Reviews Report

• Our top North Carolina homeowners insurance picks remain financially strong; recent J.D. Power home insurance studies show mixed satisfaction amid rising premiums, but these carriers generally perform solidly on service and claims.
• Allstate could be a good choice for homeowners looking for heavily personalized coverage and robust digital tools.
• Travelers is often competitively priced with customizable options, though premiums vary widely by location (coastal vs. inland) and home profile.

North Carolina homeowners insurance is available through many carriers, which means homeowners may benefit from guidance in helping choose which provider is best. Although North Carolina home insurance isn’t mandatory (except if you have a mortgage), a policy can bring homeowners peace of mind knowing they’re protected financially in case of an expensive and disastrous event. Recent market studies indicate that a typical North Carolina policy with $250,000 in dwelling coverage averages roughly $1,250–$1,600 per year, and around $1,500–$1,900 for $300,000 in coverage, depending on the home and location (Bankrate; NerdWallet; ValuePenguin). The latest NAIC benchmark (2022 average expenditure; most recently published in 2024) also shows North Carolina remains below the national average but on an upward trajectory (Insurance Information Institute).

We used current (2024–2025) rate studies and the latest NAIC baseline to map typical North Carolina premiums and applied an in-house methodology to compare discounts, coverages, and third-party evaluations to rank and review leading home insurance companies in the state. Given ongoing rate pressure and significant coastal variation, it may help to compare quotes from multiple carriers to find the best available rate for the coverage you need; note that in January 2024 the North Carolina Rate Bureau filed for an average 42.2% statewide homeowners increase, underscoring upward pressure on pricing (NC Department of Insurance).

The 5 Best Home Insurance Companies in North Carolina

• Nationwide: Best North Carolina Home Insurance for Coverage and Bundling Savings
• USAA: Best North Carolina Home Insurance for Military-Focused Coverage
• Erie: Best North Carolina Home Insurance for Strong Base Coverage and Value
• Allstate: Best North Carolina Home Insurance for Digital Tools and Coverage Options
• Travelers: Best North Carolina Home Insurance for Customizable Coverage and Discounts

Compare the Best Home Insurance Companies in North Carolina

Information current as of 2024–2025 sources cited; some third-party scores and rates may have changed since publication.

*Average premium benchmarks incorporate recent studies from Bankrate, NerdWallet and ValuePenguin.

**For current customer satisfaction results, see J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Home Insurance studies. Based on each study’s 1,000-point scale.

Nationwide

* Average premium context reflects 2024–2025 market studies (see Bankrate, NerdWallet, ValuePenguin in the chart notes).

**See J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Home Insurance studies for current satisfaction scores (1,000-point scale).

USAA

* Average premium context reflects 2024–2025 market studies (see Bankrate, NerdWallet, ValuePenguin in the chart notes).

**See J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Home Insurance studies for current satisfaction scores (1,000-point scale).

Erie

* Average premium context reflects 2024–2025 market studies (see Bankrate, NerdWallet, ValuePenguin in the chart notes).

**See J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Home Insurance studies for current satisfaction scores (1,000-point scale).

Allstate

* Average premium context reflects 2024–2025 market studies (see Bankrate, NerdWallet, ValuePenguin in the chart notes).

**See J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Home Insurance studies for current satisfaction scores (1,000-point scale).

Travelers

* Average premium context reflects 2024–2025 market studies (see Bankrate, NerdWallet, ValuePenguin in the chart notes).

**See J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Home Insurance studies for current satisfaction scores (1,000-point scale).

Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in North Carolina

Recent market studies show that North Carolina homeowners with $250,000 in dwelling coverage typically pay about $1,250–$1,600 per year on average, while $300,000 in dwelling coverage often ranges around $1,500–$1,900. Actual premiums vary by county, construction, roof age, claims history and credit-based insurance scores, with coastal areas generally higher than inland (Bankrate; NerdWallet; ValuePenguin). These ranges align with the most recent NAIC statewide benchmark (2022 average expenditure; published 2024), which confirms North Carolina remains below the national average but has risen alongside inflation and catastrophe costs (Insurance Information Institute). Many coastal homeowners also carry separate wind/hail coverage via the state’s Coastal Property Insurance Pool (NC “Beach Plan”), increasing total cost (NCIUA).

North Carolina includes several islands such as Hatteras, Roanoke and Pleasure Island and is located along the Atlantic where hurricanes threaten landfall each year. In fact, the state is the third-most prone to hurricanes in the country. However, more destructive hurricanes seem to skip the state which could be the reason average homeowners insurance rates in this state are comparatively lower  — no Category 5 hurricanes have ever hit North Carolina. Rate pressure has intensified statewide, with the North Carolina Rate Bureau seeking an average 42.2% homeowners increase in 2024 (under regulatory review), and coastal territories typically facing larger proposed changes (NC Department of Insurance).

The Cheapest Homeowner Insurance Companies in North Carolina 

*Based on $250,000 in dwelling coverage; current statewide averages for this level typically range about $1,250–$1,600, with higher costs in coastal counties (Bankrate; NerdWallet; ValuePenguin).

Top 3 Cheapest Homeowners Insurance Companies in North Carolina

• It varies by county and profile – compare quotes from at least 3–4 insurers to find your lowest rate.
• Inland vs. coastal – inland areas often price lower than coastal counties that may require separate wind/hail coverage via the NC Beach Plan.
• Coverage level matters – for $250,000 dwelling, statewide averages trend in the low-to-mid $1,000s in recent studies; adjust deductibles and endorsements to optimize price.

Top 3 Most Expensive Homeowners Insurance Companies in North Carolina

• Coastal exposure – homes near the coast often see the highest premiums due to hurricane and wind risk and reinsurance costs.
• Risk factors – older/high-risk roofs, prior claims, and low deductibles tend to push premiums toward the high end.
• All-in cost – some coastal homeowners purchase stand‑alone wind/hail coverage in addition to an HO‑3, increasing total annual spend.

Common Home Insurance Perils in North Carolina

North Carolina is situated on the Atlantic Coast and has some perils homeowners may want to take into account when considering homeowners insurance choices. The state has been cited among states with higher shares of homes at risk of natural disasters (fifth place in earlier analyses). The most common perils include:

• Hurricanes: 84 storms since 1851, averaging one hurricane every two years. 
• Tornadoes: The “Carolina Alley” spanning North and South Carolina is the fourth-most-active tornado zone in the country. April to early June is the most dangerous season for tornadoes  — although they can occur at any moment. 
• Wildfires: Robeson County was specifically named in the report of states most likely to get hit by a natural disaster as “very high risk” for potential damage from wildfires.

Add-on home insurance coverage in North Carolina

It’s primarily a matter of time before a natural disaster will occur in this state. While a standard homeowners insurance policy protects you financially against a variety of incidents, other perils must be insured separately. Flooding is one peril you will have to purchase separate coverage for, and is especially important to consider if you live in a floodplain or near the coast. Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0, many policies see incremental premium changes up to statutory caps; compare NFIP and private flood options (FEMA). For wind and hail along the coast, some homeowners use the state Coastal Property Insurance Pool (NC “Beach Plan”) for separate coverage (NCIUA).

In addition, some homeowners insurance policies include a separate deductible for hurricanes, which may factor into your policy choices. While some private companies offer flood insurance, others will facilitate the purchase of this separate policy through a government program. Additionally, you may want to explore these resources on your own to prepare for potential floods, hurricanes, or other natural disasters that could affect your home:

• FEMA: The federal government works with insurance companies and homeowners to provide affordable flood insurance.
• Red Cross: The American Red Cross provides online resources to better prepare for disasters. 
• ReadyNC: The state-organized website offers preparedness kits, tools, resources and useful contact information in case of an emergency.

North Carolina Home Insurance FAQ

Methodology 

We evaluated the companies based on their third-party agency ratings for customer experience, financial stability, as well as coverage options to determine which might be the best providers. Our analysis incorporates the latest NAIC-based benchmarks summarized by the Insurance Information Institute and current 2024–2025 market rate studies.

To compare home insurance companies across the board, we considered the following factors:

• Coverage: The more options a home insurance company has for insurance add-ons and coverages, the higher it scores in our methodology.
• Customer Experience: We reviewed the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ National Complaint Index and compared each homeowners insurance company’s complaint rating.
• Customer Satisfaction: With J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Home Insurance Study, we assigned a score to each company based on the rating it received.
• Financial Stability: Reviews.com utilized AM Best ratings to assign a score based on each home insurance company’s financial stability.
• Discounts: We reviewed and compared the number of discounts advertised on each home insurance company’s website. The more available discounts, the higher the score in this metric.

Rates are based on quoted annual premiums from recent 2024–2025 market studies, including Bankrate, NerdWallet, and ValuePenguin. These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes may be different.

The coverage limits for home insurance rates reflect the following coverage and limits:

• Coverage A, Dwelling: $250,000
• Coverage B, Other Structures: $25,000
• Coverage C, Personal Property: $125,000
• Coverage D, Loss of Use: $50,000
• Coverage E, Liability: $300,000
• Coverage F, Medical Payments: $1,000

The homeowners also have a $1,000 deductible and a separate wind and hail deductible (if required).

Keep Reading

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Homeowners Insurance Buyer’s Guide

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