BestCar InsuranceDurhamBest Car Insurance Companies in Durham, NC
Compare Rates
Ensure you're getting the best rate. Review quotes from a top insurance company.
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)
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 Durham
The best companies for full coverage car insurance in Durham are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 ($588 per year)
- North Carolina Farm Bureau: MoneyGeek score of 77 out of 100 ($669 per year)
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?
pros
High customer satisfaction score
Excellent affordability rating
Offers glass deductible modification, personal property insurance and rental car reimbursement coverage
cons
Low score in coverage choices
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
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.
How the Best Insurers in Durham Rank: MoneyGeek Scores and Costs
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.
Best Car Insurance in Durham for Customer Service
Without taking price into account, the best Durham auto insurance companies for customer service and full coverage policies are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 70 out of 100 ($588 per year)
- North Carolina Farm Bureau: MoneyGeek score of 68 out of 100 ($669 per year)
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?
pros
Excellent customer satisfaction score
Good claims management score
Offers accident forgiveness, locked vehicle insurance and pet coverage
cons
Fewer coverage choices
No gap insurance
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
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.
What Makes an Insurer Best for Customer Service?
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.
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Durham
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:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($295 per year)
- Nationwide: MoneyGeek score of 77 out of 100 ($249 per year)
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?
pros
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
cons
No discount for going paperless
Received low coverage score
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
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.
What Makes an Insurer the Best Cheap Option?
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.
Best Car Insurance in Durham for Young Adults
The following companies offer the best auto insurance to young adults in Durham looking for full coverage:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 ($601 per year)
- North Carolina Farm Bureau: MoneyGeek score of 73 out of 100 ($825 per year)
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?
pros
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
cons
Does not offer a good student discount
Fewer coverage choices
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
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.
What Makes an Insurer Best for Young Adults?
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.
Best Car Insurance in Durham for Teens and Their Families
The best auto insurance for teenagers in Durham for 16-year-olds added to a parent's full coverage policy are:
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 ($1,046 per year)
- Nationwide: MoneyGeek score of 70 out of 100 ($1,378 per year)
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?
pros
Cheapest premium averaging $1,072 per year
Offers good student, distant student discounts and drivers education discount
Excellent customer satisfaction rating
cons
Low claims score
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
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.
What Makes an Insurer Best for Teens?
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.
Best Car Insurance in Durham for Seniors
The best auto insurers for seniors needing a full coverage policy in Durham are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($578 per year)
- North Carolina Farm Bureau: MoneyGeek score of 73 out of 100 ($660 per year)
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?
pros
High customer satisfaction
Excellent affordability averaging $578 per year
Offers rental car insurance, better car replacement and personal property coverage
Senior driver discount
cons
Fewer coverage choices
Lower claims management score
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
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.
What Makes an Insurer Best for Seniors?
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.
Best Car Insurance in Durham for Drivers With Offenses
The best cheap auto insurers for drivers with poor driving records and full coverage in Durham are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($2,377 per year)
- North Carolina Farm Bureau: MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 ($2,410 per year)
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?
pros
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
cons
Low coverage score
Might not offer roadside assistance
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
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.
What Makes an Insurer Best for Drivers With Offenses?
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.
Best Car Insurance in Durham for Drivers With New Cars
Kemper offers the best full coverage insurance for new car owners in Durham:
- Kemper: MoneyGeek score of 50 out of 100 ($811 per year)
- Allstate: MoneyGeek score of 43 out of 100 ($1,910 per year)
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?
pros
Highest affordability score averaging $811 per year
Offers new car replacement
cons
Poor customer satisfaction score
No better car replacement
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
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.
What Makes an Insurer Best for Drivers With New Cars?
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.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Durham for You
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.
1
Research customer service reputations in Durham
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.
2
Compare quotes
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.
3
Find the coverages you want in Durham
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.
4
Check financial stability ratings
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.
Compare Auto Insurance Rates
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your auto insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
FAQs About the Best Car Insurance in Durham
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.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
