The average cost of home insurance in North Carolina is $2,768 a year, or $231 a month. That places North Carolina's rates right around the national average of $2,777 a year. However, there are ways to get cheaper home insurance in North Carolina.
State Farm is the cheapest home insurance company in North Carolina with an average rate of $1,291 a year, or $108 a month. State Farm also ranked No. 1 for home insurance in the state.
North Carolina home insurance rates vary by location and coverage level, and may include a hurricane deductible that can affect rates. Read on to find out how much home insurance costs in North Carolina by ZIP code, coverage level, and more.
- State Farm is the cheapest home insurance company in North Carolina, with an average rate of $129 a month.
- Homeowners in North Carolina can save up to 21% if they bundle home and auto insurance coverage from the same company.
- North Carolina is one of 19 states that have hurricane deductibles, which can affect your rates.
- How much is home insurance in North Carolina?
- Best homeowners insurance companies in North Carolina
- Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in North Carolina
- North Carolina homeowners insurance rates by ZIP code
- Homeowners insurance rates in North Carolina by city
- Homeowners insurance discounts in North Carolina
- Frequently asked questions: North Carolina home insurance
- Methodology
How much is home insurance in North Carolina?
The average annual cost of home insurance in North Carolina is $2,768. That’s based on the following coverage levels:
- $300,000 dwelling coverage
- $300,000 liability coverage
- $1,000 deductible
- 2% hurricane deductible
Rates will vary depending on the coverage levels you choose, where you live and other factors related to your home.
Best homeowners insurance companies in North Carolina
Insurance.com analyzed rate data and third-party insurance company ratings to identify the best homeowners insurance companies in North Carolina. To rate the companies, we looked at AM Best financial ratings, NAIC complaint ratios and average annual rates.
State Farm ranked as the best home insurance company in North Carolina thanks to low rates and the highest possible score with AM Best.
| Company | AM Best | NAIC Complaint Ratio | Average annual rate | Insurance.com score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | A++ | 1.07 | $1,291 | 4.86 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | A+ | 0.29 | $1,794 | 4.53 |
| USAA | A++ | 0.41 | $2,671 | 4.12 |
| Nationwide | A+ | 0.75 | $3,313 | 3.51 |
| Erie Insurance | A+ | 0.23 | $3,554 | 3.45 |
| United Insurance Holdings | A- | 6.68 | $3,130 | 2.36 |
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in North Carolina
State Farm, North Carolina Farm Bureau and USAA are the cheapest homeowners insurance companies in North Carolina, based on a 2022 rate analysis by Insurance.com.
Each carrier uses its own method for deciding what you pay, which is why prices differ so much. Experts recommend getting three to five price quotes when shopping for coverage.
Below are average home insurance rates from top companies in North Carolina at several different dwelling coverage levels. All of these rates include $300,000 in liability and a $1,000 deductible with a 2% deductible for hurricanes.
| Company | $200,000 | $300,000 | $400,000 | $500,000 | $600,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,215 | $1,291 | $1,515 | $1,772 | $1,959 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,270 | $1,794 | $2,204 | $2,685 | $2,948 |
| USAA | $1,905 | $2,671 | $3,195 | $3,669 | $4,243 |
| United Insurance Holdings | $2,122 | $3,130 | $3,964 | $4,666 | $5,279 |
| Nationwide | $2,200 | $3,313 | $3,984 | $4,714 | $5,244 |
| Erie Insurance | $2,598 | $3,554 | $4,125 | $4,726 | $5,264 |
North Carolina homeowners insurance rates by ZIP code
Many factors affect home insurance rates. Chief among them is where you live, which is why rates vary greatly depending on your ZIP code.
The most expensive ZIP codes in North Carolina are:
| ZIP code | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
| 27960 | $8,339 |
| 28460 | $7,857 |
| 28445 | $7,857 |
| 28443 | $7,786 |
| 27949 | $7,702 |
The least expensive ZIP codes in North Carolina are:
| ZIP code | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
| 28658 | $1,655 |
| 28613 | $1,656 |
| 28610 | $1,656 |
| 28168 | $1,658 |
| 28650 | $1,658 |
North Carolina home insurance calculator
By entering your ZIP code in the search box, you’ll see the average home insurance rate for that area, as well as the highest and lowest premium fielded from major insurers. This will give you an idea of how much you can save by comparing home insurance rates. The difference between the highest rate and the lowest rate is how much you can save by shopping your policy.
HOME INSURANCE CALCULATOR
Average home insurance rates in CALIFORNIA
AVERAGE RATE: $797
Most & least expensive zip codes for homeowners insurance in California
Most Expensive
| Zip Code | City | Highest Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 92325 | Crestline | $1,450 |
| 92391 | Twin Peaks | $1,426 |
| 92321 | Cedar Glen | $1,425 |
| 92352 | Lake Arrowhead | $1,423 |
Least Expensive
| Zip Code | City | Lowest Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 94086 | Sunnyvale | $742 |
| 94085 | Sunnyvale | $743 |
| 94087 | Sunnyvale | $743 |
| 95051 | Santa Clara | $743 |
Homeowners insurance rates in North Carolina by city
Rates vary by city, and larger cities have multiple ZIP codes, affecting rates in different parts of the city. As an overview, here are the cheapest and most expensive cities for home insurance in North Carolina.
Cheapest cities in North Carolina:
| City | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
| Newton | $1,655 |
| Conover | $1,656 |
| Claremont | $1,656 |
| Vale | $1,658 |
| Maiden | $1,658 |
Most expensive cities in North Carolina:
| City | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
| Ocracoke | $8,339 |
| North Topsail Beach | $7,857 |
| Holly Ridge | $7,857 |
| Hampstead | $7,786 |
| Duck | $7,702 |
Homeowners insurance discounts in North Carolina
There are several ways to reduce your North Carolina home insurance costs. Many insurers will lower your bill if you purchase more than one type of insurance policy from them. This process – known as "bundling" – can cut your costs by 18%, on average, according to Insurance.com’s 2022 data analysis, but in North Carolina, it’s more like 21%.
You can also cut your costs by making your home more disaster-resistant. Installing hurricane glass or accordion shutters might net you a discount.
Other possible home insurance discounts include:
- Installing smoke detectors, a burglar alarm or dead-bolt locks – 4% to 7%
- Installing a sprinkler system, fire and burglar alarm – 1%
- Loyalty discounts – about 7% on average, after three to five years, and 8% for six years or more
Frequently asked questions: North Carolina home insurance
How do I get flood insurance in North Carolina?
Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover floods. You’ll need to buy a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a home insurance company that works with the NFIP.
How do hurricane and windstorm deductibles work in North Carolina?
North Carolina is one of 19 states with hurricane deductibles. A home insurance company may require a hurricane deductible on your home insurance policy if your home is considered risky in a hurricane.
Rather than a flat amount, windstorm and hurricane deductibles are usually 1-5% of the total cost for repairs. You will be responsible for that amount.
What should I do if I can’t get a home insurance policy in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Joint Underwriting Association offers the FAIR plan for homeowners who can't get coverage elsewhere.
The FAIR plan covers you just like a regular home insurance policy. You're protected against fire, vandalism and other damages. FAIR plans cost much more than a regular policy, so they are generally the last resort.
How do I file a North Carolina home insurance complaint?
If you're having problems with an insurer, you can file a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Insurance by calling 855-408-1212 or going to the site and filing an online complaint.
You'll want to have the insurance company's name, your policy number, claim number, if applicable, and related documents, such as photos and letters, when you contact the Department of Insurance.
How long does a company have to settle my claim in North Carolina?
There is no specified time required to settle a claim in North Carolina, though the insurer must acknowledge receipt of your claim within 30 days.
Methodology
Insurance.com in 2022 commissioned Quadrant Data Services to provide home insurance rates across multiple ZIP codes in North Carolina at several coverage levels. The best insurance companies are rated based on J.D. Power's consumer surveys, A.M. Best ratings, and average rates and discount amounts provided by Quadrant. Content is updated for 2023.
