Searching for car insurance in the Tar Heel state is consumes your time. We put together this guide that lists the information you need to know about buying car insurance in North Carolina so that you can easily get the plan that fits your needs - at the lowest rate.

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Minimum Requirements

North Carolina requires bodily injury coverage and property damage coverage to drive in the state. The car insurance minimum requirements will cover you if you are in an accident and found at-fault. We provided a list of the coverages and the limits:

Do I Need More Than the Minimum Coverage?

We always encourage you to purchase the most insurance you can afford. By doing this you can be assured you will have the maximum coverage you can afford. There are many additional coverages and higher limits you can add to your minimum coverage to round out the policy. 

Additional Coverages Available

Here is a list of additional coverages that can be added to minimum car insurance requirements: 

• Collision Coverage- Collision insurance will cover repairs to your vehicle in an accident you are at fault for. 

• Comprehensive Coverage- Comprehensive insurance covers you for other situations than a car accident; if you hit an animal, vandalism, fire, hail, flooding, or of your car is stolen. 

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists- Optional coverage that protects you if you are involved in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or too little insurance to cover the accident. 

• Medical Coverage- Optional coverage that will pay for medical bills when health insurance exceeds coverage amounts and covers medical expenses for you and your passengers. Do you walk or bike? This policy offers additional coverage if you are struck by a car in those instances. 

• Gap Insurance- Optional coverage that will pay if you don’t own your car outright and have an accident. Gap insurance will pay the difference between the cash value of your car and the current balance on your loan or lease. This policy is best for newer non-owned cars.

• Personal Injury Protection- Depending on your state this type of insurance can be a requirement or an add on. Regardless of fault personal injury protection will cover medical expenses and loss of wages for you and your passengers (up to your limit). It also includes up to $5,000 for funeral expenses.

Teen Drivers in North Carolina 

North Carolina uses a graduated licensing program for all new teen drivers. The program begins at 15 with a permit. Once a teen starts driving it is important to start shopping for car insurance. You can either add your teen to your existing policy, which is cheaper, or the teen can get their own policy. It is expensive to insure a teen driver regardless, but it has to be done. There are a few discounts out there for teen drivers that can help alleviate some of the costs, check with your car insurance company and see what options they have available.

Multiple Drivers in North Carolina 

It is important to inform your car insurance company if you have more than one driver under your roof. This is to ensure maximum coverage and alleviate the possibility of any back premiums or loss of coverage. 

If you do not want to list all of the drivers in your home on your policy you do not have to. You can exclude any drivers you wish. To exclude a driver contact your insurance company and let them know. You should never let an excluded driver use your vehicle because they will not be covered. Any damages that occur will be your responsibility and be an out-of-pocket expense.

Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance 

Just like in most states there is a required car insurance minimum that must be met, if not penalties will be assessed. We have put together a list of the penalties for not being in compliance with the car insurance laws in North Carolina:

• First Offense- You will be issued a civil penalty of $50 and drivers license reinstatement fee of $50. Your registration will be suspended for 30 days and you could be sentenced to up to 45 days Probation. 

• Second Offense- You will be issued a civil penalty of $100 and drivers license reinstatement fee of $50. Your registration will be suspended for 30 days and you could be sentenced to up to 45 days Probation or jail time. 

• Third & Subsequent Offenses- You will be issued a civil penalty of $150 and drivers license reinstatement fee of $50. Your registration will be suspended for 30 days and you could be sentenced to up to 45 days Probation or jail time. 

Car Insurance Discounts in North Carolina  

Getting insurance is mandatory, but a discount might make it a little easier to handle. There are many discount options offered across all companies for the state of North Carolina. Ask your car insurance agent for a list of available discounts, this will help you decide which discounts you qualify for. We put together a list of common discounts in North Carolina:

• Good Driver- Maintain a good driving record free of accidents, tickets, and any moving violations. 

• Multiple Policy- Most insurance companies will offer a discount for having multiple policies such as car insurance, renters insurance, homeowners insurance, or motorcycle insurance. 

• Good Student- If you are a student enrolled in high school or college curriculum and maintaining a B average most companies offer a discount.

Car Insurance Quotes in North Carolina

BuyCarInsurance.com really streamlines the car insurance buying experience. We provide hassle-free quotes from top car insurance providers competing for your business. All you have to do is follow the three easy steps below to get a quote within minutes.