Our ultimate guide to home insurance in North Carolina can help you find the best home and flood insurance companies in your area, learn about the average cost of home insurance where you live, find the right coverage for the type of property you want to insure, and more.
Jump down to learn about home insurance in North Carolina …
Average cost of home insurance in North Carolina
The average cost of home insurance in North Carolina is $1,545 per year, but rates have gone up for many homeowners. According to our Policygenius Home Insurance Pricing Report, people who renewed their coverage in 2023 were hit with an average premium increase of 19% compared to the year before.
Unfortunately, rates in North Carolina will likely keep going up. As hurricanes get stronger, severe weather will affect more properties in North Carolina. Wind and flood damage combined with higher, inflation-driven costs to rebuild damaged homes will push home insurance rates higher for many North Carolina residents.
Learn more >> Average cost of home insurance in North Carolina
Best home insurance in North Carolina
The best homeowners insurance company in North Carolina is Auto-Owners Insurance for its broad range of coverage options and highly rated customer service. Rates from Auto-Owners are more expensive than average in North Carolina, but assuming it fits your budget and coverage needs, we still think the company is worth considering.
Company | Best for … | Average annual cost | Policygenius rating | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Overall | $2,447 | 5.0 out of 5 | ||
Low rates | $900 | 4.8 out of 5 | ||
Robust coverage options | $2,395 | 4.5 out of 5 | ||
Water damage protection | $1,876 | 4.5 out of 5 | ||
Short-term rental coverage | $923 | 4.4 out of 5 |
Cheapest home insurance in North Carolina
The cheapest homeowners insurance company in North Carolina is Allstate, followed by Kemper and North Carolina Farm Bureau. Home insurance from Allstate costs about 40% less than the statewide average.
If you’re having trouble finding affordable home insurance, consider bundling your home and auto insurance, paying your premiums all at once, and comparing quotes before buying coverage. It’s also worth re-shopping your home insurance every year to get your best rates.
Company | Average annual cost | Policygenius rating | |
---|---|---|---|
$923 | 4.4 out of 5 | ||
$1,129 | 4.4 out of 5 | ||
$1,210 | 3.9 out of 5 | ||
Lititz Mutual Insurance | $1,210 | N/A | |
Bankers Insurance | $1,411 | N/A | |
Lighthouse Property Insurance | $1,522 | N/A |
Learn more >> Cheapest home insurance companies in North Carolina in 2024
North Carolina home insurance rates by city
Jacksonville has the cheapest homeowners insurance rates in North Carolina (among its 20 largest cities). Home insurance in Jacksonville costs about 15% less than the statewide average in North Carolina. Winston-Salam and Asheville also have cheaper-than-average home insurance rates.
City | Average annual cost | |
Apex | $1,759 | |
Asheville | $1,193 | |
Burlington | $1,440 | |
Cary | $1,758 | |
Chapel Hill | $1,475 | |
$1,605 | ||
Concord | $1,481 | |
$1,749 | ||
Fayetteville | $2,250 | |
Gastonia | $1,390 | |
Greensboro | $1,471 | |
Greenville | $2,217 | |
High Point | $1,468 | |
Huntersville | $1,558 | |
Jacksonville | $847 | |
Kannapolis | $1,481 | |
$1,760 | ||
Rocky Mount | $2,000 | |
Wilmington | $1,146 | |
Winston-Salem | $1,415 |
How to buy home insurance
Given the possibility of severe weather and flooding in North Carolina, it’s worth keeping a few things in mind as you shop for home insurance.
Know whether your home insurance covers damage from wind and hail, tornadoes, and hurricanes — if you live in a high-risk area, your policy may limit your coverage.
Consider getting replacement cost coverage so that you can fully rebuild your home if it’s destroyed by severe weather.
Shop for flood insurance if you live in a flood-prone area.
Get a homeowners insurance policy that matches up with your property — you may have to shop for coverage designed for high-value homes, vacation homes, or buildings you own and lease.
Learn more >> How to buy home insurance in North Carolina
Flood insurance in North Carolina
A regular homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover flood damage. If your home is on the coast of North Carolina or in another low-lying area where flood risk is high, it’s a good idea to purchase flood insurance. Here’s what you should know:
Around 16% of the homes in North Carolina are in a high-risk flood zone.
The average cost of flood insurance in North Carolina is about $77 a month or $920 per year.
Coverage is most expensive in Asheville ($2,501 per year) and cheapest in Indian Beach ($372).
Most flood insurance policies are sold by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), but you can also get flood insurance from a private insurer.
Learn more >> Compare quotes for flood insurance in North Carolina
Mobile home insurance in North Carolina
Home insurance is not exactly the same thing as mobile or manufactured home insurance. In North Carolina, American Modern, Progressive, and Foremost are among the top insurance companies offering home insurance specifically designed for mobile homes.
Company | Policygenius rating | |
---|---|---|
4.9 out of 5 | ||
4.5 out of 5 | ||
4.2 out of 5 |
Learn more >> Mobile home insurance companies in North Carolina
When is hurricane season in North Carolina?
North Carolina’s hurricane season lasts from the start of June until the end of November, with the peak of the season happening from August to October. [1] Hurricanes come with high winds and storm surges that cause flood damage, but they can also cause tornadoes and powerful thunderstorms that affect areas further inland.
While most homeowners insurance policies cover wind damage, including wind from both hurricanes and tornadoes, your home insurance may have what’s called a “hurricane deductible.” In places like North Carolina that experience more hurricanes than other states, your policy won’t have a regular flat deductible; instead your deductible will be a percentage of your policy’s dwelling coverage (the part that covers its physical structure).
Learn more >> Hurricane season in North Carolina