Best car insurance in North Carolina for 2024

Our 2024 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories. 

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the NAIC, were analyzed.
• Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
• Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto and home insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.

Tier scores are unweighted to show the company's true score in each category out of a possible five points.

Like most states, North Carolina requires drivers to carry at least minimum levels of car insurance to drive legally. You must carry the state-required levels of bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage, as well as uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage. Understanding North Carolina’s car insurance laws may help you decide if you need higher levels of coverage, but you do not need to commit them to memory. Licensed insurance agents won't let you buy a policy that does not adhere to the state’s laws.

If you have a loan or lease on your car, you should be aware of your financial institution’s car insurance guidelines. Minimum coverage does not include comprehensive coverage or collision coverage, which provides you with coverage for damage to your vehicle. If you purchase those options, you will have a full coverage policy, which is often required by lenders. You may also want to consider gap insurance. If your new vehicle is totaled and the payout is less than the balance of your loan, gap coverage is designed to help pay the difference.

Car insurance is not a one-size-fits-all product since everyone has different coverage needs. Before you start requesting quotes, it can help to figure out what coverage you need so you’re not paying for unnecessary protection. For instance, if you’ve got a teenage driver, you might look for companies that offer safe driving program discounts. If you love managing your policy on the go, you may search for a provider with a highly rated mobile app. If your priority is bundling existing policies, you might search for a provider that also offers home insurance or life insurance. Identifying your priorities can make finding an insurance provider that’s a good fit much easier.

Based on Bankrate's research, the companies writing the most affordable policies in North Carolina include State Farm, Erie, Progressive, National General and Penn National. It's worth noting, however, that your rate will be unique to your situation, since it is based on a range of personal rating factors, including your age, gender and driving history, as well as your car's make, model and age. For this reason, it can be a good idea to shop around and ask for car insurance quotes from a range of insurers operating in North Carolina, so that you can find the company that has the cheapest policy for your needs.

Generally, full coverage means that in addition to having the state's minimum requirements for auto insurance, a driver also carries collision and comprehensive coverage, which helps pay for damage to your car following an at-fault accident. Some insurance companies may also offer other optional types of insurance, such as rental car coverage or gap insurance, to round out a full coverage policy. Consider speaking with your agent so that you have an accurate picture of what coverage is available and appropriate.

To get a car insurance policy, you will first need to get a quote. You can often do this online, but you could also call the insurance companies you are interested in or visit a local agency. You will usually need the name, date of birth and drivers’ license numbers for all the drivers you need to insure, as well as your address, the vehicle identification number (VIN) for each of your vehicles and an idea of the coverage you want to purchase.

Once you decide on a company, a representative will let you know how to purchase your policy. You will likely have to make a payment for at least one month of coverage and you may have to sign an application.

The state of North Carolina requires drivers to have a policy with at least state minimum levels of bodily injury liability, property damage liability, uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage. Unless you satisfy the state’s “financial responsibility law” in another way, like posting a bond, you must carry at least a minimum coverage policy to drive legally. Driving without auto insurance in North Carolina could result in fines and license suspension. If you cause an accident without insurance, you’ll be responsible for paying for the damages out of pocket.