Question 1

Are You Required to Have Homeowners Insurance in North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

No, the state of North Carolina does not technically require homeowners insurance by law. However, most mortgage companies and lenders will require you to purchase it as a condition of your loan.

Question 2

What Does Homeowners Insurance in North Carolina Cover?

Accepted Answer

Under most insurance policies, home insurance coverage in North Carolina includes the following key things:

Dwelling coverage: This will help pay for the repair of the physical structure — and attached structures like garages — of your home as long as it’s a “covered hazard.”
Personal property coverage: This helps cover damages and replacement costs to your personal belongings, like clothing or furniture.
Personal liability coverage: This protects against any damages or injuries sustained by others that you or your household are responsible for.
Loss of use: This helps pay for any expenses you take on should you not be able to live in your home due to things like fire damage, etc.
Wind/hail and hurricane damage: Depending on where you live, you may be able to opt-out of this coverage if you participate in your state’s FAIR insurance plan for high-risk areas.
Medical payments: This helps protect you if someone is injured on your property. Bills are paid up to your policy’s limit, whether you’re legally responsible for the accident or not.

As always, shop around and make sure to ask insurance agents what is included in basic coverage plans and what additional coverages cost more to include.

Question 3

Which Additional Coverages Are Recommended in North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

When shopping around for insurance quotes, it’s important to ask specific questions on what may — or may not — be included in your standard policy. In a state prone to tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, lightning strikes, wildfires and winter storms experts usually recommend the following coverage types:

Flood damage insurance: Over the next 30 years, 14% of all properties in North Carolina have more than a 26% chance of being severely affected by flooding. Flooding is not covered by home insurance as flood coverage requires a separate policy so you will likely be required to purchase a separate flood insurance policy from either the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurer if your home is in a high-risk flood zone.
Fire insurance: More than 4.8 million people in North Carolina, or 50 percent of North Carolina's population, are living in areas at elevated risk of wildfire. While most standard insurance policies will cover fire damage, it’s important to understand exactly what this entails. As always, we recommend doing everything you can as a homeowner to prevent wildfires.
Windstorm coverage: Although North Carolina boasts fewer tornadoes than Midwestern states, residents still experience an average of 31 tornadoes a year. Most policies cover wind and tornado damage automatically, but if you are in a high-risk area, you may need a separate policy or endorsement.

It’s worth noting that insurance companies sometimes deny coverage if your home is in a particularly high risk area. There are some options in North Carolina should you fall into that bucket:

North Carolina FAIR Plan: Though this is much more limited, it provides basic wind, hail, and fire insurance to high-risk homeowners.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): Administered by FEMA, this plan helps provide insurance to reduce the impact of floodwater in high-risk areas.

Question 4

How Do I File a Complaint?

Accepted Answer

Contact the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association at 404-656-2070 or file a complaint online.

Question 5

How Do I Get Homeowners Insurance in North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

The first step in selecting a homeowners policy is getting a home insurance quote. Many insurers offer quotes online, but for those that don't, you may need to call some agencies directly or contact a local agent. To get a quote, you’ll likely need to provide some basic information about your house, any unique features, and when your roof was last replaced.

In addition, you’ll likely also need to provide some personal information, like your date of birth and information about any co-owners of the home. Once you’ve gathered home insurance rates from multiple companies, you can compare the options and decide what coverage options and price points are best for you. From there, you will need to sign an application and make at least the first month’s payment on your policy to obtain coverage.

City	Average Annual Rate
Winston-Salem	$2,4422442 out of 4571
Chapel Hill	$2,6252625 out of 4571
Greensboro	$2,5372537 out of 4571
High point	$2,5612561 out of 4571
Charlotte	$2,6112611 out of 4571
Durham	$2,8972897 out of 4571
Cary	$2,9712971 out of 4571
Raleigh	$2,9942994 out of 4571
Fayetteville	$3,4883488 out of 4571
Wilmington	$4,5714571 out of 4571

The Best Homeowners Insurance in North Carolina [2023]

Contents

Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in North Carolina

North Carolina Homeowners Insurance Rates by City

The Best Homeowners Insurance in North Carolina

USAA

Allstate

State Farm

North Carolina Farm Bureau

Erie

Cheapest Homeowners Insurance in North Carolina

Find Cheap Homeowners Insurance in Your Area

FAQs

How to Reduce Homeowners Insurance Costs in North Carolina

North Carolina Insurance Options in Your City