The Best Home Insurance in North Carolina for 2023

We analyzed rates and companies across the state to find the best and most affordable options.
Sarah Schlichter
By Sarah Schlichter 
Updated
Edited by Caitlin Constantine

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MORE LIKE THISHomeowners Insurance

The average cost of homeowners insurance in North Carolina is $2,325 per year, or about $194 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. That’s more than the national average of $1,820 per year.

We’ve analyzed rates and companies across the state to find the best homeowners insurance in North Carolina. Our sample rates are for a homeowner with good credit and $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible. Your rates will be different.

Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate inaccuracies in pricing data and may update rates for accuracy as new information becomes available.

We include rates from every locale in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

Our sample homeowner had good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.

The best homeowners insurance in North Carolina

Several of NerdWallet's Best Home Insurance Companies offer policies in North Carolina. Here they are, along with their average annual premiums:

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,335

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$3,105

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$3,115

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$2,350

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,855

*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active-duty military members, veterans and their families.

More about the best home insurance companies in North Carolina

See more details about each company to help you decide which one is best for you.

insurance-product-card-logo

State Farm

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

State Farm

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

The largest homeowners insurer in the U.S., State Farm has competitive rates and a strong track record for customer service. The company has drawn fewer consumer complaints to state regulators than expected for an insurer of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC.

You may be able to save on your premium if you bundle multiple State Farm policies or have fire, smoke or burglar alarms in your home.

Read NerdWallet’s State Farm home insurance review to learn more.


insurance-product-card-logo

Erie

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Best for homeowners who want to work with an agent.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Erie

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Best for homeowners who want to work with an agent.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Founded in 1925 in Pennsylvania, Erie sells policies in a dozen states, including North Carolina. The company draws fewer complaints than expected for an insurer of its size, according to the NAIC.

Erie can cover your personal belongings on a “replacement cost” basis. Say someone breaks in and steals your gaming laptop, which you bought for $1,000 a couple of years ago. If your stuff is covered on an “actual cash value” basis, your insurer would pay only what the laptop was worth at the time of the theft — which might not be enough to buy a new replacement. Replacement cost coverage ensures you’ll receive enough to buy a new laptop (minus your deductible).

Read our Erie home insurance review to learn more.


insurance-product-card-logo

Farmers

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Farmers includes coverage some other insurers charge extra for.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Farmers

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Farmers includes coverage some other insurers charge extra for.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Homeowners policies from Farmers may include two valuable types of insurance: extended dwelling and replacement cost coverage. Extended dwelling coverage gives you extra insurance for the structure of your house, while replacement cost coverage offers higher reimbursement for stolen or destroyed belongings.

You may be eligible for a discount if you go without filing a claim for at least three years.

Read our Farmers home insurance review to learn more.


insurance-product-card-logo

Nationwide

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Close to expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Nationwide

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Close to expected

A standard Nationwide home insurance policy may include ordinance or law coverage. So if you need to bring your home up to current building codes as part of a claim, Nationwide pays some or all of the costs. Nationwide may also cover unauthorized credit or debit charges as part of its standard policy.

Beyond the standard coverage, you can choose other options to customize your homeowners policy. For example, you may want to add coverage for identity theft or damage from backed-up sewers and drains.


insurance-product-card-logo

USAA

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.

Coverage options

Below average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

USAA

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.

Coverage options

Below average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

USAA sells homeowners policies only to veterans, active members of the military and their families. If you fit into one of those groups, USAA’s policies are worth considering.

The company offers perks specifically for military members, including deductible-free coverage for military uniforms and coverage for personal belongings in a war zone. It also includes replacement cost coverage for all personal belongings, which means you’ll get enough to buy new replacements if your stuff is stolen or destroyed.

Learn more by reading our USAA home insurance review.


How much does homeowners insurance cost in North Carolina?

The average annual cost of home insurance in North Carolina is $2,325. That’s 28% more than the national average of $1,820.

In most U.S. states, including North Carolina, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.

In North Carolina, those with poor credit pay an average of $4,195 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 80% more than those with good credit.

Average cost of homeowners insurance in North Carolina by city

How much you pay for home insurance in North Carolina depends on where you live within the state. For example, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Charlotte is $1,685 per year, on average, but homeowners in the coastal city of Wilmington pay an average of $6,590 per year.

City

Average annual rate

Average monthly rate

Apex

$1,840

$153

Asheville

$1,455

$121

Burlington

$1,560

$130

Cary

$1,850

$154

Chapel Hill

$1,655

$138

Charlotte

$1,685

$140

Clayton

$2,110

$176

Concord

$1,565

$130

Durham

$1,795

$150

Fayetteville

$2,415

$201

Gastonia

$1,480

$123

Greensboro

$1,555

$130

Greenville

$2,495

$208

Hickory

$1,345

$112

High Point

$1,605

$134

Jacksonville

$4,930

$411

Lexington

$1,730

$144

Matthews

$1,680

$140

Monroe

$1,680

$140

Mooresville

$1,580

$132

Raleigh

$1,760

$147

Salisbury

$1,725

$144

Wake Forest

$1,680

$140

Wilmington

$6,590

$549

Winston-Salem

$1,435

$120

The cheapest homeowners insurance in North Carolina

The companies above aren’t your only options. Below are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the North Carolina average of $2,325.

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,335

North Carolina Farm Bureau

Not rated

$1,615

Lititz Mutual

Not rated

$1,745

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,855

*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active-duty military members, veterans and their families.

What to know about North Carolina homeowners insurance

North Carolina is vulnerable to several types of natural disasters. Here’s what you should know to make sure your home is covered.

Hurricanes and tropical storms

North Carolina is one of the U.S. states most frequently hit by hurricanes. These tropical storms can cause wind and flood damage, and a standard homeowners policy may not cover you completely — or at all.

Homeowners insurance doesn’t typically cover flood damage, so you'll likely need a separate flood insurance policy. This is an especially good idea if you live along the coast or in an area prone to flooding. To find your home’s flood risk, check the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps or visit RiskFactor.com, a tool from the nonprofit First Street Foundation.

Homeowners insurance usually does cover damage caused by wind, but in North Carolina, you may pay a separate insurance deductible for wind or hail damage. Depending on where you live, your insurer may decline to provide wind and hail coverage as part of your homeowners insurance policy. Should that happen, you can purchase separate windstorm insurance from a private insurer or the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes can strike any part of North Carolina, but the strongest ones tend to strike the eastern part of the state. They often form in conjunction with powerful thunderstorms or hurricanes.

In most parts of North Carolina, your homeowners insurance policy will likely cover your home for the wind damage that tornadoes can cause. But if you live near the coast, your homeowners insurer may not cover wind damage due to hurricane risk — and that means you won’t be covered for tornado damage, either.

As noted above, separate windstorm insurance is available through private insurers or the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association.

Winter storms

North Carolina may not see winters as harsh as those in more northerly states, but it does get some ice and snow. A standard homeowners policy covers many types of winter storm damage. For example, if a pipe freezes and bursts or a heavy snowfall knocks a tree onto your roof, your insurer will usually pay for the damage.

North Carolina Department of Insurance

Confused about your coverage, or have a complaint about your insurance company? The North Carolina Department of Insurance may be able to help. The agency oversees the insurance industry in North Carolina and provides information and resources to consumers. You can get assistance online or by calling 855-408-1212.

Looking for more insurance in North Carolina?

Frequently asked questions

There’s no law in North Carolina that requires you to buy homeowners insurance. But if you have a mortgage on your home, your lender probably requires at least enough insurance to cover the structure of the house. (This is sometimes called hazard insurance.)

North Carolina sees more hurricane landfalls than most U.S. states, which means the state’s homeowners — especially along the coast and Outer Banks — tend to pay more for insurance. More generally, the cost of homeowners insurance is going up across the country. The combination of inflation, supply chain issues and natural disasters has made rebuilding more expensive. That increased cost is reflected in higher insurance premiums.

Make sure you’re getting all the discounts you’re eligible for. You may be able to save by bundling your home and auto policies, installing safety or security features, or strengthening your home against hurricanes. Shop around regularly to see whether less expensive policies are available. We recommend getting home insurance quotes once a year from at least three companies.

Methodology

NerdWallet averaged rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in every ZIP code across the state. All rates are rounded to the nearest $5.

Sample homeowners were nonsmokers with good credit living in a single-family, two-story home built in 1984. They had a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage limits:

  • $300,000 in dwelling coverage.

  • $30,000 in other structures coverage.

  • $150,000 in personal property coverage.

  • $60,000 in loss of use coverage.

  • $300,000 in liability coverage.

  • $1,000 in medical payments coverage.

We made minor changes to the sample policy in cases where rates for the above coverage limits or deductibles weren’t available.

We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for homeowners with poor credit.

These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.

Star rating methodology

NerdWallet’s homeowners 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, coverages, discounts and online experience. 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 full homeowners insurance rating methodology.

Complaint 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 to 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.

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