Updated: May 20, 2024
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Your specific requirements and driving history will determine which car insurance provider is ideal for you. Erie is the best insurance provider for full coverage policies, minimum coverage policies, customer service, young individuals, seniors and those with driving offenses. State Farm is better for teen drivers, while Kemper is best for new vehicles.
We also highlighted the cheapest auto insurance providers in Durham.
BestCar InsuranceDurhamTable of Contents (Jump to Your Best Fit)
Why Trust MoneyGeek? Using information gathered from Quadrant Information Services and the North Carolina Department of Insurance, MoneyGeek developed a rating system for Durham auto insurance providers based on customer service, claims management, affordability and financial stability.
The best companies for full coverage car insurance in Durham are:
We chose Erie since it scored highest in both customer satisfaction and cost among the companies we studied. This implies that you receive affordable, high-quality service from Erie. We also found that Erie is the best car insurance company in North Carolina.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for the overall best car insurance was calculated with the following weights:
High customer satisfaction score
Excellent affordability rating
Offers glass deductible modification, personal property insurance and rental car reimbursement coverage
Low score in coverage choices
Erie scored highly for customer satisfaction and affordability, showing that it offers affordable policies with great service. It provides a variety of common coverages as well as others that are rarely provided by competitors. Erie's comprehensive coverage includes glass repair, which waives the repair deductible. Full window glass, which can be added for a small fee, even eliminates your responsibility for paying a deductible in the event of a broken window that needs repair or replacement.
With Erie's personal item coverage or physical damage policy, you will be covered for loss of up to $350 worth of clothing, baggage and other personal goods that were inside your damaged car. Transportation expense coverage pays for renting a car if a covered loss renders your vehicle inoperable, so you pay nothing from your pocket.
Erie is our top pick among the nine insurance carriers we evaluated in Durham, North Carolina. It boasts the lowest rates at $588 per year and the highest customer service rating. North Carolina Farm Bureau has the second most affordable ($669 per year) coverage and the highest claims rating.
All rates given are for a full coverage plan. MoneyGeek scores were only provided to companies that had data for all individual scoring factors.
| Erie | MoneyGeek Score (out of 100)86 | Annual Premium$588 | Satisfaction Score (out of 5)5 | Claims Score (out of 5)4 | Coverages Score (out of 5)3 | Stability Score (out of 5)4 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | MoneyGeek Score (out of 100)77 | Annual Premium$669 | Satisfaction Score (out of 5)4 | Claims Score (out of 5)5 | Coverages Score (out of 5)0 | Stability Score (out of 5)3 |
| State Farm | MoneyGeek Score (out of 100)76 | Annual Premium$598 | Satisfaction Score (out of 5)4 | Claims Score (out of 5)2 | Coverages Score (out of 5)3 | Stability Score (out of 5)5 |
| Nationwide | MoneyGeek Score (out of 100)72 | Annual Premium$618 | Satisfaction Score (out of 5)3 | Claims Score (out of 5)2 | Coverages Score (out of 5)4 | Stability Score (out of 5)4 |
| GEICO | MoneyGeek Score (out of 100)66 | Annual Premium$839 | Satisfaction Score (out of 5)4 | Claims Score (out of 5)2 | Coverages Score (out of 5)3 | Stability Score (out of 5)5 |
| Progressive | MoneyGeek Score (out of 100)59 | Annual Premium$996 | Satisfaction Score (out of 5)3 | Claims Score (out of 5)2 | Coverages Score (out of 5)4 | Stability Score (out of 5)4 |
| National General | MoneyGeek Score (out of 100)57 | Annual Premium$878 | Satisfaction Score (out of 5)3 | Claims Score (out of 5)2 | Coverages Score (out of 5)1 | Stability Score (out of 5)4 |
| Kemper | MoneyGeek Score (out of 100)43 | Annual Premium$791 | Satisfaction Score (out of 5)1 | Claims Score (out of 5)2 | Coverages Score (out of 5)1 | Stability Score (out of 5)2 |
| Allstate | MoneyGeek Score (out of 100)42 | Annual Premium$1,365 | Satisfaction Score (out of 5)3 | Claims Score (out of 5)2 | Coverages Score (out of 5)4 | Stability Score (out of 5)4 |
Without taking price into account, the best Durham auto insurance companies for customer service and full coverage policies are:
Erie scored highest individually in claims and customer service. In comparison to other providers, its insurance quotes are also the most affordable. This is advantageous since you pay affordable prices for high-quality service.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Customer Service was calculated with the following weights:
Excellent customer satisfaction score
Good claims management score
Offers accident forgiveness, locked vehicle insurance and pet coverage
Fewer coverage choices
No gap insurance
Erie's outstanding client service and good claims handling make it the best choice for drivers who prioritize customer service over cost. The company offers add-on coverages to enhance your existing policy. You even get special coverages as part of its comprehensive or collision coverages.
Erie offers locked vehicle coverage alongside its comprehensive coverage, which will pay up to $75 for locksmith services if you get locked out of your car by accident. Erie’s pet coverage can come in handy for pet owners. Pets injured in an accident while riding in the insured vehicle will be covered for the cost of veterinary care up to $500 per pet, up to a total limit of $1,000.
Drivers of all ages, especially new drivers, can benefit from Erie's accident forgiveness. The first time you cause an accident, there won't be a surcharge after being an Erie policyholder for at least three years without filing a claim.
When faced with a stressful scenario like a car breakdown, customer service is crucial. Insurance companies that offer exceptional service to their policyholders are quick to resolve customer concerns and process the claims promptly and fairly.
We recommend Erie because they provide the best customer service, as revealed by J.D. Power's customer satisfaction study. Despite being our top pick, it only received the second-best rating in claims processing, behind North Carolina Farm Bureau.
We assessed insurers for this category based on their service quality and affordability for minimum coverage policies. The best car insurance companies for the basic protection needed in Durham are:
Despite being the most affordable, minimum coverage policies may not provide adequate coverage. Also, liability-only insurance typically excludes coverage for damages to your car.
Note that all cities in the state must adhere to the minimum car insurance requirements in North Carolina.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for the Best Cheap company was calculated with the following weights:
An affordable minimum coverage policy costing $295 per year
Offers discounts for having daytime running lights and a window glass etching installed
Offers bundling and airbag discounts
No discount for going paperless
Received low coverage score
When it comes to minimum coverage auto insurance in Durham, Erie has excellent customer satisfaction and affordability ratings. With Erie, policyholders have access to a number of discounts that might help them pay less for their insurance.
You might be eligible for lower rates through Erie's airbag discounts if your car has airbags that were installed by the manufacturer as part of its safety-savings feature. Its bundling discounts provide premium reductions to individuals who insure multiple vehicles with Erie or have multiple policies with the company.
Besides several common discounts, Erie also offers those that are rarely offered by its competitors. If your car has daytime running lights that are factory installed, you could be eligible for a discount. Also eligible for premium discounts are motorists whose vehicles include etched window glass. In addition to providing a discount, having etched windows will give you greater privacy and less glare.
Choosing an insurer that provides the best minimum coverage insurance ensures you get cheaper rates and good customer service. Cheap policies may not always provide the best protection and service. With Erie, you don't have to choose between the two. It has the highest customer satisfaction and the second-lowest affordability, second only to Nationwide.
The following companies offer the best auto insurance to young adults in Durham looking for full coverage:
Since Erie was ranked first in both customer service and affordability, policyholders can rest assured that they will continue to receive excellent support at affordable rates.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Young Adults was calculated with the following weights:
The highest affordability with an average premium of $601 per year
Offers driver’s education and distant student discount
Young safe driver discount
Highest customer satisfaction score
Does not offer a good student discount
Fewer coverage choices
Young adults rank Erie best in affordability and customer service as per the data from Quadrant and customer satisfaction information from J.D.Power. This demonstrates that the company is the best for those who prioritize price and service quality.
Young drivers can also save money by taking advantage of the different discounts Erie provides. Young drivers under the age of 21 who have finished an official driver training course are eligible for a driver’s education discount.
Unmarried young drivers under the age of 21 and who reside with their parents can receive a discount for safe driving. This is a feature that few other companies provide. A discount for distant students who live away from home while enrolled in school is an advantage that young adults can make use of. This discount applies only if you do not have access to a car while being away from home.
Choosing insurance companies based on customer service, pricing and age-specific discounts is essential if you're a young driver looking for the best insurance. Erie satisfies all of these criteria thanks to its highly affordable coverage, outstanding customer service records from J.D. Power customer satisfaction study and a variety of discounts designed for young drivers. Keep in mind the runner-up scores better for claims management.
The best auto insurance for teenagers in Durham for 16-year-olds added to a parent's full coverage policy are:
State Farm provides the city’s cheapest rates and highest customer satisfaction rating. The insurer is a fantastic choice for anyone not wanting to compromise quality for price.
Durham’s teens might save an annual average of $538 by adding themselves to their parents' policies rather than getting their own insurance. Parents or guardians must provide consent for teens under 18 to get an auto insurance policy.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Teens was calculated with the following weights:
Cheapest premium averaging $1,072 per year
Offers good student, distant student discounts and drivers education discount
Excellent customer satisfaction rating
Low claims score
In Durham, teen drivers added to a parent's insurance policy rated State Farm highly for cost and customer service. The company is ideal for both parents and teenagers looking for the best plans in terms of pricing and customer service.
Insurance premiums for teen drivers are costly, but tens can save more with State Farm's student discounts, such as the distant student discount. You might be eligible for this discount if you are a distant student living away from home to attend school. Note that this discount applies only if you do not drive a car while attending school.
Teen drivers who have completed an approved driving education course can also ask State Farm for a discount. The company even offers a standard good student discount. A student with a B average, a 3.0 GPA or a position in the top 20% of their class may qualify for a discount.
The best insurers for teens will have affordable premiums, excellent service and teen-specific discounts and coverages. State Farm has the most inexpensive rates, superior customer service and teen-specific discounts, making it a perfect option for teens in Durham.
State Farm's policies are cheaper than Nationwide’s, our runner-up, yet its claims score is lower. It also offers good student and distant discounts and roadside assistance coverage, but not accident forgiveness.
The best auto insurers for seniors needing a full coverage policy in Durham are:
With high customer satisfaction and affordability ratings, Erie offers the best auto insurance for seniors. This assures that senior drivers do not overpay for Erie's outstanding services.
While premiums for drivers in their 70s are more expensive, drivers in their 60s often pay rates that are comparable to those of drivers in their 30s through 50s.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Seniors was calculated with the following weights:
High customer satisfaction
Excellent affordability averaging $578 per year
Offers rental car insurance, better car replacement and personal property coverage
Senior driver discount
Fewer coverage choices
Lower claims management score
Erie is the best when it comes to offering car insurance to senior drivers in Durham. Its policies for senior drivers are rated highly for customer satisfaction and are ranked second-cheapest in terms of pricing, making it a high-quality option for consumers seeking affordable policies.
With Erie's Auto Security coverage, if your brand-new vehicle is totaled within the first two years of ownership, it will be replaced with the most recent model year. Erie's physical damage coverage helps seniors cover the loss of clothing, baggage and personal possessions that were inside their totaled car, up to $350.
Erie even offers a senior driver discount. Senior citizens or drivers who are retired can save money on their premiums. Other discounts that are easy for seniors to take advantage of include bundling and pay-in-full discounts.
Seniors often receive a more favorable rate than those in younger age brackets. The best car insurance for seniors is full coverage that doesn't cost much, and it should include personal injury protection (PIP) in case they get seriously hurt in an accident.
Erie offers senior discounts as well as accident forgiveness, which will benefit seniors. The insurer also provides reasonable rates, a senior discount and exceptional service, distinguishing it from its competitors.
The best cheap auto insurers for drivers with poor driving records and full coverage in Durham are:
Erie scores well individually in service and affordability in Durham, indicating you’ll get excellent service at an affordable price. Insurance becomes expensive based on the severity of the violation. Durham drivers with speeding tickets or who drive while intoxicated (DWI) pay $401 and $2,256 more, respectively, than those with clean records.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Drivers With Offenses was calculated with the following weights:
Highest customer satisfaction score
High affordability rating, with premiums around $2,377 annually
Offers accident forgiveness, rental car reimbursement, new car replacement and better car replacement
Low coverage score
Might not offer roadside assistance
Erie scored well in affordability and was rated the best in customer satisfaction, making it the best for those with driving offenses on their record. It has special coverages that drivers with traffic infractions can make the best use of.
Using Erie’s better car and new car replacement, also called Auto Security, the company will pay for a new car if your brand new car is destroyed within the first two years. If you have Erie's accident forgiveness coverage, there will be no surcharge if you cause an accident for the first time after three claim-free years. Erie's rental car reimbursement will pay for the cost of renting a replacement vehicle in the event your vehicle is undrivable.
Policyholders with violations might be able to further lower their rates by taking advantage of discounts like paying in full and automatic payments.
Affordable premiums, multiple discounts and essential coverages like accident forgiveness, new car replacement and rental car reimbursement are important criteria for those with poor driving records. Erie is also the best in customer satisfaction and offers affordable rates, which makes it an excellent choice for drivers with poor records looking for auto insurance. The runner-up, North Carolina Farm Bureau, offers better claims management.
Kemper offers the best full coverage insurance for new car owners in Durham:
This category's rankings were based on price and service quality for North Carolina drivers with a 2022 model car. We only looked into insurers offering new or better car replacement coverage. If your car is totaled in a covered accident, new car replacement coverage will cover the cost of buying a brand-new vehicle of the same make and model. In addition to competitive prices, Kemper also provides new car replacement coverage.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for New Cars was calculated based on insurers offering new or better car replacement coverage and the following weights:
Highest affordability score averaging $811 per year
Offers new car replacement
Poor customer satisfaction score
No better car replacement
Since Kemper has the lowest prices for new car insurance in Durham, we recommend them to those who have recently purchased a new vehicle. If you want to insure a brand-new car, you might benefit from the company's new car replacement coverage.
The moment you drive off the lot, the value of your car starts to drop. New car replacement coverage is a great way to protect your investment. Kemper Total new car replacement coverage is ideal for new vehicles that are totaled in a covered accident. If the car needs major repairs or replacement, the company will foot the bill.
Gap insurance from Kemper can help you cover the difference between the amount still owed on your car loan or lease and the current value of your vehicle. It’s important to note that the company has a low customer satisfaction rating and coverage score.
Drivers who have just purchased a vehicle should shop for auto insurance from a provider that offers new or better car replacement coverage. Having one of these coverages can save you thousands of dollars by paying to replace your damaged new vehicle after a covered accident.
Kemper is the best insurer because it is affordable and gives replacement coverage for brand-new vehicles. The price for Allstate, our runner-up, is more than twice that of Kemper.
Customer satisfaction, claims handling, affordability and financial stability are just some of the aspects to think about when comparing auto insurance providers in Durham. While our rankings can be helpful, we also encourage you to do your own research using the following methods.
Using data from J.D. Power and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint ratio, MoneyGeek's rating system evaluated companies according to customer satisfaction. You can also check these sources to validate our conclusions. The North Carolina Department of Insurance is an excellent reputable resource if you need to learn more about an insurance provider or need further insurance-related details.
To get a sense of how much vehicle insurance would cost, we recommend getting estimates from at least three different companies. The typical premiums listed on MoneyGeek are for a sample driver, so your rates may differ based on your age, driving record and location.
Verify the insurer's coverage and discount availability in your location before committing to a policy. Companies might advertise discounts and coverages on their websites without making them available everywhere. The insurer's local website or calling them directly are also good ways to find out what kinds of coverage and discounts are offered in your area.
We advise looking into the ratings of companies' financial strength to get the best insurance for you. How likely a company is to pay a claim regardless of market circumstances depends on its financial health. Smaller regional insurers may find it difficult to pay claims, whereas larger insurers are often more financially solid.
Your needs and driving history will determine which auto insurance company in Durham is ideal for you. You may find the answers to the following frequently asked questions helpful when making a decision.
With an overall rating of 83 out of 100 on MoneyGeek, Erie is rated as the best auto insurance company in Durham, outperforming eight competitors. Our top ranking goes to it because of its excellent customer service and affordable annual premiums of $588. It's also best for young individuals, senior drivers, those with a history of traffic violations, customer service and cheap policies
Erie is the best cheap auto insurance provider in Durham, offering minimum coverage policies for around $295 a year. Due to its affordability and good customer support, it received an overall MoneyGeek rating of 81 out of 100.
Erie also ranked as the best option overall, for customer service, seniors, young drivers and those with violations.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
