Cheapest Auto Insurance in Gastonia, North Carolina (2025)

Located near Charlotte, Gastonia is a suburban community and one of the most populous cities in North Carolina and offers residents a perfect mix of big-city amenities with a small-town atmosphere. The overall average monthly cost of car insurance in Gastonia is $87, compared to the state average of $75.

North Carolina, in general, is known for its affordable cost of living, and car insurance premiums follow suit. The average monthly cost of auto insurance in North Carolina — and Gastonia — is cheaper than the national average.

Despite the affordable rates, it’s still important that Gastonia drivers shop for the best deal on a car insurance policy.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Gastonia 

The best car insurance company for you depends on the type of coverage you need and your individual circumstances. Erie, Direct Auto, and GEICO are three of the most popular insurers in Gastonia. These companies offer low prices, solid customer service, and high-quality coverage.

As you begin your search, remember to compare quotes from several companies, and including these three in your search is generally a good idea.

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	$63	$42	Cheap rates
GEICO	9.0	$72	$48	Discounts
Direct Auto	7.3	$97	$59	High-risk drivers

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 Insurify rates insurance companies

  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 55,000 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 cheap rates: Erie

cheap rates

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User Reviews	4.0 165 reviews
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 /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.	$49/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.	$72/mo

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Driver Reviews

4.0

Best choiceBased on 312 verified guest reviews and ratings

How drivers feel about Erie Insurance

Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and quick claim handling but are dissatisfied with the unexpected and unexplained rate increases. Some also found the policy details hard to understand.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best For

High customer satisfaction

Competitive rates

Optional coverages

How drivers feel about Erie Insurance

Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and quick claim handling but are dissatisfied with the unexpected and unexplained rate increases. Some also found the policy details hard to understand.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best For

High customer satisfaction

Competitive rates

Optional coverages

Reviews (165)

John

April 16, 2025

Verified Review

Excellent service and commitment to customers!

Erie Insurance is a great company. I am extremely happy with their service and recommend them frequently. Like everyone else, I always look for ways to save money while getting the best possible service. Auto and home insurance costs keep rising even without a claim. I am currently working with my agency, Summit Agency, here in Tennessee to see if rates can be improved. I really do like this group.

John

April 13, 2025

Verified Review

Happy with Erie Insurance

Erie Insurance has been great to me. It even covers me when I'm driving someone else's car, and it costs less (at least $10 less per month).

Karen W

April 12, 2025

Verified Review

Review of Erie Insurance and Their Reasonable Fees

I am disappointed as I have been with Erie Insurance for many years without any claims. Last August, we were the victims of a hit and run (not our fault) and 'keying' of the car. Erie stated they had to file two claims even though the damage occurred simultaneously. They did repair my car. However, as a result, they increased my insurance payment by more than $100.00 per month because I had a claim! I believe this is unfair treatment. My monthly payment is now too high for my income/budget. Consequently, I am comparing auto insurance fees. I am still in search of more reasonable insurance fees/rates with reliable service.

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Our Advice

JD Power

J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.

870

NAIC Index

Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.

0.49

A.M. Best

A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).

A+

Why we picked this company

Erie, a regional insurer, offers some of the lowest car insurance rates in Gastonia, making it an easy pick to save money on your coverage costs. Comprehensive policies include locksmith services and protection for your personal property. And while most car insurance companies charge more for these features, Erie includes them at no additional cost.

You can also take advantage of Erie’s Rate Lock feature, which helps ensure minimal rate increases. The feature is especially useful for drivers in Gastonia, where most families earn a middle-class income.^[1]

Pros

• Coverage includes free perks like glass repair

• Diminishing deductible can reduce premiums

Cons

• Coverage only available in 12 states and Washington, D.C.

• Customers can't buy a policy or file a claim online

Best insurer for discounts: GEICO

discounts

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User Reviews	4.0 6,246 reviews
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 /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.	$56/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.	$82/mo

Show Details

Driver Reviews

4.0

Best choiceBased on 11,420 verified guest reviews and ratings

How drivers feel about GEICO

Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best For

Teen drivers

Cheap rates

Accident forgiveness

How drivers feel about GEICO

Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best For

Teen drivers

Cheap rates

Accident forgiveness

Reviews (6,246)

Joel

April 16, 2025

Verified Review

Best rates out there

Excellent.

Juan

April 16, 2025

Verified Review

Excellent

Very good.

Paul

April 16, 2025

Verified Review

Price

It's good, but the price is increasing every year and it's not worth it.

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Our Advice

JD Power

J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.

835

NAIC Index

Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.

0.74

A.M. Best

A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).

A++

Why we picked this company

GEICO, the third-largest U.S. auto insurer by market share, is a great pick if you’re interested in tracking your driving habits to earn a discount. The DriveEasy usage-based telematics mobile app offers reduced rates for safe driving habits. It’s a valuable option for Gastonia drivers who regularly commute to Charlotte for work or school.

You can also earn additional discounts for bundling policies with your auto insurance, including home, renters, life, and business insurance.

Pros

• 24/7 customer service

• Numerous discounts

Cons

• Doesn’t offer rideshare coverage

• New car replacement coverage not available

Best insurer for high-risk drivers: Direct Auto

high-risk drivers

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A.M. Best A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).	A
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.	7.3 /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.	$68/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

Show Details

Driver Reviews

How drivers feel about Direct Auto

Drivers appreciate the insurer’s helpful customer service and easy-to-use website. But they dislike the frequent and significant rate increases, especially for those with clean driving records. Some also report difficulties with roadside assistance.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best For

High-risk drivers

Ample discounts

24/7 claims support

How drivers feel about Direct Auto

Drivers appreciate the insurer’s helpful customer service and easy-to-use website. But they dislike the frequent and significant rate increases, especially for those with clean driving records. Some also report difficulties with roadside assistance.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best For

High-risk drivers

Ample discounts

24/7 claims support

Reviews (338)

Jessie

April 16, 2025

Verified Review

The Most Expensive Insurance I've Ever Seen

I would advise against dealing with Direct Auto.

Richard

April 14, 2025

Verified Review

Poor

They are raising their prices.

Debra

April 13, 2025

Verified Review

High Cost

The cost is too high.

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Our Advice

JD Power

J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.

NR

NAIC Index

Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.

2.02

A.M. Best

A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).

A

Why we picked this company

Direct Auto specializes in coverage for high-risk drivers, making it a solid option for people with a violation such as a speeding ticket, at-fault accident, or DWI on their record. Drivers can also select their payment due date, which offers additional flexibility.

Direct Auto also offers various discounts, including a multi-car discount, a welcome-back discount, and a good student discount. Drivers in Gastonia can also take advantage of Direct Auto's senior citizen discount, which is especially helpful since a large number of area residents are of retirement age.^[2] Even though rates are competitive, you might be able to find a better deal with a different insurer if you have a clean driving record.

Pros

• Affordable coverage for high-risk drivers

• Life insurance also available, which offers a savings opportunity for bundling

Cons

• Much higher than average number of customer complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' complaint index.

• Extra coverage options are limited

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Gastonia

Your age, driving record, credit history, ZIP code, and vehicle year all affect your car insurance costs. Some of these factors are outside your control, but you can lower your car insurance costs by following these tips:

• Utilize discounts. Most insurers offer various discounts, including rate deductions for military affiliation, age, loyalty, and safe driving. Check the discounts available from each insurer before moving forward with a policy. Agents usually inform you about discounts when you sign up, but it’s always worth double-checking.

• Maintain a clean driving record. Your driving record is one of the most important factors that determines the rates you’ll pay for car insurance. Watch your speed and drive defensively to keep your rates as low as possible.

• Get quotes from multiple insurers. Comparing quotes from different insurers is the best way to secure a lower car insurance rate. When you compare rates, it’s easier to determine if you’re getting a good deal.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Gastonia, NC

Liability rates start at $49 per month

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Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Gastonia: Nationwide

Liability-only car insurance ensures you have enough coverage to meet the state-mandated coverage laws in North Carolina. This insurance helps pay for car repairs and medical expenses for the other driver and their passengers when you cause an accident. But it doesn’t cover any of the repair costs for your car.

The average monthly rate for liability-only car insurance in Gastonia is $71, and you can see a collection of rates available from top insurers here.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Nationwide	$49
Erie	$49
GEICO	$56
Travelers	$61
Allstate	$66
Dairyland	$67
Progressive	$67
Direct Auto	$68
Safeco	$70
National General	$74
Liberty Mutual	$79
State Farm	$80

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 Gastonia: Nationwide

Full-coverage car insurance includes liability coverage as well as comprehensive and collision coverage, which helps pay for vehicle repairs for your car. If you have a vehicle that would be expensive to replace, a full-coverage policy could make sense for you. But if your car is old or has a low value, you might not need it.

The average rate for full-coverage car insurance in Gastonia is $103 per month, and you can see a collection of rates available from top insurers here.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Nationwide	$72
Erie	$72
GEICO	$82
Travelers	$92
Allstate	$99
Progressive	$100
Direct Auto	$113
State Farm	$118
National General	$118
Safeco	$131
Liberty Mutual	$213
Dairyland	$237

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.

Car insurance requirements in North Carolina

North Carolina state law requires drivers to have liability coverage, including bodily injury and property damage. The coverage helps pay for the other driver’s vehicle repairs and medical expenses when you cause an accident.

The specific coverage limits required in the state increased on July 1, 2025. The table below reflects the change in requirements:^[3]

Coverage	Current Coverage Limits	Coverage Limits as of July 1, 2025
Bodily injury liability	$30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident	$50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
Property damage liability	$25,000 per accident	$50,000 per accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage	$30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident	$50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident

If you’re interested in enhancing your coverage beyond the state-required minimums listed above, you may want to consider any of the following optional policies:

• 

  Accident forgiveness

  An at-fault accident will increase your car insurance rates when your policy renews. But if you buy accident forgiveness coverage before getting into a crash, your rates will hold steady following your first at-fault accident. You generally need to have at least three years of clean driving history to qualify to buy accident forgiveness coverage.

• 

  Roadside assistance coverage

  If your car breaks down or you need a tow, roadside assistance helps cover the costs.

• 

  Medical payments coverage

  Medical payments coverage, or MedPay, can pay for injuries you or a passenger suffer if you're in a car accident, no matter who caused the crash. MedPay has no deductibles or co-pays.

• 

  Gap insurance

  Because new vehicles depreciate quickly, if your new car gets totaled, the amount you owe on your auto loan (or lease) may be more than the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle. Insurers typically pay a total loss claim at ACV. Gap insurance covers the difference between the ACV of your vehicle and any remaining loan or lease balance.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Auto insurance costs increase after an incident, including at-fault car accidents, speeding tickets, driving while intoxicated (DWI), and other moving violations. Insurance companies charge more for coverage because such incidents on your record indicate you may demonstrate risky driving behavior going forward.

But despite the price increase for several years, it’s still possible to find competitive rates after an incident. 

The following insurers offer the best rates for high-risk drivers in Gastonia, and the table below shows how individual incident types can affect your rates.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Clean Driving Record	With Speeding Ticket	With At-Fault Accident	With DWI
Nationwide	$49	$69	$72	$84
Erie	$49	$71	$74	$84
GEICO	$56	$78	$82	$96
Travelers	$61	$86	$89	$105
Allstate	$66	$92	$96	$113
Dairyland	$67	$93	$97	$115
Progressive	$67	$94	$100	$115
Direct Auto	$68	$95	$101	$117
Safeco	$70	$100	$106	$118
National General	$74	$103	$106	$127
Liberty Mutual	$79	$117	$121	$136
State Farm	$80	$110	$115	$137

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.

Average cost of car insurance by age

Your age is another key factor that affects your insurance costs. Young drivers, especially teenagers, pay more for coverage due to a lack of driving experience and an increased risk of reckless behavior.

Fortunately, premiums tend to decrease around age 25, with the lowest rates near retirement age. But rates increase again around age 70 due to increased accident risks.

The table below shows the average car insurance costs in Gastonia for each age group.

Age	Average Monthly Quote
Teens	$200
20s	$248
30s	$231
40s	$196
50s	$146
60s	$103
70s	$77

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.

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Gastonia car insurance quotes by credit tier

North Carolina allows insurers to review your credit history during the underwriting process. Insurers use credit history to generate credit-based insurance scores that predict your likelihood of filing a claim. Because of that, drivers in Gastonia can expect to pay more or less for car insurance depending on their credit history.

Insurance companies consider low credit-based insurance scores to indicate higher levels of risk and charge more as a result. Drivers with poor credit pay more for car insurance. On the other hand, drivers with excellent or good credit typically pay less.

Here are the average car insurance rates for each credit tier in Gastonia.

Gastonia car insurance FAQs