Best Renters Insurance in North Carolina
Learn about the best renters insurance companies in North Carolina based on factors such as coverage, cost, customer service, and more.
Renters insurance not only fulfills your landlord’s liability requirement, it protects your personal belongings and pays for living expenses if your apartment is uninhabitable. For about $13 per month, you can get all of this coverage and have peace of mind that you can handle whatever event affects you and your North Carolina rental.
To help North Carolina renters determine which renters insurance company is best, Quartz Advisor Reviews Team created a guide breaking down the top three providers in the state.
North Carolina’s Top Renters Insurance Companies
To determine which insurance companies provide the best policies, our team looked at coverage options, customer service, prices, discounts, and more.
The highest rated NC renters insurance providers include the following:
It’s worth noting that renter’s insurance offer different coverage than home warranties offered in North Carolina. It’s important that renter’s look at both when trying to minimize out of pocket costs.
State Farm
Best for Valuables Coverage
Liberty Mutual
Best Value
Allstate
Best for Unique Coverage
Our Conclusion
State Farm, Liberty Mutual, and Allstate offer the best renters insurance policies to North Carolina renters. The policies are affordable and comprehensive, and the companies are well-established in the insurance industry. Before deciding which provider you prefer, get a renters insurance quote from all three to see which one will protect your home best.
Compare Renters Insurance Companies
| Companies | State Farm | Liberty Mutual | Allstate |
| Personal property coverage limits | No limit | $15,000, $20,000, or $25,000 | $25,000–$150,000 |
| Liability coverage limits | $100,000, $300,000, $400,000, $500,000, $750,000 or $1,000,000 | $100,000, $200,000, $300,000, $500,000, or $1,000,000 | $100,000, $200,000, $300,000, or $500,000 |
| ACV or RCV | ACV or RCV | ACV or RCV | ACV or RCV |
| Monthly price | About $12 | As low as $5 | About $16 |
| Discounts available | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Unique add-ons | Waterbed, computer | Blanket jewelry | Scheduled personal property, uninsured/underinsured motorist |
| Customer service | Hours vary by department | 24/7 for claims; limited for sales and service | 24/7 |
| BBB rating | A | A+ | A+ |
North Carolina Renters Insurance Coverage
There are four types of coverage found in most North Carolina policies—medical payments to others, liability, personal property, and loss of use. You can also purchase additional coverage, called endorsements or floaters, to extend your protection.
Here’s what’s covered under each type of coverage:
- Coverage for Medical Payments to Others: This part of your policy covers medical bills if a guest is injured in your home.
- Liability Coverage: If you’re liable for injury to a neighbor or damage to their belongings, your policy will pay for the costs of their bills. Most landlords require liability insurance so that they don’t have to cover your neighbor’s bills.
- Personal Property Coverage: This type of coverage covers the cost of replacing your belongings if an event damages them. Valuable items, like jewelry and artwork, aren’t usually included in this, so you may have to buy an endorsement to protect them.
- Loss of Use Coverage: If you can’t live in your apartment for a short period due to repairs from a covered event, your policy will cover additional living expenses, like the cost of a hotel room.
- Endorsements/Floaters: You can use floaters to add extra coverage for uncovered items or events. Popular floaters include pet damage, earthquake damage, and identity theft.
How Much Does a Renters Insurance in North Carolina?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of renters insurance in North Carolina in 2017 was $157 for the year, or about $13 per month. North Carolina ranked 37th in country in most expensive renters insurance, making it cheaper than most other states in the country.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Renters Insurance
Before starting your search for renters insurance, consider these factors and how they will affect your policy:
- Natural Disasters: North Carolina’s coast is susceptible to damage from hurricanes, which can cause flooding. Most renters insurance policies don’t protect water damage from floods, and you’ll have to buy an endorsement or separate flood insurance for this protection. If you live on the coast, review your policy carefully and determine if you need extra flood protection.
- Amount of Belongings: The amount of belongings you have will affect how much personal property coverage you buy and how much your policy will cost. You should take an inventory of your belongings before shopping so that you know how much to buy.
- Landlord Requirements: Most landlords will require you to buy $100,000 worth of liability coverage, so make sure the policy you buy has at least that much protection.
- Personal Information: There are several factors that will affect the price of your policy. Some of them relate to your apartment, like the age, number of units, and distance from a fire station, but a large number of them will relate to you. If you’re younger with less renting experience, have filed a lot of insurance claims in the past, or have a low credit score, your renters insurance rate may be higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is NC renters insurance different from homeowners insurance?
Renters insurance provides coverage for liability and your personal belongings. Homeowners insurance protects both of those items, plus protection for the house itself.
Does renters insurance in NC cover items when you’re away from home?
Yes. If your belongings aren’t in your apartment, your renters insurance policy will protect them. For example, if someone steals your belongings when you’re on a trip or when they’re in your car, you can file a claim to get a replacement.
Should I still file a claim in NC if I don’t have all of the information about a loss yet?
Yes. File a claim with your provider as soon as the loss happens. You can always give your agent more details as you get them.
Our Rating Methodology
