The words “low-cost” and “auto insurance” really don’t belong together, especially when you are searching for the best price on coverage for safe drivers. Because of the high cost, let’s go over some things that can significantly affect car insurance rates, and come up with some ways to lower the cost of the next policy you buy.
One of the many criteria that are looked at to help calculate the price you pay for insurance is your zip code. More densely populated places tend to pay slightly more, whereas areas with lower vehicle theft rates and fewer weather claims have the enjoyment of a little cheaper coverage.
The information below shows the highest-priced places in North Carolina for safe drivers in which to purchase auto insurance. Durham makes the list at #5 with an annual cost of $773 for car insurance, which is around $64 each month.
| Rank | City | Premium Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $896 |
| 2 | Jacksonville | $891 |
| 3 | Charlotte | $832 |
| 4 | Gastonia | $779 |
| 5 | Durham | $773 |
| 6 | Greensboro | $763 |
| 7 | Raleigh | $760 |
| 8 | Wilmington | $758 |
| 9 | Huntersville | $756 |
| 10 | Indian Trail | $753 |
| 11 | High Point | $745 |
| 12 | Cary | $742 |
| 13 | Greenville | $738 |
| 14 | Goldsboro | $735 |
| 15 | Wilson | $732 |
| 16 | Apex | $725 |
| 17 | Rocky Mount | $718 |
| 18 | Hickory | $718 |
| 19 | Chapel Hill | $717 |
| 20 | Salisbury | $705 |
| Find the Best Rates Go | ||
Prices are approximated as the specific Durham residence address can change coverage rates considerably.
The car, truck, or SUV that needs insurance is a large consideration when shopping around for low-cost car insurance for safe drivers. Vehicles with high performance engines, poor safety features, or a high likelihood of having liability claims will cost significantly more to insure than more modest models. The list below features car insurance prices for a number of the most affordable vehicles to buy insurance for.
| Make and Model | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Honda Accord EX 4-Dr Sedan | $1,104 |
| Ford Escape XLS 2WD | $1,109 |
| Toyota Prius | $1,120 |
| Honda CR-V EX-L 2WD | $1,129 |
| Chevrolet Impala LS | $1,175 |
| Ford Edge SE 2WD | $1,254 |
| Toyota Camry XLE | $1,261 |
| Ford F-150 XLT Super Cab 4WD | $1,263 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 4WD | $1,283 |
| GMC Sierra SL Crew Cab 4WD | $1,288 |
| Chevrolet Equinox LT 2WD | $1,308 |
| Toyota RAV4 Limited 4WD | $1,316 |
| Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4WD | $1,308 |
| Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD | $1,335 |
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 2WD 4-Dr | $1,340 |
| Ford Focus SES 2-Dr Coupe | $1,342 |
| Chevrolet Silverado LS Crew Cab 2WD | $1,365 |
| Compare Cheap Rates Go | |
Above prices assume single male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, homeowner, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Rate quotes do not factor in Durham, NC location which can modify insurance rates greatly.
By looking at the data, we can tell that makes and models like the Honda Accord, Ford Escape, Toyota Prius, Honda CR-V, and Chevrolet Impala will be some of the most economical vehicles to insure for good drivers.
Poor driving habits will raise your insurance rates
The obvious way to score the most affordable insurance prices for good drivers is to drive cautiously and avoid accidents and traffic violations. The example below demonstrates how citations and accident claims can influence insurance costs for different age groups. The premiums assume a married male driver, comp and collision included, $1,000 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.
The data charted above shows the average cost of an auto insurance policy in North Carolina per year with no accidents and a clean driving record is $1,189. Get written up for two speeding tickets and the average cost swells to $1,631, an increase of $442 each year. Now throw in two accidents along with the two speeding tickets and the annual cost of insurance for safe drivers increases to an average of $3,491. That’s an increase of $2,302, or $192 per month, just for being a little careless behind the wheel!
Rate comparison of full coverage and liability-only
Paying a lower price for insurance is probably important to the majority of drivers, and one of the best ways to lower the cost of insurance for safe drivers is to only pay for liability coverage. The example below compares insurance prices when comparing full coverage to liability only. The information is based on no claims, a clean driving record, $100 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are applied.
If all age groups are averaged, full coverage costs $1,952 per year over and above liability only. That is a big expense that brings up the question if you should buy full coverage. There is no clear-cut formula for eliminating comp and collision coverage, but there is a general convention. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is 10% or more of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.
There are some cases where removing full coverage is not in your best interest. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you have to maintain full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should not consider dropping full coverage.
How to find low-cost insurance for safe drivers
Below you’ll find some of the recommended thrifty solutions that can help North Carolina drivers buy cheaper coverage.
- Maintain a safe distance and avoid accidents
- Speeding tickets and other violations increase rates
- Good credit scores may make rates cheaper
- Drive a car with a high safety rating
- Pay less by remaining claim-free
- Compare rates and switch if you can find a better deal
The last idea is incredibly critical, as we emphasized in this article. Insurance prices in Durham adjust frequently, so don’t be afraid to switch companies if you find a cheaper price.
Brand loyalty is great, but we do not recommend it if that stubbornness costs you thousands of dollars over the life of your policy. If you have a few minutes, now is a great time to shop around and find cheaper insurance for safe drivers.
The insurance agencies below can probably provide answers to your questions and help you determine which coverage meets your needs best, as lots of people like to get some professional advice when comparing insurance rates for good drivers. It can be hard to find coverage yourself, so a professional agent can provide you comfort knowing your policy gives you suitable coverage if you ever need to use it.
To find an agent close to where you live, click the link after the list.
- Allstate Insurance Agent: Michelle Riley
6015 Fayetteville Rd Ste 115 – Durham, NC 27713 – (919) 544-2155 - Allstate Insurance Agent: Reginald Wright
2310 S Miami Blvd Ste 131 – Durham, NC 27703 – (919) 484-2493 - Reliable Insurance Agency of North Carolina Inc.
3325 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd #200 – Durham, NC 27707 – (919) 864-9048 - Superior Insurance of Durham
3825 S Roxboro St #118 – Durham, NC 27713 – (919) 224-8034 - Marty Lindsey – State Farm Insurance Agent
1852 Hillandale Rd – Durham, NC 27705 – (919) 479-9671