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Average cost of car insurance in North Carolina for 2024

Updated Nov 13, 2024
The average cost of full coverage car insurance in North Carolina is $2,059 annually, while the average cost of minimum coverage is $611 a year.
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How much is car insurance in North Carolina? 

The average cost of car insurance in North Carolina is $2,059 annually for full coverage and $611 annually for state-required minimum coverage. North Carolina car insurance rates are typically well below the national average costs of car insurance, which are $2,458 per year for full coverage and $678 per year for minimum coverage. To break down how much car insurance is in North Carolina, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team, which includes licensed agents, turned to Quadrant Information Services and reviewed average rates for the largest companies in the state by market share.

Key takeaways

  • The average cost of full coverage car insurance in North Carolina is $2,059 per year or $172 per month. Minimum coverage is $611 per year or $51 per month.
  • On average, North Carolina drivers pay 14 percent less for full coverage car insurance compared to the national average.
  • Of all age groups, 16-year-old drivers pay the most for car insurance in NC.
  • On average, drivers convicted of a DUI in North Carolina pay for full coverage compared to the national average.

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North Carolina car insurance rates by city

Car insurance rates vary by state; they can also vary by city. This is why figuring out how much car insurance is in North Carolina requires more information than just your vehicle make and model.  For example, Fayetteville and Charlotte’s average annual full coverage premiums are slightly higher than the state average. Larger cities tend to have higher insurance costs for a few reasons. Higher medical care costs may increase bodily injury liability coverage premiums, and higher costs for vehicle repairs and labor may increase premiums for property damage liability, comprehensive coverage and collision coverage. Additionally, larger cities tend to have more traffic, which could lead to a higher likelihood of accidents. If you park your car in a ZIP code with few thefts and accident claims, you may be able to take advantage of lower-than-average rates.

City Avg. annual full coverage premium Avg. savings vs. state average

Average car insurance costs by age and gender in North Carolina

Car insurance rates vary by age in most states, including North Carolina, with younger drivers usually paying more for coverage due to a higher likelihood of accidents and subsequent claims. Recognizing and responding to sudden road hazards is a learned skill that takes time to develop, and the lack of driving experience is why teen drivers typically face the highest insurance rates.

In most cases, young drivers can save money by staying on their parents’ policies as additional drivers for as long as possible. Premiums generally decrease with age but may begin to increase again when drivers reach their senior years. In some states, male drivers typically see higher average rates than female drivers, but North Carolina car insurance laws do not allow the use of gender as an insurance rating factor.

Age 16*
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$4,821
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$1,722
Age 18
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$4,082
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$1,407
Age 20
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,654
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$766
Age 25
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,246
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$660
Age 30
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,134
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$631
Age 40
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,062
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$612
Age 50
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,008
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$603
Age 60
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$1,947
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$594
Age 70
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,066
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$636
Age 40
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,062
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$612
Age 50
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,008
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$603
Age 60
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$1,947
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$594
Age 70
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,066
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$636
*16-year-old calculated on parents' policy with discounts applied; 18- and 20-year-old are renters on their own policies with no discounts applied
Age 16*
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$4,821
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$1,722
Age 18
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$4,535
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$1,405
Age 20
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,653
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$766
Age 25
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,245
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$660
Age 30
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,134
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$631
Age 40
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,063
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$612
Age 50
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$1,801
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$603
Age 60
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$1,947
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$594
Age 70
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,066
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$636
Age 40
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,063
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$612
Age 50
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$1,801
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$603
Age 60
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$1,947
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$594
Age 70
Average annual full coverage premium in NC
$2,066
Average minimum coverage premium in NC
$636
*16-year-old calculated on parents' policy with discounts applied; 18- and 20-year-old are renters on their own policies with no discounts applied
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Bankrate’s take: Insurance rates are based on risk and statistical data. Historically, men tend to have riskier driving behavior than women. In fact, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety data reveal that men are less likely to wear a seat belt and more likely to drive while intoxicated and speed. Males tend to average more miles on the road per year than their female counterparts, as well. However, North Carolina, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan and Pennsylvania prohibit the use of gender as a rating factor when pricing policies.

Cost considerations for young drivers in North Carolina

If a young driver is still living in their parents’ household, it’s usually cheaper to keep that driver listed on their parents’ policy. By staying on their parents’ policy, new drivers get the fiscal benefit of having more experienced drivers on the policy to keep the cost lower. You can see from the rates here that the newest drivers — those who are 16 and 17 years old — pay the highest average rates. Premiums may start to lower after just one year of driving experience, provided the young driver maintains a clean driving record.

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Age 16*
Avg. annual premium for drivers in NC
$4,821
Age 17
Avg. annual premium for drivers in NC
$3,776
Age 18
Avg. annual premium for drivers in NC
$3,466
Age 19
Avg. annual premium for drivers in NC
$2,668
Age 20
Avg. annual premium for drivers in NC
$2,617
*16-year-old calculated on parents' policy with discounts applied; 18- and 20-year-old are renters on their own policies with no discounts applied
Age 18
Avg. annual premium for drivers in NC
$4,308
Age 19
Avg. annual premium for drivers in NC
$2,726
Age 20
Avg. annual premium for drivers in NC
$2,654
*16-year-old calculated on parents' policy with discounts applied; 18- and 20-year-old are renters on their own policies with no discounts applied
Age Avg. annual premium difference for drivers on their own policy
Age 18 24 percent more
Age 19 2 percent more
Age 20 1 percent more

*18- and 20-year-old are renters on their own policies with no discounts applied

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This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

How does driving record impact the cost of car insurance in North Carolina?

Safe drivers usually enjoy the cheapest car insurance. Policyholders who are caught driving without insurance in North Carolina or who have driving incidents on their records may be viewed as high-risk drivers, which often results in higher premiums. The severity of the infraction, other marks on your record and the insurance company you choose can all impact rates. A driving under the influence (DUI) conviction has the most significant impact on your premiums in North Carolina, changing average rates by an astounding 295 percent more. The table here provides an overview of the average annual premium increase for a North Carolina policyholder with a single speeding ticket, accident or DUI on their record.

Clean driving record
Avg. annual premium* in NC
$2,063
Percentage increase from NC avg. annual premium*
0%
Avg. annual premium* in NC
$3,063
Percentage increase from NC avg. annual premium*
48%
Avg. annual premium* in NC
$2,842
Percentage increase from NC avg. annual premium*
38%
Avg. annual premium* in NC
$8,151
Percentage increase from NC avg. annual premium*
295%
*The rates reflected are for full coverage policies.

Car insurance rates in North Carolina by credit score

Another major factor that may contribute to your insurance rate is your credit score. In most states, major auto carriers will use credit-based insurance scores as an insurance rating factor, with drivers with higher credit scores paying lower premiums, on average.

Avg. annual premium* in NC
$2,859
Percentage change from NC average annual premium*
39%
Average
Avg. annual premium* in NC
$2,195
Percentage change from NC average annual premium*
6%
Avg. annual premium* in NC
$2,063
Percentage change from NC average annual premium*
0%
Excellent
Avg. annual premium* in NC
$1,990
Percentage change from NC average annual premium*
-4%
*Rates reflect full coverage policies.

North Carolina car insurance rates by vehicle type

The type of vehicle you drive is another impacting rating factor for North Carolina car insurance. Vehicles that have a higher statistical likelihood of an accident, fewer safety features or more expensive repair costs may cost more to insure. For example, a BMW 330i costs about 8 percent more than the state average to insure for full coverage, while a Ford F-150 costs about 13 percent less than the state average.

Avg. annual premium* in NC
$2,063
Avg. annual premium* in NC
$1,803
Avg. annual premium* in NC
$1,647
BMW 330i
Avg. annual premium* in NC
$2,223
Toyota Prius
Avg. annual premium* in NC
$2,091
*Rates reflect full coverage policies.

Estimate your car insurance cost in North Carolina

Finding car insurance in NC that fits your needs and budget can be overwhelming. Getting an idea of what you might end up paying is a good place to start. Bankrate created the tool below to help drivers estimate their costs.

Calculate your monthly car insurance payment

Get a quick estimate to make sure you're not overpaying.

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How to save on car insurance in North Carolina

Generally, North Carolina car insurance is cheaper than comparable coverage in many other states. However, there are still ways to potentially shave more money off your premium.

  • Shop around: Each car insurance company weighs a driver’s unique factors differently to come up with slightly different rates, which is why your insurance premium can vary from company to company. In order to find the lowest possible premium, it may help to request quotes from several companies. Use the same coverage type and policy limits in order to do an apples-to-apples comparison.
  • Bundle your policies: Bundling your auto and home insurance just means buying both policies from the same company. This is generally one of the most significant discounts you can get.
  • Maintain a clean driving record: Drivers with incidents like tickets, at-fault accidents and DUI convictions pay quite a bit more for car insurance coverage, on average. Practicing safe driving habits may help you avoid these costly surcharges.
  • Look for discounts: In addition to bundling, most car insurance companies offer at least a handful of discount opportunities. Some of the most common include multi-policy, paperless billing and claims-free discounts.

Keep in mind that North Carolina prohibits many common discounts, though. One example is the good student discount. The state also doesn’t allow insurers to offer programs that have the potential to raise a policyholder’s premium. For instance, telematics programs that could result in an insurance premium aren’t allowed in North Carolina.

To ensure you’re taking advantage of the discounts that are available, talk to your agent or a representative from your company.

Frequently asked questions

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46
years of industry expertise
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122
carriers reviewed
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34.5K
ZIP codes examined
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1.2M
quotes analyzed

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze November 2024 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates for our base profile are based on the following characteristics and coverage levels:

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40 year old
Single male and female driver
Logo for Brand name
2022 Toyota Camry
Primary vehicle
Credit Good Icon
Good credit score
Auto Insurance Guide Icon
Clean driving record
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Commutes 5 days

Bodily injury liability

$100,000 per person
$300,000 per accident

Property damage liability

$50,000 per accident

Personal injury protection

$100,000 per accident

Uninsured motorist bodily injury

$100,000 per person
$300,000 per accident

Collision deductible

$500

Comprehensive deductible

$500

Other profiles

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. 



Written by
Shannon Martin
Writer, Insurance
Shannon Martin is a licensed insurance agent and Bankrate analyst with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She enjoys helping others navigate the insurance world by cutting through complex jargon and empowering readers to make strong financial decisions independently.
Edited by Editor, Insurance
Reviewed by Senior wealth advisor at Versant Capital Management