Cheapest Auto Insurance in Gastonia, North Carolina (2025)

Located near Charlotte, Gastonia is a suburban community and one of the most populous cities in North Carolina and offers residents a perfect mix of big-city amenities with a small-town atmosphere. The overall average monthly cost of car insurance in Gastonia is $90, compared to the state average of $75.

North Carolina, in general, is known for its affordable cost of living, and car insurance premiums follow suit. The average monthly cost of auto insurance in North Carolina — and Gastonia — is cheaper than the national average.

Despite the affordable rates, it’s still important that Gastonia drivers shop for the best deal on a car insurance policy.

7 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Gastonia 

The best car insurance company for you depends on the type of coverage you need and your individual circumstances. Erie, Direct Auto, and GEICO are three of the most popular insurers in Gastonia. These companies offer low prices, solid customer service, and high-quality coverage.

As you begin your search, remember to compare quotes from several companies, and including these three in your search is generally a good idea.

Best insurer for cheap rates: Erie

Best insurer for discounts: GEICO

Best insurer for high-risk drivers: Direct Auto

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Gastonia

Your age, driving record, credit history, ZIP code, and vehicle year all affect your car insurance costs. Some of these factors are outside your control, but you can lower your car insurance costs by following these tips:

• Utilize discounts. Most insurers offer various discounts, including rate deductions for military affiliation, age, loyalty, and safe driving. Check the discounts available from each insurer before moving forward with a policy. Agents usually inform you about discounts when you sign up, but it’s always worth double-checking.

• Maintain a clean driving record. Your driving record is one of the most important factors that determines the rates you’ll pay for car insurance. Watch your speed and drive defensively to keep your rates as low as possible.

• Get quotes from multiple insurers. Comparing quotes from different insurers is the best way to secure a lower car insurance rate. When you compare rates, it’s easier to determine if you’re getting a good deal.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Gastonia: Progressive

Liability-only car insurance ensures you have enough coverage to meet the state-mandated coverage laws in North Carolina. This insurance helps pay for car repairs and medical expenses for the other driver and their passengers when you cause an accident. But it doesn’t cover any of the repair costs for your car.

The average monthly rate for liability-only car insurance in Gastonia is $77, and you can see a collection of rates available from top insurers here.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Gastonia: Nationwide

Full-coverage car insurance includes liability coverage as well as comprehensive and collision coverage, which helps pay for vehicle repairs for your car. If you have a vehicle that would be expensive to replace, a full-coverage policy could make sense for you. But if your car is old or has a low value, you might not need it.

The average rate for full-coverage car insurance in Gastonia is $102 per month, and you can see a collection of rates available from top insurers here.

Car insurance requirements in North Carolina

North Carolina state law requires drivers to have liability coverage, including bodily injury and property damage. The coverage helps pay for the other driver’s vehicle repairs and medical expenses when you cause an accident.

The specific coverage limits required in the state increased on July 1, 2025. The table below reflects the change in requirements:5

If you’re interested in enhancing your coverage beyond the state-required minimums listed above, you may want to consider any of the following optional policies:

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Auto insurance costs increase after an incident, including at-fault car accidents, speeding tickets, driving while intoxicated (DWI), and other moving violations. Insurance companies charge more for coverage because such incidents on your record indicate you may demonstrate risky driving behavior going forward.

But despite the price increase for several years, it’s still possible to find competitive rates after an incident. 

The following insurers offer the best rates for high-risk drivers in Gastonia, and the table below shows how individual incident types can affect your rates.

Average cost of car insurance by age

Your age is another key factor that affects your insurance costs. Young drivers, especially teenagers, pay more for coverage due to a lack of driving experience and an increased risk of reckless behavior.

Fortunately, premiums tend to decrease around age 25, with the lowest rates near retirement age. But rates increase again around age 70 due to increased accident risks.

The table below shows the average car insurance costs in Gastonia for each age group.

Gastonia car insurance quotes by credit tier

North Carolina allows insurers to review your credit history during the underwriting process. Insurers use credit history to generate credit-based insurance scores that predict your likelihood of filing a claim. Because of that, drivers in Gastonia can expect to pay more or less for car insurance depending on their credit history.

Insurance companies consider low credit-based insurance scores to indicate higher levels of risk and charge more as a result. Drivers with poor credit pay more for car insurance. On the other hand, drivers with excellent or good credit typically pay less.

Here are the average car insurance rates for each credit tier in Gastonia.