Best and Cheapest Auto Insurance in North Carolina for 2021

Updated Aug 12, 2021

With a rivalry as deep as Duke vs. UNC, insurance is a must-have in the Tar Heel state. With approximately 7.6 million drivers and growing, North Carolina ranks 8th in largest state driving population.

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The average auto insurance premium in North Carolina is around $705, which is $246 cheaper than the national average. This cost varies widely from driver to driver. In this article, we’ll explain important insurancefactors and give some helpful tips.

Auto Insurance protects you against financial loss in the event of an accident or theft. The price and regulations usually vary from state to state. You’ve got questions, like “What can auto insurance protect you from,” and “What are the best options?” Well, we have the answers.

What does auto insurance cover?

While each state has its own regulations for auto insurance, there are six basic types of coverage. Everything you need to know is listed below. Click here to read more about auto insurance liability.

  • Bodily Injury Liability
    If you hit someone, you’d be financially responsible for the injured person’s medical bills and lost wages. In addition, if sued, you would likely have to pay a hefty legal bill. We recommend choosing a policy that covers at least $100,000 in damages per person.
  • Property Damage Liability
    With so many cars on the road, damaging one of them could easily generate a hefty loss, potentially costing you tens of thousands of dollars. We recommend getting a policy with about $100,000 in coverage.
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
    1 out of 7 drivers on the road is uninsured. With this coverage, your own insurance pays you immediately if you are hit by an uninsured/underinsured driver. This protection is invaluable and costs very little.

North Carolina Auto Insurance Requirements

In North Carolina, all drivers are legally required to have auto insurance. There are minimum coverage requirements that all N.C.drivers should make sure are covered by their car insurance policy. However, just because a policy meets the minimum requirements doesn’t mean it’s a good one — a good policy is one that best fits and protects your situation and needs. These requirements are outlined below.

Type of Coverage Minimum Requirements
Bodily injury liability $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
Property damage liability $25,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist bodily injury $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage $25,000 per accident

North Carolina driving laws

Following all of North Carolina’s driving laws keeps you and those around you safe while also keeping you out of legal trouble, subsequently keeping your insurance premiums low. Listed below are key driving laws to keep in mind. Visit the North Carolina Department of Transportation website to learn more.

  • Fender Bender Law
    Motorists must move their vehicle to the shoulder of the road after minor, non-injury wrecks. Doing so helps keep traffic moving and minimize the probability of secondary wrecks.
  • Move Over Law
    Motorists must move over one lane or slow down if unable to change lanes when passing law enforcement and emergency vehicles with flashing lights, wreckers and incident management assistance patrol vehicles stopped on a highway shoulder.
  • Littering
    Disposing of trash on public or private property, except by an individual who owns the property, is illegal and could result in a fine of up to $200 and community service.
  • Cell phone usage
    Drivers under 18 are prohibited from using cell phones while driving with the exception of emergencies or talking to a parent/spouse. School bus drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while driving.
  • Texting
    All drivers are prohibited from texting while driving
  • DWIs/Driving while impaired
    Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration equal to or greater than 0.08% are charged with driving while impaired.

What discounts are available for auto insurance?

Below is a list of auto insurance discounts available in North Carolina.

Discount Description
Multi-Car When you insure more than one car on your policies, you can usually get a multi-car discount for each of them. In another word, it's better to insure all the vehicles on the same policy instead of putting them on separate policies.
Multi-Policy You’re eligible for this discount if you purchase multiple policies from the same carrier. For example, if you have auto and renter’s insurance from the same company, you can get a discount on your auto insurance of about 5-15% depending on the company or state. However, purchasing all of your coverage from the same company doesn’t always save you money; sometimes, buying standalone policies can save you more money. These things vary.
Education and Profession There are two types of education discounts: One for the degree you earned and the other for the college you graduated from. The latter may not be available from all carriers.. For some advanced professions, you can get a discount of 10-15%, but this may require verification from your employer.
Anti-theft/Anti-lock Brakes/Airbags Most companies can give you a discount on the comprehensive proportion of the premium if you have security-related features, such as alarms, anti-theft measures, steering wheel locking, or anti-lock brakes.
Good Driver If you don't have any record of violation or accident during the last 3-5 years, you're considered a good driver by most companies. This is also one of the biggest discounts in most companies.
Good Student Students who maintain an average grade of B or higher can receive a significant discount on their insurance premium. Although, the premium may still be high because students usually don't have extensive driving experience.
Standard Risk Every insurance company manages its risk differently. But in general, there're standard risks for auto insurance including No tickets or no accidents within a specific period, no drivers under 25 years old or over the age of 65, no high-performance vehicles.
Paperless Some carriers provide discounts to those who pay online only. But new insurance carriers increasingly do not offer it.

What factors impact the cost of auto insurance?

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Driving records
  • Annual mileage
  • Profession
  • Education background
  • Bundling of multi cars
  • Bundling of auto and home policies
  • Features of the car (e.g. anti-theft devices)

Looking for the best auto insurance in North Carolina?

Click here to get started. You can compare hundreds of Auto insurance companies at once to get free, no-obligation quotes in just 60 seconds.

Curious about auto insurance rate for a city in North Carolina?

We compiled data about auto Insurance rates for every city in North Carolina. A word of caution, as you explore the list below, there is no doubt you will find a wide price range.

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Disclaimer
Our articles are intended for informational purposes and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Our articles are not written or reviewed by insurance agents. Consult your policies with your agent or a professional for details regarding terms, conditions, coverage, exclusions, products, services, and programs.

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