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. Since insurance needs vary by driver, we also recommend exploring State Farm, Erie, GEICO and Nationwide. Erie ranks best for customer service among the companies.
Best Car Insurance in North Carolina
Updated: August 24, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
The best overall car insurance provider in North Carolina is Progressive, ranking first in customer satisfaction.
Erie offers the best coverage for drivers with bad credit in North Carolina, while Progressive provides the most affordable rates for those with older vehicles.
To find the best car insurance rates in North Carolina, decide on your coverage needs first, research provider costs and compare plenty of quotes from multiple insurers.
Best Car Insurance Companies in North Carolina
| Progressive | 4.77 | $48 | 2 | 2 |
| State Farm | 4.70 | $40 | 4 | 6 |
| Erie | 4.41 | $80 | 1 | 3 |
| GEICO | 4.34 | $65 | 5 | 6 |
| Nationwide | 4.34 | $71 | 6 | 5 |
*Scores above are for a 40-year-old male driver with a clean driving record and good credit who is insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Rates refer to an overall average of minimum and full coverage rates for this profile.
Best Car Insurance in North Carolina by Driver Profile
Progressive offers the cheapest rates in eight out of ten driver categories in North Carolina. Erie leads in two specific categories, providing the most affordable coverage for drivers with bad credit and those with low income.
| Young Drivers | Progressive | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Adult Drivers | Progressive | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Senior Drivers | Progressive | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Drivers With an Accident | Progressive | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Drivers With a DUI | Progressive | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Drivers With A Speeding Ticket | Progressive | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | Erie | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Drivers With Low Income | Erie | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | Progressive | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | Progressive | 2 | 2 | 2 |
*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.
Personalized Best North Carolina Car Insurance Recommendations
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.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Age Group:Adult Drivers
Select
Gender:Female
Select
Coverage Level:100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded.
Select
Credit Alignment:Below Fair
Select
Driving Record:At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
| Utica Insurance | 4.60 | $165 | 8 | 7 |
| Erie | 4.57 | $245 | 1 | 3 |
| Penn National Insurance | 4.44 | $223 | 10 | 5 |
| Farm Bureau | 4.24 | $262 | 3 | 7 |
| National General | 4.21 | $215 | 11 | 6 |
*Rates refer to an overall average of minimum and full coverage rates for this profile.
Best North Carolina Car Insurance Reviews
See detailed service comparisons for our top-rated insurance providers below.
Progressive
Best Overall in North Carolina
MoneyGeek Rating
4.8/ of 5
4.8/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.9/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Full Coverage Cost
$61For 100/300/100 liability and $1,000 deductible comprehensive and collision coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAverage Monthly Minimum Coverage Cost
$35For minimum state coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAgent Service Score
4.3/5Aggregated across all captive and independent agentsMost Unique Coverage Add-on
Pet Injury Coverage
State Farm
Best Cheap Overall in North Carolina
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ of 5
5/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
3.3/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Full Coverage Cost
$56For 100/300/100 liability and $1,000 deductible comprehensive and collision coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAverage Monthly Minimum Coverage Cost
$24For minimum state coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAgent Service Score
4.6/5Aggregated across all captive and independent agentsMost Unique Coverage Add-on
Drive Safe & Save Program
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in North Carolina
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.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs before you buy
The easiest way to overpay for car insurance is not knowing what coverage you need. Consider your driving habits, location and finances when deciding on coverage but be sure you meet North Carolina required minimums.
- 2
Research average costs and discounts you may qualify for
Research average car insurance costs in North Carolina to understand pricing. Look at home and auto insurance bundles, telematics programs, online purchasing and good student discounts. North Carolina drivers can also save through defensive driving programs.
- 3
Look through provider customer experiences and coverage options thoroughly
Check customer feedback and look for coverage add-ons that can give more protection.
- 4
Consider non-standard coverage options
Insurance from automakers, non-owner car insurance, and pay-per-mile policies might better suit your situation and budget.
- 5
Compare plenty of quotes through multiple means
Find the cheapest option by looking for quotes online and from insurance agents and websites.
- 6
Reassess annually
Car insurance pricing changes frequently with market conditions. Review your coverage and shop for new quotes yearly to ensure you maintain the best possible rate.
Best North Carolina Auto Insurance: Bottom Line
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.
Best Auto Insurance in North Carolina: FAQ
Finding the right car insurance depends on your specific needs, so here are answers to common questions that will help you choose suitable coverage.
What is the best car insurance company in North Carolina?
Progressive leads North Carolina's car insurance market, earning a MoneyGeek score of 4.7 out of 5.
What is the best car insurance company for minimum coverage in North Carolina?
State Farm leads for minimum coverage in North Carolina with an average rate as low as $288 per year.
What is the best car insurance in North Carolina for young drivers?
Progressive offers the best insurance for young adults in North Carolina, combining competitive rates around $71 monthly with strong customer service and comprehensive coverage options.
What is the best car insurance for North Carolina drivers who value customer service?
Erie leads customer experience in North Carolina with a 5 out of 5 score. The company excels in its purchase experience, agent support, digital tools and claims handling satisfaction.
What is the best car insurance in North Carolina if you have driving offenses?
Progressive leads insurance options for North Carolina drivers with violations, offering monthly rates of $50 for minimum coverage and $87 for full coverage policies.
How We Rated the Best Car Insurance in North Carolina
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.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.