Wilmington, NC, Cheapest Cars to Insure: 2025 Rates & Rankings

Does your car have the cheapest car insurance rates in Wilmington, NC? We compared over 700 models to rank the top 40 cars, pickups, and SUVs that tend to have the overall most affordable insurance rates.

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  • Compact SUV models like the Kia Soul, Toyota Corolla Cross, Subaru Crosstrek, and Nissan Kicks are the top picks for having the cheapest auto insurance in Wilmington.
  • Models with segment-leading car insurance rates include the Toyota GR Corolla (compact car), Subaru Crosstrek (compact SUV), Chrysler 300 (full-size car), and Mercedes-Benz CLA250 (midsize luxury car).
  • Monthly car insurance rates for a few popular models include the Ram Truck at $181, GMC Sierra at $173, and Honda Accord at $151.
  • Auto insurance quotes have significant variability from as little as $27 per month for the minimum required liability coverage to over $679 per month for high-risk drivers.
  • Wilmington auto insurance averages $10 per year more than the North Carolina state average rate and $400 per year less than the United States national average.

Which cars have the cheapest insurance rates?

The models with the cheapest insurance prices in Wilmington, NC, tend to be small SUVs and crossovers like the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Subaru Crosstrek, and Toyota Corolla Cross. Average auto insurance quotes for the models in the top 10 cost $128 or less per month to insure for full coverage in Wilmington.

Examples of other vehicles that are ranked high in our car insurance cost comparison are the Volkswagen Taos, Buick Envista, Honda CR-V, and Buick Encore. Average insurance cost is a little bit more for those models than the compact SUVs that rank near the top, but they still have an average cost of $136 or less per month in Wilmington.

The following table lists the 40 car, truck, and SUV models with the cheapest auto insurance in Wilmington, ordered by annual cost.

Top 40 Cheapest Auto Insurance Rates in Wilmington, NC
Rank Make/Model Annual Premium Cost Per Month
1Subaru Crosstrek$1,386$116
2Chevrolet Trailblazer$1,408$117
3Kia Soul$1,462$122
4Nissan Kicks$1,478$123
5Honda Passport$1,494$125
6Buick Envision$1,504$125
7Toyota Corolla Cross$1,514$126
8Hyundai Venue$1,522$127
9Mazda CX-5$1,532$128
10Ford Bronco Sport$1,536$128
11Volkswagen Tiguan$1,554$130
12Acura RDX$1,570$131
13Nissan Murano$1,574$131
14Buick Encore$1,592$133
15Honda CR-V$1,598$133
16Subaru Outback$1,598$133
17Buick Envista$1,604$134
18Volkswagen Taos$1,606$134
19Kia Niro$1,614$135
20Toyota GR Corolla$1,630$136
21Honda HR-V$1,634$136
22Subaru Ascent$1,634$136
23Nissan Leaf$1,642$137
24Chevrolet Colorado$1,652$138
25Honda Civic$1,662$139
26Lexus NX 250$1,662$139
27Volkswagen Atlas$1,664$139
28Acura Integra$1,668$139
29Subaru Forester$1,670$139
30Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport$1,672$139
31Kia Seltos$1,676$140
32GMC Terrain$1,680$140
33Nissan Rogue$1,686$141
34Hyundai Kona$1,690$141
35Mazda CX-30$1,692$141
36Cadillac XT4$1,694$141
37Ford Explorer$1,700$142
38Volkswagen ID4$1,700$142
39Toyota Highlander$1,710$143
40Ford Escape$1,712$143

Data Methodology: Rated driver is a 40-year-old married male with no driving violations or at-fault accidents in the prior three years. Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) and medical payments coverages are included. Premium is averaged for all trim levels available for each vehicle and also for all Wilmington, NC Zip Codes. Updated October 24, 2025

Top 40 cheapest vehicles to insure in Wilmington, NC with the Subaru Crosstrek ranking first at $1,386 per year
Top 40 cheapest vehicles to insure in Wilmington, NC with the Subaru Crosstrek ranking first at $1,386 per year

A few other popular models making the list of the top 40 table above include the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, the Honda Civic, the Chevrolet Colorado, the Kia Seltos, and the Honda HR-V. Average car insurance rates for those vehicles fall between $1,630 and $1,712 per year in Wilmington.

As a comparison, some examples that have more expensive auto insurance include the Tesla Model Y which costs $173 per month, the Ram Truck which averages $181, and the Audi e-tron which costs $195.

The next section of this article goes into more detail about the average cost of car insurance for each different vehicle segment. This will give you a better understanding of the vehicle segments that have the overall least expensive Wilmington auto insurance rates.

Best types of vehicles for cheap insurance

If you’re shopping for a new vehicle, it’s important to know which categories of vehicles have more affordable car insurance rates.

As an example, you may be wondering if midsize SUVs have more affordable insurance than full-size SUVs or if sports cars cost more to insure than regular cars.

The chart below shows the average car insurance cost in Wilmington for each automotive segment. From an overal segment perspective, compact SUVs, vans, and midsize pickups tend to have the cheapest rates, with luxury and performance models having the highest car insurance rates.

Car insurance average cost by automotive segment in Wilmington, NC.
Figure 1: Car insurance average cost by automotive segment in Wilmington, NC. Rates updated on October 24, 2025.

Get Rates in Your AreaWhy is this important?

Data Methodology: Car insurance premium by automotive segment is based on 2024 model year vehicles. The rated driver is a 40-year-old male with no driving violations or at-fault accidents in the prior three years. Comprehensive and collision deductibles are $500 and rates are averaged for all Wilmington Zip Codes.

Car Insurance Rates by Automotive Segment in Wilmington, NC
Automotive Segment Annual Premium Cost Per Month
Compact SUV$1,726$144
Midsize SUV$1,852$154
Compact Car$1,854$155
Minivan$1,858$155
Midsize Pickup$1,892$158
Midsize Car$1,914$160
Compact Luxury SUV$2,034$170
Compact Luxury Car$2,064$172
Large SUV$2,070$173
Half-ton Pickup$2,078$173
Heavy Duty Pickup$2,158$180
Midsize Luxury SUV$2,228$186
Midsize Luxury Car$2,300$192
Sports Car$2,578$215
Large Car$2,700$225
Large Luxury SUV$2,904$242
Large Luxury Car$3,002$250

Data Methodology: Rated driver is a 40-year-old married male with no driving violations or at-fault accidents in the prior three years. Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) and medical payments coverages are included. Premium is averaged for all 2024 model year vehicles and also for all Wilmington, NC Zip Codes. Updated October 24, 2025

It’s fine to use average rates by segment just as a starting point, because more accurate decisions can be made if you look at specific models to find out which vehicles in each segment have the best rates.

For example, in the small luxury car segment, car insurance rates range from the Acura Integra at $1,668 per year for full coverage insurance to the BMW M340i at $2,292 per year.

In the small luxury SUV segment, the average cost of insurance can vary from the Acura RDX costing $1,570 per year up to the Aston Martin DBX at $3,654 per year, a difference of $2,084 within that segment.

Lastly, in the large luxury car segment, the average cost of insurance varies from the Audi A5 costing $2,230 per year to the Mercedes-Benz Maybach S680 costing $3,930 per year.

How much does car insurance cost in Wilmington?

The average car insurance expense in Wilmington is $1,876 per year, which is 19.3% less than the U.S. average rate of $2,276. The average cost of car insurance per month in Wilmington is $156 for a full coverage policy.

In the state of North Carolina, the average cost to insure a vehicle is $1,866 per year, so the average cost in Wilmington is $10 more per year.

When compared to other larger cities in North Carolina, the cost to insure a vehicle in Wilmington is approximately $136 per year cheaper than in Charlotte, $212 per year less than in Fayetteville, and $122 per year more than in Winston Salem.

The age of the rated driver is the single-largest factor that determines the cost of auto insurance. The list below details how age impacts cost by breaking down average car insurance rates in Wilmington for young, middle-age, and senior drivers.

Average cost of car insurance in Wilmington, NC, for drivers age 16 to 60

  • 16 year old – $6,684 per year or $557 per month
  • 17 year old – $6,475 per year or $540 per month
  • 18 year old – $5,804 per year or $484 per month
  • 19 year old – $5,283 per year or $440 per month
  • 20 year old – $3,776 per year or $315 per month
  • 30 year old – $2,002 per year or $167 per month
  • 40 year old – $1,876 per year or $156 per month
  • 50 year old – $1,664 per year or $139 per month
  • 60 year old – $1,556 per year or $130 per month

The next chart displays additional costs for drivers age 20 to 60 by showing a range of rates based on an assortment of driver ages, physical damage deductibles, and driver risk profiles.

Average car insurance rates in Wilmington for different driver ages and risk scenarios.
Figure 2: Average car insurance rates in Wilmington for different driver ages and risk scenarios. Rates updated on October 24, 2025.

Data Methodology: Average rates are for the 2024 model year with safe driver and claim-free discounts applied to qualifying risk profiles. Discount Rate includes all possible rate discounts including multi-vehicle, multi-policy, homeowner, and others which vary by company. Comprehensive and collision deductibles are $500 except for low and high deductible estimates which are $100 and $1,000, respectively. Average car insurance cost in Wilmington includes all Zip Codes and vehicle trim levels.

2024 Average Car Insurance Cost in Wilmington, NC
Driver Risk Profile Annual Premium Cost Per Month
High Risk Driver Age 30$4,314$360
Safe Driver Age 20$3,776$315
At-fault Accidents Age 40$2,658$222
Low Deductibles Age 40$2,456$205
Safe Driver Age 30$2,002$167
Safe Driver Age 40$1,876$156
Safe Driver Age 50$1,664$139
High Deductibles Age 40$1,580$132
Discount Rate Age 40$1,558$130
Safe Driver Age 60$1,556$130

Data Methodology: Comprehensive and collision deductibles are $500 except for low and high deductible estimates which are $100 and $1,000, respectively. Discount Rate includes all possible rate discounts including multi-vehicle, multi-policy, homeowner, and others which vary by company. Updated October 24, 2025

Average car insurance rates in the chart range from $1,558 per year for a 40-year-old driver who qualifies for many discounts to $4,314 per year for a 30-year-old driver with a lot of violations and accidents.

When the rates shown in the chart are converted to monthly figures, the average cost of car insurance per month in Wilmington ranges from $130 to $360.

Wilmington car insurance rates can have a wide range and are impacted by a lot of factors. Due to the high likelihood of rate variability, this increases the need to get accurate auto insurance quotes when shopping online for the cheapest Wilmington car insurance.

The car insurance rates mentioned previously consist of an average based on every 2024 vehicle model, which is suitable for making overall comparisons such as the average cost difference by driver age or location. Average auto insurance rates are good for getting the answer to questions like “are car insurance rates in Wilmington cheaper than in Durham?” or “is car insurance cheaper in North Carolina or Florida?”.

But for more useful price comparisons, we should perform a rate analysis for the exact vehicle being insured. Every model has it’s own exposure profile for liability and physical damage claims, and this data enables cost comparisons.

The following chart details average insurance cost in Wilmington for some of the most popular cars, trucks, and SUVs.

Average cost to insure popular 2024 model year vehicles in Wilmington.
Figure 3: Average cost to insure popular 2024 model year vehicles in Wilmington. Rates updated on October 24, 2025.

Data Methodology: Average car insurance cost is based on 2024 model year vehicles with safe driver and claim-free discounts applied. Comprehensive and collision deductibles are $500 and UM/UIM and medical payments coverages are included. Rates are averaged for all Wilmington Zip Codes.

Average Car Insurance Quotes in Wilmington, NC
Make/Model Annual Premium Cost Per Month
Mazda CX-5$1,532$128
Honda CR-V$1,598$133
Honda HR-V$1,634$136
Honda Civic$1,662$139
Nissan Rogue$1,686$141
Ford Explorer$1,700$142
Ford Escape$1,712$143
Chevrolet Equinox$1,728$144
Toyota RAV4$1,730$144
Toyota Corolla$1,828$152
Jeep Grand Cherokee$1,876$156
Toyota Camry$2,016$168
Chevrolet Silverado$2,076$173
Ford F150$2,100$175

Data Methodology: Rated driver is a 40-year-old married male with no driving violations or at-fault accidents in the prior three years. Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) and medical payments coverages are included. Premium is averaged for all trim levels available for each vehicle for the 2024 model year and also for all Wilmington, NC Zip Codes. Updated October 24, 2025

Vehicles that are popular in Wilmington tend to be small or midsize sedans like the Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Accord and compact or midsize SUVs like the Nissan Rogue, Chevy Equinox, and Subaru Outback.

Additional popular models from different automotive segments include luxury models like the BMW 530i, Infiniti QX60, and Lexus RX 350 and sports cars like the Audi TT, Nissan GT-R, and Ford Mustang.

If you check to see which of the popular vehicles are in the prior list of the 40 models with the cheapest average auto insurance quotes, the majority do not rank on the list.

Expensive insurance could be due to buying a vehicle with a high MSRP, like a GMC Yukon which has an average cost of $59,295 or a Tesla Model Y with an average MSRP of $31,890. Another possible cause could be higher liability or medical insurance cost like a GMC Yukon XL or a GMC Sierra 2500 pickup.

Summary of key concepts

We covered a lot of data in this article, so here is a recap of some of the key concepts plus some additional information.

  • Teenage female drivers have cheaper rates than teenage males – Teenage female drivers age 16 to 19 pay $813 to $443 less per year than their male counterparts.
  • Insurance rates drop significantly from age 20 to 30 – The average 30-year-old Wilmington, North Carolina, driver will pay $1,774 less annually than a 20-year-old driver, $2,002 compared to $3,776.
  • Cost per month ranges from $130 to $557 – That is the average car insurance price range for drivers age 16 to 60 in Wilmington, North Carolina.
  • Wilmington car insurance prices are more expensive than the North Carolina state average – $1,876 (Wilmington average) versus $1,866 (North Carolina average)
  • Car insurance is generally cheaper as you age – Auto insurance rates for a 50-year-old driver in Wilmington are $2,112 per year cheaper than for a 20-year-old driver.
  • Wilmington, North Carolina, average car insurance cost is less than the U.S. average – $1,876 (Wilmington average) versus $2,276 (U.S. average)