Minimum Insurance Requirements for North Carolina Drivers: What You Need to Know

North Carolina motor vehicle law requires that motor liability coverage be maintained on an ongoing basis. Liability insurance protects drivers and their families against injuries and property damage caused by the negligence of other drivers who might have limited, minimal, or no liability insurance. To avoid penalties and fees, a person should not cancel their insurance until they have handed in their license plate to the NCDMV. A person who has established permanent residence outside North Carolina should not rescind their North Carolina insurance policy until they have handed over their North Carolina license plate to the NCDMV.

Failure to do so could result in a civil penalty. If the license plate is lost or stolen, you must complete an MVR-18A form. NCDMV Customer Service (91) 715-7000 Send messages Postal Addresses Find contact information for NCDOT employees, local offices and more. Driving without meeting the minimum requirements for auto insurance in North Carolina can result in serious consequences such as fines, community service, probation or even jail time.

It is important for drivers to understand what type of insurance they need and how much coverage they should purchase in order to protect themselves financially if they are involved in an accident. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) states that State Farm represents 15.9% of auto insurance premiums sold in the U. S. UU.

If you don't have a lot of assets or think the risk is worth it, you might be comfortable with just the minimum coverage. If you've been involved in a car accident in North Carolina and need help with the insurance claim process, it might make sense to discuss your situation (and your options) with a legal professional. While almost every state requires drivers to have liability insurance, the minimum coverage isn't always enough to cover the cost of an accident. North Carolina's liability insurance law is strictly enforced and insurance companies are required to notify NCDMV if a policy is cancelled, refused to renew, or allowed to expire.

Instead of PIP insurance, North Carolina insurance companies offer medical payments insurance (sometimes called MedPay), which helps pay hospital bills resulting from a car accident. Nationwide, Erie, and the North Carolina Farm Bureau typically offer the cheapest car insurance policies with minimum coverage in accordance with North Carolina's minimum coverage requirements. Liability insurance is the least expensive car insurance because it provides minimal coverage. The best way for drivers to find out what type of insurance they need is to compare quotes from different providers and find one that meets their needs while also being affordable.

Full-coverage insurance typically offers comprehensive and collision coverage in addition to the coverage required in North Carolina. As a driver in North Carolina, finding the best auto insurance provider for your circumstances requires comparing car insurance quotes from several insurers. We collect data on dozens of auto insurance providers to rate companies based on a wide range of ranking factors. The term “liability only” auto insurance is used to distinguish policies with basic coverage from those that have collision insurance and comprehensive coverage.

For more information, see WalletHub's guides on how much car insurance you need and affordable car insurance in North Carolina. It is also important for drivers to understand that while liability insurance is the least expensive option, it may not provide enough coverage if they are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or if they are found liable for damages caused by an accident. When shopping for auto insurance, it is important for drivers to understand what type of coverage they need and how much coverage they should purchase in order to protect themselves financially if they are involved in an accident. Comparing quotes from different providers can help drivers find an affordable policy that meets their needs while also providing adequate protection.

Carl Somilleda
Carl Somilleda

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