Margarita M. Phillips 
IInsurance is for unexpected problems in life, whether they are your fault or not. Having the right auto insurance in North Carolina can save you from paying big accident bills yourself.
Whether you’ve backed up against a post at Food Lion or someone else slammed into you and injured you, you want the right cover. Here’s how to find it in North Carolina.
Largest Auto Insurance Companies in North Carolina
State Farm is the largest auto insurance company in North Carolina, followed by Geico and National General.
Minimum car insurance required in North Carolina
North Carolina forces car owners to buy automobile liability insurance with coverage limits of at least:
- $ 30,000 for bodily injury to a person.
- $ 60,000 for bodily injury to more than one person in a single accident.
- $ 25,000 for property damage in an accident.
This is often written as 30/60/25.
These required amounts are usually insufficient if you have assets to protect in a lawsuit against you for a car accident. Consider higher coverage limits so your insurance pays for court judgments, not you.
North Carolina also requires coverage for uninsured motorists. It pays your medical bills and property damage bills if someone without insurance hits you. It can get a little tricky in North Carolina, so let’s break it down:
- Coverage for uninsured motorists is required. You can choose the limits of the policy.
- If your liability coverage limits are greater than the state minimum of 30/60, you should purchase underinsured motorist coverage. This pays the car accident bills if you are hit by a driver who has insurance but not enough.
What else should I have?
Collision and Comprehensive Insurance: These cover issues that liability and uninsured motorist coverage will not cover. Collision and full coverage together cover auto theft and damage to vehicles from hail, flood, fire, vandalism, riots, falling objects and collisions with animals such as deer.
They can also cover an accident with another car. So if someone else hits you, you can make a claim against their liability insurance or use your own collision insurance. You would have options.
Collision and full coverage are usually required if you have a car loan or rental.
Coverage of medical payments (MedPay). This coverage is specifically for medical and funeral expenses after a car accident, regardless of who caused it. MedPay limits can be small, such as $ 1,000 to $ 10,000. You can buy more. The advantage of MedPay is that it can pay for you and your passengers. It can also cover your Medicare co-payments. But if you have good health insurance with a small copayment, you may not need it.
Put it all together
Can I show my insurance ID card from my phone?
You can use a phone to show a North Carolina auto insurance ID card. Your auto insurance company may have a mobile app that makes it easy to access your ID card.
Average auto insurance premiums in North Carolina
Drivers in North Carolina pay an average of $ 700 per year for car insurance. Here are the average premiums for common types of coverage.
Factors Allowed in Auto Insurance Rates in North Carolina
Auto insurance companies will often use driving records, past claims, vehicle models and more when setting rates. In North Carolina, insurers can also use these factors.
How many uninsured drivers are there in North Carolina?
About 6.5% of North Carolina drivers don’t have insurance, according to the Insurance Research Council. This is a relatively low percentage compared to other states, especially since the uninsured driver rate in Florida is 26.7%.
Penalties for driving without automobile insurance
If you’re caught driving without insurance in North Carolina, you could be fined $ 50 and have your license plates revoked.
When can a vehicle be totaled?
A vehicle is “totaled” in North Carolina when the repairs would cost more than 75% of the vehicle’s value.
If you receive an insurance check for a totaled car, you may find that you still owe extra money on your car loan. In such cases, gap insurance can pay the difference.
Resolve insurance issues
The North Carolina Department of Insurance is responsible for monitoring insurance companies and taking complaints. If you have an unresolved problem, you can file a complaint online.
More from the advisor
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
