The average driver in North Carolina pays about $1,097 a year for full coverage — about 24% less than the US average of $1,438. That ranks North Carolina #41 of 51 states (mid-pack). The car you drive then shifts it: a cheap-to-insure model can land near $527, a high-loss one well over $8,078.
North Carolina insurance cost by coverage
Average North Carolina premium split by coverage type — liability is required, full coverage adds collision + comprehensive.
Minimum car insurance required in North Carolina
North Carolina legally requires at least 50/100/50 in liability coverage — $50,000 bodily injury per person, $100,000 per accident, and $50,000 property damage. Uninsured-motorist coverage is required. These are legal minimums — most drivers carry more to fully protect themselves. Buying used here? Check the car first — look it up by its North Carolina license plate.
Minimum coverage is the cheapest to buy, but it may not cover a serious crash — full coverage adds collision and comprehensive for your own car.
Cheapest cars to insure in North Carolina
Estimated annual premium in North Carolina, cheapest first — state average × each car's real HLDI loss index. See the full cheapest cars to insure nationally.
Know what a car really costs to insure and own.
- Your personalized rate by coverage, age and deductible
- Insurance folded into the 5-year cost to own
- Full breakdown: what each coverage actually costs
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Most expensive cars to insure in North Carolina
The priciest cars to insure in North Carolina — powerful, theft-prone and costly to repair. See the most expensive cars to insure nationally.
North Carolina insurance cost by year
North Carolina premiums are up about +23% since 2019. Average North Carolina premium by year:
| Year | North Carolina avg / yr |
|---|---|
| 2023 | |
| 2022 | |
| 2021 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 |
Car insurance cost in North Carolina's largest cities
Rates vary within North Carolina by city and ZIP — dense metros like Charlotte run above the state average, while smaller towns run below. Estimated typical premium in North Carolina's biggest cities:
| City | Est. typical / yr | vs state avg |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $1,207/yr | +10% urban |
| Raleigh | $1,174/yr | +7% urban |
| Greensboro | $1,152/yr | +5% urban |
| Durham | $1,141/yr | +4% urban |
| Winston-Salem | $1,119/yr | +2% urban |
| Fayetteville | $1,108/yr | ≈ state avg |
| Cary | $1,097/yr | ≈ state avg |
City figures are estimates — urban areas trend above the state average; your exact rate depends on your ZIP, car and record. Use the calculator above for your specific car.
North Carolina car insurance — frequently asked
How much is car insurance in North Carolina?
The average is about $1,097/yr ($91/mo) for full coverage — 24% below the US average. Your exact rate depends on your car, age and record.
What is the minimum car insurance required in North Carolina?
North Carolina requires at least 50/100/50 liability — $50,000 bodily injury per person, $100,000 per accident and $50,000 property damage, plus uninsured-motorist coverage.
Is car insurance expensive in North Carolina?
North Carolina ranks #41 of 51 states (mid-pack). At $1,097/yr it is below the national average of $1,438.
What is the cheapest car to insure in North Carolina?
On our data, low-loss models like the Chevrolet Express are cheapest to insure in North Carolina — around $527/yr.
How much is car insurance per month in North Carolina?
About $91/month for a typical car with full coverage — less for cheap-to-insure models, more for high-performance ones.