Margaret Huntley Last Updated On: July 25, 2023

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Find the Best Auto Insurance in North Carolina

The beautiful state of North Carolina is home to many wonderful things, from the birth site of the Krispy Kreme donut to incredible golf courses. It’s also one of the top ten most populous states in the U.S., which means a ton of drivers that need great car insurance. 

If you’re looking to switch policies, save money, or get your first car, it’s time to dive into all things North Carolina car insurance. Keep reading for all the information you need to find the best policy for you, so that when you hit the road with your “First in Flight” license plate, you do so with full confidence.

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Table of Contents

Minimum Requirements for North Carolina Car Insurance

 

Each state has their own requirements for the minimum car insurance a driver must have before they get behind the wheel. In North Carolina, those minimums are:

  • Bodily injury $30,000 per person
  • Bodily injury $60,000 per accident
  • Property damage $25,000 per accident

This is where most state minimums end, but North Carolina also requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in the following amounts:

  • Bodily Injury $30,000 per person
  • Bodily Injury $60,000 per accident
  • Property Damage $25,000 per accident

This might be why North Carolina ranks 41st on states with uninsured drivers, with just 7.4% of drivers not having car insurance. 

Keep in mind that while it might be pesky to follow minimum requirements, these rules are designed to protect you and other drivers from having to pay out-of-pocket for expensive accidents. It’s in everyone’s best interests to meet the minimum requirements, but most drivers would do well to get even more coverage. We’ll explore those options next. 

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Car Insurance Coverage in North Carolina

The great thing about car insurance is that you can pick and choose your coverage depending on your priorities. First, we’ll explore the main buckets of coverage that you’ll encounter, and then we’ll show you optional coverage that can help you personalize your policy to you. 

Here are the main coverage options when it comes to car insurance in North Carolina:

  • Bodily Injury Liability: If you cause an accident, this covers the other driver’s medical costs. It also helps cover your legal fees if they sue you.
  • Property Damage Liability: If you cause damage to someone’s property while driving, this helps cover those costs.
  • Collision: If you collide with another vehicle or stationary object, this helps to repair or replace your vehicle.
  • Comprehensive: If your vehicle is damaged from something other than a vehicle collision, like weather, colliding with an animal, theft or vandalism, and more, this helps cover costs to repair or replace your vehicle.
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: If you are involved in an accident with someone who doesn’t have car insurance or doesn’t have enough to cover the damage, this covers the gap. It also protects you in the case of hit-and-runs
  • Medical Payments: If you’re involved in an accident, your bodily injury coverage pays for the other driver’s medical costs, but not yours. MedPay helps cover yours and your passengers’ medical costs. 

But that’s not all. You can pick and choose from the above, as long as you’re meeting state minimum requirements, and then add even more coverage to your main policy. This helps customize your policy to your budget, vehicle needs, and priorities. 

Some added coverage options include:

  • Roadside Assistance: Being stranded on the side of the road is no fun. Roadside assistance covers the towing to a nearby repair shop, and often minor roadside fixes too like flat tires. 
  • Gap: If your vehicle is leased or financed and becomes totalled, this coverage protects you from paying the amount you still owe on the vehicle.
  • Ride Sharing: If you use your vehicle for ride sharing services like Lyft or Uber, you’ll need this special coverage. 
  • Rental Car Reimbursement: If your vehicle is being repaired, this covers you for the cost of a rental car until it’s fixed.
  • New Car Replacement: If your new vehicle is totalled and it’s less than two years old, this coverage would get you a new vehicle rather than a check for your car’s depreciated value. 
  • Accident Forgiveness: This prevents your premiums from increasing after your first accident. 

These are just some of the options available to you. Many insurers offer varying versions of these, and some might offer fewer or more options. Deciding what’s important to you will be an important part of building the right car insurance policy for you and your ride.

How Much Is Car Insurance in North Carolina?

No one likes paying for car insurance, so this is a fair question. Knowing the average insurance costs in the state will help you understand what your monthly or annual car insurance costs will be. 

The good news is that North Carolinians win just by virtue of living in NC. The average cost of car insurance in North Carolina is lower than the national average; North Carolinians can expect to pay $1,446 on average per year for a full coverage policy, while the U.S. average is $2,014 for full coverage. 

If you opt for minimum coverage, you’ll still save, paying just $432 per year compared to the national average of $622. 

Of course, what you will pay depends on a number of factors, including:

  • Your age and gender
  • Your vehicle make and model
  • Your driving history
  • Your past claims
  • Your location
  • Average number of miles driven
  • And more

Living in a busy city will increase your rates, whereas a lower population county will decrease your rates. You’ll also save if you live outside of areas prone to severe weather, which North Carolinians are well versed in.

But don’t worry: if your initial quotes are too high, we’ve got ways for you to save on car insurance costs next. And in the meantime, you can get a sense of what you can expect to pay just by clicking here

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How to Save on North Carolina Car Insurance Quotes

Who doesn’t love to save money? We’ve rounded up the best ways to save on car insurance costs, so you have more money in your pocket to do the things you love, like hitting the green for a round or exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Here’s how to save on car insurance in NC:

  • Ask for Discounts: Most insurers offer some form of discounts, and some more than others. When getting insurance quotes, make sure to ask about any discounts you might be eligible for, as they won’t always be offered up on a silver platter. You can often even stack multiple discounts to save even more. Some common discounts include:
    • Multi policy bundle
    • Claims free history
    • New client
    • Loyal client
    • Safe driver
    • Student away
    • Safety features
    • And more
  • Compare Multiple Quotes: Never take the first car insurance quote you’re offered without shopping around to make sure it’s the best deal. Comparing quotes doesn’t take as long as you might think, and it can save you anywhere from 20-30% on your premiums.
  • Increase Your Deductible: Your deductible is the amount you have to pay before your insurance kicks in. By increasing it, your premiums will be lowered. Keep in mind that you’ll have to fork over a higher amount to get a claim paid, should an accident happen. 
  • Remove Unnecessary Coverage: Having more coverage than you need gives you peace of mind, but if you’re trying to save money, removing unnecessary coverage can do the trick. This could mean removing collision if your vehicle is old and not worth the deductible/raise in rates, or removing a teenage driver from your policy if they’re away at school and won’t be driving. Be sure to check your coverage annually to make sure you’re not still paying for something you don’t need.
  • Improve Credit Score: It might seem a little unfair, but insurance providers can use your credit score when calculating your car insurance premiums. A poor score can result in higher premiums, as you’re seen as a higher risk to insurers. By working to improve your score, you can see your rates drop. 

By using these tips, you could save hundreds of dollars a year on car insurance. When it comes to saving money on insurance, the ball is completely in your court. 

Top Auto Insurance Providers in North Carolina

There’s no shortage of options for finding car insurance, but you’re better off with some rather than others. Here are some of the top insurance providers in North Carolina that might be a good fit for your car insurance needs:

  • GEICO
  • State Farm
  • Allstate
  • Nationwide 
  • North Carolina Farm Bureau 

But as always, make sure to compare quotes and coverage before making your decision. Some providers also offer perks like mobile apps or more discounts, so be sure to factor in what’s most important to you.

How to Get Auto Insurance Quotes in North Carolina

Ready to bite the bullet and find car insurance? It’s easier than you might think. Start by contacting your insurance agent and talking through your options, or click here for access to free quotes fast. You’ll be behind the wheel before you know it!

Remember: if a quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. Choose a reputable provider with a good history of claims payment and great coverage options. It’s all fun and games until an accident happens and you’re stuck footing the bill. 

Insurance is there to help you, and so is ConsumerCoverage. We’ve got you covered.

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Margaret Huntley Margaret Huntley is a creative writing and philosophy student at Western University. She has been working as a freelance writer for over two years and has written about everything from insurance, to poker, to health and wellness for international businesses.

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