BestCar InsuranceCharlotteBest Car Insurance Companies in Charlotte, NC
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Your individual requirements and driver profile play a role in determining which car insurance company is best for you. Erie is the best overall car insurance company, and it also has the best cheap policies and the best customer support. Erie is also the top pick for young adults, seniors and drivers with offenses.
Kemper provides the best coverage option for those insuring new cars. Meanwhile, State Farm is the top insurer for teens. If you’re looking for additional savings, review MoneyGeek’s analysis of the cheapest car insurance companies in Charlotte, North Carolina.
BestCar InsuranceCharlotteTable of Contents (Jump to Your Best Fit)
Best Overall - Erie
Best for Customer Service - Erie
Best Cheap - Erie
Best for Young Adults - Erie
Best for Teens - State Farm
Best for Seniors - Erie
Best for Driving Offenses - Erie
Best for New Cars - Kemper
Best Overall Car Insurance in Charlotte
The best car insurance companies in Charlotte are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 ($762 per year)
- North Carolina Farm Bureau: MoneyGeek score of 77 out of 100 ($858 per year)
Erie scores high in affordability and customer satisfaction, although North Carolina Farm Bureau scores highest on claims management. On a statewide basis, Erie is again the best overall car insurance company, with a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
pros
Ranks #1 for customer satisfaction out of nine insurers
Ranks #2 for claims management and affordability
Offers better car replacement and gap insurance
cons
Lacks several common coverages
Does not provide roadside assistance or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Erie provides a good balance of affordability and customer satisfaction. Erie’s Auto Security coverage provides customers with better car replacement coverage if an insured vehicle less than two years old is totaled. If you’ve had the car for longer than two years, Erie will replace it with a model two years newer.
The gap insurance offering is also helpful as it covers the remaining auto loan or lease balance a totaled car may have at the time of an accident. Without this coverage, you’ll only receive the depreciated value of your vehicle.
Erie also offers several other add-ons, like its deductible modification coverage that reduces your deductible by $100 for each consecutive claims-free year, up to $500.
How the Best Insurers in Charlotte Rank: MoneyGeek Scores and Costs
MoneyGeek’s evaluation of nine auto insurance companies in Charlotte, North Carolina, finds Erie to be the best. An overall score was only assigned when enough data was found to meet every scoring component (affordability, claims management, customer satisfaction, coverage offerings and financial stability).
Erie has the highest customer satisfaction score and ranks second for claims management and affordability. Nationwide’s full coverage policy is the most affordable at $733 per year, but mediocre customer service lowers its overall ranking.
Best Car Insurance in Charlotte for Customer Service
The car insurance companies in Charlotte that provide the best customer service, regardless of cost, are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 70 out of 100 ($762 per year)
- North Carolina Farm Bureau: MoneyGeek score of 68 out of 100 ($858 per year)
Compared to other insurers with similar and higher premiums, Erie’s high levels of customer service and effective claims management make it an attractive option for many drivers. It also ranks second for affordability, so you don’t need to pay a high price for the best service.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
pros
Ranks #1 in customer satisfaction out of nine insurers
Ranks #2 for claims management
Offers rental car and/or travel reimbursement and accident forgiveness
cons
Lacks some common coverage options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Erie balances good customer service with cheap rates. However, it lacks some essential coverages, such as roadside assistance and original equipment manufacturer coverage.
With its rental car and/or travel reimbursement coverage, Erie ensures policyholders are covered in the event they need to pay for transportation while their car is being repaired after an accident. Accident forgiveness waives the surcharge from your first at-fault accident if you’ve gone three years without having to file a claim.
Erie’s deductible modification reduces the out-of-pocket amount you pay by $100 for each consecutive claims-free year. Glass repair, also known as glass deductible modification, waives the deductible for glass-related repairs, and it’s included for free with full coverage insurance.
What Makes an Insurer Best for Customer Service?
Good customer service from your insurance company means you can expect prompt assistance and a smooth experience when filing a claim or seeking guidance. Erie is MoneyGeek’s pick for the best car insurance company in Charlotte for customer service. Though companies like State Farm and GEICO offer more of the common coverage add-ons, Erie is much more affordable and ranks higher in the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction study.
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Charlotte
MoneyGeek analyzed car insurance companies in Charlotte, North Carolina, to find the best offerings for minimum coverage policies. Based on affordability and quality of service, these are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($392 per year)
- Nationwide: MoneyGeek score of 77 out of 100 ($295 per year)
Minimum car insurance requirements in North Carolina remain the same across all cities in the state. While minimum coverage policies have the lowest premiums, they provide the least liability coverage and don’t cover damages to your vehicle in the event of an accident.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
pros
Affordable minimum coverage costs $392
Offers discounts for safe driving, bundling and VIN etching
cons
Minimal coverage offerings
No good student or paperless statement discounts
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
While Nationwide offers the lowest premium in Charlotte for a minimum coverage policy, Erie is the better option for cheap car insurance because of its higher customer satisfaction and claims management scores.
Erie also has many ways to save on car insurance via discounts. For instance, if you get your VIN etched on your window, you’re eligible for a discount. You can also save money by always driving safely or bundling your auto insurance with life or homeowners insurance.
In addition, Erie offers discounts for automatic payments and paying a full year’s worth of insurance premiums in advance. If you’re an unmarried young driver buying their own policy for the first time, Erie will discount your rate for the years you spent insured by your family’s policy.
What Makes an Insurer the Best Cheap Option?
The best options for cheap car insurance provide the minimum coverage required by your state with an affordable rate and discount options to help you save even more. While Nationwide provides the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Charlotte, Erie provides a far superior customer experience, making it our top pick.
Best Car Insurance in Charlotte for Young Adults
The best car insurance companies for young adults in Charlotte are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 ($780 per year)
- North Carolina Farm Bureau: MoneyGeek score of 74 out of 100 ($1,062 per year)
Erie scored highest in affordability and customer satisfaction. With Erie, young drivers are able to find budget-friendly coverage options with a reputable insurer.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
pros
Cheapest annual rate for young drivers ($780)
Offers distant student, driver’s education and young safe driver discounts
Ranks #1 for customer satisfaction
cons
Lacks several common coverage options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
MoneyGeek’s analysis finds Erie to be the best car insurance company for drivers in their 20s, thanks to its high affordability and customer satisfaction scores. It also has various discounts available to young adults to save even more on their rates.
Drivers under 21 currently living with their parents are eligible for the young safe driver discount. Parents whose children are attending college away from home and don’t have access to their cars qualify for Erie’s distant student discount.
When it comes to available coverages, Erie’s rental car coverage ensures you can access transportation in case your car needs repairs because of an accident. Its personal property insurance provides coverage for your possessions stored in the car.
What Makes an Insurer Best for Young Adults?
Insurance companies catering to young adults provide options based on affordability, age-specific discounts and customer service. Erie rates well in all three aspects by providing cheap insurance policies, high levels of customer satisfaction and various discounts for young adults. While North Carolina Farm Bureau takes the top spot for claims management, Erie’s policies are less expensive and scored better on J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction study.
Best Car Insurance in Charlotte for Teens and Their Families
The companies that provide the best car insurance for teens on family policies in Charlotte are:
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 ($1,657 per year)
- Nationwide: MoneyGeek score of 72 out of 100 ($1,716 per year)
Of the six companies we analyzed for this category, State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance for teens on family policies. It also takes the top spot for customer satisfaction.
While teens end up paying more than adults for car insurance, they can save money if they join a family policy instead of buying individual policies. In Charlotte, you could save an average of $538 per year by joining a family policy rather than buying your own policy.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
pros
Lowest average annual premium ($1,657)
Offers discounts for distant students, driver's education and good students
Ranks #1 for customer satisfaction out of six insurers
cons
Ranks #4 for claims management
Lacks a few essential coverages
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
State Farm offers the most affordable car insurance for teens on family policies in Charlotte. Its customer satisfaction score is also the best of the lot. However, it does not fare particularly well with claims management.
While young drivers typically need to spend more than adults, they may bring down their car insurance costs through some of the discounts State Farm has to offer. For example, if you’re a student in the top 20% of your class or you have a “B” average or 3.0 GPA, you qualify for a good student discount.
Students under 21 years of age who complete an approved driver education course qualify for discounts. If you’re a student who does not live at home and you only use your car when visiting, you may also qualify for a distant student discount.
What Makes an Insurer Best for Teens?
The best insurance companies for teenage drivers offer age-specific discounts and coverages that offer extra peace of mind. For example, roadside assistance can come in handy if your car experiences a breakdown.
State Farm takes the top spot because it has the best scores for affordability and customer satisfaction, and it offers teen-specific discounts too. Nationwide, the company that takes the second spot, fares better when it comes to coverages and claims management. However, Nationwide has higher prices and inferior customer satisfaction.
Best Car Insurance in Charlotte for Seniors
The best car insurance companies for seniors in Charlotte are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($749 per year)
- Nationwide: MoneyGeek score of 73 out of 100 ($593 per year)
Erie, the winner of this segment, offers the highest levels of customer satisfaction among seniors. It takes the second spot when it comes to affordability, behind only Nationwide.
Drivers in their 60s pay comparable rates to those in their 30s through 50s, with rates starting to increase when you enter your 70s. Senior drivers may need to shop around for cheaper options.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
pros
Ranks #2 for affordability out of 9 insurers ($749 per year)
Coverages include rental car/travel reimbursement, accident forgiveness and locked vehicle
Ranks #1 for customer satisfaction.
cons
Lacks several essential coverage options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Of the nine companies MoneyGeek analyzed, Erie is the best option for senior drivers. Available discounts make the coverage options and insurance rates even more affordable.
If you have three claims-free years, there’s no surcharge the first time you’re involved in an accident, thanks to Erie’s accident forgiveness coverage. The rental car reimbursement coverage ensures you’ll have transportation if damage from an accident puts your car in the shop. If you end up locking yourself out of your car, your full coverage policy will automatically cover locksmith costs of up to $75.
Seniors may also benefit from Erie’s pet coverage, which covers the cost of vet treatments if your pet is injured during a car accident. There are also specific discounts for senior citizens and retirees, as well as safe driving discounts for being a careful, accident-free driver.
What Makes an Insurer Best for Seniors?
Seniors 60 and older tend to be cautious drivers but are also more prone to receiving serious injuries during accidents. You may benefit from insurance policies that include personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage.
Erie is the best car insurance option for senior drivers due to its low rates and high customer satisfaction. Its discounts for seniors, retirees and safe drivers make its already-reasonable rates even more affordable.
Best Car Insurance in Charlotte for Drivers With Offenses
The best auto insurance for drivers with poor records in Charlotte are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($3,120 per year)
- North Carolina Farm Bureau: MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 ($3,144 per year)
The above rates are for drivers with DUIs on their record seeking a full coverage policy. Your driving record has a significant influence on your insurance premium. Charlotte drivers with DUIs can expect to pay $3,179 more than drivers with clean records, while those with tickets pay roughly $551 more. Erie offers the best customer satisfaction experience for drivers with poor records.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
pros
Ranks #3 for affordability out of 9 insurers ($3,120 per year)
Coverages include accident forgiveness, rental car reimbursement and new car replacement
Ranks #1 for satisfaction and #2 for claims management
cons
Lacks several core coverage options
Does not offer roadside assistance or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Drivers with DUIs, tickets or at-fault accidents on their records report the highest customer satisfaction with Erie. Erie’s available coverage options benefit a wide range of drivers.
Accident forgiveness absolves you of premium increases from an at-fault accident if you’ve gone three years without filing a claim. Rental car reimbursement covers any transportation costs you incur if your car ends up at an auto shop because of an accident. If your new car is totaled during an accident, better car replacement coverage gets you a replacement car of the newest model year. Erie also provides personal property coverage, covering the costs of any personal belongings damaged or stolen from inside an insured car.
What Makes an Insurer Best for Drivers With Offenses?
As a driver with violations, expect to pay more for your car insurance. Look for insurers that offer affordability, multiple discounts and essential coverage options such as accident forgiveness, new car replacement and rental car reimbursement. While North Carolina Farm Bureau has the best claims experience, Erie is more affordable, offers more discounts and has a better customer reputation while providing key coverages.
Best Car Insurance in Charlotte for Drivers With New Cars
Kemper is the best insurance company in Charlotte for drivers with new cars.
- Kemper: MoneyGeek score of 50 out of 100 ($1,152 per year)
- Allstate: MoneyGeek score of 43 out of 100 ($2,582 per year)
Our analysis in this category is based on affordability and service quality for North Carolina drivers with a 2022 model car. We focused on insurers offering new or better car replacement coverage. If your new car is totaled in an accident, this add-on covers the cost to fully repair or replace the car. While Allstate has better customer satisfaction and coverage scores, Kemper is significantly more affordable.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
pros
Lowest annual premium ($1,152)
Provides new car replacement and gap insurance
cons
Has poor customer satisfaction and coverage scores
Missing common coverages like roadside assistance, rental car/travel reimbursement, accident forgiveness and personal property protection
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Kemper provides the cheapest auto insurance policies for drivers with new cars in Charlotte. Kemper’s new car replacement coverage (Kemper Total) is ideal for new car owners.
If your car is completely damaged in an accident, Kemper gives you all the money required to repair your car or even buy a new one. New car owners with Kemper can be at ease knowing the financial costs of their recent investment are covered in the event of an accident. Kemper also offers gap insurance, which pays the difference between your car’s depreciated value and the remaining value on your loan or lease.
While Kemper has few coverage offerings, there are several discounts available that make it a worthwhile option for drivers of different profiles. Drivers over the age of 65 qualify for a senior discount. Military discounts apply to active-duty National Guard and military personnel. Full-time students are also able to get a discount on their policy by maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0.
What Makes an Insurer Best for Drivers With New Cars?
Drivers with new cars should opt for an insurance provider that offers new or better car replacement coverage. This can come in handy in case you total your car or if it needs extensive repairs because of an accident. Kemper is an ideal choice as it provides the most affordable policies for new cars in Charlotte, along with new car replacement coverage. Allstate, the runner-up, costs an average of $1,430 more than Kemper per year.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Charlotte for You
If you’re looking for the best car insurance in Charlotte, you need to pay attention to factors such as rates, customer service reports, claims management and financial stability. MoneyGeek carried out an in-depth analysis to arrive at our results, but you can conduct your own research by considering these aspects and following some basic steps.
1
Research customer service reputations in Charlotte
Our scoring relies on satisfaction scores from J.D. Power and complaints made to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Customer service data collection takes place at the state level, not the city level. Therefore, visiting the North Carolina Department of Insurance will provide you with a clearer picture of insurers’ customer service reputations.
2
Compare quotes
The quotes presented are averages for sample drivers in Charlotte. Your actual rate may vary based on your age and driving record, along with the make, model and year of your car. Compare quotes from at least three auto insurance companies. This gives you an indication of how your individual driving profile will influence your rates and options.
3
Find the coverages you want in Charlotte
Auto insurance companies may advertise some coverages and discounts that are unavailable in all states. For example, Kemper’s Prime Auto Enhanced coverage is not available in North Carolina. Before you get drawn in by an advertised coverage, make sure it’s available in your state by calling the insurance provider or visiting its local webpage.
4
Check financial stability ratings
Review companies’ financial stability ratings. Financially sound insurance companies are more likely to fulfill claims during adverse market conditions. More often than not, large nationwide insurance companies have better financial stability than smaller regional providers.
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FAQs About the Best Car Insurance in Charlotte
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