North Carolina drivers enjoy generally low car insurance rates, with many excellent providers to choose from. The state has relatively low insurance requirements, which help to keep rates low. When looking for the best car insurance companies in North Carolina, we considered affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores, and online resources. Some of the companies that stand out in North Carolina are also included in our national list of the best car insurance providers.
The 4 Best Auto Insurance Companies in North Carolina
- Geico: Best for low rates
- Erie: Best for customer satisfaction
- North Carolina Farm Bureau: Best for local service
- Progressive: Best for discounts
Compare the Top Car Insurance Companies in North Carolina
| Average Price for State Minimum* | Average Price for Full Coverage* | Reviews.com Score | AM Best Financial Strength Rating | J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin Geico | $527.43 | $1,574.95 | 4.4/5 | A++ | 857/1,000 | |
| Pin Erie | $569.52 | $1,612.81 | 4/5 | A+ | 871/1,000 | |
| Pin North Carolina Farm Bureau | $619.02 | $1,834.27 | N/A | A | 854/1,000 | |
| Pin Progressive | $656.55 | $2,021.15 | 4.4/5 | A+ | 848/1,000 |
Information accurate as of: 11/25/2020 *Data provided by Coverage.com
Best for Low Rates
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Low annual premiums
- Many discounts available
- Helpful mobile app
Cons
- No gap coverage
- Few local agents
Types of Coverage Offered
- Liability
- Medical
- Uninsured & underinsured motorist
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Emergency road service
- Rental reimbursement
- Mechanical breakdown
Discounts Available
- Vehicle safety features
- Good driver
- Seat belt use
- Defensive driving
- Driver’s education course
- Good student
- Emergency deployment
- Federal employee
- Membership & employee
- Military
- Multi-vehicle
- Multi-policy
*Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.**J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study rating for the Southeast region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Further Reading on Geico:
Best for Customer Satisfaction
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Top-rated customer satisfaction
- Erie Rate Lock
- Diminishing deductible option
Cons
- Limited online capabilities
- Not available in most states
Types of Coverage Offered
- Collision
- Liability
- Comprehensive
- Transportation expense/rental car coverage
- Roadside assistance
- New car protection
- Better car protection
- Rideshare
Discounts Available
- Erie Rate Lock
- Multi-policy
- First accident forgiveness
- Diminishing deductible
- Vehicle storage
- Safety savings
- Payment perks
- Youthful driver discount
- College credit
*Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.**J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study rating for the Southeast region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Further Reading on Erie:
Best for Local Service
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- High customer satisfaction
- Personalized service
Cons
- Higher than average annual premiums
- Limited information on website
- Only available to Farm Bureau members
Types of Coverage Offered
Not listed on website
Discounts Available
Not listed on website
*Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.**J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study rating for the Southeast region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Further Reading on North Carolina Farm Bureau:
Best for Discounts
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Many discounts available
- Excellent digital tools
- Coverage for high-risk drivers
Cons
- High annual premiums
- Below average customer satisfaction
Types of Coverage Offered
- Liability
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
- Medical payments
- Roadside assistance
- loan/lease payoff
- Rental car reimbursement
- Customer parts and equipment value
- Rideshare coverage
- Deductible savings bank
Discounts Available
- Multi-policy
- Multi-car
- Continuous insurance
- Safe driver
- Teen driver
- Good student
- Distant student
- Homeowner
- Quote and sign online
- Paperless billing
- Pay in full
- Automatic payment
*Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.**J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study rating for the Southeast region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Further Reading on Progressive:
- Progressive Auto Insurance Review
- Progressive Homeowners Insurance Review
- Progressive Renters Insurance Review
The Average Cost of Car Insurance in North Carolina
North Carolina drivers pay below the national average rates for auto insurance. Insurance rates based on data from Coverage.com are roughly $444 for the state’s minimum liability coverage and $1,378 for a full coverage policy. Prices can vary dramatically from one insurance carrier to the next, so it’s important to shop around. Factors such as your driving record, age, credit score, and vehicle can also impact your car insurance rates.
Top 3 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in North Carolina
| Company | Average Annual Premium |
| Geico | $527.43 |
| Economy Fire & Casualty | $565.60 |
| Erie | $569.52 |
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
Top 3 Most Expensive Car Insurance Companies in North Carolina
| Company | Average Annual Premium |
| Allstate | $931.20 |
| State Farm | $778.56 |
| Amco | $685.72 |
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
Top 3 Cheapest Cities for Car Insurance in North Carolina
| City | Average Annual Premium* |
| Burnsville | $493.19 |
| Bryson City | $497.85 |
| Franklin | $498.01 |
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
Top 3 Most Expensive Cities for Car Insurance in North Carolina
| City | Average Annual Premium* |
| Charlotte | $840.52 |
| Bessemer City | $798.83 |
| Dallas | $797.45 |
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
Guide to North Carolina Car Insurance
North Carolina requires all drivers with a valid in-state registration to carry auto insurance from a company licensed in the state. Out-of-state policies don’t fulfill this requirement. Insurance companies must report canceled policies or coverage lapses to the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles, at which time a driver must provide proof of new insurance. Failure to carry the proper insurance can result in fees and revocation of vehicle license plates.
North Carolina Minimum Insurance Requirements
North Carolina law requires all drivers to carry both bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Minimum liability required in the state of North Carolina is divided as follows:
- $30,000 bodily injury coverage per person
- $60,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
- $25,000 property damage coverage per accident
North Carolina’s At-Fault Law
North Carolina is an at-fault car accident state. The financial responsibility for any accidents falls on the driver who caused the accident. Drivers must carry liability coverage to pay for any property damage or bodily injury that occurs in an accident for which they are at-fault.
Car Insurance Add-Ons That Will Further Protect You
- Roadside assistance: Roadside assistance is an optional coverage add-on that most companies offer. It provides on-demand service for tire changes, tow services, and more.
- Gap coverage: Many people have a loan or lease on their vehicle. Gap coverage protects you in case you total your car and the amount left on the loan or lease exceeds what the car is worth.
- Rental reimbursement: This optional coverage pays for the cost of a rental car when your vehicle is damaged in a covered accident.
- Accident forgiveness: Insurance premiums typically increase after an accident, but optional accident forgiveness coverage guarantees your rate will stay the same after your first accident.
North Carolina Car Insurance FAQ
Methodology
Reviews.com scores products, services and companies using five quantifiable criteria to help readers choose the best one for them. For the best car insurance in North Carolina, our editorial team compared affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores and online resources from each company and averaged the scores to produce our very own Reviews.com score. These scores were created with our readers in mind and are meant to be a helpful tool to simplify the process of choosing which car insurance company is best for you.
As for average pricing, we used Coverage.com’s data of car insurance in North Carolina, based on the profiles of a 30-year male and female. For full coverage, the details used were the following:
- $100k bodily injury liability per person
- $300k bodily injury liability coverage per crash
- $100k property damage liability coverage per crash
- $500 collision coverage deductible
- $500 comprehensive coverage deductible
Minimum coverages were applied to match state requirements. Both drivers used a new, financed 2018 Toyota Camry, commuting five days a week and driving 12,000 miles per year. Since auto insurance rates vary widely among different profiles, we encourage you to compare options that fit your specific needs.
