Car Insurance in Raleigh, North Carolina
Estimated full coverage in Raleigh runs about $1,290 a year ($108/month) — ▲ +8% versus the North Carolina average, ranking 2nd most expensive of the 19 North Carolina cities we cover.
Why car insurance in Raleigh costs more than the North Carolina average
Insurers price by territory, and Raleigh's numbers explain most of the gap. With 499,825 residents on 150.9 square miles, the city's density (3,312 people per square mile) is 6.4 times the density where the typical North Carolina resident lives (521). The average commute is 23.0 minutes (North Carolina: 25.1), and 62% of workers drive alone. Together these put our location factor at 1.09× the state baseline for liability and collision.
| Factor | Raleigh | North Carolina ref. | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population density | 3,312 / sq mi | 521 / sq mi | More vehicles per mile of road means more fender-benders and claims. |
| Average commute | 23.0 min | 25.1 min | Longer daily drives add exposure to crashes. |
| Commutes over 60 min | 3.8% | — | Long highway commutes raise mileage-based risk. |
| Drive alone to work | 62.3% | — | Share of workers commuting by car. |
| Public transit to work | 1.4% | — | Transit use lowers how much residents drive. |
| Work from home | 25.8% | — | Remote workers may qualify for low-mileage pricing. |
| Households without a car | 6.0% | — | Context for non-owner and occasional-driver policies. |
| Weather hazard score (FEMA) | 86.2 | 86.2 | Hail, wind, flood and hurricane exposure drive comprehensive claims. |
Car insurance cost by ZIP code in Raleigh
Rates can change from one ZIP code to the next. Across 12 Raleigh ZIP codes, our full-coverage estimate ranges from $1,220 in 27607 to $1,325 in 27616. Denser, longer-commute neighborhoods estimate higher. Click a column to sort.
| ZIP | Population | Density / sq mi | Commute | No car | Est. full / yr | vs. city |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27610 | 81,419 | 1,804 | 24.8 min | 8.7% | $1,270 | −2% |
| 27616 | 63,520 | 2,821 | 27.4 min | 3.9% | $1,325 | +3% |
| 27615 | 46,019 | 2,435 | 22.4 min | 2.5% | $1,265 | −2% |
| 27604 | 44,514 | 2,327 | 24.6 min | 6.7% | $1,285 | 0% |
| 27612 | 41,952 | 2,526 | 21.9 min | 4.5% | $1,265 | −2% |
| 27609 | 35,573 | 3,251 | 21.1 min | 7.2% | $1,270 | −2% |
| 27607 | 28,438 | 1,637 | 20.2 min | 3.7% | $1,220 | −5% |
| 27617 | 20,237 | 2,446 | 20.9 min | 4.6% | $1,250 | −3% |
| 27608 | 12,604 | 3,653 | 19.0 min | 2.3% | $1,255 | −3% |
| 27601 | 9,905 | 5,448 | 21.4 min | 17.5% | $1,310 | +2% |
| 27605 | 6,286 | 6,139 | 16.2 min | 12.1% | $1,260 | −2% |
| 27695 | 1,993 | 7,878 | 14.7 min | — | $1,260 | −2% |
Minimum car insurance in Raleigh
Raleigh drivers follow North Carolina's rules: at least 50/100/50 liability coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. North Carolina is at-fault (tort). We estimate state-minimum coverage in Raleigh at $485 a year, and $590 for 100/300/100 limits.
| Coverage | Required? | Minimum | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Yes | $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident | Injuries you cause to other people |
| Property damage liability | Yes | $50,000 | Damage you cause to other vehicles and property |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | No | — North Carolina does not require personal injury protection. | Your own medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault |
| Uninsured motorist (UM) | Yes | 50/100/50 Uninsured motorist coverage of at least 50/100 bodily injury and $50,000 property damage is required on every policy. | Your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance |
| Underinsured motorist (UIM) | Yes | 50/100 Underinsured motorist coverage is now included in all new and renewed policies. | The gap when the at-fault driver’s limits are too low |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | No | — Medical payments coverage is optional. | Medical bills for you and your passengers |
Insurers must notify NCDMV when liability coverage lapses; owners must keep coverage until the license plate is surrendered.
Minimums were raised recently from 30/60/25, and underinsured motorist coverage became mandatory on all policies.
Risk factors that shape Raleigh premiums
Accidents
North Carolina recorded 1,619 traffic deaths, or 1.24 per 100 million vehicle miles (U.S.: 1.19), in the latest full year of federal crash data. Local crash frequency is folded into our density and commute factors.
Vehicle theft
North Carolina's vehicle theft rate is 204 per 100,000 residents (U.S.: 197). The most-stolen vehicle in the state is the Ford Pickup (Full Size) (NICB). Theft losses are paid by comprehensive coverage.
Weather
FEMA rates Wake County as relatively high for hail, relatively high for inland flooding and relatively low for strong wind, and relatively moderate for hurricanes.
Traffic & commuting
3.8% of Raleigh commuters spend an hour or more getting to work, and there are 1.68 vehicles per household. 25.8% work from home — worth mentioning to insurers that offer low-mileage pricing.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Score (0–100) | Insurance impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 98.5 | Comprehensive (car); roof claims (home) | |
| Tornado | 95.3 | Comprehensive; dwelling | |
| Hurricane | 89.9 | Comprehensive; wind/hurricane deductibles (home) | |
| Inland (river) flooding | 97.7 | Comprehensive; home needs a separate flood policy | |
| Coastal flooding | — | Comprehensive; home needs a separate flood policy | |
| Strong wind | 49.3 | Comprehensive; dwelling | |
| Winter weather | 84.6 | Collision (icy roads); frozen pipes (home) |
Scores are national percentiles of FEMA's county risk (higher means more expected loss than most other U.S. counties).
Estimated car insurance in Raleigh by driver profile
A clean-record driver in their 50s pays the least in our Raleigh model (about $1,190 for full coverage); an 18-year-old on their own policy pays about $3,555, and a DUI pushes a 30-something to $2,390.
| Driver | Minimum | Standard | Full coverage | Full / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teen driver (18, own policy) | $1,340 | $1,615 | $3,555 | $296 |
| Young adult (22) | $780 | $940 | $2,070 | $173 |
| Adult in their 30s | $485 | $590 | $1,290 | $108 |
| Adult in their 50s | $450 | $540 | $1,190 | $99 |
| Senior (72) | $545 | $660 | $1,450 | $121 |
| 30s, one at-fault accident | $705 | $855 | $1,875 | $156 |
| 30s, DUI on record | $900 | $1,090 | $2,390 | $199 |
Minimum vs. standard vs. full coverage in Raleigh
| Coverage level | What it includes | Per year | Per month | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum liability | Only the liability (and PIP/UM where required) limits your state mandates. No coverage for your own car. | $485 | $41 | $400–$575 |
| Standard liability (100/300/100) | Higher liability limits plus uninsured motorist coverage. Still no coverage for damage to your own car. | $590 | $49 | $480–$695 |
| Full coverage | Standard liability plus collision and comprehensive, typically required on a financed or leased car. | $1,290 | $108 | $1,060–$1,525 |
Estimate your premium in Raleigh
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Cheap car insurance in Raleigh: how to lower your rate
The cheapest policy is the one that fits your situation. These levers are priced with Raleigh's own numbers:
| Change | Est. yearly savings | Good fit if… |
|---|---|---|
| Raise collision/comprehensive deductible from $500 to $1,000 | $95 | You have savings to cover a bigger out-of-pocket repair. |
| Low-mileage / usage-based pricing (under 7,500 mi) | $90 | You're among the 25.8% of Raleigh workers who work from home, or you rarely drive. |
| Drop collision & comprehensive on an older car | $385 | The car is paid off and worth little more than a year of premiums. |
| Standard (100/300/100) instead of full coverage | $700 | No loan or lease requires physical-damage coverage. |
| Avoid one speeding ticket | $285 | Everyone — violations typically affect rates for three to five years. |
Also ask about bundling, good-student, paid-in-full and defensive-driving discounts, and re-shop at every renewal — the same driver can be priced very differently by different insurers. We don't recommend specific companies. Common car insurance discounts.
Comparing car insurance quotes in Raleigh
- Use identical limits and deductibles on every quote — e.g. 100/300/100 liability with $1,000 deductibles — or prices aren't comparable.
- Get quotes from different channels: captive agents, independent agents who quote several insurers, and direct online insurers. There are 86 offices listed below.
- Check complaint records with the North Carolina Department of Insurance (complaint information) before you buy.
- Mention your ZIP code accurately — within Raleigh, our estimates differ by up to $105 a year between neighborhoods.
Car insurance agents near Raleigh, NC
We found 86 insurance offices within about 9 miles of central Raleigh, from open map data. Hover over a listing to show it on the map, click it to open the address in Google Maps, or tap it on a phone to start navigation. We don't sell insurance, rate these offices or receive anything from them.
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Scott Clawson - Allstate
3820 Merton Dr, Ste 216, Raleigh, NC 27609 -
Tommy Kelaher - State Farm
4094 Barrett Dr, Raleigh, NC 27609 -
Ryan Villiger - State Farm
211 E Six Forks Road, Suite 201, Raleigh, NC 27609 -
James C Greene Company
NC -
Erie Insurance
3741 Benson Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609 -
Erie Insurance
3737 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 170, Raleigh, NC 27612 -
Erie Insurance
NC -
Chad Richards - State Farm
5300 Six Forks Road, Suite 109, Raleigh, NC 27609 -
Osborne Insurance Services
5316 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609 -
North Carolina Insurance Guaranty Association
NC -
Colin deSouza - Allstate
309 W Millbrook Rd, Ste 191, Raleigh, NC 27609 -
Erie Insurance
203 W Millbrook Road, Suite 105, Raleigh, NC 27609 -
Erie Insurance
5510 Six Forks Road, Suite 280, Raleigh, NC 27609 -
Nationwide
NC -
Peter Uliciansky - Allstate
5620 Six Forks Rd, Ste 103, Raleigh, NC 27609 -
Walters Insurance Agency, Inc.
NC -
Frank Fortunato - GEICO
5011 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite A, Raleigh, NC 27609 -
Erie Insurance
6060 Six Forks Road, Suite A, Raleigh, NC 27609 -
Erie Insurance
100 Lynn Road, Suite R, Raleigh, NC 27609 -
Erie Insurance
1330 Saint Marys Street, Suite 250, Raleigh, NC 27605 -
Erie Insurance
1111 Oberlin Road, 1st Floor, Raleigh, NC 27605 -
Erie Insurance
302 Jefferson Street, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27605 -
Erie Insurance
1033 Oberlin Road, Suite 210, Raleigh, NC 27605 -
Erie Insurance
6512 Six Forks Road, Suite 102c, Raleigh, NC 27615 -
Erie Insurance
112 Wind Chime Court, Raleigh, NC 27615 -
State Farm
NC -
Bonnita Hargis - Allstate
2840 Plaza Pl, Ste 104, Raleigh, NC 27612 -
Erie Insurance
3701 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27607 -
Carmen Ritz - State Farm
301 N West St, Suite 111, Raleigh, NC 27603 -
Erie Insurance
6829 Falls Of Neuse Road, Suite 103, Raleigh, NC 27615 -
Freeway Insurance
4229 Louisburg Rd, Raleigh, NC 27604 -
Nationwide Insurance - Carolyn N Padgette Agency
2443 Lynn Road, #112, Raleigh, NC 27612 -
AAA Carolinas - American Automobile Association
6014 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612 -
Compare Insurance Agency LLC and Compare Administration Services Inc
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Mike Sollie Insurance Advisors
NC -
Arch Insurance - Corporate Office
229 South West Street, , NC -
AAA Carolinas - American Automobile Association
2301 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607 -
Karen Boone - State Farm
4112 Pleasant Valley Road, Suite 128, Raleigh, NC 27612 -
Steven Smith - State Farm
1708 Trawick Road, Suite 105D, Raleigh, NC 27604 -
The Cason Group
NC
Map © Google. Office list: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0) - https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright; All The Places (alltheplaces.xyz), data released under the CC-0 waiver; run 2026-09-19-13-32-18. OSM license. Listings are informational and may be out of date.
Insurance cost of popular cars in Raleigh
| Model | Segment | Est. full coverage / yr | vs. average car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | Small SUV | $960 | −26% |
| Subaru Outback | Wagon | $960 | −26% |
| Tesla Model 3 | Midsize car | $1,390 | +8% |
| Subaru Forester | Small SUV | $940 | −27% |
| Honda Civic | Compact car | $1,470 | +14% |
| Toyota Corolla | Compact car | $1,360 | +5% |
| Jeep Wrangler | Midsize SUV | $1,025 | −21% |
| Mazda CX-5 | Small SUV | $1,085 | −16% |
| MINI Cooper | Subcompact car | $975 | −24% |
| Tesla Model Y | Midsize SUV | $1,250 | −3% |
More car insurance topics in Raleigh
Car insurance in nearby North Carolina cities
- Cary $1,280/yr · 11 mi
- Durham $1,270/yr · 18 mi
- Rocky Mount $1,190/yr · 48 mi
- Burlington $1,260/yr · 49 mi
- Fayetteville $1,180/yr · 55 mi
- Greensboro $1,250/yr · 69 mi
- Greenville $1,220/yr · 73 mi
- High Point $1,235/yr · 76 mi
- Winston-Salem $1,240/yr · 92 mi
- Jacksonville $1,140/yr · 104 mi
- Concord $1,285/yr · 116 mi
- Wilmington $1,210/yr · 120 mi
All North Carolina cities and state rules · Homeowners insurance in Raleigh
Frequently asked questions
How much is car insurance in Raleigh, NC?
We estimate full coverage in Raleigh at about $1,290 a year ($108 a month) for a driver in their 30s with a clean record, and about $485 for North Carolina's minimum liability coverage. Real quotes vary by insurer, driver and vehicle.
Why is car insurance in Raleigh more expensive than the North Carolina average?
Our Raleigh estimate is 8% higher than the statewide figure. The model reflects a population density of 3,312 people per square mile (the typical North Carolina resident lives at about 521) and an average commute of 23.0 minutes versus 25.1 statewide. Denser traffic and longer drives mean more claims, which insurers price into local rates.
What car insurance is required in Raleigh?
Drivers in Raleigh follow North Carolina law: at least 50/100/50 liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage.
Which ZIP code in Raleigh has the cheapest car insurance?
Among Raleigh's 12 ZIP codes, 27607 has the lowest estimate (about $1,220 a year for full coverage) and 27616 the highest (about $1,325), mainly because of differences in density and commute times.
How much is car insurance for a teenager in Raleigh?
An 18-year-old with their own full-coverage policy would pay around $3,555 a year in Raleigh by our estimate ($1,340 for minimum coverage). Adding a teen to a parent's policy is usually cheaper.
Does weather affect car insurance in Raleigh?
Yes. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wake County for hail (relatively high), inland (river) flooding (relatively high), and tornado (relatively high) risk. Weather mainly affects the comprehensive part of a policy, which pays for hail, flood and wind damage.
Are there car insurance agents near me in Raleigh?
We list 86 insurance offices in and around Raleigh, with addresses, phone numbers where published, and directions. We don't sell insurance or rank these offices.
How we estimate this
We start from the state's average liability, collision and comprehensive premiums published by the NAIC, then apply a location factor (population density and commute time from the Census ACS, weather hazard scores from FEMA's National Risk Index), a vehicle factor (HLDI insurance-loss data where available, otherwise vehicle segment), and a driver-profile multiplier. Results are rounded ranges for comparison, not quotes. Read the full methodology.
- NCDMV: Vehicle Insurance Requirements
- NCDOI: Changes to the Rating of Automobile Insurance Policies
- N.C.G.S. 20-279.21 (motor vehicle liability policy)
- NCDMV: Proving Liability Insurance
- NCDOI: Assistance or File a Complaint
- NAIC 2022/2023 Auto Insurance Database Report
- NAIC Homeowners Insurance Report: Data for 2023
- Insurance Research Council uninsured motorist estimates (via Triple-I)
- IIHS Fatality Facts: state by state
- FBI Crime Data Explorer: Crime in the United States 2025 (Table 4)
- NICB 2022 Vehicle Theft Data: top 10 stolen vehicles by state
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table DL-1C (licensed drivers)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table MV-1 (registrations)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table VM-2 (vehicle-miles traveled)
- U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 population estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (Raleigh and ZIP code tabulation areas)
- U.S. Census Bureau population estimates and Gazetteer files
- FEMA National Risk Index (county hazard ratings)
- Insurance office locations: OpenStreetMap contributors and All The Places