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The average cost of homeowners insurance in North Carolina is $1,975 per year, or about $165 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. In comparison, the national average is $1,915 per year.
NerdWallet analyzed data from numerous insurance companies to help you find the best home insurance in North Carolina in the following categories:
Best for affordability: Travelers.
Best for coverage: Erie.
Best for consumer experience: Nationwide.
The rates in our analysis are estimates based on many factors, so your rate may differ.
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.
Why you can trust NerdWallet
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.
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Best affordable homeowners insurance in North Carolina: Travelers
4.5 NerdWallet rating Lots of coverage options, decent discounts and a strong online experience. Coverage options About average Discounts Average set of discounts NAIC complaints Fewer than expected 4.5 NerdWallet rating Lots of coverage options, decent discounts and a strong online experience. Coverage options About average Discounts Average set of discounts NAIC complaints Fewer than expected
Travelers
Travelers
The average cost of Travelers homeowners insurance in North Carolina is $1,540 a year, lower than the state average of $1,975.
Travelers offers a robust online experience. You can use the website to get a homeowners insurance quote, file and track claims, make payments and learn about insurance basics.
Its coverage offerings are similarly strong. For example, you may be able to add extra coverage in case the dwelling limit on your home isn’t enough to rebuild your house after a disaster. One unique option is Travelers’ green home coverage, which pays extra if you want to use eco-friendly materials when repairing or rebuilding your home after a covered claim.
Learn more in our Travelers homeowners insurance review.
Best homeowners insurance in North Carolina for coverage: Erie
4.5 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 4.5 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
Erie
Erie
Pennsylvania-based Erie offers guaranteed replacement cost for the structure of your home. With this coverage, the company will pay to rebuild your home completely after a disaster, even if the amount exceeds your dwelling limit. Erie also offers comprehensive coverage for your belongings.
Got a car to insure, too? If you bundle your home and auto insurance with Erie, you could get a discount of upwards of 16%. You may also be able to save if your home has certain safety and security features such as smoke alarms or sprinkler systems.
For more details, read our Erie home insurance review.
Best homeowners insurance in North Carolina for consumer experience: Nationwide
4.5 NerdWallet rating For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill. Coverage options About average Discounts Great set of discounts NAIC complaints Close to expected 4.5 NerdWallet rating For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill. Coverage options About average Discounts Great set of discounts NAIC complaints Close to expected
Nationwide
Nationwide
The Nationwide website offers plenty of ways to manage your policy, including filing and tracking claims, paying bills and getting quotes. The company also has a comprehensive and highly rated mobile app.
Nationwide’s standard homeowners policies include ordinance or law coverage, which pays to bring your home up to the latest building codes after a covered claim. They also include coverage for unauthorized credit or debit transactions. For an extra cost, you may be able to add coverage for things like water backup, identity theft and stronger materials to replace your roof.
Learn more with our Nationwide homeowners insurance review.
Full list of the best homeowners insurance in North Carolina
NerdWallet analyzed home insurance companies across the state to find the best home insurance in North Carolina. Here are all of the insurers that received a NerdWallet star rating of 4.5 or higher:
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
Amica | 5.0 NerdWallet rating | Not available |
Chubb | 5.0 NerdWallet rating | Not available |
Auto Club Group (AAA) | 4.5 NerdWallet rating | Not available |
Auto-Owners | 4.5 NerdWallet rating | $1,975 |
Cincinnati Insurance | 4.5 NerdWallet rating | Not available |
Erie | 4.5 NerdWallet rating | $2,240 |
Nationwide | 4.5 NerdWallet rating | $2,775 |
State Farm | 4.5 NerdWallet rating | $2,040 |
Travelers | 4.5 NerdWallet rating | $1,540 |
USAA* | 5.0 NerdWallet rating | $1,950 |
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families. | ||
» MORE: The best home insurance companies
How much does homeowners insurance cost in North Carolina?
The average annual cost of home insurance in North Carolina is $1,975. That’s close to the national average of $1,915.
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.
» MORE: How your credit score affects homeowners insurance
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 $1,950 per year, on average, but homeowners in the coastal city of Wilmington pay an average of $6,700 per year.
City | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
Apex | $2,025 | $169 |
Asheville | $1,615 | $135 |
Burlington | $1,835 | $153 |
Cary | $2,025 | $169 |
Chapel Hill | $1,980 | $165 |
Charlotte | $1,950 | $163 |
Clayton | $2,380 | $198 |
Concord | $1,845 | $154 |
Durham | $2,025 | $169 |
Fayetteville | $2,660 | $222 |
Gastonia | $1,875 | $156 |
Greensboro | $1,835 | $153 |
Greenville | $3,170 | $264 |
Hickory | $1,530 | $128 |
High Point | $1,900 | $158 |
Jacksonville | $3,545 | $295 |
Lexington | $1,935 | $161 |
Matthews | $1,960 | $163 |
Monroe | $1,905 | $159 |
Mooresville | $1,910 | $159 |
Raleigh | $2,025 | $169 |
Salisbury | $1,830 | $153 |
Wake Forest | $2,035 | $170 |
Wilmington | $6,700 | $558 |
Winston Salem | $1,785 | $149 |
» MORE: What’s the average cost of homeowners insurance?
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 $1,975.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
Lititz Mutual | Not rated | $1,195 |
North Carolina Farm Bureau | Not rated | $1,275 |
Travelers | 4.5 NerdWallet rating | $1,540 |
Allstate | 4.0 NerdWallet rating | $1,670 |
USAA* | 5.0 NerdWallet rating | $1,950 |
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families. | ||
» MORE: The cheapest homeowners insurance
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
Hurricanes 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.
» MORE: Complete guide to hurricane insurance
Tornadoes
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.
» MORE: Does homeowners insurance cover tornado damage?
Winter storms
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.
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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?
Best car insurance in North Carolina.
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North Carolina renters insurance.
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Frequently asked questions
Is homeowners insurance mandatory in North Carolina?
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.) For more information, read Is Homeowners Insurance Required?
Why is home insurance so expensive in North Carolina?
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.
How can I lower my North Carolina homeowners insurance premium?
Make sure you’re getting all the home insurance 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.
