If you were one of the 1,827,300 consumers who tuned-in to a Charlotte radio station last week, then chances are you heard at least one commercial from GEICO, Progressive, or Liberty Mutual. That's because insurance is big business in North Carolina.

Each year, Charlotte area consumers spend $3.8-billion to insure their homes and cars. That's almost $1500 for every area adult.

There is good news and bad news for the 4900 local insurance agents who are competing to earn a substantial share of the home and auto premiums consumers are paying.

According to Nielsen, 236,000 policyholders in the Charlotte area are planning to switch insurance providers during the next 12 months.