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Find Cheaper North Carolina Car Insurance Rates for 16-Year-Olds

Enter your North Carolina Auto Insurance zip code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

Jeffrey Johnson

Insurance Lawyer

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

Insurance Lawyer

UPDATED: Mar 27, 2024

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The type of vehicle to be insured is probably the most important factor in finding cheap insurance for 16 year olds in North Carolina. Vehicles with limited speed and performance, good crash test ratings, or low incidents of liability claims will cost quite a bit less to insure than adrenaline junky models.

The information below outlines coverage rates for a handful of the cheapest vehicles to insure in North Carolina.

 

Cheapest Auto Insurance Rates for 16 Year Olds in North Carolina
Make, Model, and Trim Level Estimated Cost for Full Coverage
Ford Escape XLS 2WD $2,128
Honda CR-V EX-L 4WD $2,153
Subaru Forester X Premium AWP AWD $2,329
Toyota Prius $2,335
Chevrolet Traverse LTZ 2WD $2,329
Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4WD 2-Dr $2,377
Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T Station Wagon $2,482
Ford Edge SE AWD $2,503
Ford Focus S 4-Dr Sedan $2,510
Toyota Camry LE $2,529
Toyota RAV4 Limited 4WD $2,534
Hyundai Santa Fe SE 2WD $2,529
Toyota Sienna LE AWD $2,534
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Data variables include single male driver age 16, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, and safe-driver. Rates do not factor in specific location which can modify premium rates greatly.

Looking at the rates, makes and models like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Toyota Prius, and Chevrolet Traverse are likely to be some of the cheapest vehicles to insure for new drivers. The cost of a car insurance policy will tend to be more expensive anyway because of the fact that there is more exposure for 16 year olds, but overall those particular vehicles will probably have the cheapest rates available.

When shopping for auto insurance for new drivers, one of the many components that determine insurance cost is your zip code in North Carolina. Areas that are more densely populated like Fayetteville, Charlotte, and Wilmington tend to have higher auto insurance costs, whereas areas with less people or fewer weather incidents generally pay less for auto insurance.

The information below sorts the highest-priced places in North Carolina for 16 year olds to purchase auto insurance in.

 

How much does car insurance cost in North Carolina?
Rank City Annual Rate
1 Fayetteville $905
2 Jacksonville $891
3 Charlotte $808
4 Durham $789
5 Wilmington $781
6 Greensboro $779
7 Gastonia $779
8 Goldsboro $765
9 Greenville $760
10 Raleigh $760
11 Huntersville $756
12 Indian Trail $753
13 Cary $749
14 High Point $745
15 Wilson $732
16 Rocky Mount $726
17 Apex $725
18 Hickory $718
19 Salisbury $705
20 Concord $697
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Rate information is approximated as specific North Carolina garaging address can increase or decrease premium rates greatly.

Finding budget auto insurance is confusing at best, and figuring out which companies quote the cheapest auto insurance rates for 16 year olds will involve even more perseverance. Insurance rates will be much greater than the average price in North Carolina, with the extra cost attributed to the potentially higher risk that comes with selling coverage for new drivers, but reasonably-priced coverage should be possible if you carefully shop around. Each insurance company uses different criteria for filing rates in each state, so let’s rank the overall cheapest auto insurance companies in North Carolina.

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It’s a good idea to know that North Carolina auto insurance rates are impacted by many factors that control the price of your policy. This price variability is why consumers need to take the time to perform a complete rate comparison when trying to find the cheapest car insurance rates for 16 year olds. Insurance prices consist of many risk factors and change dramatically, so the most affordable company six months ago may now cost much more than other companies.

Enter your zip code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

Utica National may offer some of the best car insurance rates in North Carolina at around $655 per year. Progressive, GEICO, Liberty Mutual, and NC Farm Bureau also are some of the most economical North Carolina car insurance companies.

As shown in the table above, if you are currently insured with Liberty Mutual and switched to Progressive, you might see savings of in the vicinity of $70. Policyholders with NC Farm Bureau might save as much as $79 a year, and Penn National policyholders might reduce prices by as much as $81 a year.

If you want to see how much you could save, click here to start your free quote or visit several of the following companies.

Enter your zip code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

Understand that those premium estimates are averages for all insureds and vehicles and do not take into consideration a price increase for 16 year olds. So the company that fits your age and vehicle best may not even be shown in the list above. That is why you need to compare rates from multiple companies using your own specific driver information and vehicle.

Auto insurance company ratings

Insuring your vehicle with a high-quality insurance provider can be rather challenging considering how many companies provide coverage in North Carolina. The information listed below can help you pick which providers you want to consider when shopping around. The rankings below are for companies that write coverage in many states, so companies that have a smaller presence are not factored into this list.

 

North Carolina Auto Insurance Company Rankings
Company Value Customer Service Claims Customer Satisfaction A.M Best Rating Overall Score
Travelers 93 98 99 88% A++ 95.1
USAA 83 99 100 91% A++ 94.1
AAA Insurance 91 95 92 90% A 93.3
Nationwide 85 95 97 89% A+ 92.4
Allstate 77 100 97 88% A+ 90.7
State Farm 80 94 96 88% A++ 90.6
The Hartford 88 93 91 87% A+ 90.4
Safeco Insurance 91 95 85 88% A 90.2
Progressive 88 94 83 88% A+ 90.1
American Family 91 86 95 83% A 89.7
Esurance 86 90 94 90% A+ 89.5
The General 86 93 89 84% A- 88.2
GEICO 79 89 95 87% A++ 87.8
Titan Insurance 86 82 92 86% A+ 86.5
21st Century 86 82 90 84% A 86.4
Liberty Mutual 79 87 95 78% A 85.3
Farmers Insurance 77 80 80 84% A 80.3
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Data Source: Insure.com Best Car Insurance Companies

Cost comparison with and without full coverage

Finding cheap insurance for 16 year olds in North Carolina is the goal of most vehicle owners, and one good way to lower the cost of insurance is to buy only liability coverage. The chart below shows the difference between insurance prices with and without physical damage coverage. The costs are based on no claims or violations, $250 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no additional discounts are factored in.

Averaged out for all age groups, physical damage coverage on your policy costs an extra $1,785 per year over and above liability only. A very common question is if physical damage coverage is worth the money. There is no clear-cut rule to exclude physical damage coverage, but there is a general convention. If the yearly cost for physical damage coverage is more than about 10% of the settlement you would receive from your company, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.

There are a few cases where eliminating full coverage is not a good idea. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you have to keep full coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should keep full coverage on your policy.

Why it’s important to shop around

North Carolina auto insurance rates are impacted by many factors which can substantially change the policy price. Turning one year older, filing a claim, or getting a reckless driving citation may cause policy rate changes resulting in some rates now being affordable when they were higher priced.

Not only may your situation change, but auto insurance companies amend premium rates every year to help ensure profitability. Higher than normal claims may result in higher priced premiums, while a profitable period may cause lower-priced North Carolina car insurance rates.

For instance, the data below compares the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina for a 30-year-old male driver with no violations or accidents, and a good credit history. If we compare prices based on his current situation, Utica National quotes the cheapest car insurance rates in North Carolina at $636 per year. This is $236 less than the average rate paid by North Carolina drivers of $872. Progressive, Liberty Mutual, NC Farm Bureau, and GEICO are also included in the best North Carolina auto insurance companies.

The example below compares rates after we give the driver in the first example a claim or two, less-than-perfect credit, and a stop sign violation. Because each insurer has a proprietary method for determining rates, getting updated rate quotes will most likely result in a completely different list of cheap North Carolina auto insurance companies as shown below.

Titan now has the best auto insurance rate in North Carolina with State Farm, Auto-Owners, Erie, and National General now rounding out the top five. This example demonstrates why North Carolina drivers need to compare lots of rates when trying to get the lowest insurance quotes for 16 year olds. Car insurance prices are calculated by many different factors and change substantially, so the cheapest rate three years ago may now be one of the higher cost companies.

Use our FREE quote tool to compare rates now!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find cheaper car insurance in North Carolina?

To find cheaper car insurance in North Carolina, you can follow these steps:

  1. Shop around: Obtain quotes from multiple insurance companies to compare prices and coverage options.
  2. Increase your deductibles: By choosing higher deductibles, you can lower your premium. Just ensure you can afford the deductible in case of an accident.
  3. Maintain a good driving record: Safe driving habits and avoiding traffic violations can help you qualify for lower insurance rates.
  4. Bundle policies: Consider bundling your car insurance with other policies like home or renters insurance. Many insurers offer discounts for multiple policies.
  5. Seek discounts: Inquire about available discounts such as safe driver discounts, multi-vehicle discounts, or discounts for safety features in your car.
  6. Improve your credit score: Some insurance companies take credit scores into account when determining premiums. Maintaining a good credit score can help lower your rates.
  7. Drive a low-risk car: Cars with good safety ratings and lower theft rates generally have lower insurance premiums.

Are there any specific auto insurance requirements in North Carolina?

Yes, North Carolina has specific auto insurance requirements. Drivers in North Carolina must have the following minimum coverage:

  • Bodily Injury Liability (BIL): $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. This coverage pays for injuries or death caused to others in an accident where you are at fault.
  • Property Damage Liability (PDL): $25,000 per accident. This coverage pays for damages caused to another person’s property in an accident where you are at fault.
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury. This coverage protects you if you are involved in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or inadequate coverage.

Can I get car insurance in North Carolina if I have a bad driving record?

Yes, even if you have a bad driving record, you can still obtain car insurance in North Carolina. However, insurance companies may consider you a higher risk and charge higher premiums. Some insurance companies specialize in providing coverage for high-risk drivers, so it’s worth exploring your options.

How does my credit score affect my car insurance rates in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, some insurance companies may consider your credit score when determining your car insurance rates. Research suggests that individuals with lower credit scores may be more likely to file insurance claims, which is why insurers use this information as a factor in assessing risk.

Are there any additional ways to save on car insurance in North Carolina?

Yes, apart from the general tips mentioned earlier, here are a few additional ways to save on car insurance in North Carolina:

  • Pay in full: If you can afford to pay your annual premium in full instead of monthly installments, some insurance companies offer a discount.
  • Usage-based insurance (UBI): Consider participating in a UBI program if offered by your insurance company. UBI utilizes telematics devices or smartphone apps to monitor your driving habits. If you have safe driving behaviors, you may be eligible for discounts.
  • Remove unnecessary coverage: Review your policy and eliminate any coverage that you may not need. For example, if your car is older and has a low value, you might consider dropping collision coverage.
  • Take defensive driving courses: Completing a defensive driving course can sometimes earn you a discount on your insurance premium. Check with your insurance provider to see if they offer this discount.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your zip code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

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