How much does car insurance cost in Charlotte, NC? Check out the average rates that drivers pay below.
On the Atlantic coast, Charlotte, N.C., is known as the Queen City. Charlotte is famous for its deep historical roots, family-friendly attractions and bustling cultural scene. Tourists can explore several exciting destinations, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Carowinds Amusement Park, and Levine Center for the Arts.
Individuals can use the Charlotte Area Transit System to travel through town; however, having a car is the best way to explore everything the city has to offer.
Are you a Charlotte resident that needs insurance coverage for your vehicle? Smart Financial can help you find affordable insurers that fit your needs and budget. In this article, you’ll learn about the auto insurance requirements for Charlotte.
Car insurance rates vary from driver to driver and are based on many factors that include driving history, claims history and where you live. Each city in North Carolina has different rates, and below, you can compare average rates with the national average. According to our data, drivers who live in Charlotte typically pay around $154.72 per month compared to the national average of $167.68 per month. The best way to get a low rate is by comparison shopping. SmartFinancial can do that for you at no cost while pairing you with a reputable insurance company so you have no surprises if you have an accident.
Area | Average Monthly Rate |
---|---|
National | $167.68 |
North Carolina | $131.31 |
Charlotte, North Carolina | $154.72 |
Certain insurers will offer you better rates than others based on a myriad of factors, so you may get a better deal from one insurer over another for various reasons, and that’s why it’s important to compare. According to our data, Direct Auto generally has the most affordable car insurance in Charlotte coming in around $62.97 per month. Other companies to consider if you live in Charlotte is Utica National Ins Group with an average cost of $83.90 per month and Erie which typically runs around $92.33 per month. Check out the full list below. SmartFinancial rates the following insurers as the best insurance companies for drivers in Charlotte.
Rank | Company | Average Monthly Rate | Comparison State Average |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Direct Auto | $62.97 | -52.04% |
2 | Utica National Ins Group | $83.90 | -36.11% |
3 | Erie | $92.33 | -29.69% |
4 | Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $95.30 | -27.42% |
5 | North Carolina Farm Bureau | $103.31 | -21.32% |
6 | Travelers | $104.03 | -20.77% |
7 | Titan | $109.83 | -16.36% |
8 | National General | $116.13 | -11.56% |
9 | Unitrin | $118.82 | -9.51% |
10 | Nationwide | $120.37 | -8.33% |
Rates can vary from city to city. The residents of Asheville typically pay $103.18 per month while people who live in Cary will pay $119.66 per month on average. See what people pay for car insurance in other cities in North Carolina.
North Carolina Cities | Monthly Average Rate |
---|---|
Asheville | $103.18 |
Cary | $119.66 |
Chapel Hill | $121.54 |
Charlotte | $154.72 |
Durham | $152.49 |
Fayetteville | $147.91 |
Goldsboro | $142.59 |
Greensboro | $136.24 |
Greenville | $139.06 |
High Point | $122.51 |
New Bern | $120.58 |
Raleigh | $133.19 |
Rocky Mount | $147.18 |
Wilmington | $117.58 |
Winston Salem | $137.70 |
Every zip code rates differently with every insurer. Your zip code determines the crime rate in your area as well as other risks. Below, you can see how average rates range across the state of North Carolina. If you live in an area that is rated high in crime, you can make sure to garage your car in a safe place. That ought to save you some money. Covered and gated structures are best. Make sure to tell your insurance agent about the precautions you’re taking.
Charlotte, NC ZIP Code | Average Monthly Rate |
---|---|
28215 | $150.85 |
28211 | $109.41 |
28212 | $162.46 |
28217 | $182.52 |
28206 | $164.13 |
28202 | $139.77 |
28216 | $164.47 |
28277 | $148.11 |
28205 | $133.41 |
28213 | $170.49 |
28227 | $161.09 |
28269 | $144.33 |
28278 | $153.14 |
28226 | $100.29 |
28204 | $115.47 |
28203 | $135.24 |
28209 | $118.93 |
28210 | $125.85 |
28208 | $155.59 |
28262 | $189.93 |
28273 | $152.89 |
28214 | $146.08 |
28282 | $120.76 |
28270 | $138.80 |
28086 | $74.93 |
28207 | $117.73 |
28105 | $84.71 |
28274 | $100.98 |
28079 | $95.88 |
28134 | $126.66 |
28297 | $108.03 |
28288 | $66.28 |
28012 | $204.89 |
28266 | $97.50 |
Generally speaking, you pay more in car insurance the younger you are and the older you are. Teens and young adults often pay around $138.19 per month in Charlotte. Compare that to drivers in their 30’s who typically pay around $136.36 per month drivers in their 40s at $231.51 per month. It’s always a good idea to check for discounts that apply at any age. Some discounts include away-at-school discount, safe driver discount, mature driver discount, good student discount as well as multi-policy and bundling discounts.
Age Group | Average Monthly Rate |
---|---|
50s | $138.19 |
40s | $152.11 |
60s | $136.36 |
16-19 | $231.51 |
20s | $176.04 |
30s | $159.99 |
70+ | $128.54 |
If you are teen in Charlotte you are probably looking for a good deal on car insurance. Since teenage drivers typically pay the highest rates of any other age group, it’s important to compare multiple companies. According to our research, Direct Auto typically charges around $73.00 per month. This is likely the most affordable option in Charlotte. You might also want to consider Utica National Ins Group and Auto-Owners Insurance Co who also offer good affordable policies for teen drivers.
Company | Average Monthly Rate |
---|---|
Direct Auto | $73.00 |
Utica National Ins Group | $121.72 |
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $123.00 |
Travelers | $125.00 |
Unitrin | $137.37 |
20 year-olds in Charlotte might want to consider Auto-Owners Insurance Co who, on average, offers car insurance rates around $67.42 per month. Direct Auto , Utica National Ins Group , Erie and North Carolina Farm Bureau are also in the top 5 cheapest rates available.
Company | Average Monthly Rate |
---|---|
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $67.42 |
Direct Auto | $70.18 |
Utica National Ins Group | $95.37 |
Erie | $101.68 |
North Carolina Farm Bureau | $109.07 |
If you are in your 30s in Charlotte our research has found that Direct Auto typically has the most affordable coverage coming in around $53.27 per month, followed by Utica National Ins Group at $80.80 and Erie at $94.10.
Company | Average Monthly Rate |
---|---|
Direct Auto | $53.27 |
Utica National Ins Group | $80.80 |
Erie | $94.10 |
Titan | $100.13 |
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $102.54 |
On average, Direct Auto offers car insurance for 40 year-olds in Charlotte for around $55.65 per month. If you are looking for affordable coverage, you may also want to consider Utica National Ins Group or Erie. The full list of top companies is below.
Company | Average Monthly Rate |
---|---|
Direct Auto | $55.65 |
Utica National Ins Group | $74.20 |
Erie | $90.11 |
Travelers | $96.21 |
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $99.00 |
Oftentimes 50 year-olds enjoy some of the lowest rates of any other age group. In Charlotte we found that Auto-Owners Insurance Co generally offers the most affordable coverage at $55.83 per month.
Company | Average Monthly Rate |
---|---|
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $55.83 |
Direct Auto | $61.58 |
Utica National Ins Group | $76.68 |
Erie | $79.63 |
Travelers | $93.82 |
If you live in Charlotte and you’re in your 60s, our data indicates that Direct Auto usually has the best rates at $65.42 per month. The top 5 list of car insurance companies is below.
Company | Average Monthly Rate |
---|---|
Direct Auto | $65.42 |
Utica National Ins Group | $73.55 |
Erie | $80.53 |
Travelers | $81.80 |
Nationwide | $90.89 |
Typically, drivers who currently have car insurance coverage will receive a cheaper monthly quote than drivers who do not. Since car insurance is a requirement in all 50 states, companies may question why you don't currently have coverage. Because of this, they may see you as a higher risk driver. In Charlotte, the average monthly rate for a driver who is currently insured is $131.47 while drivers who are not currently covered will pay around $165.78.
Coverage | Average Monthly Rate |
---|---|
Currently Insured | $165.78 |
Not Currently Insured | $131.47 |
Your vehicle plays a big part in how you rate for car insurance. The more your car is worth, the higher your car insurance rate. To lower your monthly premiums, you can set a higher deductible, but you’ll need to pay that deductible if you have an accident. Generally speaking, the newer a car is, the more it’s worth, and you may pay more in premiums, but the latest safety features will earn you a discount. The overall safety ratings of a car are also considered when determining your rate. In Charlotte a driver of a 2008 Bmw 328 can expect to pay around $180.89 per month while someone that owns a 2022 Kia K5 may pay around $99.01 per month. Check out the list of recent quotes in Charlotte below.
Vehicle | Average Monthly Rate |
---|---|
2008 Bmw 328 | $180.89 |
2022 Kia K5 | $99.01 |
2018 GMC Acadia | $72.33 |
2018 Infiniti Q60 | $134.18 |
2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio | $98.42 |
2020 Honda Civic | $92.64 |
2014 Hyundai Genesis | $96.49 |
2008 Honda Civic | $142.50 |
2014 Toyota Camry | $133.40 |
2011 Bmw 535 | $96.00 |
What Is the Minimum Amount of Liability Coverage Required in Charlotte?
North Carolina law (G.S. 20-279.21) mandates drivers to carry the 30/60/25 coverage for all vehicles. Drivers must have a minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage insurance. The state also requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. The state requires it for all policies, even if they exceed minimum requirements.
Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 (one person)
Bodily Injury Liability (two or more people): $60,000
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 of coverage for property damage
For more information about insuring your car as a North Carolina resident, call the Consumer Services Division of the N.C. Department of Insurance at (855) 408-1212 and select Option 3.
The minimum amount of coverage may not provide enough coverage during a major accident. If this happens, you could pay for these damages out of pocket. Consider buying additional coverage to protect yourself and your assets.
What Is the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limit in Charlotte?
It is illegal in North Carolina to drive with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of more than 0.08 or more. Commercial drivers can be charged with a DWI if their BAC is above 0.04. There is a zero-tolerance stance for any drivers under the legal drinking age.
People under 21 years old cannot have any drugs or alcohol, period, or face immediate revocation of their license. Refusing to take an Intoxilyzer test can also result in a suspension of your driving privileges.
Additionally, the transportation of open containers of alcohol is prohibited in all commercial motor vehicles (buses, eighteen-wheelers, dump trucks). It is also illegal to carry them in the passenger area of any motor vehicle (commercial and non-commercial) on the highway or highway right of way, even if the automobile is parked. Some exceptions apply. Visit the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's site for more information.
Can I Register My Car Without Insurance in Charlotte?
No, you can't register your car without insurance in Charlotte, NC. State law requires all people who register vehicles (G.S. 20-309) to have continuous liability insurance provided by a licensed insurer that does business within North Carolina. It doesn't accept out-of-state policies. To avoid penalties, drivers shouldn't cancel their coverage until they surrender their license plates to N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.
Check Out Other Rates in Charlotte, NC Nearby Cities:
Commute Time in Charlotte, NC
25.3 MilesCommute Time in United States
26.4 MilesNumber of Nearest Insurance Agents in Charlotte, NC
244 Methodology
The statistics listed on this page are from our own in house reporting. We track and record quotes that carriers have provided based on various criteria. The rates and averages shown on this page should only be used as an estimate.
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