Best cheap car insurance in Durham for 2025

The best car insurance companies in Durham

When you’re seeking car insurance in North Carolina, there are several factors to keep in mind. Coverage level, available discounts, customer service reputation and rates all vary by carrier. The right company for your needs may also depend on your driving record and zip code. The following car insurance companies are worth considering in Durham.

The cheapest car insurance companies in Durham

Since Durham is a metro area, car insurance rates may be more expensive than in rural areas with less traffic. Still, you can find cheap car insurance in this part of the country. Make sure to check for every possible discount and consider paying your premium up front if you can; many carriers offer a discount for that. Keep in mind that even cheap car insurance companies could increase rates, so check your premium every time you renew coverage.

How much is car insurance in Durham, North Carolina?

If you only want state-mandated minimum coverage in Durham, you can save money over buying full coverage. Keep in mind, however, that you will likely be responsible for higher out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident. The average cost in North Carolina for minimum coverage is about 2 percent more than the average cost in Durham. Full coverage in Durham costs 4 percent less than the North Carolina average.

Durham rates for teens

Teenage drivers have little experience on the road and are deemed high-risk drivers by most insurance companies. Keeping good grades and a solid driving record may allow some young drivers to earn discounts, but be prepared for high premiums. The following rates represent averages for teenagers on their parents’ policies.

Durham rates for young drivers

As drivers approach the age of 25, their rates often go down if they maintain a good driving record. Once they turn 18, they can get their own insurance. The following rates represent the average premiums for young drivers who are no longer on their parents’ insurance.

Durham rates for adults

Adult drivers often have the lowest rates, but certain factors can still increase what you pay. Speeding tickets, sports cars and accidents are all likely to keep you from the lowest possible rates. The following represents the average rates among all adults in Durham.

Durham rates for senior drivers

Senior drivers may see their rates increase after a certain age. This is because older drivers may have slower reaction times behind the wheel and be more likely to get into an accident. You could be able to mitigate these increases by driving less and maintaining a positive driving record.

The cheapest car insurance in Durham by driving record

Car insurance companies judge you by a variety of factors, your driving record being one of the most important. The more citations or claims that are in your history, the riskier to appear to your car insurance company. Some insurers raise your rates more than others for the same infraction.

Car insurance with a speeding ticket in Durham

Speeding represents irresponsible driving to your insurer, and you are likely to see an increase for several years after even one ticket. Drivers in Durham pay on average $2,810 after a speeding ticket, compared to $1,887 prior to a conviction. This means that drivers can expect to pay 49 percent more for full coverage after getting a single speeding ticket in Durham.

Car insurance after an accident in Durham

On average, Durham drivers can expect to pay 39 percent more after a single at-fault accident. Drivers in the city pay, on average, $2,613 for full coverage car insurance after an at-fault accident.

Car insurance after a DUI in Durham

DUIs are among the most serious infractions, which also means they can translate to the highest rate hikes. If you’re a driver in Durham who is convicted of a DUI, you could expect to pay 291 percent more on average for full coverage. Durham drivers pay average annual rates of $7,384 for full coverage and $2,159 for state minimum coverage after a single DUI conviction.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze May 2025 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 are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2023 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

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

Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 20-70 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.

Teens: Rates were determined by adding a 16- or 18-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents' policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy.

Bankrate Score

Our 2025 Bankrate Score for auto insurance considers key variables that our insurance editorial team determined impact policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These factors include a robust assessment of each company’s cost of coverage, product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. We grouped these factors into three essential categories — cost and ratings, coverage and savings, and support — which we then weighted in a tiered approach. 

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto insurance companies satisfy these priorities, our team analyzed quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). 
• Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated the discount options listed on each company’s website.
• Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored in a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.