Renters insurance in North Carolina isn’t mandatory, but it could be a lifesaver if something unexpected occurs. A water heater may malfunction and flood, a kitchen fire could cause smoke damage or someone may break in and burglarize your apartment. Renters insurance will pay to replace your belongings and even cover the cost of staying at a hotel or rental while your apartment gets repaired.
Many renters skip coverage to avoid the hassle and expense. But you’d be surprised at how affordable renters insurance rates can be. You could get coverage for as little as $10 per month. When you compare the small amount you’d spend on renters insurance in NC to the thousands of dollars you’d have to pay to replace your furniture, TV and electronics, getting coverage probably seems like a no brainer.
Before you buy coverage, read our renters insurance NC comparison for the best carriers and cheapest renters insurance in NC.
Key takeaways
- Renters insurance is about $25 a month and pays to repair or replace your personal possessions if damaged or stolen and pays for injured guests’ medical bills.
- Renters insurance coverage comes in four parts to help protect you and your belongings: Personal property, liability, loss of use and medical payments.
- Your coverage options primarily relate to how much coverage you buy --experts recommend you get replacement value for your belongings and $300,000 in liability.
- The best renters insurance companies in North Carolina reviewed here provide affordable prices with great customer service.
- Comparison shopping is one of the best ways to find cheap renters insurance rates.
Best renters insurance in North Carolina
To find the best and cheapest renters insurance companies in North Carolina, you’ll need to get quotes from a few companies in North Carolina to compare prices. But how do you know which of the dozens of renters insurance companies available in the state are the best?
We narrowed the field down to five companies for best North Carolina renters insurance. Several criteria were used to choose them. Customer experience and timely claims payouts were important. After all, you want to know your insurance company will reimburse you when you’ve suffered a loss. To determine how customers feel about a carrier, we looked at J.D. Power’s annual customer satisfaction study to highlight customer service performance. In addition, we accessed the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) database of customer complaints by insurance company.
Besides customer reviews, the best North Carolina renters insurance providers offer coverage that’s easy to work with and comes with options. A robust mobile app and the ability to manage your policy in person, over the phone or online was a big selling point. And of course, price is key. The following five carriers offer the best and cheapest renters insurance in NC:
- Best renters insurance company North Carlina overall: State Farm
- Best renters insurance (honorable mention): USAA
- Cheapest renters insurance in NC: North Carolina Farm Bureau
- Best for bundling renters and auto insurance: Allstate
- Best digital presence: Liberty Mutual
Best renters insurance North Carolina
| Company | Best for | North Carolina market share | J.D. Power rating | NAIC complaints | AM Best financial strength rating | Online quote tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | Best renters insurance | 16.94% | 836/1,000 | 1.50 (above average) | A | Yes |
| USAA | Best renters insurance (honorable mention) | 8.91% | 888/1.000 | 1.87 (above average) | A++ | Yes |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | Cheap renters insurance NC | 12.20% | NR | 1.58 (above average) | A | Yes |
| Allstate | Bundling insurance | 6.51% | 841/1,000 | 0.28 (below average) | A+ | Yes |
| Liberty Mutual | Digital presence | 3.48% | 825/1,000 | 1.85 (above average) | A | Yes |
State Farm
State Farm writes the most policies in the U.S. and dominates the North Carolina market, as well. There are good reasons — State Farm checks off all the boxes of what you’re looking for. You’ll find plenty of coverage options, affordable premiums, access to local agents and offices, a solid mobile app that allows you to handle most insurance needs online and positive customer reviews.
Pros:
- Unique renters insurance coverages
- Robust mobile app with nearly-perfect scores on Google Play and the App Store
- The flexibility to file a claim through a phone call, in-person with an agent, online or through the mobile app
Cons:
- Above-average customer complaints, although the number of complaints is a small percentage of the number of policies State Farm writes
Special coverages:
- Higher liability limits
- Additional business property
- Incidental business liability
- Identity theft restoration
- Pet medical insurance
USAA
USAA wins honorable mention for the best renters insurance NC carrier because it isn’t available to all renters. To qualify for coverage, you would need to have affiliation with the military through a family member or past or current military service. If it wasn’t for this one requirement that ends up ruling out many renters, USAA would be the top choice for its combination of cheap renters insurance in NC, award-winning customer service and quality coverage.
Pros:
- Consistently tops J.D. Power’s annual home insurance study for customer satisfaction
- File and track claims through the mobile app
- Policies include flood insurance at no extra cost
- Free membership adds exclusive access to select retailers
Cons:
- No local offices
- Only available to individuals with military affiliation
Special coverages:
- Personal property rider for higher-value items
- Replacement cost
North Carolina Farm Bureau
North Carolina Farm Bureau is the largest insurance company in the state and has the cheapest renters insurance in NC of all carriers we studied. The renters insurance NC cost for a $20,000 personal property policy with $100,000 in liability and a deductible of $1,000 is only $95 per year. Compared to the average cost of renters insurance in NC of $157, you’d save almost half when choosing North Carolina Farm Bureau.
However, to access NC Farm Bureau’s low rates, you’ll need to become a member first. Nearly anyone can join, but you’ll need to pay $25 per year for membership. The good news is, coverage will probably still be cheaper, even when you factor in the membership fee. And you can get an insurance quote before you decide whether joining is worth it.
Pros:
- Headquartered in North Carolina
- Local agents and offices statewide
- File a claim online, through an agent or using the mobile app
- High limits available — personal property of up to $100,000 and liability up to $1 million
Cons:
- Website doesn’t provide much information
- Mobile app receives poor reviews
Special coverages:
- Replacement cost
- Scheduled personal property
Allstate
The average household in North Carolina has two cars. If you’re the average resident, you probably have car insurance already. And bundling renters and vehicle insurance with Allstate is a good way to save on both your policies. According to Allstate, you could save up to 25% when you do so.
Besides the savings, policyholders give the carrier good reviews. Allstate has the lowest number of complaints of the best renters insurance NC companies reviewed, with a .28 rating, well below the average.
Pros:
- Agents in 120 North Carolina cities
- Full-featured mobile app
- Several optional coverages available
- Claim filing possible via phone, a local agent, online or through the mobile app
- High customer satisfaction ratings
- Large, free online library of safety and insurance articles
Cons:
- Allstate is cutting 3,800 jobs, which could affect customer service and claims processing
Special coverages:
- Flood insurance
- Scheduled personal property coverage
- Personal umbrella policy
- Identity theft restoration
Liberty Mutual
The goal of renters insurance is to hopefully never need it. After all, filing a claim means that someone was hurt on your property or your belongings were damaged or stolen. If you expect to have renters insurance only for the worst-case scenario, working with an insurance company that lets you manage your policy online could be all you need.
Liberty Mutual is at the forefront when it comes to digital presence. The mobile app has high ratings in the Google Play and App Store, allowing you to manage your policy, pay bills and file claims. The process is simple — according to Liberty Mutual, filing a claim online or through the mobile app is possible 24/7 and takes 10 minutes or less.
Pros:
- Company and affinity discounts available
- Solid mobile app and website
- Alexa skill compatible app
Cons:
- Limited local offices and agents
Special coverages:
- Scheduled personal property
- Replacement cost
How much is renters insurance in North Carolina?
Average renters insurance NC is lower than the national average of $326 per year for $40,000 in personal property and $100,000 liability. The average cost of renters insurance in North Carolina is $288, which is roughly 12% less. However, you may beat the state average cost. Renters insurance rates are based on many factors including the carrier you choose, the level of coverage, deductible amount and location. The renters insurance rate you pay will also depend on where you live and in some cases your credit history.
The cheapest renters insurance in NC
To find the best rates, shopping around for renters insurance coverage should be the first step. No two carriers will have the same insurance rate because they all use their own formulas to determine what you pay. The problem is, getting exhaustive quotes from all the insurance companies in North Carolina can take a lot of time. We did most of the legwork for you. Compare the following table for how North Carolina renters insurance companies' premiums vary based on level of coverage, deductible and carrier. You’ll find that NC Farm Bureau, USAA and State Farm have the cheapest renters insurance in NC.
Cheap renters insurance North Carolina by carrier
| Company | Cost for $20,000 in property, $100,000 in liability and $500 deductible | Cost for $20,000 in property, $100,000 in liability and $1,000 deductible | Cost for $40,000 in property, $100,000 in liability and $1,000 deductible | Cost for $40,000 in property, $300,000 in liability and $1,000 deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $110 | $95 | $169 | $175 |
| USAA | $162 | $151 | $210 | $234 |
| State Farm | $148 | $124 | $240 | $248 |
| Allstate | $171 | $140 | $250 | $258 |
| Phoenix Insurance | $162 | $141 | $266 | $274 |
| Liberty Mutual | $163 | $142 | $268 | $276 |
| Nationwide | $166 | $145 | $271 | $279 |
| Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford | $177 | $154 | $292 | $299 |
| Safeco | $263 | $228 | $416 | $424 |
Renters insurance cost in North Carolina by city
Below you'll see the average renters insurance rate in North Carolina’s largest cities for a policy with $40,000 in property coverage, a $1,000 deductible and $100,000 of liability. Asheville was the cheapest, and Wilmington the most expensive. To see the average price for renters insurance by ZIP code for nearly every neighborhood in the state, visit our renters insurance guide and use the average renters rate calculator. It also shows renters insurance rates for several renters insurance coverage options.
| City | Average annual premium | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $214 | $18 |
| Chapel Hill | $236 | $20 |
| Concord | $243 | $20 |
| Raleigh | $249 | $21 |
| Durham | $250 | $21 |
| Cary | $252 | $21 |
| Greensboro | $259 | $22 |
| Winston-Salem | $259 | $22 |
| High Point | $259 | $22 |
| Gastonia | $260 | $22 |
| Charlotte | $269 | $22 |
| Greenville | $299 | $25 |
| Fayetteville | $386 | $32 |
| Wilmington | $462 | $39 |
How to find cheap renters insurance in North Carolina
Besides comparing quotes from several renters insurance companies -- you should get a renters insurance quote from at least three -- there are other ways to lower the cost of renters insurance. Consider the following ideas to save money:
Check with your employer
Larger companies typically negotiate a special insurance rate with an insurance carrier. Employees can then take advantage of these partnerships to save money. You may find that your HR department has an affiliate discount available that’s lower than finding insurance coverage on your own.
Lower your limits
Most agents recommend a personal property coverage limit of $40,000 on a renters insurance policy. However, you may be overpaying if you didn’t do an inventory of your personal belongings first. Do a quick tally of everything you own to determine the value of your goods. You may be able to reduce the limit to $20,000 to save on your premiums, especially if you don’t own much in furnishings and electronics or most of your items are hand-me-downs.
Add a security system
Most carriers will offer a security discount for an alarm system, deadbolt locks and more. Installing a wireless security system is simple and typically doesn’t cause any damage to your rental’s walls.
Raise your insurance deductible
Raising your deductible will lower your renters insurance rates. However, before you do, make sure the price difference is worth having to pay out double the amount in case of a personal property coverage claim. For example, a deductible of $1,000 instead of $500 on a 20/100 insurance policy with North Carolina Farm Bureau only saves you $15 per year.
Bundle auto insurance and renters insurance for a discount
Ask your vehicle insurance provider for a discount if you purchase a renters policy as well. Many insurance providers will give you a competitive rate of up to 25% less.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much renters insurance do I need?
Most insurance professionals recommend renters insurance policy coverage limits of 40/100, which is $40,000 in personal property and $100,000 in liability. However, insurance protection shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all product. To decide on how much renters insurance you need, estimate how much you own and set an approximate value for the goods.
Keep in mind that items that are worth more than $1,000 such as a diamond ring, fine watch or special collectible are often excluded from a renters policy and should be insured separately under a scheduled personal property rider. The rider will name the item and its value, which you’ll need to prove to the insurance company by providing a purchase receipt or professional appraisal for.
You also need to decide the amount of coverage you want in liability protection. You should get liability coverage limits of at least $100,000, but get $300,000 if you can afford it for peace of mind. Liability insurance covers the medical bills of guests injured in your apartment or home or to repair their property if you're responsible for their injuries or property damage.
Is renters insurance included?
A renters insurance policy is not typically included when you rent. You’ll need to purchase your own coverage. Even though your landlord most likely has insurance on the property you rent, a landlord policy only covers the structure and not your contents.
Is renters insurance required in North Carolina?
North Carolina doesn’t require renters to have insurance. However, a renters insurance policy can be purchased for as little as $8 per day and cover events such as fires, break ins, smoke damage, certain types of water damage and losses or thefts of your belongings outside of your home. Besides protecting your property, a renters insurance policy also provides you with financial backing against legal claims and medical bills if someone is injured in your home.
