Buying affordable car insurance is tough enough, and determining which companies have the most affordable insurance rates for a learners permit may require even more work. Every auto insurer uses a little different formula to set their prices, so let’s begin by taking a look at the most competitive insurance companies in Durham.
Keep in mind that Durham, NC insurance rates are influenced by many factors which can significantly increase or decrease the price of coverage. Events like a birthday, getting married, or having a fender bender may generate price changes resulting in some companies being more affordable than the competition.
Find Cheaper Auto Insurance in North Carolina
| Rank | Company | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Progressive | $651 |
| 2 | Utica National | $662 |
| 3 | Liberty Mutual | $707 |
| 4 | NC Farm Bureau | $737 |
| 5 | Penn National | $739 |
| 6 | GEICO | $742 |
| 7 | Titan | $759 |
| 8 | State Farm | $779 |
| 9 | Auto-Owners | $844 |
| 10 | Erie | $895 |
| 11 | National General | $917 |
| 12 | Allied | $919 |
| 13 | Travelers | $936 |
| 14 | Peerless | $1,002 |
| 15 | Unitrin | $1,002 |
| 16 | MetLife | $1,007 |
| 17 | Nationwide | $1,011 |
| 18 | Encompass | $1,031 |
| 19 | Safeco | $1,044 |
| 20 | Allstate | $1,097 |
| Find Your Rate Go | ||
Progressive generally has some of the most affordable car insurance rates in Durham at around $651 each year. Utica National, Liberty Mutual, NC Farm Bureau, and Penn National also make the cut as some of the most economical Durham, NC car insurance companies.
As illustrated above, if you currently buy coverage from Penn National and switched to Utica National, you could earn a yearly savings of in the neighborhood of $77. Customers with GEICO could save as much as $80 a year, and Titan policyholders might see rate reductions of $97 a year.
Remember that these policy rates are averages for all types of drivers and the different vehicles they drive and do not factor in a vehicle location for a learners permit. So the company that is best for you may not even be in the top 20 companies shown above. That illustrates why you need to get auto insurance quotes using your own specific driver information and vehicle.
The type of vehicle you are insuring is a large consideration when comparing quotes for economical auto insurance for a learners permit. Vehicles with lower acceleration and performance, modern passenger safety features, or a track record of few liability claims will cost quite a bit less to insure than adrenaline junky models.
The next table presents auto insurance premiums for some of the most budget-friendly automobiles to buy insurance for.
| Vehicle | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Hyundai Elantra GLS Touring Station Wagon | $4,585 |
| Ford Escape XLS 4WD | $4,593 |
| Honda Accord LX-P 4-Dr Sedan | $4,585 |
| Honda CR-V EX 4WD | $4,629 |
| Volkswagen Jetta S 2.5 Station Wagon | $4,909 |
| Toyota Prius | $4,952 |
| Toyota Tacoma 4WD | $5,161 |
| Ford Explorer XLT AWD | $5,167 |
| Chevrolet Impala LS | $5,397 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan Hero | $5,441 |
| Toyota RAV4 2WD | $5,451 |
| Chevrolet Malibu LS | $5,441 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 Crew Cab Laramie 2WD | $5,485 |
| Honda Civic VP 4-Dr Sedan | $5,680 |
| Ford Focus SEL 4-Dr Sedan | $5,687 |
| Toyota Camry XLE | $5,723 |
| Toyota Corolla XLE | $5,733 |
| Ford Edge Sport 2WD | $5,723 |
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4WD 4-Dr | $5,758 |
| Honda Odyssey Touring | $5,767 |
| Chevrolet Equinox LTZ AWD | $5,777 |
| Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Extended Cab 4WD | $5,767 |
| Ford F-150 Lariat King Ranch 2WD | $5,774 |
| Get a Custom Quote Go | |
Data assumes single male driver age 16, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, and claim-free. Rate quotes do not factor in specific location which can alter price quotes greatly.
Looking at the data, models like the Hyundai Elantra, Ford Escape, Honda Accord, Honda CR-V, and Volkswagen Jetta are most likely to be the cheapest vehicles to insure for new drivers. The cost of a car insurance policy will be higher anyway because of the fact that there is more risk for a learners permit, but overall those particular vehicles will tend to have the best insurance prices available.
For new drivers, one of the more important things that determine the amount you pay for auto insurance is where your residence is. Areas with more people or even just a higher incidence of claims tend to pay slightly more, whereas areas with lower vehicle theft rates and fewer weather claims have the benefit of cheaper car insurance.
The following table shows the most expensive areas in North Carolina for a learners permit in which to purchase auto insurance. Durham is listed at #6 with the annual price of $773 for coverage, which is around $64 monthly.
| Rank | City | Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $932 |
| 2 | Jacksonville | $873 |
| 3 | Gastonia | $811 |
| 4 | Charlotte | $808 |
| 5 | Greensboro | $786 |
| 6 | Durham | $773 |
| 7 | Goldsboro | $758 |
| 8 | Wilmington | $758 |
| 9 | Cary | $749 |
| 10 | High Point | $745 |
| 11 | Indian Trail | $745 |
| 12 | Raleigh | $744 |
| 13 | Rocky Mount | $740 |
| 14 | Greenville | $738 |
| 15 | Huntersville | $734 |
| 16 | Wilson | $724 |
| 17 | Chapel Hill | $717 |
| 18 | Apex | $717 |
| 19 | Salisbury | $712 |
| 20 | Hickory | $711 |
| Find Cheaper Insurance Go | ||
Rate information is comparative as the specific geographic location can influence insurance rates substantially.
Insuring your vehicle with the right auto insurance company can be a challenge considering how many different insurance companies sell coverage in North Carolina. The company rank data below can help you decide which insurers to look at purchasing a policy from.
The ratings below are only made up of companies who write in the majority of U.S. states, so smaller companies will not be included in this list. To check rates and find cheaper insurance for a learners permit, follow this link.
Top 10 Major Auto Insurers Overall in Durham
- Travelers
- USAA
- AAA Insurance
- Nationwide
- Allstate
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- Safeco Insurance
- Progressive
- American Family
How to get discounts on Durham insurance
Insurance companies that offer coverage for a learners permit could also offer price discounts that may potentially lower prices by as much as 40% or more if you meet specific eligibility requirements. Companies and a selection of discounts are included below.
- GEICO policyholders can earn discounts including anti-theft, air bags, five-year accident-free, seat belt use, good student, and military active duty.
- Travelers may have discounts that include home ownership, continuous insurance, good student, student away at school, driver training, multi-car, and hybrid/electric vehicle.
- Nationwide has discounts for easy pay, family plan, defensive driving, accident-free, Farm Bureau membership, and business or organization.
- Farmers Insurance discounts include mature driver, alternative fuel, homeowner, good student, and distant student.
- Esurance may offer discounts for safety device, homeowner, good driver, good student, renters, and defensive driver.
- State Farm has savings for Drive Safe & Save, student away at school, multiple autos, safe vehicle, anti-theft, good student, and passive restraint.
- Progressive offers discounts for multi-policy, continuous coverage, online signing, good student, homeowner, and multi-vehicle.
- Mercury Insurance offers discounts including type of vehicle, multi-car, good student, ease of repair, annual mileage, professional/association, and anti-theft.
The illustration below visualizes the comparison of car insurance rates with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The data is based on a male driver, a clean driving record, no claims, North Carolina state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows the average rate with no discounts. The second bar shows the rates with paid-in-full, anti-theft, passive restraint, continuous coverage, paperless filing, and vehicle safety discounts applied. When these discounts are applied to the policy premium, the average amount saved each year on insurance for a learners permit is 28% or $388.
How to find economical auto insurance for a learners permit
It’s not impossible to find cheaper rates, and here are some penny-pinching solutions that can help Durham drivers quote cheaper auto insurance.
- Prevent rate increases by staying accident-free
- If possible, do not file small claims
- Buy a car with high safety ratings
- Bundle home and auto and earn a discount
- Serious violations like DUI or reckless driving can increase rates dramatically
- Drop full coverage on older vehicles
- Shop around for cheaper prices often
The last tip in the list is certainly vital, as was noted in the article above. Prices charged by auto insurers fluctuate considerably, so don’t be hesitant to change insurance companies if a cheaper price is available.
Being loyal to a particular company is commendable, but it’s not recommended if that loyalty results in overpaying major coinage every year. It only takes a couple minutes to shop around to find cheaper insurance for a learners permit in Durham.