The Best Car Insurance Companies in North Carolina

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Written by Angela Williams Edited by Quiana Darden

Updated April 24th, 2023

North Carolina drivers must secure state minimum auto insurance coverage to drive legally. With so many insurance companies on the market, it can be challenging to identify the best provider. To assist you in making a wise choice, here’s a list of the best auto insurance companies in North Carolina. 

Key Takeaways

• State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, Progressive, and Nationwide top the list as the best car insurance providers in North Carolina based on customer service, coverage options, claims processing, and policy discounts. 
• Roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and MedPay are optional coverages North Carolina drivers can add to their car insurance policies.
• You can save money on your car insurance if you secure a combination of available policy discounts based on your driving history, vehicle, credit score, and professional affiliations.

State Farm Insurance

State Farm has built a solid reputation nationwide, covering most drivers in 33 states, including North Carolina. Since 1922, they’ve focused on providing their customers with quality service at competitive rates. With the help of over 19,000 agents across the United States, State Farm offers a personalized experience to assist you in choosing the best insurance options based on your needs.

Drivers in North Carolina can save money on their auto insurance by taking advantage of State Farm’s numerous discount options, including defensive driving, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. It also provides various tools and services, such as accident forgiveness, telematics, and accident avoidance, to assist drivers in staying safe while behind the wheel. 

State Farm Ratings

• A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
• 834/1,000 rating from J. D. Power
• A++ rating from AM Best

State Farm Pros and Cons

Pros

• Local agents in all 50 states
• Generous discounts
• Excellent claims processing
• Satisfactory customer service

Cons

• Steep premium increases

State Farm Coverage Options

• Liability Coverage
• Collision Coverage
• Comprehensive Coverage
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
• Medical Payments Coverage
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage
• Emergency Road Service Coverage
• Rental Car Coverage
• Travel Expenses Coverage
• Custom Parts and Equipment Coverage
• Rideshare Insurance Coverage

State Farm Discounts

• Safe driver discount: for those with a clean driving record
• Multi-vehicle discount: for insuring more than one vehicle on the same policy
• Accident-free discount: for drivers who’ve been accident free for a certain period 
• Anti-theft discount: for vehicles with anti-theft devices installed
• Defensive driving discount: for completing a driver safety course
• Good student discount: for high school or college students who maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher
• Driver training discount: for new drivers who complete a driver education program
• Vehicle safety discount: for vehicles with specific safety features, such as airbags or anti-lock brakes
• Steer Clear program discount: for drivers under the age of 25 who complete the Steer Clear Safe Driver Program.
• Emergency deployment discount: for military members who are deployed on short notice

GEICO Insurance

GEICO, a well-known auto insurance company in North Carolina, provides various coverage options. Its solid reputation for delivering top-notch customer service is a major advantage when choosing them for auto insurance in North Carolina. In addition to offering a range of online tools and information, policyholders may benefit from 24/7 assistance and claim services.

For drivers in North Carolina who want to reduce the cost of their auto insurance, GEICO also provides several discounts. Some of their most popular discount options include defensive driving, multi-policy, and military affiliation.

GEICO offers optional coverage choices, such as collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and personal injury protection, in addition to the liability coverage required by law in North Carolina. Adding rental cars, roadside assistance, and glass repair coverage is also an option for policyholders.

Your auto insurance policy also includes several benefits, like an accident forgiveness program, which may prevent premium increases for policyholders following an incident when they were at fault.

GEICO Ratings

• 4.2/5 rating from J. D. Power
• A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
• AA+ rating from Standard & Poor’s
• A++ rating from AM Best
• Excellent rating from NAIC

GEICO Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Below-average rates if you have a spotty driving record 
• Excellent online management tools
• Attentive customer service
• Fast and efficient claims processing

Cons:

• Limited in-person local agents

GEICO Coverage Options

• Liability Coverage
• Collision Coverage
• Comprehensive Coverage
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
• Medical Payments Coverage
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage
• Emergency Road Service Coverage
• Rental Reimbursement Coverage
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Rideshare Insurance Coverage
• Classic Car Insurance

GEICO Discounts

• Multi-vehicle discount: for insuring more than one vehicle on the same policy
• Good driver discount: for those with a clean driving record
• Defensive driver discount: for completing a defensive driving course
• Federal employee discount: for current or retired federal employees
• Military discount: for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families
• Emergency deployment discount: for military members who are deployed on short notice
• Membership and employee discounts: for members of specific organizations or employees of certain companies
• Safety equipment discount: for vehicles with certain safety features, such as airbags or anti-lock brakes
• Anti-theft device discount: for cars with anti-theft devices installed
• Student discount: for full-time students who maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA

Allstate Insurance

Allstate is a popular auto insurance choice amongst North Carolina drivers. They offer dependable insurance options ranging from the state’s mandatory minimum to full-coverage comprehensive and collision policies. Allstate provides policies that offer you security and protection when you’re behind the wheel. 

Allstate Ratings:

• 870/1,000 rating from J. D. Power
• A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
• A- rating from Standard & Poor’s

Pros:

• Several coverage options, including new car replacement and accident forgiveness
• Safe Driving Bonus and Drivewise Discount
• Easy claims filing
• An extensive network of in-person and online agents
• Affordable Rideshare Insurance

Cons:

• Lower than average customer service ratings

Allstate Coverage Options

• Liability Coverage
• Collision Coverage
• Comprehensive Coverage
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
• Medical Payments Coverage
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage
• Roadside Assistance Coverage
• Rental Reimbursement Coverage
• Sound System Insurance
• New Car Replacement Coverage
• GAP Insurance
• Rideshare Insurance Coverage
• Milewise® Insurance

Allstate Safe Driver Discounts in North Carolina 

• Safe driver discount: for those with a clean driving record
• Multi-policy discount: for bundling multiple policies, such as home and auto insurance, with Allstate
• Multi-vehicle discount: for insuring more than one vehicle on the same policy
• Early signing discount: for signing up for a new policy before the current one expires
• Good payer discount: for those who pay their premiums on time
• New car discount: for insuring a new vehicle
• Anti-lock brake discount: for vehicles with anti-lock brakes installed
• Anti-theft device discount: for vehicles with anti-theft devices installed
• Pay-in-full discount: for paying the entire premium upfront
• Smart student discount: for full-time students with good grades

Progressive Insurance 

Many North Carolina drivers choose Progressive for their auto insurance coverage. To assist consumers in cutting the cost of their insurance premiums, Progressive provides a variety of coverage choices, flexible payment schedules, and incentives.

The revolutionary Snapshot service from Progressive is one of the primary advantages. Drivers may use this to keep an eye on their driving habits and receive lower premiums for driving safely. Using Snapshot requires you to put a tracking device in your car that records data on your speeding and braking habits, along with the time of day you’re behind the wheel. You can save up to 30% if the data shows you practice safe driving habits. 

Progressive offers other savings opportunities through premium discounts such as multi-policy and homeowner’s discounts. 

Additionally, it provides various useful tools for drivers, including a mobile app for simple policy administration, 24/7 customer care, and an online accident reporting tool.

Progressive also offers conventional liability coverage and supplementary options, such as collision, comprehensive, and personal injury protection. You can also secure gap coverage. This helps you make up the difference between the value of your vehicle and how much you owe on your loan if it’s stolen or totaled.

Progressive Ratings:

• 4.1/5 rating from J. D. Power
• A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
• A rating from Standard & Poor’s
• A+ rating from AM Best

Progressive Pros and Cons 

Pros:

• Coverage for boats, RVs, motorcycles, watercraft, and snowmobiles
• Offers optional add-ons such as rideshare and gap insurance coverage 
• Provides pet injury coverage that you can bundle with your auto insurance 
• Has an accident forgiveness program

Cons:

• Low customer satisfaction

Progressive Coverage Options

• Liability Coverage
• Collision Coverage
• Comprehensive Coverage
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
• Medical Payments Coverage
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage
• Roadside Assistance Coverage
• Rental Reimbursement Coverage
• Custom Parts and Equipment Coverage
• Pet Injury Coverage
• Loan/Lease Payoff Coverage
• Rideshare Insurance Coverage
• Snapshot® Program
• Accident Forgiveness

Progressive Safe Driver Discounts in North Carolina 

• Multi-car discount: for insuring more than one vehicle on the same policy
• Multi-policy discount: for bundling multiple policies, such as home and auto insurance under the same policy
• Snapshot discount: for safe driving habits monitored through the Snapshot device
• Safe driver discount: for those with a clean driving record
• Good student discount: for full-time students with good grades
• Homeowner discount: for homeowners who also insure their car with Progressive
• Continuous insurance discount: for those without a gap in their auto insurance coverage
• Online quote discount: for drivers who sign up for a policy after getting a quote online
• Paperless discount: for drivers who opt out of paper communication 
• Sign online discount: for signing policy documents online.

Nationwide Insurance

Nationwide is a trusted auto insurance provider in North Carolina. They provide liability insurance, collision insurance, comprehensive insurance, and other options to meet drivers’ needs.

Nationwide Ratings:

• 4.1/5 rating from J. D. Power
• A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
• A rating from Standard & Poor’s
• A+ rating from AM Best

Nationwide Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Above-average customer service ratings
• Timely claims process
• Mechanical breakdown coverage

Cons:

• No new car replacement coverage

Nationwide Safe Driver Discounts in North Carolina 

• Multi-car discount: for insuring more than one vehicle on the same policy
• Safe driver discount: for those with a clean driving record
• Accident-free discount: for drivers who’ve been accident-free for a set period
• Defensive driving discount: for drivers who complete a driver safety course
• Good student discount: for full-time students who maintain good grades
• SmartRide discount: for drivers who sign up to have their driving habits monitored through the SmartRide program
• Anti-theft discount: for vehicles with anti-theft devices installed
• Homeowner discount: for homeowners who also insure their car with Nationwide
• Family plan discount: for families with multiple drivers on the same policy

How to Find the Best Car Insurance Companies in North Carolina

You want to consider several factors when finding the best car insurance company in North Carolina. It’s essential to find a provider that offers the coverage you need at a price you can afford, with responsive customer service and a strong reputation for reliability. Here are some tips you can follow to help you find the best insurer. 

Shop Around

Research different car insurance providers in North Carolina. Look for companies that offer the coverage you need, and compare their rates and ratings. 

Consider Coverage Options

When comparing car insurance providers, consider their coverage options. You want a provider that offers the type of policy you need, whether that’s comprehensive, liability, or collision plans. Also, look for additional coverage options if you need it like roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, and gap insurance.

Ask About Discounts

Most car insurance companies offer discounts for safe driving, good grades, and other factors. Ask about their discounts options and see if you qualify.

Check the Provider’s Reputation

Choosing a car insurance provider with a strong reputation for reliability and customer service is important. Look for companies with high customer satisfaction ratings and positive reviews from other drivers.

What You Need to Know About North Carolina Auto Insurance Coverage?

One unique aspect of car insurance in North Carolina is the requirement for drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage protects you if you are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have car insurance.

The minimum uninsured motorist coverage required is $30,000 for bodily injury per person and $60,000 for bodily injury per accident.

Additionally, North Carolina is one of only a few states with a “Safe Driver Incentive Plan” (SDIP). This plan rewards safe drivers with lower insurance premiums and penalizes those with multiple accidents or moving violations on their driving records.

Angela Williams Auto Insurance Writer

Angela brings her corporate background in the insurance space to Compare.com as an auto insurance writer. She is skilled in writing about car insurance, along with other insurance products. Angela graduated with honors with her Master’s of Business Administration. When she’s not writing you can find her somewhere near the water.