Home Insurance in Beaufort, North Carolina
Homes in Beaufort carry a median value of $354,900 - 6% higher than the Carteret County median.
The typical home in Beaufort was built around 1986. Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild. About 29% of homes were built before 1960, about 18 points above Carteret County's 11%.
Housing in Beaufort breaks down to 68% single-family homes and 14% apartments in buildings with 5+ units. The rest are 2-4 unit or other housing types.
49% of owner-occupied homes in Beaufort carry a mortgage, and mortgage lenders require hazard insurance for as long as the loan is active.
The vacancy rate is 25%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy. About 53% of occupied homes in Beaufort are owner-occupied.
92% of homes in Beaufort are primarily heated with electricity. Homes heated with propane can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies.
FEMA rates Carteret County's overall risk as Relatively Moderate, led by hurricane (Very High). Carteret County had 14,016 active NFIP flood policies as of September 2026. See the full Carteret County home insurance overview for all FEMA hazard ratings and flood coverage details.
According to the NAIC homeowners insurance report (2023 data), a standard HO-3 homeowners policy in North Carolina carries a statewide average premium of $1,852 per year.
Key figures
| Median home value | $354,900 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1986 |
| Owner-occupied share | 53% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 49% |
| Top county hazard | Hurricane (Very High) |
| Active NFIP policies in Carteret County | 14,016 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,852 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Nearby towns
- Morehead City
- Atlantic Beach
- Pine Knoll Shores
- Newport
- Indian Beach
- Havelock
- Minnesott Beach
- Oriental
Sources
Data last updated: 2026-09-29
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)