Cheapest and Best Car Insurance Companies in Winston-Salem, NC

Factors such as your driving history, age and coverage needs may impact the cost of your car insurance. In Winston-Salem, you can get the cheapest minimum coverage policies from Nationwide.

But if you’re looking for full coverage insurance or have a speeding ticket or at-fault accident, State Farm is the cheapest provider. It’s also the cheapest provider for teens and military-affiliated drivers. Meanwhile, National General offers the lowest rates for drivers with DUIs.

According to MoneyGeek's research, the following companies offer the most affordable minimum coverage auto insurance policies in Winston-Salem:

• Nationwide: $233 per year
• Erie: $288 per year

Allstate is the priciest option, charging an average annual cost of $716 for its minimum coverage policies. Nationwide provides the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina at roughly $295 per year. However, its rates are lower in Winston-Salem, highlighting the significance of location in determining car insurance prices.

In North Carolina, state law sets the liability requirements for minimum coverage as follows:

• $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 property damage liability per accident
• $30,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person
• $60,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident
• $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage coverage per accident

Bodily injury liability pays for damages and other expenses from an accident in which you were at fault. For instance, if your policy offers $30,000 per person for bodily injury liability, the insurance company will pay for damages up to that limit. If costs exceed $30,000, you are responsible for paying the remainder.

According to MoneyGeek’s research, the cheapest full coverage car insurance providers in Winston-Salem are:

• State Farm: $597 per year
• Erie: $599 per year

Allstate has the most expensive premium of $1,267 per year of the city's nine companies. Erie offers the cheapest full coverage auto insurance in North Carolina, with an average cost of $629 per year. It's $32 more expensive than State Farm, Winston-Salem's cheapest provider, which shows how location affects car insurance prices.

A comprehensive coverage policy provides more extensive protection that includes comprehensive and collision coverage.

• Collision Coverage: Covers damages to your vehicle resulting from collisions with another car or object.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Pays for damages to your vehicle from non-collision events, such as theft or weather damage.

If you have a newer car, opting for full coverage insurance to protect your investment is advisable. However, if you own an older vehicle, the additional expense of full coverage could cost more than the car is worth.

Based on MoneyGeek's research, the following auto insurance companies offer the cheapest rates in Winston-Salem for drivers with a driving violation:

• Speeding Ticket: State Farm ($875 per year)
• At-Fault Accident: State Farm ($799 per year)
• DUI: National General ($2,014 per year)

Conversely, Allstate is the priciest after a speeding ticket ($1,862 per year), GEICO after an at-fault accident ($1,628 per year) and Allstate after a DUI ($5,259 per year). Even if you opt for a cheaper car insurance provider in Winston-Salem, a driving violation can substantially increase your insurance premiums.

In Winston-Salem, the severity of a driving violation will dictate the extent of the increase in car insurance rates. For instance, typically, having a DUI leads to higher premiums than speeding tickets, with an average increase of around $2,354 vs. $434. However, finding affordable car insurance after a bad driving record is possible by comparing quotes from different providers.

According to MoneyGeek’s analysis, the following are the most affordable car insurance providers for teen drivers on a family policy in Winston-Salem:

• State Farm: $1,043 per year for female and male teens
• Nationwide: $1,374 per year for female and male teens

At around $4,041 per year, GEICO has the city's highest rates for teen drivers. Insurance companies often consider male teenagers high-risk and charge them higher premiums. This gender-based difference generally diminishes as teens reach early adulthood.

Purchasing a separate car insurance policy for teenagers is much more expensive than adding a teen to a family policy. In Winston-Salem, you can save at least $538 per year by including your teen driver in your policy instead of getting them their own auto insurance. Shopping around and taking advantage of student-specific discounts can help you find cheap auto insurance for teens.

According to MoneyGeek's research, the following car insurance providers offer the most affordable full coverage policies for veterans, active military personnel, and their families in Winston-Salem:

• State Farm: $597 per year
• Erie: $599 per year

For minimum coverage policies, Nationwide is the most affordable car insurance company for military-affiliated drivers at approximately $233 per year. Erie is the second cheapest option at around $288 per year. USAA is also an affordable car insurance option for drivers with a military background.

Getting car insurance quotes online can be a tedious process, which often requires entering personal information and spending around 15 minutes per provider. With MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator, you can instantly obtain estimates based on your age, driving history, vehicle type and desired coverage level.

MoneyGeek ranked the top car insurance companies in Winston-Salem based on factors such as service quality, affordability and coverage options to help you find the best provider for your needs. Our study found that Erie tops all popular categories:

• Best overall: Erie (MoneyGeek score 83 out of 100)
• Best for service: Erie (MoneyGeek score 70 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Erie (MoneyGeek score 79 out of 100)

Please be aware that the MoneyGeek score of a company may differ based on the weight assigned to each category.

Erie is also the best car insurance provider in North Carolina. And if you have a military background, USAA is an outstanding car insurance option.

MoneyGeek's research shows that the best overall auto insurance companies in Winston-Salem are:

• Erie: MoneyGeek score 83 out of 100 ($599 per year)
• North Carolina Farm Bureau: MoneyGeek score 77 out of 100 ($682 per year)

We chose Erie over its eight competitors for its affordable premiums and outstanding customer service. Unlike most companies, Erie offers low prices and a great customer experience, making it the best choice for car insurance in Winston-Salem.

Without considering cost, MoneyGeek’s analysis shows that these car insurance providers in Winston-Salem provide the best customer service:

• Erie: MoneyGeek score 70 out of 100 ($599 per year)
• North Carolina Farm Bureau: MoneyGeek score 68 out of 100 ($682 per year)

We chose Erie because it has outstanding customer service and a great claims management reputation. Its superb service quality makes it the best choice for drivers who place a high value on customer service.

After analyzing the affordability and service quality of auto insurance companies offering minimum coverage policies in North Carolina, MoneyGeek recommends:

• Erie: MoneyGeek score 79 out of 100 ($288 per year)
• Nationwide: MoneyGeek score 77 out of 100 ($233 per year)

Opting for a minimum coverage policy can result in lower premiums and immediate cost savings. However, these policies come with limited protection against liability costs and do not cover damages to your vehicle. Evaluate your coverage needs carefully and consider potential long-term costs before deciding on a minimum coverage policy.

According to MoneyGeek’s research, the average cost of full coverage auto insurance in Winston-Salem is $770 per year. This cost is for a policy with $100,000 bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident and $100,000 in property damage liability per accident.

On average, car insurance in Winston-Salem is $90 cheaper than the cost of car insurance in the state of North Carolina. It’s also $495 lower than the national average. This price variation shows how location can impact your car insurance rates.