North Carolina Car Insurance Requirements
Numbers refreshed
This is the least coverage each North Carolina driver must carry, along with what it pays for.
- Liability averages $42 each month.
- 50/100/50.the minimum for liability coverage.
- 41st of 51.states in cost (1st = highest).
Requirements in North Carolina
| Cover | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury, per person | $50,000 |
| Bodily injury, per crash | $100,000 |
| Property damage, per crash | $50,000 |
| Personal injury protection | Not required |
| Uninsured motorist | Required |
| Underinsured motorist | Required |
| Fault system | At-fault |
Source: NCDMV (NCDOT), Insurance Requirements; Automobile Financial Responsibility Limits by State, rev. 7/2024 (Insurance Information Institute table archive 21211, APCIA data; PDF copy hosted by riskeducation.org).
What the limits pay for
Drivers in North Carolina need a minimum of 50/100/50 in liability coverage. That amount provides $50,000 for each injured person and $100,000 for everyone injured in one crash, with $50,000 available for damage to other people's property.
These limits often fall short of what medical bills and a newer car cost. You may face claims for amounts above those limits, so many drivers choose 100/300/100 instead. A liability policy in North Carolina costs $503 a year on average.
Driving without insurance
If you drive uninsured in North Carolina, you can lose your license and registration. Restoring them may require proof of insurance for several years.
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) is where your questions should go.
More about car insurance in North Carolina
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