bestauto insuranceNorth Carolina2022The Best Car Insurance in North Carolina for 2022
The best car insurance companies offer affordability, customer satisfaction and financial stability. Based on this, the best insurance company in North Carolina is Erie, leading in claims, tying in second for customer satisfaction and financial stability and ranking third for affordability.
Compare Auto Insurance Rates
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your auto insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
Last Updated: 5/13/2022
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
By |
Mark Fitzpatrick
Quality Verified
MoneyGeek analyzed the best options based on customer service, cost and more, and found Erie is the best in North Carolina. However, the best for you depends on your needs.
If you’re less focused on service quality and just searching for the most affordable options, MoneyGeek also found the cheapest car insurance companies in North Carolina.
bestauto insuranceNorth Carolina2022The Best Car Insurance in North Carolina
Best Car Insurance Companies in North Carolina: Overall
MoneyGeek ranked the best providers in the state using premium rates, claims rating and customer satisfaction.
Based on this, the two top companies are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek Score of 4.4 out of 5
- Nationwide: MoneyGeek score of 4.4 out of 5
USAA is not on the list but received a MoneyGeek score of 4.8 out of 5, making it the best car insurance company in North Carolina for active and retired militants.
The Top 5 Car Insurance Companies in North Carolina
1
Erie
Score:4.4
With annual premiums averaging $716, Erie ranked first for claims and tied second for stability and customer satisfaction. Erie offers better car replacement.
More About Erie
Erie immediately grants accident forgiveness to the driver for the first at-fault accident. The company also offers a new car or better car replacement if you total your car below two years. Also, Erie offers a college student discount to student drivers who aren't using their cars while in school.
Read MoneyGeek's Erie auto Insurance Review2
Nationwide
Score:4.3
Nationwide tops on affordability, with annual premiums averaging $600. It's second instability and third on satisfaction and claims. The company offers identity theft coverage.
More About Nationwide
If you or someone in your home is a victim of identity theft or fraud, Nationwide’s Identity Theft Expense Reimbursement pays up to $25,000 for expenses Nationwide offers a discount on premiums if you install anti-theft devices on your car; discounts are based on the type of security device installed. If you maintain an accident-free, five-year period, you qualify for a safe driver discount.
Read MoneyGeek's Nationwide auto Insurance Review3
North Carolina Farm Bureau
Score:4.2
North Carolina farm Bureau ties at number two for customer satisfaction and claims and comes in third for stability and affordability. It offers annual premiums at an average of $737.
More About North Carolina Farm Bureau
You must first enlist for membership at $25 annually to get an insurance premium. North Carolina Farm Bureau offers discounts for multiple cars and multiple policies. You also qualify for a discount if you pay your premiums in full.
4
GEICO
Score:3.7
GEICO ties at number one on stability with travelers and comes in third on stability and claims. Insurance premiums go for an average of $825 per year. The company offers mechanical breakdown coverage.
More About GEICO
GEICO's Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) includes all parts and systems, not just the specific items covered by most dealer warranties. MBI is available for new or leased cars that are less than 15 months old and have less than 15,000 miles.You can conveniently get an insurance quote and pay online at any time, whether day or night. If you combine policies, like health and auto insurance, you could also qualify for a discount.
Read MoneyGeek's GEICO auto Insurance Review5
Travelers
Score:3.4
Travelers' insurance premiums average at $872 per year. The company ties for first for stability with GEICO and is third for claims settlement. The company offers personal injury protection coverage.
More About Travelers
Travelers offer a Personal Injury Protection coverage that pays for medical expenses and lost wages incurred due to the accident, even if the driver is at fault. If you own a Hybrid or an electric car, Travelers gives you a discount on your car policy. Also, if you pay for your premiums in full or use paperless payments, you qualify for a discount.
Read MoneyGeek's Travelers auto Insurance ReviewHOW WE DETERMINED THE BEST INSURANCE IN NORTH CAROLINA
MoneyGeek evaluated the best full coverage in North Carolina using a full coverage policy in using a consumer satisfaction and claims score from NAIC and J.D. Power and a sample driver used to get quotes from different insurers.
MoneyGeek's North Carolina Car Insurance Resources:
Compare the Best Insurance Options in North Carolina
The best car insurance in North Carolina is determined by service quality, affordability and stability. Still, it's also dependent on your needs and whether the insurer has a cover that suits them. MoneyGeek offers insights and helps you compare the best car insurance companies in North Carolina.
Car Insurance Comparison Tool
North Carolina
Best Service
Choose Company...
VS.
Choose Company...
Best Car Insurance in North Carolina for Customer Service
MoneyGeek rated the top car insurance providers in North Carolina based on claims rating and user satisfaction while leaving out rates. Using these criteria, the best insurers are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 4.7 out of 5
- North Carolina Farm Bureau: MoneyGeek Score of 4.5 out of 5
The Top 2 Car Insurance Companies in North Carolina for Service Quality
1
Erie
Score:4.7
Erie has a user satisfaction score of 4.5 out of 5. Its claims score of 5 out of 5 is the highest among companies rated by MoneyGeek.
More About Erie
Erie offers a death benefit that covers up to $10,000 if either you or a relative dies of injuries from a car accident. As an add-on, you can have rental car coverage that pays for transportation if an accident grounds your car. Erie also offers a rate lock feature that maintains your premium rate regardless of a claim.
Read MoneyGeek's Erie auto Insurance Review2
North Carolina Farm Bureau
Score:4.5
North Carolina Farm Bureau has a satisfaction score of 4.5 out of 5, the second-highest, and a matching 4.5 out of 5 for claims. This makes it the second-best car insurance company in North Carolina.
More About North Carolina Farm Bureau
North Carolina Farm Bureau offers a discount on a car insurance policy for married couples. The company offers gap insurance that covers the deficit between what you owe and the vehicle's value if it is totaled in an accident. It also offers rideshare insurance to drivers who use their cars for Uber and other ride-sharing entities.
Best Car Insurance in North Carolina for Drivers on a Budget
MoneyGeek categorized the best rates in the state if you are interested in a policy that only meets the minimum car insurance requirements in North Carolina. Insurers with the highest scores couple affordability and quality service.
The top car insurance companies in North Carolina for drivers on a budget are:
- Nationwide: 4.4 out of 5
- State Farm: 4.3 out of 5
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Nationwide
pros
MoneyGeek claims rating of 4 out of 5
MoneyGeek customer satisfaction of 4 out of 5
An affordable, annual premium of $600
10% discount on premiums for accident-free driving
cons
No discounts for electronic payments
Offers no discounts for hybrids and electric cars
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Car owners can take advantage of Nationwide’s various discounts by bundling two types of insurance, installing anti-theft devices or using the Nationwide app that monitors driving habits.
Nationwide offers a vanishing deductible that reduces your deductible by $100 for every accident-free year. Additionally, customers can take advantage of gap coverage that pays for the deficit between the car value and the amount owed on your car loan if the car is totaled.
Best Car Insurance in North Carolina for Poor Driving Records
MoneyGeek rated the best insurers in North Carolina for drivers with an at-fault accident history. The best are:
- Erie: 4.7 out of 5
- North Carolina Farm Bureau: 4.5 out of 5
The scores represent affordability and quality customer service after an accident.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Erie
pros
After an at-fault accident, the cost of the premium is $1,089 annually
A claim rating score of 4.7 out of 5
Pays for travel costs, including food and lodging if your car breaks down
cons
Some coverages are not available in all states
New car and better car replacement do not apply to cars on lease terms
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Erie is the best option for drivers with a poor record, with a policy costing $1,089 annually.
Erie covers the following if you are involved in an accident:
- Roadside assistance: This covers towing and labor charges when your car breaks down.
- Rental reimbursement: Pays for transport expenses and car rental if your car is at the repair shop.
- Accident Forgiveness: There are no surcharges for the first at-fault accident after a three-year accident-free period
- New Car Replacement: If your car is two years or less and is totaled in an accident, you can have it replaced with the same model.
- Better car replacement: You can have your car replaced if it is less than two years and gets totaled. However, this coverage does not apply to leased cars.
Best Car Insurance in North Carolina for a Military Background
USAA is ranked as the best car insurance provider in North Carolina for serving and retired military members. It has a MoneyGeek score of 4.8 and ranks first compared to the other reviewed companies.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: USAA
pros
Offers low premiums
MoneyGeek claims a rating of 5 out of 5 and user satisfaction ratings of 4.5 out of 5
Extended benefits covers lost income and disability or death resulting from a car accident
If you insure a new car that is less than three years old, you get a discount
cons
Only current or retired military are eligible for insurance cover.
Limited options to customize insurance cover
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
USAA provides some of the most affordable policies and has the best service ratings in North Carolina. It also has one of the best reputations nationwide.
Coverages and discounts USAA offers include:
- Uninsured Motorist: This covers damage caused to your car by accident involving a driver with no insurance. It also covers damage caused by a hit-and-run driver.
- Accident Forgiveness: If you manage to stay accident-free for five years, you will not incur a rate increase for your first at-fault accident.
- New Vehicle: You qualify for a discount when you buy a premium for a car below three years old.
- Multiple Car Coverage: You qualify for a discount when you insure more than one car with USAA.
Best Car Insurance in North Carolina for Young Drivers and Students
MoneyGeek rated the best car insurance companies for students and young drivers in North Carolina based on cost and customer service.
The best insurers in the state for young drivers are:
- State Farm: 4.5 out of 5
- Nationwide: 4.1 out of 5
MoneyGeek’s Pick: State Farm
pros
One of the most affordable options for young drivers with policy costing $1,258 annually
Offers a good student discount for students who achieve and maintain good grades
MoneyGeek claims a rating of 4 out of 5 and a customer satisfaction rating of 4.5 out of 5
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Adding a young driver to your policy is expensive, but State Farm makes it affordable and offers excellent service. When you have a young driver, great service comes in handy when filing a claim.
State Farm offers a distant student discount that helps families with young drivers save on premiums since the car is not in use most of the time.
Best Car Insurance in North Carolina for Those With New Cars
MoneyGeek ranked the best insurance companies for drivers with new cars on better or new car replacement rates. New car replacement guarantees a policyholder of reimbursement for the full value of a car if it gets totaled.
This coverage is an add-on feature, so you have to pay extra for it. Better car replacement offers a newer model of your car if it's involved in an accident.
Erie has the highest MoneyGeek score of 5 out of 5 in this category.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Erie
pros
Affordable policy costing $716 annually
It has a better and new car replacement policy; better car replacement is infrequent
MoneyGeek rating of 5 out of 5 and customer satisfaction of 4.5 out of 5
cons
Does not replace leased cars
Cars need to be no more than two years old
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Erie offers new and better car replacements. Your vehicle loses value as soon as you drive it off the lot, so this coverage helps you replace your car if you get in an accident soon after buying it.
Erie’s new car and better car replacement pay for the reimbursement of your car if you total it in the first two years after buying. This provides you with a new vehicle of a similar model or an upgrade.
Best Car Insurance in North Carolina for Low-Mileage Drivers
Insurance companies are increasing the use of pay-per-mile car insurance in which drivers pay based on mileage. This can help drivers who don’t use their cars frequently save a ton of money. In North Carolina, Allstate offers the best pay-per-mile service. There are also several options for affordable low-mileage car insurance based from our research.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Allstate
pros
Pay–per–mile has good rates for car owners who don’t drive much
cons
For regular drivers, it could turn out to be more expensive than ordinary car insurance
Has a claims and satisfaction rating of 3.5
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
The pay-per-mile program by Allstate is called “Mile Wise” and is available in North Carolina. In this pay-per-mile program, drivers are charged for premiums based on the mileage covered.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in North Carolina in For You
When looking for the best car insurance in North Carolina, you need to pick a provider with financial stability, affordability and quality service.
MoneyGeek reviewed the best insurers in the state based on these factors, but you can still complete your own comparison.
1
Research Customer Service Reputations in North Carolina
MoneyGeek collected policy quotes from different providers using a sample driver and used them together with NAIC complaint and consumer satisfaction ratings by J.D. Power to pick the best insurer in North Carolina. You can also check J.D. Power and NAIC complaint ratios if you want to do your research. It is also good to refer to North Carolina's Department of Insurance Website.
2
Compare Quotes for Yourself
For comparison, MoneyGeek used quotes drawn from most of North Carolina and not the entire state. You will need to compare quotes from about three companies to understand how much insurance costs.
3
Make Sure the Company Has Coverages You Want in North Carolina
Oftentimes, insurers advertise discounts and coverages they offer, but they aren't available in every state. Confirm if the company offers what you are looking for.
4
Double-Check Financial Stability Ratings
Large insurance companies are more stable and have better ratings. In comparison, regional companies in North Carolina will have less stability and lower ratings and will likely have issues with claims payment.
FAQs About the Best Car Insurance in North Carolina
The best car insurance in North Carolina for you depends on what your policy needs are. These are some answers to the common questions regarding car insurance in New York:
Methodology
MoneyGeek worked with Quadrant Information Services to collect car insurance rates in North Carolina. The sample driver used for the study is a 40-year-old male driving a 2010 Toyota Camry LE. He has a comprehensive collision policy with a 100/300/100 limit and a $1000 deductible.
Financial strength, claims and customer satisfaction scores were drawn from J.D. Power, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The compilation of discounts and coverages was obtained from the insurer's website.
About the Author
