Searching for a new car insurance company - in need of advice

Would greatly appreciate advice on searching for car insurance providers/ratings. I have searched online for some time now, but ask if anyone here at Turdville could provide info to me to help in adding to the homework of searching and making a decision. I wonder sometime, whether to have a company that has a local office with a rep, although this may bring about a higher cost. I have that currently, but would like to make a change from this company in NC.

I am not asking for the perfect insurance company; just this longtime member asking of folks here that have provided beneficial advice to me in the past.

Patty