 |
| GEICO | $155 | $102 |
Average rate:
Compare low-cost car insurance after a speeding ticket
Drivers with speeding tickets can turn to Nationwide, Erie, and GEICO for competitive North Carolina car insurance rates. Full coverage averages $143 per month if you have a speeding violation on your record.
| Company | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| Nationwide | $135 | $88 |
| Erie | $138 | $90 |
| GEICO | $157 | $103 |
Compare low-cost car insurance after DUI conviction
If you've been convicted of a DUI in North Carolina, Erie, Nationwide, and GEICO offer the cheapest full coverage options. Average rates for drivers with DUIs reach $197 per month.
| Company | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| Erie | $165 | $108 |
| Nationwide | $169 | $110 |
| GEICO | $189 | $124 |
Cheap car insurance in North Carolina by credit score
Drivers with excellent credit in North Carolina pay $92 monthly on average. On the flip side, drivers with poor credit face significantly higher premiums, starting at $126 monthly.
These pricing gaps reflect insurers' use of credit information in rate calculations, as lower credit scores typically correlate with higher perceived financial risk. Car insurance companies in North Carolina are permitted to use consumers' credit scores as one factor in setting premiums, but not the only factor.
| Credit score | Average monthly cost of full coverage | Average monthly cost of liability-only |
| Excellent | $92 | $59 |
| Good | $99 | $63 |
| Average | $105 | $67 |
| Poor | $126 | $80 |
FAQs
What are North Carolina's minimum car insurance requirements?
North Carolina requires drivers to carry liability coverage with limits of 50/100/50, meaning $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $50,000 in property damage. These minimums are on the high end compared to other states, many of which require 25/50/25 insurance. The state also mandates matching uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at the same 50/100/50 limits.
These requirements increased from 30/60/25 minimums in 2025, which means drivers saw premium increases when their policies renewed after July 1, 2025.
How does North Carolina's Contributory Negligence Law affect car insurance?
North Carolina has one of the strictest contributory negligence laws in the country. If you're found even partially at fault in an accident, you cannot recover damages from the other driver.
This harsh rule makes carrying adequate coverage critical for many drivers, particularly medical payments coverage and higher liability limits than the state minimum. You might decide to purchase additional collision and comprehensive coverage specifically because the contributory negligence law can leave you financially exposed after accidents in which partial fault is found.
Does North Carolina allow insurance companies to use my gender in setting rates?
North Carolina is one of the few states that prohibit insurers from using your gender as a rating factor when determining premiums. Instead, companies often focus more heavily on driving experience and record when calculating rates.
Bottom line
The cheapest companies in North Carolina might not be the cheapest for your specific situation. To find the right company, gather quotes from multiple insurance providers and compare them carefully on price, quality of service, and coverage.
Data throughout provided by Insurify.
Average rate:
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