The Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies in Cary, North Carolina, in 2026

Nationwide has the cheapest rates in Cary, starting at $53 per month for state-minimum coverage. But personal factors, like your age, driving record, and ZIP code, will determine your premium.

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Mandy Sleight
Written byMandy Sleight
Mandy Sleight
Mandy SleightInsurance Writer

Mandy Sleight has over 15 years of insurance knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, health, pet, supplemental benefits, and other insurance products. She’s a sought-after insurance expert, appearing in Bankrate.com, Moneygeek.com, U.S. News & World Report, Reviews.com, CNET, and other publications, and she's been writing for Compare.com since 2023.

Mandy uses her background and experience working for well-known insurance companies like State Farm and Nationwide Insurance to create engaging and easy-to-understand content that helps readers make smarter insurance choices that have a positive effect on their budgets and finances.

Matthew Gross
Edited byMatthew Gross
Matthew Gross headshot
Matthew GrossEditor

Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.

Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

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Cary drivers pay an average monthly rate of $76 for auto insurance. The city has a smaller population than other North Carolina cities, which means less traffic, fewer accidents, and cheaper car insurance.

Some insurance companies offer premiums well below the statewide average. Nationwide, Erie, and Direct Auto offer the cheapest liability car insurance in Cary, with rates starting at $53 per month, according to Compare.com data.

That said, many factors can affect how much you pay for auto insurance. We’ll tell you about the cheapest insurers for different driver types and offer tips for saving money on your car insurance.

Key Takeaways
  • Nationwide offers the cheapest car insurance in Cary, with rates starting at $53 per month.

  • Cary drivers pay an average of $60 per month for liability insurance and $92 for full coverage.

  • North Carolina requires all drivers to have at least 30/60/25 liability insurance, but minimum limits increase to 50/100/50 on July 1, 2025.[1] [2]

The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Cary, North Carolina

Regardless of Cary’s average rates, many drivers can still find cheaper coverage. Many companies typically offer rates below the city average. Comparing rates from different companies can help you save money on your car insurance.

The table below highlights the cheapest car insurance companies in Cary, according to Compare.com data.

The below rates in Cary, NC, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Company
sort ascsort desc
Average Monthly Premium
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Erie$53
Nationwide$53
Direct Auto$61
GEICO$62
Liberty Mutual$62
National General$62
Progressive$64
Safeco$64
Travelers$68
Dairyland$70
Allstate$73
State Farm$88
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 PM PDT.

Nationwide offers the lowest auto insurance rates in Cary, at just $53 per month.

Next, we’ll break down the cheapest insurance companies based on the top factors affecting insurance costs, including age, driving record, and coverage type.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Cary by Driver and Coverage Type

Though the companies above offer competitive rates, what you actually pay depends on personal factors like your age, driving habits, address, and coverage choices.

We highlight Cary’s cheapest insurers for various drivers and coverage options in the table below, according to Compare.com data.

Driver/Coverage Type
sort ascsort desc
Cheapest Insurer
sort ascsort desc
Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium
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State-minimum coverageNationwide$53
Full coverageProgressive$84
TeensNationwide$103
SeniorsNationwide$41
Drivers with a speeding ticketNationwide$71
Drivers with an at-fault accidentNationwide$74
Drivers with a DUINationwide$108
Drivers with excellent creditNationwide$47
Drivers with poor creditNationwide$65
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on .

In the following sections, we’ll go into more detail about the cheapest auto insurance companies for different driver and coverage types.

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  • State-minimum coverage averages $60 per month in Cary, according to our data. But most experts recommend buying more than the state-minimum coverage to protect your finances if you cause an accident.[3]

    If you only need liability coverage, the following companies offer the cheapest car insurance in Cary, according to Compare.com data.

    The below rates in Cary, NC, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Liability Rates by Company

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Erie$53
    Nationwide$53
    Direct Auto$61
    GEICO$62
    Liberty Mutual$62
    National General$62
    Progressive$64
    Safeco$64
    Travelers$68
    Dairyland$70
    Allstate$73
    State Farm$88
  • Most drivers should consider buying full-coverage car insurance because it protects you, your vehicle, and others regardless of who causes an accident. If you finance or lease your car, your lender or leasing company usually requires you to buy a full-coverage policy.[4]

    Besides liability insurance, full-coverage policies usually include comprehensive and collision coverage to pay for your vehicle’s damages. It may also cover medical payments for you and your passengers’ injuries.

    On average, Cary drivers pay $92 per month for full-coverage car insurance, according to our research. The chart below highlights the five cheapest insurers in Cary for full-coverage insurance, according to Compare.com data.

    The below rates in Cary, NC, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Progressive$84
    Direct Auto$86
    National General$89
    Erie$100
    Nationwide$100
    Liberty Mutual$107
    Safeco$111
    GEICO$115
    Travelers$127
    Allstate$137
    Dairyland$156
    State Farm$165
  • Teens pay the most expensive car insurance rates of any age group. Teen drivers have riskier driving habits that cause more accidents, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[5]

    Teen drivers in Cary pay an average of $137 per month for car insurance, according to our research.

    But you can still get a good deal if you’re a teen driver or have one on your policy. The chart below shows some of the cheapest insurers for teens in Cary, according to Compare.com data.

    The below rates in Cary, NC, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates for Teens

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Erie$98
    Nationwide$103
    Liberty Mutual$109
    GEICO$112
    Progressive$116
    Direct Auto$118
    Dairyland$122
    National General$124
    Safeco$130
    Travelers$142
    Allstate$144
    State Farm$171
  • Seniors have the cheapest insurance rates of any age group. Seniors typically drive more cautiously, travel fewer miles, and avoid late-night driving, resulting in fewer accidents.[6] Senior drivers in Cary pay an average of $67 per month for car insurance, according to our data.

    But you may find an even better deal in the chart below, which shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in Cary for seniors, according to Compare.com data.

    The below rates in Cary, NC, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates for Seniors

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Erie$41
    Nationwide$41
    National General$49
    GEICO$50
    Direct Auto$50
    Liberty Mutual$52
    Travelers$55
    Progressive$56
    Safeco$56
    Allstate$60
    Dairyland$60
    State Farm$70
  • Moving violations and accidents in your recent driving history usually mean you’re more likely to file a claim, which causes insurers to charge you more for coverage.[7] If you get a speeding ticket, you can expect higher rates at your next policy renewal. Our research shows that a single speeding ticket causes average premiums to increase by 37% nationwide.

    In Cary, drivers with a recent speeding ticket pay $103 per month for auto insurance. But several insurers offer cheaper rates, even with a recent speeding ticket.

    The chart below shows five insurance companies offering the cheapest premiums in Cary for drivers with a ticket, according to Compare.com data.

    The below rates in Cary, NC, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates With a Ticket

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Nationwide$71
    Erie$73
    Direct Auto$80
    National General$80
    Liberty Mutual$82
    GEICO$84
    Progressive$86
    Safeco$87
    Dairyland$91
    Travelers$92
    Allstate$99
    State Farm$116
  • Causing an accident can also cause an increase in your auto insurance rates. Average car insurance rates increase by 41% nationwide after an at-fault accident, according to our research. Or data shows that Cary drivers with a recent at-fault accident pay a monthly average of $108 for auto coverage.

    But you might find an even better deal from one of the insurers in the chart below. It shows the cheapest companies for drivers with an at-fault accident, according to Compare.com data.

    The below rates in Cary, NC, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates With an Accident

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Erie$73
    Nationwide$74
    GEICO$85
    Liberty Mutual$85
    National General$86
    Direct Auto$86
    Progressive$91
    Safeco$92
    Travelers$95
    Dairyland$96
    Allstate$102
    State Farm$121
  • Driving under the influence (DUI) can cause your car insurance rates to skyrocket. We found that average premiums increase by 61% nationally after a DUI conviction. 

    Cary drivers with a DUI conviction pay an average of $202 per month for car insurance, according to our research. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck paying expensive rates. Several companies offer affordable coverage even if you have a DUI.

    Check out the chart below for the five cheapest insurers in Cary for drivers with a DUI, according to Compare.com data.

    The below rates in Cary, NC, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates With a DUI

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Nationwide$108
    Erie$109
    Direct Auto$125
    GEICO$126
    Liberty Mutual$127
    National General$127
    Safeco$137
    Travelers$139
    Dairyland$143
    Allstate$149
    Progressive$170
    State Farm$180
  • Some insurance companies use your credit history when determining your auto insurance rates. How well you manage your finances can predict your likelihood of filing a claim.[8] Our research shows drivers with poor credit pay 20% more for car insurance than drivers with excellent credit.

    Drivers in Cary with poor credit pay an average monthly rate of $95 for auto insurance, according to our data. But not all companies look at your credit, and some offer cheap rates regardless of your credit history.

    The chart below shows Cary’s five cheapest insurers for drivers with poor credit, according to Compare.com data.

    The below rates in Cary, NC, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates With Bad Credit

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Nationwide$65
    Liberty Mutual$74
    Direct Auto$75
    GEICO$76
    National General$76
    Erie$78
    Safeco$79
    Progressive$80
    Travelers$84
    Dairyland$86
    Allstate$90
    State Farm$127

North Carolina Auto Insurance Requirements

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Like most states, North Carolina requires drivers to have car insurance. The state’s insurance requirements change on July 1, 2025, but the minimum amount of liability coverage you need right now includes:

You also need uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that matches the above limits. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries and vehicle damage if the other driver doesn’t have insurance or enough liability insurance to cover your damages.

But on July 1, 2025, the state-minimum requirements increase to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident of bodily injury liability and $50,000 of property damage liability. Your policy’s limits will increase to comply with the law, which will likely increase your premium.

Is minimum coverage enough in Cary?

Even though North Carolina’s minimum insurance requirements increase in 2025, state-minimum coverage might not be enough if you cause a serious accident. An accident with multiple injuries or severe vehicle damage could easily exceed your liability limits, leaving you on the hook to pay the rest.

That’s why most insurance experts recommend buying higher limits to protect your finances. And your lender usually requires you to buy comprehensive and collision coverage if you finance or lease your car.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Cary

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Cary Auto Insurance FAQs

Before shopping for car insurance in Cary, check out these answers to some common questions that drivers have about car insurance.

  • Car insurance in Cary averages $76 per month, according to our research. Drivers pay an average of $60 per month for liability-only coverage and $92 for full-coverage car insurance.

  • Nationwide has the cheapest average auto insurance premiums in Cary, at just $53 per month.

  • No. Cary drivers pay an average of $76 per month for car insurance, compared to the national monthly average of $140, according to Compare.com data. Keep in mind that multiple factors affect your car insurance costs, including your address, age, and driving history. 

  • Erie has the cheapest auto insurance rates in North Carolina, with rates starting at $59 per month, according to our research.

  • North Carolina drivers pay an average monthly rate of $84 for car insurance, according to Compare.com data. But your actual rates will depend on personal factors like your driving record, age, and ZIP code.

Sources

  1. North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. "Vehicle Insurance Requirements."
  2. North Carolina General Assembly. "G.S. 20-279.21."
  3. III. "How much auto coverage do I need?."
  4. Naic.org. "What You Should Know About Auto Insurance Coverage."
  5. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Teenagers."
  6. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Older Drivers."
  7. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
  8. Experian. "What Is a Credit-Based Insurance Score?."

Methodology

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

About Compare.com

Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.

  • All of Compare.com's content is written and reviewed for accuracy by a team of experienced writers and editors who are experts on the topics they cover.
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  • All of the content you see on Compare.com is based on comprehensive analysis and all data is gathered and vetted from trustworthy sources.

Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.

Mandy Sleight
Written byMandy SleightInsurance Writer
Mandy Sleight
Mandy SleightInsurance Writer

Mandy Sleight has over 15 years of insurance knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, health, pet, supplemental benefits, and other insurance products. She’s a sought-after insurance expert, appearing in Bankrate.com, Moneygeek.com, U.S. News & World Report, Reviews.com, CNET, and other publications, and she's been writing for Compare.com since 2023.

Mandy uses her background and experience working for well-known insurance companies like State Farm and Nationwide Insurance to create engaging and easy-to-understand content that helps readers make smarter insurance choices that have a positive effect on their budgets and finances.

Matthew Gross
Edited byMatthew GrossEditor
Matthew Gross headshot
Matthew GrossEditor

Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.

Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

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