We looked at average costs, customer service ratings, and policy options from multiple top insurers to find the best and cheapest home insurance companies in Charlotte.
By
Rachael BrennanRachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.
Edited by
Pat HowardPat HowardManaging Editor & Licensed Home Insurance ExpertPat Howard is a licensed insurance expert and managing editor at Policygenius. Pat has written extensively about the home insurance industry and his insights as a subject matter expert have appeared in several top tier publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Reuters. Pat has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.
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Reviewed by
Britta M. MossBritta M. MossProperty & casualty claim consultant and expert witnessBritta M. Moss, CPCU, SCLA, AIC-M, has over 25 years of insurance industry experience. In her work as a property and casualty claim consultant, she provides consultation and expert witness services in claim handling standards, practices, and norms. She has been retained by law firms representing plaintiffs and those representing insurer defendants involved in disputes or litigation regarding coverage analysis, investigation, liability determination, damage evaluation, negotiation and settlement. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University.
Updated|4 min read
Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.
Charlotte, North Carolina is a beautiful city to own a home. The homes are affordable, the weather is beautiful, and despite its growing size, Charlotte still has a small town charm that many homeowners love. Despite the risk of damage from the storms that come up the Carolina coasts, homeowners insurance is affordable and on par with the rest of the state.
Theaverage cost of homeowners insurance in Charlotte is $1,605 per year or $134 a month. This is around 4% higher than the statewide average of $1,545 per year, and about 8% lower than the national average of $1,754 per year.
Compare home insurance rates in Charlotte
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Compare the best cheap homeowners insurance companies in Charlotte
To find the best cheap homeowners insurance in Charlotte, Policygenius rated over a dozen of the largest insurance companies in North Carolina across several categories, such as average policy cost, financial strength ratings with AM Best, customer and claims satisfaction scores with J.D. Power, available policy options, and more.
Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
2024 Policygenius award winner
Auto-Owners Insurance
Policygenius rating
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
5.0
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A++
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Why we chose it
Auto-Owners Insurance is the best homeowners insurance company in Charlotte thanks to its extensive policy and coverage options, its high marks for financial strength, and its customer experience ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers a slew of extra coverage add-ons
Lots of discounts available
Flood insurance through the NFIP
Cons
Rates are higher than average
Not able to get quotes or file claims online
More details
Why Auto-Owners Insurance is our pick for best overall company
Auto-Owners Insurance is our pick for the best overall home insurance company in Charlotte. Auto-Owners scored at least a 4 out of 5 for customer experience, coverage options, and financial strength, which earned it a perfect 5 out of 5 Policygenius rating.
With endorsements like guaranteed replacement cost coverage, water backup protection, inland flood coverage, and a comprehensive Homeowners Plus endorsement package, Auto-Owners offers excellent value for the coverage you're getting.
Finally, although Auto-Owners' rates are more expensive than average in Charlotte, the company offers a range of discounts that can help lower your insurance rates.
How do Auto-Owners home insurance rates compare to the Charlotte average?
The average cost of Auto-Owners home insurance in Charlotte is $2,320 per year, according to sample quotes provided to us by Quadrant Information Services. This makes Auto-Owners Insurance about 45% more expensive than the statewide average.
How to get a quote
Online or by calling an Auto-Owners Insurance agent.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.8
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A++
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
All 50 states
Why we chose it
State Farm home insurance is one of the best overall home insurance providers in Charlotte thanks to low rates, a large selection of policy options for most home types, high customer service marks, and industry-best financial stability ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
Rates are cheaper than average
Excellent line-up of policy add-ons, including extended replacement cost coverage
Save up to $1,127 per year when you bundle your home and auto insurance
Cons
20% more complaints filed with the NAIC than other companies of its size
More details
Why we chose State Farm
At a time when lots of competitors are no longer insuring homes in areas prone to wildfires or hurricanes, State Farm continues to offer its relatively affordable and highly-rated home insurance to homeowners in most parts of the country, including Charlotte.
While some of its competitors may not have the financial strength to pay out claims after several natural disasters in the same year, State Farm isn't one of them. It earns the highest rating possible from A.M. Best for financial strength and stability — only six insurance companies out of nearly 70 we reviewed hold this title.
How do State Farm home insurance rates compare to the Charlotte average?
The average cost of State Farm home insurance in Charlotte is $975 per year, which is 39% cheaper than the average citywide premium of $1,605 per year.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.5
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Mobile app
Bundle home & auto
Why we chose it
Erie's wide range of coverage options, industry-best customer service ratings, and private flood insurance add-on makes it one of the best companies in Charlotte..
Pros and cons
Pros
Cheap rates
Guaranteed replacement cost comes standard on Erie policies
Excellent customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
Cons
Only available in 12 states
Just three available discounts
Can’t get quotes or file claims online
More details
Why we chose Erie
Erie is one of the best homeowners insurance companies in Charlotte for residents who want to add more flood protection to a basic policy. Its Extended Water endorsement is effectively a flood insurance policy and sewer and drain backup coverage rolled into one.
Home insurance policies from Erie also come standard with guaranteed replacement cost coverage — which you often have to pay extra for at other companies. On top of this, a basic policy covers lost and misplaced items, jewelry, and gift cards to closed businesses.
Erie also offers a range of add-ons that you can purchase, like short-term rental coverage, equipment breakdown coverage, underground service line coverage, and more.
How do Erie home insurance rates compare to the average in Charlotte?
The average cost of Erie home insurance in Charlotte is $2,257 per year, which is 41% higher than the citywide average of $1,605 per year.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.5
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Bundle home & auto
Mobile app
New homebuyer discount
Offers extended replacement cost
Why we chose it
Nationwide is one of the best homeowners insurance companies in Charlotte for people who want complete coverage. You can strengthen a basic Nationwide policy with the company's range of coverage add-ons.
Pros and cons
Pros
Multiple high-quality coverage options
Highly rated for claims satisfaction with J.D. Power
Cons
Rates are higher than average
Below-average customer satisfaction and digital experience ratings
Won’t cover Airbnbs or other short-term rentals
More details
Why we chose Nationwide
Nationwide is the best homeowners insurance company for those who can take advantage of its large selection of coverage options. These include guaranteed and extended replacement cost coverage, better roof replacement, new belongings coverage, water backup protection, and equipment breakdown coverage.
Nationwide has also received high ratings from J.D. Power for claims satisfaction, and it ranks fifth on J.D. Power's Property Claims Satisfaction Study from 2022. The company also receives far fewer complaints than other insurers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Although we found that Nationwide's rates are more expensive than average in Charlotte, you might be able to lower your premiums with the company's discounts. These include discounts for bundling, renovating your home, buying a new home, and others.
How do Nationwide home insurance rates compare to the Charlotte average?
The average cost of Nationwide home insurance in Charlotte is $2,426 per year, which is 51% more expensive than the citywide average of $1,605 per year.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.5
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
Allstate is one of the top home insurance companies in Charlotte. Featuring average premiums below the Charlotte average, Allstate also offers a few add-ons that can make a basic policy stronger.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers HostAdvantage for short-term rental coverage
Offers water backup protection, other endorsements
Cons
Beginning to pull back coverage in high-risk areas
More details
Why we chose Allstate
Allstate is a top home insurance company in Charlotte. We like that Allstate offers some home insurance coverages that you can add to your policy for more protection, like water backup protection, scheduled personal property coverage, and identity theft restoration coverage.
If you're looking to cover your short-term rental, Allstate's HostAdvantage is another perk. HostAdvantage comes with theft protection, coverage for your damaged property ($10,000 per host period), and a $25 discount on cleaning services from Merry Maids.
How do Allstate home insurance rates compare to the Charlotte average?
The annual average cost of Allstate home insurance in Charlotte is $870 per year, which is 46% cheaper than the citywide average.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Allstate, or by contacting a local Allstate agent.
The average cost of home insurance in Charlotte is $1,605 per year, or $134 a month, for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. This is around 4% more expensive than the average annual cost of $1,545 for homeowners insurance in North Carolina, and about 8% less than the national average.
Charlotte home insurance rates by ZIP code
Home insurance rates can vary substantially depending on which ZIP code your home is located in, as homes in certain Charlotte neighborhoods may be more prone to extreme weather damage or property crime than others.
To help you find out how much home insurance costs where you live, we calculated average home insurance rates by ZIP code in Charlotte.
ZIP code
Average annual cost
Difference from state average (%)
28269
$1,570
2%
28277
$1,570
2%
28215
$1,570
2%
28227
$1,569
2%
28216
$1,571
2%
28205
$1,569
2%
28210
$1,568
1%
28212
$1,570
2%
28213
$1,570
2%
28273
$1,567
1%
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Cheapest ZIP codes for home insurance in Charlotte
With an average home insurance rate of $1,567 per year, the 28273 ZIP code is the most affordable area for home insurance in Charlotte.
ZIP code
Average annual cost
Difference from state average (%)
28273
$1,567
1%
28278
$1,567
1%
28202
$1,568
1%
28203
$1,568
1%
28207
$1,568
1%
28208
$1,568
1%
28209
$1,568
1%
28210
$1,568
1%
28217
$1,568
1%
28204
$1,569
2%
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Most expensive areas for homeowners insurance in Charlotte
With an average annual premium of $1,692, the 28244 ZIP code is the most expensive ZIP code in Charlotte for home insurance. If you live one of these ZIP codes, your rates might be among the highest in the city.
Along with your home's location, your homeowners insurance premiums are primarily based on how much dwelling coverage is in your policy. This is the centerpiece of your home insurance coverage, covering the cost to repair or rebuild your home after a covered disaster.
Here are the average rates for homeowners insurance based on coverage amount.
Dwelling coverage limit
Average annual cost
$100,000
$641
$200,000
$1,068
$300,000
$1,605
$400,000
$2,022
$500,000
$2,426
Charlotte home insurance costs by deductible amount
Your home insurance deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying on each claim before insurance kicks in to help cover the cost of repairing or replacing your property. A higher deductible means lower insurance premiums, but it also means you're responsible for paying more out of pocket when you file a claim.
Here are the average rates for homeowners coverage by deductible amount.
Deductible
Average annual cost
$500
$588
$2,000
$364
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Charlotte
Based on our analysis, Kemper, Bankers Insurance Group, and Allstate are the three cheapest home insurance companies in Charlotte, with average premiums citywide ranging from $798 to $870 per year.
Cheapest home insurance in Charlotte if you have poor credit
A bad credit score does more than just cost you a few dollars in late payment fees — it can also make your auto and home insurance rates thousands of dollars higher.
Here are the average rates for homeowners insurance for Charlotte residents with poor credit.
Company
Average annual cost
Allstate
$870
Farm Bureau Insurance
$1,140
Lititz Mutual Insurance
$1,140
Kemper
$1,140
Bankers Insurance Group
$1,171
Lighthouse Property Insurance
$1,283
Universal Group
$1,437
Narragansett Bay
$1,506
State Farm
$1,670
Foremost
$2,632
Nationwide
$2,765
USAA
$3,308
Erie
$4,859
UPC Insurance
$5,091
Auto-Owners Insurance
$7,972
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Cheapest home insurance in Charlotte if you have an older home
Insurance carriers consider older homes to have a higher risk of damage or loss compared to newer homes since they're constructed with older and more difficult to replace materials. Additionally, certain structural components in older homes, like the roof or plumbing systems, may not be up to code.
Here are the average homeowners insurance rates for Charlotte residents with older homes.
Company
Average annual cost
Kemper
$798
Bankers Insurance Group
$860
Allstate
$870
State Farm
$975
Farm Bureau Insurance
$1,140
Lititz Mutual Insurance
$1,140
Lighthouse Property Insurance
$1,283
Universal Group
$1,494
Narragansett Bay
$1,946
USAA
$1,973
Auto-Owners Insurance
$2,163
Foremost
$2,362
Erie
$2,393
Nationwide
$2,426
UPC Insurance
$3,437
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Cheapest homeowners insurance in Charlotte if you have a history of claims
Claims history is one of the biggest factors that insurance companies use when calculating your home insurance premiums. If you have multiple claims on your record, your insurer will likely view you as a risk for filing future claims and may charge you higher rates as a result.
Here's the cheapest home insurance companies in Charlotte for a homeowner with three claims within a five-year period on their record.
Company
Average annual cost
Allstate
$870
State Farm
$975
Farm Bureau Insurance
$1,140
Lititz Mutual Insurance
$1,140
Bankers Insurance Group
$1,247
Kemper
$1,341
Lighthouse Property Insurance
$1,940
Narragansett Bay
$2,209
Auto-Owners Insurance
$2,320
Erie
$2,393
USAA
$2,988
Universal Group
$3,645
Nationwide
$3,919
UPC Insurance
$5,407
Foremost
$6,802
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Need more information about home insurance in North Carolina?
How to get homeowners insurance quotes in Charlotte
Finding the right amount of coverage at the right price may seem like an overwhelming endeavor, but it’s actually fairly easy if you know what to look for in a company and policy. Since Charlotte’s average annual premium of $1,688 is below the national average, you will still enjoy lower rates than most, but there are other things you should consider when choosing a policy.
Here are 6 steps to buying homeowners insurance in Charlotte, NC:
6 steps to buying homeowners insurance in Charlotte, NC
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our team of licensed insurance experts are waiting to help you figure out how much coverage you need and what company offers it at the best price. Our agents do this for free with no impact to your credit score.
Ask about NCJUA — North Carolina’s FAIR Plan provider. If you are unable to obtain coverage in the private market due to being labeled “high risk,” ask your Policygenius agent about whether a policy through North Carolina’s FAIR Plan makes sense.
Consider purchasing hail and wind insurance. Since wind and hail is sometimes excluded from home insurance policies in areas of North Carolina at risk of tropical storms, you may need separate windstorm insurance to make sure you’re fully protected. A Policygenius agent can help you do this, too.
Figure out how low of a deductible you can afford. You’ll want to set this to an amount you can afford to pay in the event you need to file a claim due for loss or damage.
Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. Once you’ve nailed down your coverage needs, limits, and chosen a deductible, a Policygenius agent will walk you through quotes from a few different companies to help you find the best policy for your needs.
Sign the policy and pay your first premium. After you’ve chosen the policy you want, your Policygenius agent will complete all of the paperwork for you. The only thing left to do is sign the policy and pay your first premium.
Compare home insurance rates in Charlotte
We don't sell your information to third parties.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of homeowners insurance in Charlotte?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Charlotte is $134 per month, or $1,605 per year.
Why does the breed of dog I have matter to my home insurance?
Because statistics around dog bites show certain dog breeds make up a greater portion of dog bite claims. Insurance companies consider these breeds to be “dangerous” and will charge a higher premium to offset this risk.
Is a high home insurance deductible worth the discount?
A good way to lower your homeowners insurance rates is by opting for a higher deductible. Just keep in mind a higher deductible means you’ll have to pay more money out of pocket when you file a claim before your insurance kicks in to cover the rest. When you are choosing your plan, consider how much you will be able to cover out of your savings in the case of a claim.
If coming up with $2,000 will be difficult, it may be worth paying more each month to know you will only be responsible for $500 in the case of a claim. However, if you know you can cover the deductible, the short-term savings can add up quickly.
Is it mandatory to have homeowners insurance in North Carolina?
While it’s not North Carolina law to have homeowners insurance, most mortgage lenders require you to purchase home insurance before they’ll allow you to close on your mortgage. Your mortgage company has a financial interest in your home until the mortgage is paid off, and the mortgage company wants to ensure their investment is protected.
Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.
Pat Howard is a licensed insurance expert and managing editor at Policygenius. Pat has written extensively about the home insurance industry and his insights as a subject matter expert have appeared in several top tier publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Reuters. Pat has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.