How much is car insurance in Durham, NC?
On average, Durham car insurance costs $64 per month for liability-only coverage and $113 per month for full coverage.
Car insurance in North Carolina varies by city, so where you live can affect how much you pay. Durham’s rates are on par with the state average and rates in nearby Raleigh, but lower than rates in Charlotte. Though Durham is a part of the commuter-heavy Research Triangle, its average commute is about 22 minutes, compared to 25 minutes statewide.[1] Less time on the road means less exposure to accidents.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Durham: Erie
For cheap liability car insurance in Durham, consider Erie and Progressive. These insurers have the lowest average monthly rates in Durham, at $54 and $59, respectively.
North Carolina car insurance requirements include at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, and $50,000 for property damage liability. Policies must also include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.[2]
The following table shows the cheapest liability car insurance rates in Durham.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Erie | $54 |
| Progressive | $59 |
| GEICO | $62 |
| Direct Auto | $63 |
| National General | $63 |
| Liberty Mutual | $64 |
| Safeco | $66 |
| Travelers | $68 |
| Dairyland | $73 |
| Allstate | $74 |
| State Farm | $89 |
Compare Car Insurance Quotes in Durham
Liability policies average $64/mo.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Durham: National General
National General and Progressive offer Durham’s cheapest full-coverage car insurance. Rates for these insurers are $86 and $86 per month, respectively.
Commuters in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, including Durham workers, face severe traffic congestion and a heightened risk for collisions, especially on Interstate 40.[3] Parts of Durham also face a moderate flood risk.[4] This makes a full-coverage policy with comprehensive coverage and collision coverage ideal for most drivers.
The following table shows the cheapest full-coverage car insurance rates in Durham.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Direct Auto | $86 |
| National General | $86 |
| Progressive | $86 |
| Erie | $93 |
| Liberty Mutual | $103 |
| GEICO | $105 |
| Safeco | $111 |
| Travelers | $117 |
| Allstate | $127 |
| State Farm | $151 |
| Dairyland | $153 |
Car insurance rates in other North Carolina cities
Asheville is the least expensive city for auto insurance in North Carolina, at $76 per month. By comparison, Charlotte is the most expensive city in the state, at $109 per month.
Compared to other cities in the state, Durham’s car insurance rates fall toward the lower end of the range. Durham drivers pay less than drivers in nearby Raleigh but more than drivers in nearby Chapel Hill.
Durham’s inland location means it isn’t exposed to storm-surge risk that coastal North Carolina communities may face, according to North Carolina Emergency Management. Below, you’ll find the overall average car insurance rates for cities in North Carolina.
City | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Asheville | $76 |
| Chapel Hill | $77 |
| Morrisville | $77 |
| Burlington | $81 |
| Cary | $82 |
| Mooresville | $82 |
| Rocky Mount | $84 |
| Wilmington | $84 |
| Jacksonville | $85 |
| Hickory | $90 |
| Raleigh | $92 |
| Greensboro | $94 |
| Goldsboro | $95 |
| Kannapolis | $95 |
| High Point | $98 |
| Wilson | $99 |
| Matthews | $100 |
| Concord | $101 |
| Greenville | $102 |
| Fayetteville | $104 |
| Gastonia | $105 |
| Charlotte | $109 |
Cheapest recent car insurance quotes in North Carolina
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $66/mo for liability only and $94/mo for full coverage in Durham and other North Carolina cities.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Durham, North Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on August 29, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Durham, North Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on August 29, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance quotes in Durham by driving record
Your driving record will influence how much you pay for auto insurance in Durham. People with a clean driving record typically get the most affordable car insurance in Durham.
If you’re looking for the cheapest average rates in Durham by driving record, here are some of the best insurers:
Cheapest car insurance for Durham drivers with a clean driving record: Erie
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Durham: Erie
Cheapest car insurance for Durham drivers with an at-fault accident: Erie
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DWI in Durham: Erie
Affordable car insurance for drivers with an incident in Durham
North Carolina drivers with a clean record typically qualify for the cheapest car insurance in Durham. Approximately 4.5% of Durham drivers have speeding tickets, and 5.7% have an accident on their record, according to Insurify data. Only 0.7% have a driving while impaired (DWI) conviction.
Speeding tickets, accidents, and DWIs can lead insurers to classify you as a high-risk driver and charge higher car insurance rates in Durham, as shown below.
Driving Record | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $89 |
| Speeding ticket | $117 |
| At-fault accident | $123 |
| DWI | $226 |
What to know about driving in Durham
Here’s what to know about driving in Durham:
Storm and flood risk: Although Durham isn’t a coastal city, it still faces moderate flood risk in some areas. Flooding can damage vehicles, while storms can increase the risk of hydroplaning and reduce visibility. Always check the weather before driving in Durham.
Commuter traffic: Durham is a part of the Research Triangle, which includes Raleigh and Chapel Hill.[5] The area experiences heavy commuter traffic and has the potential for more collisions, including along I-40. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) reports that thousands of commuters rely on I-40 and that traffic congestion in the area continues to increase. Drivers should plan for heavier traffic during commuting periods.
Dangerous roads: As part of its Vision Zero project, the City of Durham found that 10% of its streets account for 74% of serious traffic injuries and deaths.[6] In a related road audit, the city identified specific areas for concern, including state Route 55 and its intersections with Holloway Street, Linwood Avenue, Courtney Creek Boulevard, and state Route 54.
How Durham traffic affects car insurance rates
Durham experiences heavy commuter traffic, especially along I-40 during morning and evening rush hours. Despite the heavy rush-hour congestion, the distance between Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh is relatively short.
Durham’s average commute time is nearly three minutes shorter than the North Carolina state average. Still, Durham drivers average about 8,772 miles behind the wheel annually, according to Insurify data.
Durham’s outdoor recreation — especially along the American Tobacco Trail — and major universities also draw visitors for college visits and sporting events. In 2024, Durham County reported 13.2 million visitors. This increases the number of vehicles on the road and heightens the chance of collisions.[7]
Heavy commuter congestion and a high number of tourists on Durham’s roads could lead to higher car insurance rates. But ongoing projects by the city of Durham and NCDOT to make roadways safer, despite heavy traffic, may help keep costs down.
Compare Durham Car Insurance Quotes
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Cheap car insurance for Durham teen drivers: Erie
Liability-only car insurance for teen drivers costs $116 per month in Durham. Erie offers the cheapest rates for teens.
North Carolina teens can get a limited learner permit at age 15. During the first six months, they can drive only from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a supervising driver. Durham parents can use NCTeenDriver.org’s free Time to Drive interactive course to supervise and teach their teens to drive.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance rates for teenage drivers in Durham.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Erie | $98 |
| Progressive | $106 |
| Liberty Mutual | $111 |
| GEICO | $111 |
| Direct Auto | $122 |
| National General | $124 |
| Dairyland | $126 |
| Allstate | $134 |
| Safeco | $134 |
| Travelers | $140 |
| State Farm | $171 |
Cheap car insurance quotes for Durham senior drivers: Erie
On average, liability-only car insurance for senior drivers in their 60s costs $56 per month in Durham. Seniors can find the cheapest rate with Erie.
About 13% of Durham residents are 65 or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Drivers aged 66 and older must renew their license every five years in North Carolina.[8] The table below shows the cheapest car insurance rates for senior drivers in Durham.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Erie | $42 |
| GEICO | $50 |
| National General | $50 |
| Progressive | $52 |
| Direct Auto | $52 |
| Liberty Mutual | $53 |
| Travelers | $55 |
| Safeco | $58 |
| Dairyland | $62 |
| Allstate | $65 |
| State Farm | $70 |
Durham auto insurance FAQs
If you’re looking for the most affordable coverage options in Durham, the information below can help.
How much is car insurance in Durham, North Carolina?
The average monthly cost of car insurance in Durham, North Carolina, is $64 for liability-only coverage and $113 for full coverage, according to Insurify data.
What company has the cheapest car insurance in Durham?
Erie has the cheapest car insurance in Durham, with an average rate of $54 per month for a liability-only policy. The cheapest company for full coverage is National General, with an average monthly rate of $86.
Are there any local car insurance discounts available in Durham, NC?
Durham drivers can ask their insurance agents about common discounts for safe driving, bundling policies, insuring multiple policies, and using telematics. Additionally, North Carolina drivers can keep rates down by maintaining a safe driving record and avoiding points under the state’s safe driver incentive plan.
What factors affect car insurance rates in Durham, NC?
Several factors can affect car insurance rates in Durham, including your age, driving record, ZIP code, and the vehicle you drive. The deductible and coverage limits you choose can also affect your premiums. You can lower your rate by comparing quotes and by bundling your auto insurance with renters insurance or homeowners insurance.
Is full coverage required in Durham, NC?
No. North Carolina doesn’t require drivers to carry full coverage. But if you finance or lease your car in Durham, your lender likely requires you to carry full-coverage car insurance, which includes comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.
That said, state law requires drivers to have at least $50,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 per accident, $50,000 in property damage liability insurance, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to drive legally.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau. "QuickFacts Durham city, North Carolina."
- North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV). "Liability Insurance."
- North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). "I-40 Corridor: Triangle Improvements."
- First Street. "Durham Flooding Risk."
- Research Triangle Foundation. "See how RTP moves North Carolina forward."
- City of Durham. "Vision Zero Durham interactive map / ArcGIS Web Application."
- Durham Next / Discover Durham. "2024 Visitor Impact for Durham County."
- NC Senior Driver. "NC licensing policies and practices."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 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 500+ 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.
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