Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Raleigh, NC (2023)

In Raleigh, the typical driver pays an average of $121 a month for car insurance, which matches the statewide monthly average in North Carolina. Insurify’s internal data indicates that North Carolina drivers live in the third-cheapest state for purchasing auto insurance.

Recent statistics, however, could cause the statewide average to go up. In a press release from June 2022, North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey noted that the state saw a record high amount of traffic deaths in 2021. Reckless driving, such as texting behind the wheel and speeding, contributed to most of the year’s 1,755 traffic deaths.^[1]

“Halting these reckless driving habits can lessen the pressure on automobile insurance rates and save lives,” Causey said.

How much does car insurance cost in Raleigh?

Drivers in Raleigh pay $121 per month on average for car insurance, but costs can vary widely in Raleigh based on factors such as your driving record, age, gender, coverage, credit history, and the type of car you drive. To score the best deal on car insurance, shop around and get quotes from at least three insurance companies. Then, compare the quotes based on price, coverage, and other criteria.

To identify the cheapest car insurance quotes in Raleigh, Insurify data scientists analyzed the latest insurance rates in the City of Oaks. The average monthly cost ranges from $64 with Direct Auto to $155 with Liberty Mutual. 

Here are the insurers that offer the cheapest car insurance in Raleigh:

• Midvale Home & Auto provides the cheapest liability-only coverage, at $50 a month.

• Direct Auto provides the cheapest full-coverage car insurance, at $59 a month.

• Direct Auto provides the cheapest car insurance for younger drivers, at $69 a month.

Learn More: Cheap Car Insurance in North Carolina

Average cost of auto insurance in Raleigh

The following table shows the average monthly cost of auto insurance in Raleigh from 11 car insurance companies. Rates from these insurers range from $64 to $155 per month, presenting a number of affordable options for Raleigh drivers.

Average car insurance premiums in Raleigh by marital status

Marital status is one factor that car insurance companies use to determine a driver’s premiums. Some auto insurers charge married motorists less than unmarried motorists because of a belief that married motorists drive more responsibly.^[2] In Raleigh, for example, married drivers pay an average of $110 per month for full-coverage car insurance, while unmarried drivers pay $119 per month.

Cheapest car insurance in Raleigh: Direct Auto

Direct Auto offers the cheapest car insurance rates, at $67 per month for a liability-only policy and $59 per month for a full-coverage policy. The rate you’re quoted may vary based on a variety of factors, such as your driving record, age, and marital status. Here’s a look at average monthly costs by insurer for drivers in Raleigh.

How much car insurance do you need in Raleigh?

Here are the minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in North Carolina:^[3]

• $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury: Bodily injury coverage pays for the medical bills of people other than the policyholder injured in an accident. North Carolina is an at-fault state, meaning the driver responsible for the wreck also must cover related expenses, either through their car insurance policy or out of their own pocket.

• $25,000 per accident for property damage: If authorities determine an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to property owned by other people. Property damage coverage also can cover legal costs for an insured driver sued after the accident.

• $60,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage: Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for costs in an accident caused by a driver with little or no insurance. In North Carolina, drivers must couple bodily injury and property damage insurance with this coverage.

North Carolina DMV information

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is an important resource for drivers in the Tar Heel State.^[4] Here, you can register your car, transfer your title, get license plates, change your address, or apply for or renew your driver’s license. Dozens of DMV offices are scattered around the state, and many services are provided online.

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Raleigh

Auto insurers in Raleigh already offer fairly cheap insurance rates, but you can pay even less with a little extra work on your end. 

For instance, you may be able to reduce your car insurance premium by bundling car insurance and homeowners insurance in Raleigh from the same company, inquiring about discounts, and increasing your deductible. Experts also suggest shopping around for car insurance by comparing quotes from several insurers. Then consider your options based on factors like cost, coverage options, and customer service.

See More: Compare Home and Auto Insurance Bundles

How age affects car insurance rates in Raleigh 

Older drivers tend to get into fewer car accidents than younger, less experienced drivers. Therefore, insurers typically charge the highest rates for teens and drivers under 25.^[5]

This table shows the average monthly rate by age group for drivers in Raleigh.

Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Raleigh

Direct Auto offers the cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Raleigh, at an average cost of $69 per month. One of the best ways for young drivers to save money on car insurance is to maintain a driving record free of accidents and moving violations. In addition, it pays to shop around for the best coverage with the best rates.

Cheapest car insurance for middle-aged drivers in Raleigh

Direct Auto also offers the cheapest car insurance for middle-aged drivers in Raleigh, at an average cost of $63 per month. To save money on car insurance, middle-aged drivers should consider raising their deductible, exploring discounts, and shopping around for the best coverage with the best rates.

Cheapest car insurance for senior drivers in Raleigh

At an average cost of $56 per month, Direct Auto offers the cheapest car insurance for senior drivers in Raleigh. Senior drivers seeking to cut their car insurance costs should shop around for the best coverage with the best rates, look into 55-and-over discounts, and consider enrolling in a defensive driving course.

How credit scores affect cheap car insurance in Raleigh

Your credit history can affect how much you pay for car insurance in Raleigh.

Under state law, auto insurers in North Carolina can use credit scoring as the only reason for discounting your premiums, but they’re prohibited from using credit history as the only reason for terminating a policy or factoring in “consent to rate.” Under a consent-to-rate arrangement, a motorist agrees to be charged higher rates than those approved by the North Carolina Department of Insurance.^[6]

Car insurers in North Carolina and elsewhere don’t rely on traditional credit scores but, rather, credit-based insurance scores that are based at least in part on a driver’s credit history. On average, drivers with poor credit histories are more likely than those with stronger credit to submit a claim.

The widely used FICO credit score typically ranges from a low of 300 to a high of 850. On the FICO scale, a credit score below 580 is classified as poor, a credit score from 670 to 739 is classified as good, and a credit score from 740 to 799 is classified as very good. 

The table below shows average quotes for a full-coverage policy for drivers with varying credit history. 

Read More: Car Insurance Rates by Credit Tier

The effect of driving habits on car insurance in Raleigh

Your driving habits can significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance in Raleigh. Under North Carolina law, past infractions in your driving and accident history can cause your car insurance rate to go up.^[7] Some examples of these increases include: 

• Speeding 10 mph or less where the speed limit is under 55 mph can lead to a 40% jump in your car insurance rate.

• Driving on the wrong side of the road can trigger a 55% increase in your car insurance rate.

• Causing a hit-and-run accident resulting only in property damage can push up your car insurance rate by 90%.

• Driving after consuming alcohol or drugs if you’re under 21 can lead to a 90% increase in your car insurance rate.

• Causing a hit-and-run accident resulting in bodily injury or death can drive up your car insurance rate by 340%.

The tables in the sections below give insight into how certain driving infractions can affect average monthly rates for Raleigh drivers. It’s important to note that when you see a negative difference in a table, it doesn’t mean that particular insurance company lowers rates for drivers with that infraction on their records. Rather, it may mean that our sample size was small — insurers may choose not to offer policies to drivers with that infraction. Your actual rate can vary based on a number of factors other than your driving record.

Cheapest car insurance with an accident in Raleigh: Direct Auto

The table below shows the cost of car insurance for drivers in Raleigh with an accident on their record, in comparison to those with a clean record.

Cheapest car insurance with a DUI in Raleigh: Kemper Preferred

Drivers in Raleigh with a DUI on their record tend to face much higher rates than those with clean records. Find average quotes by auto insurer below. 

Cheapest car insurance with a speeding ticket in Raleigh: Direct Auto

Raleigh drivers with clean records pay the lowest rates by driving history because infractions like a speeding ticket increase overall rates. Find quotes by auto insurer in the table below. 

Car insurance in other North Carolina cities

Location can significantly affect car insurance rates, and costs can vary widely within a state — especially one like North Carolina that has a combination of rural, suburban, and urban areas.

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Asheville, NC

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Charlotte, NC

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Wilmington, NC

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Winston-Salem, NC

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Greensboro, NC

How to save on car insurance in Raleigh

Fortunately, drivers in Raleigh can take advantage of several ways to save money on car insurance:

• Shop around. The Insurance Information Institute recommends obtaining quotes from at least three insurance companies. This can steer you toward the best rates for the coverage that best suits your needs.

• Ask about discounts. Insurers offer a variety of discounts that can trim your car insurance costs. For instance, you can typically snag a bundling discount if you insure both your car and home with the same company.

• Maintain a clean driving record. Many insurers provide discounts for drivers who’ve gone a certain period of time without a traffic violation or an accident.

• Raise your deductible. When you choose a higher deductible for your car insurance policy (such as $1,000 instead of $500), you should be able to reduce your premium. A deductible is the amount of money that a car insurer subtracts from a claim payout.

Raleigh driving conditions

When it comes to navigating the roads, Raleigh drivers unfortunately encounter some issues.

Insurify data shows Raleigh is home to the worst drivers in North Carolina, with driving histories for 20.1% of local motorists containing at-fault traffic violations as of 2022.

Traffic congestion in Raleigh may be on the decline, based on data from traffic technology provider TomTom. In 2021, Raleigh registered a 14% congestion level, meaning that travel times during congested periods averaged 14% longer than travel times during non-congested periods. In the pre-pandemic year of 2019, the congestion level stood at 19%.

Auto theft statistics in Raleigh

As the population of Raleigh has risen, so too has the number of car thefts.

Data from the Raleigh Police Department shows 1,131 motor vehicle thefts were reported in 2021, up from 1,017 the previous year. This compares with 918 thefts in 2019, 838 in 2018, and 972 in 2017.

Car accident statistics In Raleigh

Data from the North Carolina Department of Transportation shows motorists reported 68,877 car accidents in Raleigh from Jan. 1, 2019, through Dec. 31, 2021. That compares with 80,035 accidents from Jan. 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2019, and 79,223 accidents from Jan. 1, 2016, through Dec. 31, 2018.

The Department of Transportation points out that the number of car accidents decreased statewide in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Check Out: 10 States with the Most Car Accidents

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Raleigh car insurance FAQs

Find answers to commonly asked questions about car insurance in Raleigh, NC, below.