North Carolina car insurance: minimums, prices and your estimate
North Carolina requires at least $50,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 per accident, and $50,000 of property damage liability (written 50/100/50).
North Carolina's minimum limits are among the highest in the country, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage cannot be rejected, and insurers may not base auto rates on your age or sex. PIP is not required.
For policies issued or renewed since July 1, 2025, the minimum is 50/100/50, up from 30/60/25, and uninsured and underinsured motorist minimums rose to match.
- Legal minimum
- 50/100/50
- Fault system
- At-fault
- Personal injury protection
- Not required
- Uninsured motorist
- Required
- Underinsured motorist
- Required
- Credit-based pricing
- Allowed
- Gender-based pricing
- Not allowed
- High-risk proof filing
- Proof filing (generally 2 years)
What drivers in North Carolina can expect to pay
Monthly ranges from our model, anchored to North Carolina's position in 7 published price studies from 2025 and 2026 ($1,994 a year for full coverage and $679 for minimum coverage for a standard adult driver; which studies). Suburban ZIP code, mid-size sedan a few years old.
| Driver | Estimated monthly | About per year |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, full coverage35, clean record, 100/300/100, $500 deductibles | $143-$189 | $1,994 |
| Adult, state-minimum coverage35, clean record, only what the law requires | $48-$64 | $679 |
| Young driver, full coverage20, own policy, clean record | $266-$399 | $3,988 |
| Senior, full coverage70, clean record | $143-$189 | $1,994 |
| After one at-fault accident35, full coverage | $214-$284 | $2,991 |
| After a DUI35, full coverage | $250-$375 | $3,749 |
| Poor credit35, clean record, full coverage | $255-$367 | $3,729 |
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Rules worth knowing in North Carolina
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage defaults to the highest bodily injury limit on your policy, up to $1 million, and the two limits must match. You can choose lower limits, but not below 50/100.
- Policies must also include at least $50,000 of uninsured motorist property damage coverage, with a $100 deductible.
- Rating plans may not be based, directly or indirectly, on age or sex, a rule in place since 1975. Rates also reflect the Safe Driver Incentive Plan, which adds surcharges for driving points.
- Drivers first licensed on or after July 1, 2025 can be charged an inexperienced-driver surcharge until they have 8 years of licensed experience, up from 3, with a discount possible after 3 clean years. Since July 1, 2026, such a driver may not drive unless the liability policy includes that surcharge.
- Insurers may use credit scores and may base a discount on credit alone, but credit alone cannot be used to end a policy in force for more than 60 days. If a credit report error is confirmed, the insurer must re-rate you within 30 days and refund any overcharge.
- When North Carolina requires you to file proof of financial responsibility, such as an insurance certificate, bond or deposit, the law generally lets it be canceled after 2 years if no qualifying conviction was reported in that time, but other conditions apply, so confirm with the North Carolina DMV.
Questions about North Carolina car insurance
What is the minimum car insurance in North Carolina?
North Carolina requires at least $50,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 per accident, and $50,000 of property damage liability (written 50/100/50).
How much is car insurance in North Carolina per month?
For a 35-year-old with a clean record, our model puts full coverage at about $143 to $189 a month and state-minimum coverage at about $48 to $64. Age, record, car, ZIP code and the company you choose move the real number a lot.
Is North Carolina a no-fault state?
At-fault (tort) state: the driver who causes a crash, and their insurer, pays for the other side's injuries and damage.
Can insurers in North Carolina use my credit score?
Yes. Many insurers in North Carolina use a credit-based insurance score, so better credit usually means a lower price.
Do I need an SR-22 in North Carolina?
Only if a court or the state requires one, usually after a serious violation or a lapse. When North Carolina requires you to file proof of financial responsibility, such as an insurance certificate, bond or deposit, the law generally lets it be canceled after 2 years if no qualifying conviction was reported in that time, but other conditions apply, so confirm with the North Carolina DMV.