Top auto insurance companies are financially strong and offer a wide range of coverage options and discounts. NerdWallet’s editorial team thoroughly evaluated 23 insurers to find the best car insurance companies in North Carolina.
We based our ratings on factors like coverage options and affordability, as well as customer complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
Best car insurance companies in North Carolina
Best overall pick: Travelers
Best for customer satisfaction: Auto-Owners
Best for ease of use: State Farm
Best for your budget: See our top picks
- Why you can trust NerdWallet
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fair, unbiased and accurate information so you can choose the best insurance company for you. These company ratings are specific to auto insurance — a company's rating for other types of insurance may be different on our site. See our criteria for how we evaluate auto insurance companies.
- How we chose the best car insurance companies
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 list of the best insurers in the state, we only include insurance companies that have achieved a minimum NerdWallet star rating of 4.5.
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Our top auto insurance picks for North Carolina drivers
Here’s our list of the best auto insurance companies in North Carolina for different categories, plus what makes them the best.
Best overall
Travelers
- Received fewer customer complaints than the median.
- Lots of coverage options for auto insurance.
- One of the largest insurance providers in the nation.
- Customer satisfaction ratings are below average, according to J.D. Power.
$166 per month on average for full coverage
$1,993 per year on average for full coverage
Why it's the best:
Out of the 23 insurance companies in North Carolina we analyzed, Travelers earned the highest overall score. NerdWallet’s ratings focus primarily on factors that affect a customer’s experience with the company.
Read our Travelers auto insurance review to see why this insurer came out on top.
» MORE: The best car insurance companies
We don’t have data for every single car insurance company in North Carolina, so compare car insurance rates from several companies to make sure which one is the cheapest for you.
Best for customer satisfaction
Auto-Owners
- Offers a wide variety of products with the opportunity to bundle.
- Far fewer complaints than expected for auto insurance.
- Online quotes aren’t available.
Rates for Auto-Owners weren’t available in North Carolina, according to NerdWallet’s July 2025 analysis.
Why it's the best:
Auto-Owners is the best car insurance company in North Carolina in terms of customer satisfaction. It has the fewest customer complaints to insurance regulators for a company of its size among NerdWallet’s top-rated insurers in the state.
You can learn more about how Auto-Owners insurance works in our Auto-Owners insurance review.
Best for ease of use
State Farm
- 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.
- Doesn't offer gap insurance.
$168 per month on average for full coverage
$2,020 per year on average for full coverage
Why it's the best:
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.
Read our State Farm auto insurance review to learn more.
Best picks for your budget
Our July 2025 analysis showed that drivers pay $2,191 per year, on average, for full coverage car insurance in North Carolina. But you might be able to get cheaper rates.
Here are the most affordable options among some of the largest insurers in the country, as well as the what you might expect to pay for coverage in North Carolina:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,363 | $114 |
| Erie | $1,673 | $139 |
| Farmers | $1,845 | $154 |
| Travelers | $1,993 | $166 |
| State Farm | $2,020 | $168 |
These average rates are for a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving history, good credit and full coverage car insurance.
Driving history, personal characteristics and location all affect the cost of car insurance. These insurers may not be the best cheapest options for every driver, however, but you can compare car insurance rates from several companies to find which company is the best fit.
Looking for the lowest auto insurance rates in your state? Progressive has the cheapest average full coverage rate in North Carolina. To find other low-cost options, check out NerdWallet’s list of the cheapest car insurance in North Carolina.
Full list of the best car insurance companies in North Carolina
If you’re looking for even more options, NerdWallet analyzed 23 car insurers to find which companies offer the best car insurance in North Carolina. Here are the insurers that earned a NerdWallet star rating of 4.5 or higher.
Company | Star rating |
|---|---|
USAA* | |
*USAA is available only to active-duty military members, veterans and their families. | |
» MORE: The best car insurance companies
How to get the best car insurance in North Carolina
Still not sure which company to go with? Try these tips:
Assess your needs. Evaluate your own needs and preferences before deciding on a car insurance company, since everyone’s needs are different. For example, one person might prioritize a company with strong customer service and a low-mileage discount, while another may prize affordability and a well-polished mobile app.
Do more research. While the companies on this page represent solid choices, you may want to explore other options. Whichever insurer you go with, make sure they’re financially stable, have few customer complaints and offer the coverage you need at a competitive price. You can also check out our full list of auto insurance reviews.
Consider small insurance companies. Small, regional insurers may provide a better price and customer service than the big companies you see advertised on TV. You might have to recruit the help of a local independent car insurance agent to find them.
Shop around once a year. Make a practice of shopping for car insurance quotes about once a year — especially if price is important to you. Insurers adjust car insurance rates regularly, so a company that gave you the best rate last year might no longer be a bargain this year. Be sure to get quotes from at least three insurers, and for the most accurate comparison, use the same or similar coverage options and deductibles while shopping around.
Methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for 35-year-old men and women for all ZIP codes in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Unless otherwise stated, our analysis was based on our base driver profile, which has the following characteristics and coverage levels:
35 years old
Single. Male or female.
2022 Toyota Camry LE
12,000 annual miles driven.
Good driving record and credit
No moving violations.
"Good driving" discount applied.
Good credit-based insurance score.
Bodily injury liability coverage
$100,000 per person. $300,000 per crash.
Property damage liability coverage
$50,000 per crash.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage
$100,000 per person. $300,000 per crash.
Collision coverage
With a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage
With a $1,000 deductible.
- See characteristics for other driver profiles
For all other driver profiles, we used the same assumptions, with the following exceptions:
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for drivers with poor credit. These rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.
For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.
For young drivers, we considered 20-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
For millennial drivers, we considered 40-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
For senior drivers, we considered 70-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider. Sample drivers had the minimum required coverage by law in each state. Some policies include additional coverage at the insurer’s discretion.
Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our rates analysis due to a lack of publicly available information.
