Best Car Insurance in North Carolina

Progressive is North Carolina's best car insurance company, earning a MoneyGeek score of 4.77 out of 5 for its strong performance in affordability, customer service and coverage options. The insurer offers the cheapest rates in eight out of ten driver categories in North Carolina. State farm leads in affordability, offering the lowest rates for most driver profiles. Our recommendations offer a starting point, but your unique profile might need a different insurance provider. Compare these top five companies to find coverage that fits your specific needs.

*We modified the categories above based on a male driver, 40 years of age, with good credit and also a clean driving record, who is insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Young drivers reflect ages 16 to 25, adult drivers ages 26 to 64 and seniors 65 and older.

Finding the best car insurance for you in North Carolina can be difficult, so we've made the following guide to assist you in finding the right fit.

North Carolina requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance with the following limits:

• Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident

• Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident

• Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident

• Uninsured motorist property damage: $25,000 per accident

  Drivers must maintain continuous coverage or risk license suspension, fines up to $150, and potential SR-22 filing requirements. North Carolina uses an at-fault insurance system, meaning the driver who causes an accident pays for damages through their liability coverage.

While state minimums meet legal requirements, they often fall short of covering actual accident costs. Most North Carolina drivers benefit from full coverage (adding comprehensive and collision) if their vehicle is worth more than $4,000 or financed. Consider your assets, driving frequency, and financial situation when selecting coverage levels above state minimums.  

MoneyGeek recommends these coverage levels for better protection:

• Liability coverage: 100/300/100 or 250/500/100
• Comprehensive and collision: $500 or $1,000 deductibles
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Match your liability limits
• Medical payments: $5,000 to $10,000

The best auto insurance depends on location, coverage type, driver profile and driving history. Progressive is the top-rated company overall, while State Farm and Erie are also good options for drivers in North Carolina.

Finding the right car insurance depends on your specific needs, so here are answers to common questions that will help you choose suitable coverage.

We researched more than 70 companies, from national to small local providers across all U.S. residential ZIP codes in North Carolina. We also checked the internet for customer reviews, discounts and coverage details to give you a complete picture of each provider's services. All companies had enough customer reviews and coverage information to make our list.

Here's how we score each company:

• Affordability (60% of score): We look at quotes for different driver profiles and compare rates within North Carolina. Our main rating uses a 40-year-old male with good credit, no driving violations, no claims history and a valid license. We also check other combinations to ensure you find the right fit for your situation.
• Customer experience (30% of score): We used sources like Google reviews, J.D. Power, AM Best and Reddit to see what customers think about each company. We focused on North Carolina-specific feedback to get an accurate score.
• Coverage options (10% of score): This score considers the number of coverage options a company offers, what makes it unique and what benefits it includes.