Best car insurance in North Carolina for 2025

Best car insurance companies in North Carolina

Bankrate’s insurance editorial team examined customer satisfaction from the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, average rates, coverage availability, discount opportunities and other important metrics for the largest car insurance companies by market share. Based on our analysis, and considering rate data sourced from Quadrant Information Services, we determined Geico, State Farm, Nationwide and Allstate to be among the best car insurance companies in North Carolina.

It's important to note that the average rates for these companies may fluctuate and are subject to change monthly. Therefore, while some may generally provide rates lower than the state averages of $1,955 for full coverage and $595 for minimum coverage, this isn't a constant. The companies we reviewed also offer robust coverage options, a variety of potential discounts and other perks we’ll discuss more in depth below. When shopping for the best car insurance in North Carolina, drivers might want to get quotes from these companies:

Geico

State Farm

Nationwide

Allstate

How much is car insurance in North Carolina?

The average cost of car insurance in North Carolina is $1,955 for full coverage and $595 for minimum coverage. These are both below the national averages of $2,692 and $808, respectively. This is roughly in line with what North Carolina's neighboring states pay. Virginia, for example, has an average rate of $2,162 for full coverage and $766 for minimum; while South Carolina's averages are $1,984 and $639. All average premium data was gathered from Quadrant Information Services.

Car insurance in NC may be cheaper than the national average for several reasons. Parts of the state are at risk for severe weather damage, including hurricanes, but many areas are shielded from the storms, which may help keep full coverage rates down. Although some parts of the state experience heavy tourism, the areas that have less traffic and therefore a lower risk of accidents might offset the busier areas. Rates vary by location within a state though, so areas closer to the coast, where tourism is likely heavier and roadways are more crowded, may have higher premiums.

Estimate your car insurance cost in North Carolina

The more data you have at hand when you begin your search for affordable coverage, the easier it will be to find a policy that works for your wallet. For that reason, Bankrate created this handy calculator to help you estimate what your likely cost will be for your policy. Just input a few key facts, and you will have a number that you can use as a benchmark figure when asking for quotes from insurers.

Frequently asked questions

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.

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.

Tier scores are unweighted to show the company's true score in each category out of a possible five points.