Car Insurance Charlotte, NC

How much does car insurance cost in Charlotte?

The annual average cost of car insurance in Charlotte is $1119. This is more expensive than the North Carolina average ($955) but less expensive than the national average ($1557).

Continue reading to learn how much you can expect to pay in Charlotte based on your marital status, age, credit score, and other factors.

Auto Insurance Premiums by Company in Charlotte

The best way to save money on auto insurance is to compare quotes from as many insurers as possible, selecting the one that provides the most affordable estimate.

Below are the most affordable insurance options in Charlotte. Don't forget to get car insurance quotes based on your unique driving profile.

Auto Insurance Premium by Age in Charlotte

The age group with the cheapest auto insurance rates in Charlotte is the 60-year-olds, who pay an annual average of $1041. So one of the most effective ways to reduce your auto insurance premiums in Charlotte is to move past your teen years.

In Charlotte, teen drivers pay $2529 for auto insurance, which is $1491 more than the second-most expensive age group.

Auto Insurance Premium by Marital Status in Charlotte

In many instances, marital status contributes to auto insurance premiums. For example, married drivers pay $6 more for auto insurance in Charlotte than single drivers.

In most locations, married drivers enjoy lower rates than their single counterparts because they file fewer insurance claims.

The rates for widows are also significantly lower than the rates for singles. In Charlotte, widowed individuals pay cheaper insurance premiums than single individuals.

Auto Insurance Premium by Gender in Charlotte

Gender is an additional variable that can affect auto insurance premiums. For example, male drivers in Charlotte pay the same annual auto insurance as female drivers.

Auto Insurance Premium by Driving Violation in Charlotte

Maintaining a clean driving record is an excellent way to keep your auto insurance rates low regardless of where you live. Conversely, tickets for speeding, reckless driving, DUIs and DWIs, and at-fault accidents can increase insurance premiums.

DUI and reckless driving are two of the most expensive traffic violations. Insurance premiums for reckless drivers in Charlotte increase by $981 per year compared to the citywide average.

A DUI violation may result in a $4011 rate increase while a speeding ticket results in a $588 increase.

Auto Insurance Premium by Credit History in Charlotte

The credit score is a significant insurance rating factor. In general, drivers with poor credit pay more for auto insurance than drivers with excellent credit.

Charlotte drivers who improve their credit score from "Very Poor" (300-579) to "Exceptional" (800-850) receive a 43% discount on their auto insurance premiums.

Moving from the "Very Poor" credit tier to the "Fair" credit tier is one of the most significant steps a driver can take to obtain lower auto insurance rates. For example, a " Fair " credit score in Charlotte corresponds to a $493 reduction in annual auto insurance premiums.

Auto Insurance Premium by Zip Code in Charlotte

Auto insurance costs vary depending on where you live, even within the same neighbourhood. For example, some areas of a city may have a higher incidence of accidents or thefts, which may result in a price increase.

Sadly, Charlotte is not an exception to this rule. The increase in premiums from ZIP code 28115 to 28105 is 11%, or $84.

According to Way.com's analysis, the following are the ten most populous ZIP codes in Charlotte and the average annual cost of auto insurance for a driver with excellent credit and a spotless driving record.

What would increase your car insurance rate in Charlotte?

Where you live in Charlotte affects the cost of your auto insurance. In addition to your driving record and credit score, your location is among the most influential factors in determining your auto insurance premiums.

What's the reason?

Crime, theft and uninsured drivers vary by ZIP code.

Therefore, if you live in a neighborhood that does not get along with others, car insurance companies may view you as a high-risk customer, meaning that your premiums may be higher than those of a nearby neighbor.

Auto theft statistics in Charlotte

Charlotte and portions of Mecklenburg County rank fourteenth among the 15 largest cities in North Carolina regarding the number of cars stolen per 100,000 residents.

In 2019, there were 354 auto thefts per 100000 residents.

In 2019, 3,340 cars were stolen in Charlotte. Apex had the lowest car theft rates among the 15 largest cities in North Carolina.

Accidents Statistics in Charlotte

Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, North Carolina, ranks first — or last — in terms of overall traffic-related fatalities, depending on your perspective. But unfortunately, the county with the highest population in the state also had the highest number of drunk-driving-related fatalities and fatal accidents involving unbuckled occupants.

Mecklenburg County has the highest number of road fatalities in North Carolina. The county had a total of 80 fatalities due to motor vehicle accidents.

Mecklenburg is the most populous county in the state. Estimates from the 2021 census place the county's population, including Charlotte, at 1045615 people.

From this perspective, it makes sense that the county with the greatest population and, presumably, the greatest number of vehicles on the road would also have the highest number of motor vehicle accident fatalities.

Based solely on this statistic, Mecklenburg has 7.72 deaths per 100,000 residents due to auto accidents. This number places the county 90th out of 100.

In 2021, there were 81 road fatalities in Robeson County, including Lumberton and Pembroke. Mecklenburg County has no justifications regarding drunk driving, particularly seat belt use.

The report indicates that between 2019 and 2021, there were 207 fatalities in crashes where alcohol impairment was a factor in the county. This represents nearly 7% of all such deaths in the state and gives the county a death rate of 1.23 per 10,000 inhabitants.

Hoke County was responsible for slightly more than 1% of all DUI-related road deaths, but its rate was 3.7 times that of Mecklenburg.

DUI-related fatalities are entirely preventable, yet they cause a distressing number of fatal accidents annually. Even more alarming is that Mecklenburg County has a very poor record of seatbelt usage, which directly contributes to the region's high rate and the number of fatal accidents.

Auto insurance in Charlotte: Minimum insurance requirement in North Carolina

The minimum liability requirements in Charlotte are $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.

The common abbreviation for these split limits is 30/60/25. These limitations have remained unchanged for far too long. In terms of current currency, these amounts do not go very far.

We suggest carrying at least 100/300/100 coverage on your policy. This is because a significant proportion of newly purchased cars exceed the minimum property damage requirement of $25,000.

Therefore, you are responsible for the remaining damages if you hit a car worth more than $25,000.

At a minimum, you should purchase 50/100/50 limits instead of the minimum 30/60/25 limits. Some individuals will attempt to protect themselves with limits of $250/$500/$100 and an umbrella policy.

We believe the small premium increase is worth the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are covered in the event of an accident. In addition, companies increase your discount for having prior coverage if your previous insurer's limits were higher.

Driving tips in Charlotte

Here are some driving safety tips for Charlotte.

Alcohol:

If you drive in Charlotte with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher, you could be in trouble. Any driver caught could have their license suspended for at least 30 days. If you are stopped and refuse to submit to an alcohol test, you may only make matters worse, as you risk losing your license for a year and may be arrested immediately.

Also, if you are under 21, you are not permitted to purchase or transport alcohol in your car. We recommend you never drink and drive, as your concentration and reaction time will be significantly impaired.

Cellphone Use:

Unlike many other cities worldwide, Charlotte's laws permit drivers to use their cellphones while driving, but only for voice calls. However, using a mobile phone for text messaging, e-mailing, or web browsing is prohibited. In addition, drivers under 18 are prohibited from using their cell phones.

However, local authorities advise drivers only to use their phones when necessary and refrain from doing so on busy roads and highways. If possible, ask a fellow passenger to take your call.

Seatbelt Law:

Front-seat passengers must wear seat belts, but we recommend that rear-seat passengers do so as well. Important to note is that children under the age of eight who weigh less than 80 pounds must use an appropriate booster seat.

The only exception to this rule is for passengers exempt from wearing their seat belts for medical reasons.

Infants and infants must be transported in rear-facing restraints. Do not transport a baby on the front seat if the car is equipped with a side airbag; in an accident, the airbag could pose a greater threat to the baby's life than the impact itself.

Lights Code:

When driving on unlit streets, you should employ the high beam. However, it would be best to switch to a low beam when facing an approaching driver. The same rule applies if you are following another driver. If visibility is not perfect, it is required that you use your headlights.

We advise you to be extra cautious when driving at night, particularly in Charlotte's rural areas, where animals may cross the road without warning.

Speed Limits:

The speed limit on most of Charlotte's streets is 35 miles per hour. However, certain pedestrian areas may be where speeds of 10 or 15 mph are prohibited. In addition, drivers who exceed 55 miles per hour in Charlotte's urban areas are subject to a minimum 30-day license suspension.

The speed limit in undeveloped areas surrounding Charlotte is 55 miles per hour. However, the maximum permitted speed on interstate highways is 70 miles per hour. Exceeding the speed limit by more than ten mph on any road can result in hefty fines.