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Best Car Insurance in North Carolina for 2023
Nationwide and Progressive both scored as the best car insurance companies in North Carolina overall, according to NerdWallet’s 2023 analysis.
Drew Gula is a NerdWallet authority on auto insurance. He previously worked as the senior content editor at Soundstripe and as the senior writer in Liberty University's marketing department. Drew is also a published author. He is based in Nashville, Tenn.
Ben Moore Assistant Assigning Editor | Auto insurance
Ben Moore is an assistant assigning editor and spokesperson who joined NerdWallet as a writer in 2020. An auto insurance authority, his past work has been featured in The Associated Press, The Chicago Sun-Times, MarketWatch, Nasdaq and Yahoo News. Ben has been quoted in Martha Stewart and Real Simple magazine, and he has appeared on local broadcast television. He is based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
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Whether you live in the Charlotte metro area, near the Outer Banks or in a smaller town like Hillsborough, you’re probably still interested in finding the best car insurance in North Carolina.
However, comparing insurance companies can be difficult because different insurers have different perks and drawbacks. Do you want an easy-to-use mobile app? Are you interested in finding a budget-friendly option without sacrificing quality?
NerdWallet analyzed 25 insurance companies in North Carolina to help you find the best option for you. We split our top picks into four categories:
How we found the best car insurance in North Carolina
NerdWallet’s editorial team considered pricing, discounts, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and more to determine the best car insurance companies in North Carolina. Our “ease of use” category includes factors such as website transparency and how simple it is to file a claim. As we continue to evaluate more insurance providers and receive fresh market data, our list of best car insurance companies is likely to change over time. In our analysis, we only include insurance companies that have achieved a minimum NerdWallet star rating of 4.5.
Why you can trust NerdWallet
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage so you can choose the insurance company that works best for you. Our ratings are specific to auto insurance; a company's rating for other products may be different on our site. See our criteria for evaluating auto insurance companies.
Best car insurance in North Carolina overall
Out of the 25 North Carolina car insurance companies we analyzed, Nationwide and Progressive tied for the highest overall score. NerdWallet’s ratings focus primarily on factors that affect a customer’s experience with the company.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Nationwide’s wide variety of coverage options and low number of complaints make it a solid choice for many consumers.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Great set of discounts
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
Above average
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Fewer than expected
Pros
Fewer than the expected number of complaints to state regulators.
Wide variety of options for customers who want to buy multiple products from one company.
Generous extras for loyal customers such as minor accident forgiveness, pet injury coverage and car key replacement.
Cons
Customer satisfaction for auto insurance is above average but still falls short of other large insurers, according to recent J.D. Power studies.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Nationwide’s wide variety of coverage options and low number of complaints make it a solid choice for many consumers.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Great set of discounts
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
Above average
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Fewer than expected
Pros
Fewer than the expected number of complaints to state regulators.
Wide variety of options for customers who want to buy multiple products from one company.
Generous extras for loyal customers such as minor accident forgiveness, pet injury coverage and car key replacement.
Cons
Customer satisfaction for auto insurance is above average but still falls short of other large insurers, according to recent J.D. Power studies.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Progressive offers a variety of products, but there’s room for improvement when it comes to customer satisfaction.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Great set of discounts
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
Above average
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Fewer than expected
Pros
Second-largest personal auto insurer in the country.
If your pet is injured in a car accident and you have collision insurance, Progressive will help pay your vet bills in most states.
Rideshare coverage available.
Cons
Below average rating for car insurance shopping and claims satisfaction from J.D. Power.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Progressive offers a variety of products, but there’s room for improvement when it comes to customer satisfaction.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Great set of discounts
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
Above average
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Fewer than expected
Pros
Second-largest personal auto insurer in the country.
If your pet is injured in a car accident and you have collision insurance, Progressive will help pay your vet bills in most states.
Rideshare coverage available.
Cons
Below average rating for car insurance shopping and claims satisfaction from J.D. Power.
Depending on your driving history and demographics, the best car insurance in North Carolina may not be the cheapest for you. But it’s possible to get car insurance that’s highly rated and also budget-friendly.
The cheapest top-rated company in North Carolina is State Farm. Our analysis showed that the average rate for full coverage insurance from State Farm is $1,207 a year, or $101 a month in North Carolina. (However, your rate may be different; you can read our methodology to see how we determine average rates.)
We don’t have data for every single company that offers coverage to North Carolina drivers, so compare car insurance rates from several companies to make sure which one is the cheapest for you.
Check out NerdWallet’s analysis of cheap car insurance in North Carolina for a more detailed breakdown of the most affordable insurers in your state.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
State Farm offers numerous discounts and extras including travel expense coverage, making it a good choice for most drivers.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Average set of discounts
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
Above average
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Fewer than expected
Pros
Numerous discounts offered, including two programs — one for safe driving and the other for young drivers.
Generous rental car and travel expenses coverage.
Customer satisfaction rating for buying auto insurance is better than average, according to J.D. Power.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
State Farm offers numerous discounts and extras including travel expense coverage, making it a good choice for most drivers.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Average set of discounts
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
Above average
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Fewer than expected
Pros
Numerous discounts offered, including two programs — one for safe driving and the other for young drivers.
Generous rental car and travel expenses coverage.
Customer satisfaction rating for buying auto insurance is better than average, according to J.D. Power.
Cons
Doesn't offer gap insurance.
Best North Carolina car insurance for customer satisfaction
Auto-Owners is the best car insurance company in North Carolina in terms of customer satisfaction. It has the fewest customer complaints to North Carolina insurance regulators for a company of its size among NerdWallet’s 5-star insurers in the state.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Auto-Owners offers generous perks and a wide range of coverage options but is available in only 26 states.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Great set of discounts
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
Below average
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Pros
Offers a wide variety of products with the opportunity to bundle.
Far fewer than the expected number of complaints to state regulators.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Auto-Owners offers generous perks and a wide range of coverage options but is available in only 26 states.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Great set of discounts
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
Below average
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Pros
Offers a wide variety of products with the opportunity to bundle.
Far fewer than the expected number of complaints to state regulators.
Cons
Online quotes aren’t available.
Best North Carolina car insurance for ease of use
Our analysis found State Farm is the best car insurance company in North Carolina in terms of how easy it is to use and navigate both the company website and mobile app. Drivers can view their policy and submit claims online, and the State Farm mobile app has high user ratings for iOS and Android devices.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
State Farm offers numerous discounts and extras including travel expense coverage, making it a good choice for most drivers.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Average set of discounts
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
Above average
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Fewer than expected
Pros
Numerous discounts offered, including two programs — one for safe driving and the other for young drivers.
Generous rental car and travel expenses coverage.
Customer satisfaction rating for buying auto insurance is better than average, according to J.D. Power.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
State Farm offers numerous discounts and extras including travel expense coverage, making it a good choice for most drivers.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Average set of discounts
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
Above average
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Fewer than expected
Pros
Numerous discounts offered, including two programs — one for safe driving and the other for young drivers.
Generous rental car and travel expenses coverage.
Customer satisfaction rating for buying auto insurance is better than average, according to J.D. Power.
Cons
Doesn't offer gap insurance.
Full list of the best car insurance companies in North Carolina
If you’re looking for even more options, NerdWallet analyzed 25 car insurers to find the best car insurance companies in North Carolina. Here are the insurers that earned a NerdWallet star rating of 4.5 or higher.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more.
*USAA is available only to active-duty military members, veterans and their families.
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2019-2021. To assess how insurers compare with one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Average rates methodology
For our “good driver” profile, NerdWallet averaged insurance estimates from an average of 14 insurers in each state and Washington, D.C., for single male and female drivers with good credit and no tickets or violations. The analysis included 5-10 of the largest insurance companies in each state; smaller insurers were also included when rates were available. Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries were excluded from our analysis as rates were not available.
To determine the cheapest top-rated company in each state, we compared full coverage insurance rates for 35-year-old drivers with a clean driving history and good credit (where applicable). We also used a 2020 Toyota Camry L for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.
These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
