How Much Is Car Insurance in Wilmington and Coastal NC?

What our North Carolina drivers pay

For one vehicle with comprehensive/collision coverage, our North Carolina clients pay a typical $1,166 a year. Across all of our policies, the typical premium works out to $922 per vehicle per year.

Comprehensive/collision policies run a typical $1,559 a year ($1,043 per vehicle). Liability only policies run a typical $742 a year ($527 per vehicle).

By county

By town

North Carolina minimum limits vs what we recommend

Since July 1, 2025, every North Carolina auto policy must carry at least $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 per accident and $50,000 for property damage (50/100/50). The old minimum was 30/60/25. Source: NC Department of Insurance.

Higher limits often cost less than people expect. Among our clients, the typical premium at 100/300 was lower than at the state minimum in every group below, because the driver, the vehicle and where it is garaged move the price more than the liability limit does. Ask us to price both.

Limits are bodily injury per person / per accident, in thousands of dollars. Typical yearly premium paid by our North Carolina clients.

Tickets, accidents and insurance points

North Carolina auto rates are filed through the North Carolina Rate Bureau, and the state's Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) adds insurance points for traffic convictions and at-fault accidents in the last three years. Each point level raises your premium by a set percentage. Add what applies to the drivers in your household:

• Points usually stay on for three years. Since July 1, 2025, a conviction worth 4 or more points (other than speeding) stays on for five years.
• A first minor at-fault accident with $2,300 or less in property damage, and a first speeding ticket of 10 mph or less over (outside a school zone), may carry no points when the household has a clean record.
• The state table lists set percentages at 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 10 and 12 points. For totals in between, the calculator shows the range; ask us for your exact figure. Insurers apply the surcharge to their own rates.

Source: NC Department of Insurance, Safe Driver Incentive Plan, and NC Rate Bureau Personal Auto Manual Rule 5. Checked October 10, 2026.

What drives your auto premium

• Driving record. Tickets and at-fault accidents add the insurance points above.
• Years licensed. Newer drivers pay an inexperienced operator surcharge. For drivers first licensed on or after July 1, 2025, it can apply for up to eight years.
• Where the car is garaged. Base rates are set by territory, so the same car costs more in some towns than others.
• The vehicles. Newer and more expensive vehicles cost more to cover for comprehensive and collision.
• Coverage and deductibles. Comprehensive and collision coverage, rental and towing add to the price; higher deductibles lower it.
• Liability limits. Higher limits add some cost, often less than people expect.
• Drivers and discounts. Every licensed driver in the household is rated. Multi-car and home and auto discounts lower the total.

Where these numbers come from

These numbers come from our own clients. They are not a survey, a national average or an online estimate. They are the premiums Sizemore Insurance drivers actually pay, taken from the in-force personal auto policies we write and service, more than 6,500 policies across North Carolina, as of October 10, 2026.

• In-force personal auto policies written through Sizemore Insurance, as of October 10, 2026. Commercial auto, motorcycles and RVs are not included.
• One premium per policy, for every vehicle and driver on it. Six-month policies are doubled to a full year.
• Each policy is placed in the town and county where its vehicles are garaged (the mailing address when no garaging address is listed).
• Comprehensive/Collision means every vehicle on the policy carries comprehensive or collision. Liability only means none does.
• Typical means the median. No insurance company names and no individual policies.
• Updated every quarter.

Common questions

How much is car insurance in Wilmington, NC?

For one vehicle with comprehensive/collision coverage, our Wilmington clients pay a typical $1,243 a year. Two vehicles with comprehensive/collision coverage run a typical $1,939 a year. Your price depends on your drivers, your vehicles and the coverage you choose.

How much is car insurance in North Carolina?

Across our North Carolina clients, one vehicle with comprehensive/collision coverage is a typical $1,166 a year, and one vehicle with liability only is a typical $581 a year.

What are the minimum car insurance limits in North Carolina?

Since July 1, 2025, North Carolina requires at least $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 per accident and $50,000 for property damage (50/100/50). We usually recommend 100/300/100 or higher.

How much do tickets and accidents raise car insurance in North Carolina?

Under the state's Safe Driver Incentive Plan, insurance points raise your premium by a set percentage: 1 point is 40%, 2 points 55%, 3 points 70%, 4 points 90%, 8 points 200%, 10 points 260% and 12 points 340%. A DWI is 12 points.

Where do these car insurance numbers come from?

From our own clients. Sizemore Insurance took the premiums on the in-force personal auto policies we write and service, more than 6,500 policies in North Carolina as of October 10, 2026, and reports the typical (median) amount by town, county, number of vehicles and coverage. It is not a survey or a national average. We update it every quarter.

How can I tell if I am paying too much?

Use Compare your premium above, then upload your declarations page with a quote request. An advisor compares your coverage and price across more than 100 insurance companies.