Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Durham, North Carolina (2024)

Midvale Home & Auto offers the cheapest car insurance in Durham, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $38 per month.

Courtney Washington
Courtney Washington

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.

Chris Schafer
Edited byChris Schafer
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 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.

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Updated March 26, 2024

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The average price for liability coverage starts at $56 a month in Durham. And full coverage averages $118 per month in the Bull City.

If you live in Durham, you may think finding the best cheap car insurance can be daunting. However, it’s essential to have adequate coverage to protect yourself and your wallet from unforeseen circumstances while staying within your budget. 

Read on to learn how to choose the best coverage for you.

Quick Facts
  • Comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies is the easiest way to find the cheapest rates.

  • Insurance companies offer driving discounts, like safe driving and good student discounts, to reward drivers for making cost-effective choices.

  • Although incidents like DUIs and at-fault accidents raise rates, drivers still have options for the most affordable rates.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Durham, North Carolina

Rates start at $38 for liability coverage

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Best 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. However, 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.

Best insurer for affordability: Erie

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
870
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.
$43/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.
$65/mo

Erie continually 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 sports the highest customer service ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the highest financial stability rating from AM Best.

Pros
  • Highest AM Best, BBB, and J.D. Power ratings

  • Most competitive rates

Cons
  • Not offered nationwide

  • Drivers can’t file a claim or purchase a policy online

Best insurer for teen drivers: State Farm

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
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.
$70/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.
$106/mo

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 making grades of B+ and above. 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.

Pros
  • Has several opportunities for discounts

  • Higher-than-average J.D. Power customer service satisfaction rating

Cons
  • No accident forgiveness

  • No gap policies

Craig - March 26, 2024
Verified

I called three times to talk with an agent, but he never called back. It was a very disappointing experience!

I called three times to talk with an agent, but he never called back. It was a very disappointing experience!

David - March 26, 2024
Verified

Considering Expanding Coverage

I was never informed that my rate would increase every month for some reason. No one told me about it. I received a notice in the mail stating that what I was supposed to pay that month was always 10 or 20 dollars more than it was the previous month. I would have liked to have been informed about this.

Beverly - March 26, 2024
Verified

Unsatisfactory Experience

A kid threw a rock through my window and I was blamed for the claim. What is the purpose of having insurance?
Read our State Farm review

Best insurer for coverage after a DUI: National General

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.2
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
829
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.
$70/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.
$132/mo

National General is the best option for drivers with a DUI 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 is a branch of Allstate and offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment and roadside assistance in addition to auto coverage.

Pros
  • Offers non-standard policies for high-risk drivers

  • Offers several add-on choices

Cons
  • Higher quotes overall

  • Has a lot of online complaints

Pamela - March 25, 2024
Verified

My Experience

I tried to make contact, but no one explained why my insurance rate increased.

Destiny - March 22, 2024
Verified

Useless and Not Worth My Money

They are not helpful and do not provide good insurance when it comes to liability coverage.

Shakerrah - March 14, 2024
Verified

Don't

No. The price is deceiving. The roadside assistance is horrible.
Read our National General review

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Durham

Liability coverage pays for the other driver’s vehicle repairs and hospital bills in an accident you cause. Minimum coverage varies from state to state, as each state has its own rules. 

However, 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, Midvale Home & Auto has the cheapest liability-only rates. You can see a collection of liability coverage quotes in Durham here.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 26 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Midvale Home & Auto38
Erie43
Nationwide43
GEICO48
Liberty Mutual48
State Auto51
Safeco52
Travelers53
Direct Auto55
Dairyland56
Allstate58
Progressive60
National General70
State Farm70
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Durham

Full-coverage insurance provides the same protections as liability insurance but also covers car repairs and hospital bills 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 $1,412 annually for full-coverage car insurance. You can see a collection of full-coverage quotes in Durham below.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 26 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Erie65
Nationwide69
Midvale Home & Auto72
GEICO74
Travelers79
Allstate88
Progressive90
Safeco92
State Auto97
State Farm106
Direct Auto107
Liberty Mutual125
National General132
Dairyland327
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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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:

CoverageMinimum Requirements
Bodily injury liability$30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
Property damage liability$25,000

You can also add coverage that exceeds the minimum. To further augment your coverage, you may want to consider:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/169fdfde11/liability-coverage.svg

    Collision insurance

    If your car incurs damage in an accident, collision coverage can pay for repairs.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/665da91bf7/comprehensive-coverage.svg

    Comprehensive insurance

    If an event outside of your control damages your vehicle, such as a fire, hail, or vandalism, comprehensive insurance can compensate you.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/5285c4cd74/uninsured-or-underinsured-motorist-coverage.svg

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance

    This coverage protects you if you’re involved in an accident with someone who doesn’t have adequate car insurance coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can also pay for damage from a hit-and-run accident.

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 accrued are as follows:

  • Moving and minor speeding violations are worth one point and result in a 30% increase in the person’s insurance costs.

  • Illegal passing, following too closely, and speeding are worth two points each, increasing the driver’s insurance by 45%.

  • At-fault accidents that result in the other driver’s death are worth 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 worth 10 points and a 260% increase.

  • Driving while intoxicated, negligent homicide, manslaughter, highway racing, and transporting illegal alcohol to sell are worth 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.

The average cost of liability coverage in Durham for drivers with traffic incidents is $${AUTO_CHEAPEST_LIABILITY_CITY_NC_DURHAM_PRICE_1_HAS-INCIDENT} per month, according to Insurify data.

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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.

Full-coverage car insurance costs Durham drivers with speeding tickets an average of $178 per month. Here, you can see a collection of average monthly quotes for drivers with a speeding ticket in Durham.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 26 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full CoverageAverage Quote: Liability Only
Nationwide9257
Erie9462
GEICO9864
Travelers10671
Allstate11677
Progressive12483
Safeco13375
State Farm13891
Direct Auto14775
National General17693
Liberty Mutual17868
Dairyland44777
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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.

Durham drivers with at-fault accidents pay a monthly average of $185 for full coverage, Insurify data shows. The following table illustrates how an at-fault accident affects rates from insurers that serve Durham.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 26 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full CoverageAverage Quote: Liability Only
Erie9764
Nationwide9761
GEICO10467
Travelers11275
Allstate12381
Progressive13187
Safeco14179
State Farm14697
State Auto14878
Direct Auto15580
Liberty Mutual18772
National General18899
Dairyland46680
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

A DUI, or driving under the influence, 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 DUI on your record than you will for any other single incident.

In fact, a DUI makes you ineligible for coverage from some insurance companies. Durham drivers with a DUI pay a monthly average of $98 for liability-only coverage, versus $56 for drivers with clean records.

The following table shows monthly quotes from some companies that have insured Durham drivers with DUIs. 

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 26 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full CoverageAverage Quote: Liability Only
Erie9865
Nationwide11471
GEICO12279
Travelers13188
Allstate14696
Progressive14999
Safeco15286
State Auto16084
State Farm175116
Direct Auto17791
Liberty Mutual20779
National General218116
Dairyland54193
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors

While it’s true that rates decrease around age 35, they can increase again once you reach 75 years old. This is because as reflexes slow and vision becomes worse, insurance companies anticipate more accidents and raise rates. 

In Durham, senior drivers pay a monthly average of $100 per month for full coverage. Below, you can see a collection of the most affordable quotes for senior drivers in Durham.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 26 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full CoverageAverage Quote: Liability Only
Erie3825
Nationwide3924
GEICO4730
Progressive4731
Travelers5134
Allstate5738
State Farm6241
Direct Auto6835
Safeco7040
Liberty Mutual8332
National General9952
Dairyland22839
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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.

  • 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 $185 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.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 26 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full CoverageAverage Quote: Liability Only
GEICO10970
Nationwide11069
Erie11274
Travelers13490
Allstate14595
Progressive151101
Safeco15588
State Auto16386
State Farm170112
Direct Auto18495
Liberty Mutual19876
National General237126
Dairyland49685
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Durham

Insurance companies consider several factors when deciding how to rate a driver for car insurance. Companies look at:

  • Age

  • Gender

  • ZIP code

  • Driving record

  • Credit score

  • 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 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 veterans.

  • Work to improve your credit score before switching companies. The better your score, the lower your rate.

  • Purchase other insurance products, like home insurance, life insurance, and boat or motorcycle coverage, from the same company to get the most discounts and the best rates possible.

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Durham car insurance quotes by credit tier

North Carolina allows insurance companies to rate drivers based on their credit scores. To insurance companies, the better a driver’s credit score, the lower the risk of them filing a claim. Drivers with excellent or good credit scores can expect lower insurance premiums, while drivers with poor scores can expect higher premiums.

Here, you can see how your credit score affects quotes in Durham.

Rates by Credit Tier

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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 in. From city to city within the state, however, rates can vary.

Insurance companies rate different parts of a state at different risk levels depending on 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 the average full-coverage quote in Durham to the averages in more North Carolina cities below.

CityAverage Monthly QuoteCompared to Durham
Charlotte$1094%
Fayetteville$1148%
Greensboro$93-11%
High Point$88-16%
Raleigh$82-22%
Winston-Salem$77-27%
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Guide to Car Insurance Discounts (2024)

Guide to Car Insurance Discounts (2024)

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 factors, including your driving record, financial stability, and residential ZIP code. Rates are an average of $42 monthly for liability only and $105 for full-coverage insurance in the Durham area.

  • 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 with the Better Business Bureau, 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
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • 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.

Sources

  1. NC Department of Insurance. "A Consumer's Guide to Automobile Insurance." Accessed August 22, 2023
Courtney Washington
Courtney Washington

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.

Chris Schafer
Edited byChris SchaferSenior Editor
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 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

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