This breaks down to $30,000 of bodily injury liability per person; $60,000 of bodily injury liability per accident; and $25,000 of property liability per accident for either type of coverage. Driving without a policy that includes at least these types of coverage and policy limits is against the law.

Curious what all that even means? Understandable—it's confusing. Keep reading to learn all the information you need to know about car insurance minimums in North Carolina from

Jerry

, the

car insurance

expert and trusted comparison tool.

Before we wrap up, we'll even fill you in on how to lower your

North Carolina car insurance costs

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What insurance do I need in North Carolina?

North Carolina motorists must carry a minimum amount of liability coverage and uninsured motorist insurance on their car when driving. Motorists must also be able to show

proof of insurance

This is a brief summary of the minimum insurance requirements for North Carolina.

Required North Carolina minimum car insurance

Type of coverage	Minimum insurance limit
Minimum liability coverage	30/60/25
Bodily injury per accident	$30,000
Bodily injury per person	$60,000
Property damage per accident	$25,000
Uninsured motorist coverage	30/60/25
Bodily injury per person	$30,000
Bodily injury per accident	$60,000
Property damage per accident	$25,000

Key Takeaway North Carolina drivers must carry minimum limits of both liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as well as valid proof of insurance when behind the wheel.

MORE:

Minimum car insurance required in your state: what you need to know

Liability insurance in NC

There are two main types of liability insurance:

bodily injury liability

and

property damage liability

. North Carolina drivers are required to carry both of them. Bodily injury liability and property damage liability will help cover costs for the other party if you cause an accident; however, they won’t cover your own costs.

MORE:

How do I get car insurance in North Carolina if I do not have my license yet?

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What is the penalty for not having car insurance in North Carolina?

North Carolina takes car insurance violations seriously, and drivers caught without insurance could face penalties, including license plate revocation and fines.

Any vehicle owner caught driving without insurance will receive a notification from the state DMV. After receiving that notification, the car owner will only have 10 days to respond and avoid the following repercussions.

The penalties for driving without car insurance in North Carolina include:

License plate revocation

Reinstatement fees

$100 fine for a second offense

$150 fine for any subsequent offenses

Key Takeaway North Carolina drivers that are caught without proof of insurance could have their license plate revoked and face fines and reinstatement fees.

Additional coverage options

North Carolina drivers who want to upgrade their minimum car insurance requirements have plenty of great options to choose from that will help make their policy more durable and robust.

Comprehensive insurance

covers damage to your car caused by non-collision events, like fires, floods, severe weather, and theft.

Collision insurance

covers damage to your car following a rollover or collision—no matter who is found to be at fault.

Medical payments (MedPay) insurance

MedPay

is designed to help cover any medical expenses for you and your passengers resulting from a claim, regardless of who is at fault.

Gap insurance

Gap coverage

will cover the difference between what you owe on your totaled car and the settlement you receive from your insurance following an accident.

New car replacement insurance

will ensure that a new vehicle that is totaled is replaced with a car of a similar make and model year, so you don’t have to worry about dealing with depreciation in your payout.

Towing and labor insurance

Towing and labor coverage

will help cover the cost of standard emergency roadside services, like fuel deliveries, tire changes, or towing services.

Rental car reimbursement insurance

Rental reimbursement insurance

helps to cover the cost of a rental car if your car requires multi-day repairs after a car insurance claim.

MORE:

Everything that you need to know about Allstate

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How to get cheap car insurance in North Carolina

If you are looking for a free and easy way to save money on

car insurance

in North Carolina, download the

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A licensed broker and

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And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.

"I can’t believe
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Are you required to have car insurance in North Carolina?

Yes, drivers in North Carolina are required to carry a minimum amount of liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, summarized as 30/60/25. This breaks down to $30,000 of bodily injury liability per person; $60,000 of bodily injury liability per accident; and $25,000 of property liability per accident for either type of coverage.

Is North Carolina a no-fault car insurance state?

No. North Carolina is an at-fault or tort insurance state.

Does North Carolina insurance follow the car or the driver?

North Carolina insurance follows the car, not the driver.

Do I need more than the minimum insurance in North Carolina?

Legally, you are only required to carry the state minimum coverage in North Carolina—but if you loan or lease your car, you might have to purchase full coverage options like comprehensive insurance or collision insurance.

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