Cheap Car Insurance in Asheville, NC

Asheville is home to an incredible arts scene where there’s always something happening. It offers a remarkable selection of galleries, the Asheville Art Museum, and the vibrant River Arts District, which more than 200 artists call home. The city also boasts impressive architecture, from the Basilica of St. Lawrence, built in 1905, to the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.

Motorists driving through Asheville must carry car insurance in North Carolina, including a minimum of $25,000 in property damage coverage. Failure to carry auto insurance can result in significant fines.

The average monthly cost for car insurance in Asheville is $28 for minimum liability insurance or around $95 for full coverage. This is considerably lower than the national average of $67 per month or $223 per year.

What Does Full Coverage vs. Minimum Coverage Mean?

Minimum auto insurance covers only the state-mandated basic vehicle coverage. In North Carolina, that means a minimum of up to $30,000 in bodily injury protection per person injured in the accident, $60,000 in bodily injury protection per accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage per accident.

Minimum or liability-only insurance only applies to damages caused by the covered driver to another party and their property. Full-coverage insurance, on the other hand, provides substantially more protection. It is intended to cover repairs or replacement to the covered driver’s vehicle when they cause an accident.

Coverage amounts are generally based on the value of the insured vehicle.

Asheville has several potentially dangerous roads, including the “Tail of the Dragon”, located along US-129. Curvy mountain roads, often with few guardrails, can leave drivers struggling, especially when navigating during heavy traffic.

How Many Fatal Accidents Happen in Asheville?

Buncombe County, where Asheville is located, sees an average of 29 fatal accidents each year. In North Carolina, in general, reckless driving has the greatest likelihood of contributing to fatal accidents. Speeding and alcohol consumption also contribute significantly to the risk of a deadly collision.

How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in Asheville?

Across North Carolina, road and bridge conditions are a serious problem. In Asheville alone, drivers may lose hundreds of dollars annually due to dangerous road conditions. In fact, according to a TRIP report, around 11% of the major roadways in Asheville are in poor condition. Another 16% are in mediocre condition.

About 61% of Asheville’s bridges require current maintenance, and around 8% need immediate repairs. While the state is moving to address these challenges, they can pose considerable danger for Asheville residents.

Carrying the state’s minimum automobile policy is essential to providing protection, not only to the driver behind the wheel but to anyone else involved in an accident. At a minimum, Asheville drivers must carry:

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), the state’s laws around insurance are strictly enforced. Individuals who do not carry sufficient insurance are subject to substantial penalties. Those can include:

Several factors can impact vehicle coverage rates in Asheville. North Carolina does not allow gender-based insurance rates, unlike other states. However, it does allow insurers to base auto insurance rates on age, specific location, and marital status.

In addition, the amount you will pay for auto protection will depend significantly on the coverage you choose. A high-value vehicle will typically have higher insurance costs than a lower-value one if you sign up for full-coverage insurance.

Your deductible amount can also significantly influence your insurance costs, with a high-deductible policy often costing less than one with a lower deductible. However, if you choose a higher deductible policy, you can end up paying more if your vehicle is damaged.

Across the nation, most drivers will find that their automobile policy rates drop over time. Teens, in particular, often face high vehicle coverage costs due to their greater accident risk. However, in Asheville, the cost difference between insurance for older and younger individuals is not as high as it might be elsewhere.

While teens can expect to pay high auto insurance premiums, auto insurance costs drop significantly at 20. The difference between minimum liability coverage at ages 20 and 30 can be as little as $7-8 per month. Automobile policy rates remain relatively stable after that point, even as drivers age.