North Carolina Auto Insurance Rates & Requirements
North Carolina requires 50/100/50 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.
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North Carolina at a Glance
50/100/50
Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)
At-fault
The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause
Required
Uninsured motorist coverage must be on every policy
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
State Requirements
North Carolina operates under a traditional at-fault liability system, meaning the driver responsible for an accident pays for damages. The state requires all drivers to carry proof of financial responsibility — typically satisfied through liability insurance — and enforces this through random verification by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
Bodily Injury Liability
Property Damage Liability
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Collision Coverage
Comprehensive Coverage
Cost Overview
about $77/mo
Average car insurance spending in North Carolina
Rate data: NAIC Auto Insurance Database, 2023
What Affects Your Rate
- Rural Mountain and Piedmont county drivers experience lower liability rates but higher comprehensive costs due to deer collision frequency — over 3,000 reported annually statewide
Find Out What Your Coverage Should Cost
Compare Rates and Get CoveredFrequently Asked Questions
Is North Carolina a no-fault state for auto insurance?
No, North Carolina uses a traditional at-fault system. The driver responsible for the accident pays for all damages through their liability insurance. If you cause an accident, your bodily injury and property damage liability coverage pays the other party's costs, but you need collision coverage to repair your own vehicle.
Coverage Types
Liability Insurance
Covers injuries and property damage you cause to others. North Carolina's 30/60/25 minimum is legally sufficient but financially inadequate — a single serious injury claim can exceed $100,000.
Full Coverage
Combines liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage for complete protection. Essential for financed vehicles and recommended for cars worth more than $5,000.
Comprehensive Coverage
Protects against non-collision damage including theft, vandalism, weather, falling objects, and animal strikes. Pays actual cash value minus your deductible.
Collision Coverage
Repairs or replaces your vehicle after a collision with another car or object, regardless of who's at fault. Required by lenders if you finance or lease.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Pays your medical bills and vehicle damage when an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you. North Carolina requires insurers to offer it, but you can waive it in writing.
SR-22 Insurance
Certificate of financial responsibility filed with the North Carolina DMV after serious violations like DUI, driving uninsured, or accumulating excessive SDIP points. Not a separate policy — your insurer files the SR-22 form.