Courtney Washington is a Texas A&M University graduate. Her extensive knowledge and background in auto, home, and umbrella policies make her a one-stop shop for insurance advice and information. She loves to help her readers understand their insurance choices so they can make informed decisions about their coverage.
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Updated November 21, 2024
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Table of contents
The overall average cost of car insurance in Durham is $77 per month — similar to the statewide average of $75 per month and much lower than the national monthly average of $154.
Durham is the fourth-largest city in North Carolina, and its proximity large university campuses such as Duke University ,the University of North Carolina, and North Carolina State University could affect its car insurance rates.
Here’s what you should know about comparing quotes and how to choose the best coverage for you in the Bull City.
Erie, Nationwide, and GEICO have the cheapest car insurance in Durham.
The average price for liability coverage in Durham is $55 per month, and full coverage averages $99 per month.
Durham drivers pay a yearly average of $1,184 for full coverage.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Durham
Durham has a lot of options when it comes to insurers. Fortunately, the starting rates for liability and full-coverage insurance are some of the lowest in the country. But your insurance needs and driving history determine which company works best for you.
As you start your search for a new insurance company, keep these three in mind.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Erie | 9.0 | $64 | $41 | Affordability |
State Farm | 9.3 | $105 | $67 | Teen drivers |
National General | 3.7 | $129 | $67 | Coverage after a DWI |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for affordability: Erie
User Reviews | 4.1 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $42/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $66/mo |
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service, fair pricing, and responsive assistance. However, some are unhappy with unexpected rate increases and policy cancellations.
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service, fair pricing, and responsive assistance. However, some are unhappy with unexpected rate increases and policy cancellations.
Lana
November 10, 2024
Erie Insurance
George
November 6, 2024
Good People
Judie
November 4, 2024
Great Coverage
Erie is a super-regional insurer that consistently offers some of the lowest rates in the area. Erie has been in business for almost 100 years and serves 12 states plus Washington, D.C. The company was the highest-ranking auto insurer for the Mid-Atlantic and North Central regions in J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, and an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best.
High AM Best, and J.D. Power ratings
Most competitive rates
Not available nationwide
Drivers can’t file a claim or purchase a policy online
Best insurer for teen drivers: State Farm
User Reviews | 4.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $69/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $108/mo |
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Charles
November 19, 2024
New Car Price
Ronald
November 19, 2024
State Farm Experience: 35 Years+
David
November 19, 2024
Too expensive
The largest U.S. auto insurer by market share, State Farm is the best company for adding teens to a policy because it has a lot of family-specific discounts, including discounts for students earning a grade point average of B+ or beter. The insurer also gives parents a discount for having a driving student away at school.
State Farm has been in business for more than 100 years, and the company has a high customer satisfaction score from J.D. Power. It also offers insurance for home, pet, disability, life, and health in addition to auto coverage, so you have numerous bundling opportunities.
Has several opportunities for discounts
Higher-than-average J.D. Power customer service satisfaction rating
Accident forgiveness limited to long-time customers
Doesn't offer gap insurance
Best insurer for coverage after a DWI: National General
User Reviews | 3.3 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 6.8 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $65/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $113/mo |
Drivers appreciate the initial affordability and good starter options but dislike the frequent and significant price increases.
Drivers appreciate the initial affordability and good starter options but dislike the frequent and significant price increases.
Jahmon
November 14, 2024
The Greatest
Mike
November 6, 2024
Too expensive
Javier
November 5, 2024
I switched carriers to get a better rate, but they didn't update my paperwork with the DMV, which resulted in the cancellation of my driver's license. I had to get the paperwork faxed on my own, and it cost $55.00 to reinstate my license. Of course, National General blamed it on my carrier, A.I.S., and A.I.S. blamed it on National General. So, I'm not inclined to praise their treatment of me.
National General is the best option for drivers with a DWI because it requires them to take part in safe driving and substance abuse programs before issuing another policy. Asking drivers to complete these courses before issuing a policy significantly reduces the risk of a repeat offense and allows National General to offer coverage at lower rates.
National General, an Allstate company, offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment and roadside assistance in addition to auto coverage.
Offers non-standard policies for high-risk drivers
Offers several add-on choices
Higher average quotes than standard insurers
Has a much-higher than industry average number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Comissioners
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Durham
Insurance companies in North Carolina consider several factors when deciding how to rate a driver for car insurance. Companies look at:
Age
Gender
ZIP code
Driving record
Credit history
Driving experience
The vehicle to be insured
Some of these factors are outside your control. Others aren’t. The best ways to get the most affordable insurance are:
Gather quotes from at least three insurers and compare them against one another. You can do this easily through a price-comparison platform.
Purchase policies from companies that cater to your needs more closely, such as USAA for members of the military community.
Work to improve your credit before switching companies. The better your credit, the lower your rate.
Purchase other insurance products, like home insurance, life insurance, and boat or motorcycle coverage, from the same company to get a bundling discount and lower rates on all your policies.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Durham: Erie
Liability coverage pays for the other driver’s vehicle repairs and medical expenses in an accident you cause. Minimum coverage varies from state to state, as each state has its own rules.
But liability coverage won’t pay for any damage to your vehicle, or injuries you and your passengers suffer. Because of this, liability coverage is often the most affordable.
In Durham, liability insurance costs an average of $55 per month. You can see a collection of liability coverage quotes in Durham here.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Erie | $42 |
Nationwide | $42 |
GEICO | $48 |
Travelers | $53 |
Dairyland | $55 |
Direct Auto | $56 |
Safeco | $56 |
Allstate | $57 |
Progressive | $59 |
Liberty Mutual | $61 |
National General | $65 |
State Farm | $69 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Durham: Erie
Full-coverage insurance provides the same protections as liability insurance but also covers car repairs and medical expenses for you, your passengers, and your vehicle. Because of this, full coverage is often more expensive. But if you finance or lease your vehicle, you’ll likely have to buy full coverage to satisfy your leasing company or lender’s requirements.
On average, Durham drivers pay $1,184 annually for full-coverage car insurance. You can see a collection of full-coverage quotes in Durham below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Erie | $66 |
Nationwide | $66 |
GEICO | $75 |
Travelers | $83 |
Allstate | $90 |
Progressive | $91 |
Direct Auto | $102 |
State Farm | $108 |
Safeco | $112 |
National General | $113 |
Liberty Mutual | $188 |
Dairyland | $271 |
Cheapest recent rates near Durham, North Carolina
Recent Durham, North Carolina car insurance prices for Subaru, Dodge, Honda , and more.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Durham, North Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Durham, North Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
Car insurance requirements in North Carolina
To drive legally in the state of North Carolina, you must have coverage that meets the state’s minimum requirements listed below:
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $25,000 |
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage | Up to $1 million |
On Jan. 1, 2025, North Carolina's minimum liability requirements will increase to:
$50,000 bodily injury liability per person
$100,000 bodily injury liability per accident
$50,000 property damage
You can also add coverage that exceeds the minimum. To further augment your coverage, you may want to consider:
Collision coverage
If your car incurs damage in an accident with another vehicle or a stationary object like a tree or light pole, collision insurance can pay for repairs. Collision also covers damage from hitting a pothole or having a rollover accident.
Comprehensive coverage
If a non-collision incident damages your vehicle, such as a fire, hail, theft, vandalism, or a cracked windshield, comprehensive insurance can compensate you.
Accident foregiveness
If you buy accident forgiveness when you purchase a car insurance policy, your rates won't go up after your first at-fault accident. But you generally need to have a clean driving record for at least three years to qualify to buy this type of coverage.
Safe Driver Incentive Plan
North Carolina incorporates a points-focused incentive plan to encourage people to drive safely.[1] The more points a driver accumulates against their license, the more their insurance increases. Infractions and the points stay on your motor vehicle record for three years, and accrue as follows:
Moving and minor speeding violations are one point and result in a 30% increase in the person’s insurance costs.
Illegal passing, following too closely, and speeding are two points each, increasing the driver’s insurance by 45%.
At-fault accidents that result in the other driver’s death are three points and a 60% increase in insurance prices.
Reckless driving, passing a stopped school bus, and a hit-and-run accident resulting in property damage result in four points and an 80% increase in insurance rates.
Driving with a suspended license or registration earns eight points and a 195% insurance increase.
Racing on highways and speeding to avoid an arrest are 10 points and a 260% increase.
Driving while intoxicated, negligent homicide, manslaughter, highway racing, and transporting illegal alcohol to sell are 12 points and a 340% increase.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
An incident on a driver’s record can be a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident, driving under the influence, or any other violation that results in a court summons for the person operating the vehicle. Incidents cause insurance rates to increase because the more incidents the driver accumulates, the higher the chance that the insurance company has to pay out a claim.
Due to the points system in North Carolina, a speeding ticket can increase a policy by 30%, while a DUI or other reckless driving can push rates up by 340% or more.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket
Insurers see speeding tickets as a clue to how careful a driver is on the road. The more reckless a driver is, the more likely they are to cause an accident. In North Carolina, the state requires insurers to increase premiums for drivers who receive speeding tickets.
Full-coverage car insurance costs Durham drivers with speeding tickets an average of $154 per month. Here, you can see a collection of average monthly liability-only quotes for drivers with a speeding ticket in Durham.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Erie | $42 | $59 |
Nationwide | $42 | $58 |
GEICO | $48 | $66 |
Travelers | $53 | $73 |
Dairyland | $55 | $76 |
Direct Auto | $56 | $77 |
Safeco | $56 | $78 |
Allstate | $57 | $78 |
Progressive | $59 | $81 |
Liberty Mutual | $61 | $90 |
National General | $65 | $90 |
State Farm | $69 | $94 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident
An at-fault accident translates directly to dollars an insurance company pays to cover a claim. If an insurance company takes on more of a risk by insuring drivers with auto accidents on their record, they’ll raise the rates on the driver to collect more cash from them up front. In North Carolina, state law requires insurers to increase rates for at-fault drivers.
Durham drivers with at-fault accidents pay a monthly average of $162 for full coverage, Insurify data shows. The following table illustrates how an at-fault accident affects liability-only rates from insurers that serve Durham.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Erie | $42 | $62 |
Nationwide | $42 | $62 |
GEICO | $48 | $70 |
Travelers | $53 | $78 |
Dairyland | $55 | $79 |
Direct Auto | $56 | $83 |
Safeco | $56 | $81 |
Allstate | $57 | $83 |
Progressive | $59 | $86 |
Liberty Mutual | $61 | $94 |
National General | $65 | $95 |
State Farm | $69 | $100 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DWI
A DWI, or driving while intoxicated, is one of the most severe and expensive moving violations a driver can accrue. Insurers see this the same way, and you’ll pay higher average premiums for a DWI on your record than you will for any other single incident.
In fact, a DWI makes you ineligible for coverage from some insurance companies. Durham drivers with a DWI pay a monthly average of $100 for liability-only coverage versus $55 for drivers with clean records.
The following table shows monthly liability-only quotes from some companies that have insured Durham drivers with DWIs.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Erie | $42 | $73 |
Nationwide | $42 | $73 |
GEICO | $48 | $83 |
Travelers | $53 | $92 |
Dairyland | $55 | $95 |
Direct Auto | $56 | $97 |
Safeco | $56 | $90 |
Allstate | $57 | $99 |
Progressive | $59 | $102 |
Liberty Mutual | $61 | $106 |
National General | $65 | $113 |
State Farm | $69 | $119 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors
While it’s true that rates decrease around age 25, they can increase again once you reach 70 years old. This is because accident risks increase for senior drivers.
In Durham, senior drivers pay a monthly average of $82 for full coverage. Below, you can see a collection of the most affordable quotes for senior drivers in Durham.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Nationwide | $49 | $31 |
Erie | $51 | $32 |
GEICO | $60 | $38 |
Travelers | $65 | $42 |
Progressive | $66 | $43 |
Allstate | $72 | $46 |
Direct Auto | $80 | $44 |
State Farm | $84 | $54 |
National General | $87 | $50 |
Safeco | $96 | $48 |
Liberty Mutual | $158 | $51 |
Dairyland | $217 | $44 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens
Young drivers are less experienced and make more mistakes than drivers with more years of driving experience. For this reason, insurance companies charge a higher premium to insure them.
Fortunately, parents can reduce their teen’s premium in a few ways:
Add young drivers to your policy instead of getting them their own coverage. Remember, minors won't be able to buy their own policies without written consent of a parent or guardian.
Try to insure higher-end, more expensive cars on a separate policy that excludes your young driver.
Start newer drivers out with an older vehicle that can carry liability-only insurance instead of needing full coverage.
Take advantage of every discount available, including any good student discounts or credit earned for having a young driver in college while their vehicle is at home.
On average, full-coverage car insurance for teen drivers costs $170 per month. But some drivers may find lower-than-average rates. The table below provides some insight into how much teen drivers pay with different insurers in Durham.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Erie | $111 | $71 |
Nationwide | $116 | $74 |
GEICO | $121 | $77 |
Travelers | $151 | $97 |
Allstate | $161 | $102 |
Progressive | $161 | $104 |
State Farm | $187 | $119 |
Direct Auto | $188 | $103 |
Safeco | $217 | $108 |
National General | $224 | $129 |
Liberty Mutual | $325 | $105 |
Dairyland | $440 | $89 |
Durham car insurance quotes by credit tier
North Carolina allows insurance companies to rate drivers based on their credit histories. To insurance companies, the better a driver’s credit, the lower the risk of them filing a claim. Drivers with excellent or good credit scores pay lower insurance premiums, while drivers with poor scores pay higher premiums.
Here, you can see how your credit tier affects quotes in Durham.
Rates by Credit Tier
Is car insurance more expensive in Durham?
Compared to the rest of the country, North Carolina is one of the more affordable states to get full-coverage and liability-only car insurance. But rates can vary from city to city within the state.
Insurance companies rate different parts of a state at different risk levels depending on vehicle crime rates and other factors. The more claims they register for a particular part of town, the more they charge for drivers located in that area.
More cities in North Carolina
The price difference from city to city in North Carolina depends on how each insurance company rates ZIP codes. Prices tend to be higher in cities where they have to pay more claims.
Compare average quotes in more North Carolina cities below.
City ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Charlotte | $121 | $72 |
Fayetteville | $108 | $66 |
Greensboro | $95 | $62 |
High Point | $95 | $61 |
Raleigh | $100 | $62 |
Durham car insurance FAQs
Looking for more information to help you secure the best insurance rates in Durham? Check out the answers below.
How much is car insurance in Durham?
Car insurance prices in Durham depend on several rating factors, including your driving record, financial stability, and residential ZIP code. Rates are an average of $55 monthly for liability only and $99 for full-coverage insurance in the Durham area.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Durham?
Erie has the cheapest car insurance in Durham, with monthly liability rates as low as $42. Nationwide and GEICO also offer affordable coverage, with respective monthly liability rates of $42 and $48.
But the cheapest insurer for you will depend on many individual rating factors, such as your age, ZIP code, the type of car you drive, and the coverage levels you choose.
What are the best car insurance companies in Durham?
To check an insurance company’s customer service reputation, financial stability, and other company-specific items, check their scores or ratings with J.D. Power, AM Best, and other nationwide ranking websites. You can also check out how our experts rank companies against one another on our list of best car insurance companies for 2023.
What car insurance do you need in North Carolina?
Drivers must carry the minimum liability limits mandated by the state to operate a motor vehicle legally. A driver caught without the proper coverage risks having their license suspended and their vehicle impounded.
Is North Carolina a no-fault state?
No. North Carolina is an at-fault state. This means a driver who causes an accident is responsible for making everyone involved in the accident financially whole again, usually by filing a claim with their insurer.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in North Carolina
Sources
- NC Department of Insurance. "A Consumer's Guide to Automobile Insurance."
Courtney Washington is a Texas A&M University graduate. Her extensive knowledge and background in auto, home, and umbrella policies make her a one-stop shop for insurance advice and information. She loves to help her readers understand their insurance choices so they can make informed decisions about their coverage.
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.