8+ years writing for major outlets, including MarketWatch and Business Insider
Master’s in Education
Taylor Mlam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator. When she’s not helping readers better save and spend money, she can be found teaching.
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
Save up to $852 by comparing quotes from the top 100+ insurance companies
Excellent
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Advertiser Disclosure
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
Drivers in Wilmington pay an overall average of $81 per month for car insurance. The city’s rates are similar to North Carolina’s monthly average of $79 but less than the national average of $160 per month.
A midsize coastal city in North Carolina, Wilmington is a college town and travel destination. With a population of more than 117,000, it’s the eighth-largest city in the state.[1] Due to the influx of temporary vacationers, property crime rates are higher than in other areas in the states, which might explain its higher car insurance costs.
Quick Facts
Midvale Home & Auto, Erie, and Nationwide are the cheapest car insurance companies for Wilmington residents.
Liability insurance in Wilmington costs an average of $59 per month, and full coverage costs $103 per month.
Wilmington drivers pay a yearly average of $1,235 for full-coverage car insurance.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Wilmington
Car insurance costs vary based on your driving record, credit history, location, and other factors. Every insurer weighs these categories differently, meaning the cheapest option can vary from one driver to the next.
Drivers in Wilmington can find the best rates from Erie, Direct Auto, and GEICO. Coverage from other large national insurers, like State Farm and Progressive, is also available but tends to cost more.
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
$41
Affordability
GEICO
9.0
$72
$47
Discounts
Direct Auto
7.3
$107
$53
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.
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.
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.
$65/mo
Erie offers the cheapest rates for drivers in Wilmington. Drivers with a comprehensive policy receive complimentary glass repair, locksmith service, and coverage for personal items. Wilmington drivers can also take advantage of the company’s YourTurn telematics program, which tracks driving habits and rewards safe behavior through a mobile app.
They completely ignore written instructions from higher-ups. Also, agents at the local establishment seem to be dishonest to cover their mistakes.
Eduard - July 24, 2024
Verified
Price, Service, Coverage - Everything is Very Good
Everything is as expected.
Teresa - July 23, 2024
Verified
Erie Insurance is a Great Insurance
I've been with Erie for about 20 years now. They are great when it comes to answering questions and handling anything that I need. I was only comparing different insurance quotes, but I will be staying with Erie.
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.
$48/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.
$74/mo
GEICO offers extensive discounts, and drivers can bundle multiple insurance policies, including home, business, and renters insurance, to further reduce coverage costs. It earned an A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, indicating excellent financial strength.
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.
$54/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.
$110/mo
Direct Auto provides coverage to all drivers but specializes in providing coverage for high-risk drivers with violations. Budget-conscious drivers can qualify for various discounts, and the company allows drivers to choose their payment due date. But customer complaints are higher than average, and drivers with clean records can usually find better coverage elsewhere.
Pros
Coverage for high-risk drivers
Some of the cheapest rates
Cons
High number of complaints on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website
They didn't cooperate when I faced financial issues
I would advise avoiding them.
…
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Wilmington
Car insurance companies determine rates based on driver characteristics, including age, driving record, credit history, vehicle type, and location. Even though you can’t control some of those factors, you can still take steps to lower costs.
Here’s how to find cheap car insurance in Wilmington:
Ask about discounts. Most insurers offer various discounts that help reduce coverage costs. You might, for example, qualify for a good driver discount, loyalty discount, or mature driver discount. Ask insurance companies about qualification requirements as you shop for quotes.
Bundle your home and auto insurance. If you bundle your car insurance with homeowners, renters, or even life insurance, you could land a discount on your coverage.
Compare quotes. You can find the best rate when comparing quotes from multiple insurers. Knowing whether you’re getting a good deal is easier if you have numerous quotes.
Increase your deductible. The deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying when you file a claim. Higher deductibles equate to lower premiums, which can lower costs for car insurance. It’s essential to ensure you can still afford your deductible, though.
Keep a clean driving record. Drivers with clean driving records pay the lowest premiums. Do your best to drive safely and avoid traffic violations.
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Wilmington, NC
Liability rates start at $35 per month
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Wilmington: Midvale Home & Auto
Liability car insurance meets North Carolina’s mandated insurance requirements. The policy covers the cost of vehicle repairs and medical expenses for the other driver and their passengers when you cause an accident. But it doesn’t pay for your own expenses.
Liability insurance in Wilmington costs an average of $59 per month. The following insurers offer the best liability-only insurance in Wilmington.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
Midvale Home & Auto
$35
Erie
$42
Nationwide
$42
GEICO
$48
Liberty Mutual
$51
Travelers
$53
Direct Auto
$54
Safeco
$54
Dairyland
$55
Allstate
$57
Progressive
$58
National General
$66
State Farm
$69
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 Wilmington: Erie
Full-coverage car insurance typically includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverages. If you cause an accident, it helps pay for vehicle repairs for you and the other driver. It also provides coverage for theft and most natural disasters.
Wilmington drivers pay a monthly average of $103 for full coverage. Here are the best full-coverage car insurance companies in Wilmington.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
Erie
$65
Nationwide
$65
Midvale Home & Auto
$71
GEICO
$74
Travelers
$81
Allstate
$88
Progressive
$90
State Farm
$106
Direct Auto
$110
Safeco
$117
National General
$119
Liberty Mutual
$188
Dairyland
$262
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.
North Carolina’s Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) creates a point system for reckless driving that correlates to insurance premium increases. Points are assigned to violations, equating to a percentage increase in insurance premiums.[3]
For example, drivers are given four points for passing a stopped school bus, and insurance premiums increase by 90%. An at-fault accident is worth one point and causes premiums to increase by 40%. The program aims to discourage unsafe driving and incentivize drivers to follow traffic laws.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Your driving record affects how much you pay for car insurance. Drivers with incidents like driving under the influence violations, speeding tickets, and at-fault accidents pay more for coverage. Insurers charge more because incidents signify drivers are more likely to file a claim, which costs insurers money.
Even though car insurance rates typically increase after an incident, some insurers still offer affordable coverage. You’ll likely need to shop around and compare quotes from various companies to find these cheap rates. Here’s what you need to know about car insurance coverage with an incident in Wilmington.
Shop for Car Insurance in Wilmington, NC
Find coverage after a driving incident
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket
If you get a speeding ticket, your car insurance costs will likely increase. Insurers view speeding tickets as unsafe driving indicators, and because you’re more likely to cost insurers more money, they increase your rates.
Drivers in Wilmington with a speeding ticket pay an average of $92 per month for liability coverage and $161 per month for full coverage. The table below shows how rates for drivers with a clean record compare to rates for drivers with a speeding ticket.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company
Clean Driving Record
With Speeding Ticket
Midvale Home & Auto
$35
$50
Erie
$42
$59
Nationwide
$42
$58
GEICO
$48
$66
Liberty Mutual
$51
$76
Travelers
$53
$73
Direct Auto
$54
$74
Safeco
$54
$75
Dairyland
$55
$76
Allstate
$57
$78
Progressive
$58
$80
National General
$66
$90
State Farm
$69
$94
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
If you hit another vehicle and cause an accident, it’s considered an at-fault accident. The violation signifies reckless driving habits and a higher likelihood of future claims. As a result, your insurer will typically raise your insurance rates.
Liability insurance for Wilmington drivers with an accident costs an average of $96 per month. The following insurance companies offer the best rates in the city for drivers with this incident.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company
Clean Driving Record
With Accident
Midvale Home & Auto
$35
$53
Erie
$42
$61
Nationwide
$42
$61
GEICO
$48
$69
Liberty Mutual
$51
$79
Travelers
$53
$77
Direct Auto
$54
$79
Safeco
$54
$76
Dairyland
$55
$79
Allstate
$57
$82
Progressive
$58
$85
National General
$66
$96
State Farm
$69
$99
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
In North Carolina, insurance costs can increase by 340% after a DUI. Depending on the circumstances of the offense, you can also face non-renewal of your insurance policy.[4] If you need car insurance after a DUI, try working with an insurer specializing in high-risk coverage.
Wilmington drivers with a DUI pay an average of $109 per month for minimum coverage. The average increases to $190 per month for full coverage. Here are the best options for drivers with a DUI in Wilmington.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company
Clean Driving Record
With DUI
Midvale Home & Auto
$35
$62
Erie
$42
$74
Nationwide
$42
$74
GEICO
$48
$85
Liberty Mutual
$51
$90
Travelers
$53
$94
Direct Auto
$54
$95
Safeco
$54
$95
Dairyland
$55
$97
Allstate
$57
$101
Progressive
$58
$102
National General
$66
$116
State Farm
$69
$122
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
Your age affects how much you pay for car insurance, with rates decreasing steadily throughout adulthood as drivers gain experience. But costs increase again around age 70 due to declining eyesight and other safety concerns.
Liability insurance for senior drivers in Wilmington costs $49 per month, on average. The following insurers offer the cheapest car insurance for seniors in Wilmington.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Erie
$49
$31
Nationwide
$49
$31
Midvale Home & Auto
$54
$27
GEICO
$59
$38
Travelers
$64
$42
Progressive
$65
$42
Allstate
$71
$46
State Farm
$82
$54
Direct Auto
$85
$42
National General
$93
$52
Safeco
$96
$44
Liberty Mutual
$152
$41
Dairyland
$209
$44
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
Due to reckless driving and inexperience, teenage drivers pay higher rates for car insurance than any other age group. Teen drivers in Wilmington pay monthly averages of $95 for liability coverage and $165 for full coverage.
Parents of teen drivers should prepare for increased costs, but you can take steps to get the best deal.
If your teenager only drives a car occasionally, let your insurer know since it might lead to lower rates. Similarly, ask about good student discounts and encourage your teen to stay on your policy as long as possible.
Below are the best insurance options with the lowest quotes for teen drivers in Wilmington.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Erie
$103
$67
Nationwide
$105
$68
GEICO
$110
$71
Midvale Home & Auto
$116
$57
Travelers
$138
$90
Allstate
$146
$95
Progressive
$154
$99
State Farm
$170
$111
Direct Auto
$190
$93
National General
$218
$121
Safeco
$231
$107
Liberty Mutual
$328
$89
Dairyland
$412
$87
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.
Compare Car Insurance Rates in Wilmington
Insurify partners with 100+ top insurers to show the most real-time quotes
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Wilmington car insurance quotes by credit tier
Insurance companies in North Carolina can use credit history when determining car insurance rates. Insurers consider drivers with bad credit to be more likely to file claims and, as a result, charge them more for coverage than drivers with excellent or good credit.[4]
Here’s how much Wilmington drivers pay, on average, based on their credit tier.
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 Wilmington?
Wilmington drivers pay an overall average of $81 per month for car insurance, slightly less than the national average of $160 and similar to the state average of $79.
Thanks to its proximity to the ocean, Wilmington boasts some of the most expensive real estate in North Carolina, and auto insurance costs follow suit.[5] Drivers in Wilmington pay more than drivers in nearby cities like Greenville.
More cities in North Carolina
See how car insurance rates in Wilmington compare to some other North Carolina cities in the table below.
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.
Wilmington car insurance FAQs
Finding the right car insurance can be challenging. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about car insurance in Wilmington.
How much is car insurance in Wilmington?
On average, car insurance in Wilmington costs $103 per month for full coverage and $59 for liability-only insurance. But your exact premium will depend on factors like your location, driving record, age, gender, and even your credit history.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Wilmington?
Midvale Home & Auto offers the cheapest car insurance rates in Wilmington, starting at $35 per month for liability-only coverage. Wilmington drivers can also find cheap rates from Erie and Nationwide, which have monthly liability rates as low as $42 and $42, respectively.
What are the best car insurance companies in Wilmington?
Many reliable insurers offer coverage in Wilmington, but Erie, Direct Auto, and GEICO stand out as the best car insurance companies. Erie and GEICO both have Insurify Quality Scores above 4 (out of 5) and strong ratings from AM Best and J.D. Power. Direct Auto is the best option for high-risk Wilmington drivers, offering affordable policies to drivers with DUIs.
How much is car insurance per month in NC?
Car insurance in North Carolina costs an average of $79 per month. Drivers pay a monthly average of $56 for liability coverage and $101 for full coverage.
What is the minimum car insurance in NC?
North Carolina drivers must carry $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, along with $25,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage. They must also carry uninsured motorist coverage equal to their policy’s bodily injury liability limits but no greater than $1 million.
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.
Taylor Milam-Samuel is a writer and credentialed educator who is fascinated by how people earn, save, and spend their money. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found in the classroom teaching.
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
)
)
){kind=logo}
){kind=small}
){kind=logo}
)
)
){kind=small}
Erie Insurance
GEICO
Direct Auto
)
)
)
)
)
)
)