Car insurance in North Carolina
North Carolina is an at-fault state with a minimum liability requirement of 50/100/50. Here's what that means, what it costs, and what to check before you buy.
What the minimums actually mean
$50,000 per injured person, $100,000 total per accident for injuries, and $50,000 for property damage, effective for policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025 (up from 30/60/25, which had been unchanged since 1999).
Both UM and UIM are required, matching the new liability minimums (50/100/50) as of July 1, 2025.
Estimated cost
$579 a year for minimum coverage, $1,831 for full coverage2
Average annual premiums in North Carolina for a 40-year-old with a clean record and good credit, driving a 2023 Toyota Camry. Full coverage here means 100/300/50 liability plus collision and comprehensive.
Why this is an average, not a quote
SR-22 & high-risk filings
North Carolina uses its own DL-123 (Proof of Financial Responsibility) form rather than a branded 'SR-22,' required after a DWI, driving uninsured, or at-fault accidents while uninsured.
Local conditions worth knowing
North Carolina is notable as a strict pure-contributory-negligence state (a driver even 1% at fault can be barred from recovery), its traffic fatality rate exceeds the national average, and its coast carries meaningful hurricane/flood exposure.
Frequently asked
- What is the minimum car insurance requirement in North Carolina?
- North Carolina requires liability limits of at least 50/100/50. $50,000 per injured person, $100,000 total per accident for injuries, and $50,000 for property damage, effective for policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025 (up from 30/60/25, which had been unchanged since 1999).
- Is North Carolina an at-fault or no-fault state?
- North Carolina is an at-fault state for car insurance claims.
- Do I need an SR-22 in North Carolina?
- North Carolina uses its own DL-123 (Proof of Financial Responsibility) form rather than a branded 'SR-22,' required after a DWI, driving uninsured, or at-fault accidents while uninsured.
- Is uninsured motorist coverage required in North Carolina?
- Both UM and UIM are required, matching the new liability minimums (50/100/50) as of July 1, 2025.
Sources
- Bankrate, Major changes to North Carolina car insurance.
- Bankrate, using Quadrant Information Services rates (November 2025), Average cost of car insurance, updated June 5, 2026.
Figures checked against these sources on October 2, 2026.
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