Best Life Insurance in North Carolina for 2025 (Check Out the Top 10 Companies)
State Farm, Nationwide, and Prudential offer the best life insurance in North Carolina, with rates as low as $102 per month for a term life policy.
State Farm has 24/7 personalized service, Nationwide has the best no medical exam life insurance options for those under 50, and Prudential provides flexible coverage for those with high-risk occupations in North Carolina.
| Company | Rank | Good Student | A.M. Best | Best For | Jump to Pros/Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
#1 | 25% | B | Coverage Options | State Farm |
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#2 | 15% | A+ | No Medical Exams | Nationwide |
 |
#3 | 8% | A+ | High-Risk Jobs | Prudential |
 |
#4 | 10% | A++ | Financial Strength | MassMutual |
 |
#5 | 9% | A | Affordable Term | AIG |
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#6 | 7% | A+ | Insurance Riders | Lincoln Financial |
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#7 | 10% | A++ | Dividend Paying | New York Life |
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#8 | 13% | A | Budget-Friendly | Transamerica |
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#9 | 17% | A | Online Policies | Banner Life |
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#10 | 12% | A+ | Whole Life | Pacific Life |
Life insurance companies in NC have many options, from special rates for first responders to discounts for healthy people. And the NC life insurance market has some unique benefits like same day digital claims in major cities and medical professional coverage.
Safeguard your family’s future while saving on coverage — enter your ZIP code to compare life insurance quotes with our free tool today.
What You Should Know
- State Farm leads as the best life insurance company in North Carolina with fast claim processing in major cities
- Nationwide stands out among NC life insurance companies by offering cheap no-medical-exam policies
- Prudential has cheap life insurance in North Carolina for residents with high-risk jobs or hobbies
#1 - State Farm: Top Overall Pick
Pros
- Local Agent Network: Local agents across North Carolina provide personalized service within 24 hours of contact.
- Claims Processing: As mentioned in our State Farm insurance review, it offers the quickest claim processing times for life insurance policies in Charlotte and Raleigh.
- Digital Services: Mobile app allows NC residents to manage their life insurance policies instantly.
Cons
- Support Hours: Weekend support options are limited for policyholders in rural North Carolina areas.
- Approval Time: Policy approval times run longer than other major insurers serving NC communities.
#2 - Nationwide: Best for No Medical Exam Coverage
Pros
- No Medical Requirements: No medical exam policies available for North Carolina residents under age 50.
- Senior Benefits: Seniors in NC communities receive competitive premium rates with additional discounts.
- Policy Review: Free annual policy reviews available at all North Carolina service locations. Learn more in our Nationwide insurance review.
Cons
- Coverage Limitations: Coverage options for pre-existing conditions are restricted in NC markets.
- Support Access: Customer support hours are limited for North Carolina policyholders needing assistance.
#3 - Prudential: Best for Custom Policies
Pros
- Occupation Coverage: Specialized coverage plans for high-risk jobs throughout North Carolina communities.
- Young Professional Rates: Young professionals in NC receive preferred rates with flexible payment options.
- Claims Efficiency: Claims in North Carolina typically settle within five business days. Get a full review in our Prudential insurance review.
Cons
- Office Access: Limited physical offices across smaller North Carolina communities affect accessibility.
- Coverage Requirements: Higher minimum coverage requirements for NC residents compared to other providers.
#4 - MassMutual: Best for Financial Strength
Pros
- Financial Rating: Financial strength ratings lead all insurance providers serving North Carolina families.
- EMS Coverage: Offers specialized coverage options for emergency service (EMS) workers working in NC hospitals (Read More: Best Car Insurance for Emergency Service (EMS) Workers).
- Digital Claims: Digital claims process serves Charlotte and Raleigh customers within 48 hours.
Cons
- Premium Costs: Premium rates exceed competitors in major North Carolina metropolitan areas.
- Agent Availability: Local agent availability is limited in western NC mountain communities.
#5 - AIG: Best for Term Life
Pros
- Premium Options: Return-of-premium options on North Carolina term life insurance provide unique benefits for policy holders.
- Application Process: Simplified health questionnaires speed up coverage approval for NC residents.
- First Responder Rates: Special rates available for first responders across North Carolina communities. Take a look at its rates in our AIG insurance review.
Cons
- Online Features: Online portal lacks features common to other North Carolina life insurance companies.
- Service Access: Service centers only available in major North Carolina cities.
#6 - Lincoln Financial: Best for Insurance Riders
Pros
- Benefit Riders: Death benefit riders specifically designed for North Carolina healthcare needs. It's also one of the life insurance companies that allow long-term care withdrawals.
- Fee Structure: Transparent fee structure benefits insurance shoppers across NC communities.
- Policy Conversion: Flexible policy conversion options available throughout North Carolina service areas.
Cons
- Digital Tools: Digital tools need updates to serve NC customers effectively.
- Local Presence: Few local offices available in eastern North Carolina cities.
#7 - New York Life: Best for Dividend Paying
Pros
- Dividend Rates: Its dividend payments rank highest among whole life providers in NC.
- Business Options: Business coverage options support North Carolina entrepreneurs with multiple locations.
- Military Benefits: Veteran life insurance discounts are available across all North Carolina service regions.
Cons
- Initial Costs: Initial premiums cost more than other providers in NC markets, even though it's one of the best life insurance companies that let you pay by money order.
- Rural Service: Limited presence in rural North Carolina affects customer service accessibility.
#8 - Transamerica: Best for Budget-Friendly
Pros
- Affordable Rates: Budget-friendly rates that benefit families across North Carolina communities.
- Health Incentives: Its wellness program reduces premiums for health-conscious NC residents.
- Quick Processing: Quick approval process serves North Carolina applicants efficiently. Transamerica is also one of the best life insurance companies that accept felons.
Cons
- Service Speed: Customer service response times lag behind other NC providers.
- Investment Limitations: Investment options limited for North Carolina universal life policies.
#9 - Banner Life: Best for Online Policies
Pros
- Online Speed: Online applications serve North Carolina residents within one business day.
- Underwriting Process: Simplified underwriting process speeds approval for NC life insurance applicants.
- Term Pricing: Term rates benefit middle-income families throughout North Carolina, it's also one of the best life insurance companies that cover undocumented immigrants.
Cons
- Policy Options: Fewer policy customization options for NC customers.
- Coverage Choices: Limited whole life choices affect North Carolina long-term planning.
#10 - Pacific Life: Best for Whole Life
Pros
- Cash Value: Guaranteed 2% cash value growth rates attract long-term NC policyholders.
- Market Options: Market-linked options protect North Carolina retirement planning goals.
- Conversion Flexibility: Policy conversion flexibility serves changing needs of North Carolina residents (Read More: What happens if you outlive your term life insurance?).
Cons
- Online Services: Online services need improvement for North Carolina customers.
- Family Coverage: Coverage options limited for non-traditional NC families.
Breaking Down The Cost of Life Insurance in North Carolina
Life insurance costs in North Carolina reflect a wide range of monthly premiums, with budget-friendly options available from the best life insurance companies in the Tar Heel State.
| Insurance Company | Term Policy | Whole Policy |
|---|---|---|
|
$137 | $342 |
|
$112 | $289 |
|
$148 | $367 |
|
$129 | $379 |
|
$118 | $305 |
|
$143 | $353 |
|
$127 | $312 |
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$153 | $322 |
|
$109 | $278 |
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$102 | $271 |
Analysis shows Transamerica offering the most competitive rates at $102 monthly for term coverage, significantly below the state average of $127 per month. Prudential has the highest monthly term rates at $153, while MassMutual's whole life policies peak at $379 monthly.
Choosing the Right Life Insurance Policy in North Carolina
Life insurance companies in NC have two main types: term life and whole life. Term policies with Transamerica start at $102 a month and cover you for a specific period (10-30 years). Whole life policies are more expensive, starting at $271 and cover you for life and build cash value.
Residents can customize their policies with riders — such as accidental death benefit riders for extra payout in case of accidental death, waiver of premium riders to keep coverage active if you become disabled, and child term riders to cover dependents.
While North Carolina doesn’t require you to have life insurance, mortgage lenders and business agreements may require specific policy amounts and types. Most financial advisors recommend 10-12 times your annual income for family protection.
North Carolina Life Insurance Discounts You Should Know
The best life insurance companies in North Carolina offer a variety of savings opportunities through tailored discount programs. Prudential stands out with a 30% employer-sponsored discount, while Lincoln and New York Life provide up to 15% off for good health.
| Insurance Company | Good Health | Employer-Sponsored | Non-Smoker | Healthy Lifestyle | Family History |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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10% | 5% | 10% | 8% | 5% |
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12% | 7% | 12% | 7% | 10% |
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15% | 6% | 15% | 7% | 12% |
|
8% | 20% | 15% | 7% | 6% |
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14% | 9% | 12% | 7% | 5% |
|
15% | 10% | 10% | 7% | 10% |
|
13% | 20% | 10% | 8% | 10% |
|
14% | 30% | 20% | 7% | 20% |
|
12% | 10% | 8% | 10% | 15% |
|
12% | 6% | 12% | 9% | 7% |
North Carolina life insurance exam requirements often highlight non-smoker incentives, with discounts ranging from 8% at State Farm to 20% at Prudential.
Beyond standard options, policyholders can lower premiums by choosing annual payments to access paid-in-full discounts or joining wellness programs, with healthy lifestyle discount reaching 10% at State Farm and 9% at Transamerica.
Read More: How to Use Fitness Trackers to Save on Health Insurance
Simplifying Life Insurance Coverage in North Carolina
State Farm, Nationwide and Prudential have the best life insurance in North Carolina, with State Farm having 24-hour claim service.
Life insurance companies in NC offer many options, with term life starting at $102 a month through Transamerica and whole life at $271 a month.
Round of a-claws for Jake. pic.twitter.com/uCWUr68SBj
— State Farm (@StateFarm) January 6, 2025
Do you need life insurance? Get multiple quotes from NC insurance companies and consider policy type, coverage amount, and available discounts to get the best coverage. Enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool to start comparison shopping today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who offers the most trustworthy life insurance in North Carolina?
MassMutual holds the highest A++ financial strength rating, while State Farm and Nationwide maintain excellent service records with top customer satisfaction scores in North Carolina.
What's the average cost of life insurance in North Carolina?
Term life insurance averages $127 monthly, with rates starting at $102 a month through Transamerica. Whole life policies average $322 monthly. Stop overspending on life insurance. Use our tool to compare rates from top providers near you.
What makes a company the best life insurance provider in North Carolina?
Read our ultimate life insurance guide to find top providers combine strong financial ratings, competitive rates, diverse policy options, and excellent claims service. State Farm, Nationwide, and Prudential lead in these categories.
Which is better in North Carolina, term or whole life insurance?
Term life offers affordable coverage ($102+ monthly) for specific periods, while whole life ($271+ monthly) provides lifetime coverage plus cash value. The choice depends on your financial goals and budget.
Does North Carolina tax life insurance benefits?
No, life insurance death benefits are generally tax-free in North Carolina when paid to a beneficiary.
What is the minimum coverage required for life insurance in North Carolina?
While North Carolina doesn't mandate life insurance, it's best to know the benefits of buying life insurance. Financial advisors recommend coverage of 10-12 times your annual income for adequate family protection.
Who has the best whole life insurance in North Carolina?
Pacific Life specializes in whole life coverage, while MassMutual offers strong financial ratings and competitive cash value growth rates.
Which North Carolina life insurance companies offer no-exam policies?
Nationwide leads in no-exam coverage for those under 50, while AIG and Banner Life also offer simplified issue policies with minimal health questions.
Read More: How does age affect life insurance rates?
What discounts are available for life insurance in North Carolina?
Common discounts include multi-policy, non-smoker, healthy lifestyle, and paid-in-full premium payments.
How long does it take to get life insurance approval in North Carolina?
Traditional policies take 4-6 weeks for approval, while no-exam policies through companies like Nationwide can be approved within 24-48 hours.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Applying for Life Insurance