North Carolina Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in North Carolina

The modern laws regulate the provision and acquisition of car insurance, helping vehicle owners stay protected in case of accidents. Whether they are using the respective vehicles for personal or professional purposes, having insurance is mandatory. Should the driver operate his/her vehicle without adequate insurance, he/she is liable for fines or up to $1,000 or the suspension of driving documents, such as the driver's license or vehicle registration, for up to six months. If you are looking to discover more information on the topic of auto insurance in North Carolina, just keep on reading this article.

What type of car insurance do you legally need in North Carolina?

According to the Mandatory Liability Insurance Act, all North Carolina residents who intend to operate a moving vehicle must be covered by a liability insurance policy. If the mandatory insurance is not present, the respective vehicle registration might be suspended for several months or more. Like the other states, North Carolina has an online insurance verification system, which can be used to instantly determine whether a vehicle has insurance or not.

For a resident to operate a vehicle in the state of North Carolina, the associated auto insurance must meet specific requirements. These might include: bodily injury liability ($60,000 per accident and $30,000 per person), property damage liability ($25,000 per accident), uninsured motorist bodily injury ($60,000 per accident and $30,000 per person), and uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage ($25,000). The full coverage insurance is always superior to the minimum liability coverage, as vehicle owners can add options such as comprehensive and collision insurance. insurance specialists advise drivers to choose a high liability coverage limit, as opposed to the war required by law in North Carolina. In this way, they will be protected, should the worst-case scenario occur.

The sums mentioned above refer to the amounts insurance providers are able to pay, in the situation of an accident, where it was determined that you were at fault. It is mandatory by law to carry a copy of your insurance policy while driving. The law also states that it is illegal to drive without a valid insurance policy in North Carolina, consequences including legal fines and the suspension of driving documents, such as the driver's license or vehicle registration. Jail time might be another consequence, enforced for those with repeated infractions.

Average cost of auto insurance in North Carolina

How much does auto insurance cost in NC? The state minimum auto insurance policy in North Carolina has a value of $426. However, a full coverage insurance policy has an average value of $1,067 per year. collision and comprehensive insurance are not always included in this policy, so you will have to calculate your budget accordingly. Several factors influence the overall insurance rates, including: driving record, location, marital status, gender, age, type of vehicle, presence of prior insurance, a number of miles driven. It is always advisable to choose an insurance policy with the best possible coverage, staying away from those that are suspiciously affordable.

It is a known fact that the average cost of car insurance varies from one state to the other. You can expect such variations for both the minimum and full coverage, including when it comes to options such as comprehensive and collision insurance. Some of the factors influencing these values include: accidents caused by weather elements or conditions, road conditions, at-fault accidents, number of drivers in accordance with the general population, number of uninsured drivers in their respective location.

North Carolina has a significantly lower rate for the average car insurance than the national media, which is around $1,770. Among the states with the most expensive policies, there are: California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. As for the states with the most affordable, these include: Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. New York has the most expensive rates, with $2,996 for the full coverage and $1,339 for the minimum one. Maine, on the other hand, is the most affordable, with $876 for the full coverage and $227 for the minimum one.

Within the state of NC you might also find differences between its various cities. Winston-Salem has some of the most affordable rates to offer, while Charlotte stands at the top of the list in terms of costs. The average annual premiums are as follows: Winston-Salem - $1,055; Durham - $1,138; Greensboro - $1,158; Raleigh - $1,159; Charlotte - $1,318.

The driver's age represents one of the main factors influencing the value of auto insurance. Usually, young drivers pay more for this type of insurance, as providers perceive them as immature and irresponsible. A teenage driver might be a customed to an annual premium of over $7,700, while a middle-aged driver will expect a premium that is close to $2,000. There are also gender differences worth mentioning, with men benefiting from more affordable rates. The same goes for married couples, who benefit from more affordable coverages than those who are single, divorced, or widowed.

In calculating the value of a potential coverage policy, auto insurance companies will also analyze the driver's credit history. A driver with then exceptional credit will save significant sums on his/her auto insurance premiums, while someone with a poor credit history will struggle to pay the high rates. Prior driving offenses will lead to significantly higher rates, including DUI/DWI, at-fault accidents, speeding, or reckless driving. Vehicle owners can expect the rates to vary in accordance with the type of coverage as well. They are also encouraged to add both comprehensive and collision insurance to the state minimum policy, so as to increase the level of protection offered.

Did not find your city or county on the list? Please use our auto insurance companies search box at the top to locate all the best auto insurance quotes in North Carolina. Find car insurance in North Carolina by city, zip code or county name.

Finding the right auto insurance in North Carolina

If you are having a hard time finding the right insurance policy, perhaps we might be of assistance. Thanks to the experience accumulated in the field of auto insurance, we are able to match drivers with the best policies for their needs and budget. All you have to do is give us a call and we will offer all the necessary support you might need. Keep in mind that this service is free-of-charge and it can save you from a complicated research process.