Jerry’s editorial analyses found that Erie Insurance offers the best car insurance in North Carolina. Here’s a rundown of why it’s the top pick, plus other well-rated insurers available in the state.
If you need cheap car insurance in North Carolina, be sure to compare quotes from multiple insurers to get the best rate.
Best auto insurance in North Carolina overall: Erie Insurance
Why it’s the best: Erie Insurance has one of the highest star ratings — 4.9 stars — out of all North Carolina insurers Jerry analyzed. The company has a superior financial strength rating and few customer complaints, plus it ranks No. 3 out of 21 insurers in a national J.D. Power 2024 Auto Claims Satisfaction study. Erie also scored above average for overall satisfaction in the Southeast region in J.D. Power’s 2024 Auto Insurance Study.
Erie auto policies come with free perks that other insurers typically charge for, including pet injury coverage, accident forgiveness for your first at-fault crash, coverage for travel expenses like food and lodging if your vehicle is unusable after a covered claim, automatic coverage for borrowed and rented vehicles, plus roadside assistance.
North Carolina drivers can upgrade to Erie’s Auto Plus package, which includes increased coverage limits, a $10,000 death benefit, up to ten days of travel expenses coverage if your vehicle is totaled, waived deductibles in qualifying circumstances and a diminishing deductible. Drivers can also choose Erie’s Rate Lock feature, which means your premium won’t change if you file a claim, unless you make certain changes to your policy like adding a new driver.
Discounts are available for bundling policies, maintaining low mileage and insuring a vehicle with factory-installed safety features, like air bags and anti-lock brakes. If you prefer to buy a policy in-person, Erie has agents in many North Carolina cities.
Runner-up: Geico
5.0Jerry’s ScoreOur TakeGeico car insurance includes many policy discounts and is available in all 50 states. This is a solid option for good drivers seeking a stable insurer.
Why it’s the best: Geico earns a 5 star Jerry rating due to its superior financial strength rating and few customer complaints.
North Carolina drivers may get discounts for bundling policies, going five years or more with a clean driving record, being an active military member, paying their premium in full, driving a car with an anti-theft system, insuring a student with good grades or opting into Geico’s telematics program, DriveEasy.
Geico also offers a robust mobile app that lets drivers manage their policy, file and track claims, request roadside assistance and estimate vehicle repair costs.
More of the best North Carolina insurers
Below are more of the best car insurance companies in North Carolina.
Honorable mention: Farmers
Farmers was ranked above average for overall customer satisfaction in the Southeast region, according to J.D. Power’s 2024 Auto Insurance Study. This study ranks insurance companies based on factors like cost and consumer trust. The company also has an excellent financial strength rating from AM Best and low customer complaints.
Farmers may offer North Carolina drivers several ways to customize a policy. The provider also offers discounts for insuring multiple vehicles, bundling policies, and a discount for drivers under the age of 25 who still live at home and are the child or grandchild of a Farmers policyholder. Drivers may be eligible for additional discounts, depending on their policy.
You can get a quote online or in-person, as Farmers has agents in several North Carolina cities.
Best full coverage car insurance in North Carolina
Here are the best car insurance rates for full coverage in North Carolina.
|
Insurance Company
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
|---|---|
| National General | $205 |
| Dairyland | $229 |
| Commonwealth Insurance | $231 |
| Embark General | $244 |
| Progressive | $257 |
Best car insurance for teen drivers in North Carolina
These are the best car insurance rates for teen drivers in North Carolina, based on real policy quotes for Jerry customers ages 16 to 19.
|
Insurance Company
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
|---|---|
| National General | $235 |
| Safeco | $259 |
| Dairyland | $283 |
| Progressive | $287 |
Learn more: How much is car insurance for a 16-year-old?
Best car insurance for young drivers under 25 in North Carolina
The following companies offer some of the best car insurance rates for young drivers in North Carolina.
|
Insurance Company
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
|---|---|
| Aspire Advantage | $152 |
| National General | $221 |
| Dairyland | $235 |
| Safeco | $237 |
| Progressive | $286 |
Learn more: Car insurance for college students
Best car insurance for seniors in North Carolina
These are the best car insurance rates in North Carolina for drivers aged 65 and older.
|
Insurance Company
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
|---|---|
| National General | $131 |
| Progressive | $154 |
| Dairyland | $154 |
| Safeco | $210 |
| Root | $335 |
Learn more: Car insurance for seniors
How to get the best car insurance in North Carolina
Follow these tips to find the best car insurance in North Carolina:
- Determine your coverage needs. Each person has a unique financial situation, so determine how much car insurance you need to protect your wallet. For example, full coverage pays for damage to your own car, up to its market value. If you drive a new vehicle, you probably need full coverage. If you lease or finance your vehicle, the lender will require full coverage. You may also need gap insurance, which can help you pay off your loan if your car is totaled.
- Research insurance companies. Sites like Jerry collect customer reviews and formally review insurers so that you can check their reputations and know what to expect before buying a policy.
- Compare quotes. Once you’ve narrowed your search to a few companies, get quotes from all of them, and be sure you use the same coverage limits when shopping. This will show you which insurer offers the cheapest car insurance for the coverage you need.
Methodology
Jerry’s team of car insurance experts has assessed more than 50 car insurers and rated dozens of them using information like their financial strength, consumer complaints, pricing and online reputation. We chose the best insurers by reviewing their star ratings, state availability, coverage customizations and discount offerings.
We regularly fact-check and update insurer reviews and ratings, and reassess our star ratings annually. This list is subject to change as insurers’ offerings and our methodology for assessing them evolve.
Data included in this analysis comes from policies that Jerry has quoted within the last 18 months. Jerry services 48 states and offers a range of insurance companies to choose from.
Ben Moore is a writer and editor at Jerry and an auto insurance expert. He previously worked as a writer, editor and content strategist on NerdWallet’s auto insurance team for five years. His work has been published in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, MarketWatch, Nasdaq and Yahoo News. He also served as a NerdWallet spokesperson, with appearances on local broadcast television and quotes in Martha Stewart and Real Simple magazine.
Ben has an extensive background in digital marketing, working on affiliate and programmatic advertising campaigns for brands like Cabela’s, H&R Block and Sears. He holds a bachelors degree in marketing from Olivet Nazarene University.
Annie is a writer and editor at Jerry and has more than a decade of experience writing and editing digital content. Before joining Jerry, she was an assistant assigning editor at NerdWallet, where she covered loans. Previously, she worked at USAA and newspapers in Minnesota, North Dakota, California, and Texas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.
