State guide
Insurance in North Carolina
Required coverage, penalties, official contacts and sources for North Carolina, reviewed 2026-10.
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Car insurance
What North Carolina requires.
Liability 50/100/50 plus uninsured and underinsured motorist. Claims system: fault-based claims.
| Coverage | Requirement in North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident (policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025) |
| Property damage liability | $50,000 per accident (policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025) |
| Injury protection | Not listed as required |
| Uninsured / underinsured motorist | Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage required on all policies |
Required coverage
- Bodily injury: at least $50,000 for one person and $100,000 for two or more people
- Property damage: at least $50,000
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on all policies, even those above the minimum limits
- Continuous liability insurance on every vehicle with a valid North Carolina registration
Other coverage commonly available
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Higher liability limits
- Medical payments
- Rental reimbursement
If you drive without required coverage
North Carolina strictly enforces continuous liability insurance. Failing to respond to an NCDMV notice may result in plate revocation and civil penalties. Restoring a vehicle after a lapse costs a $50, $100 or $150 civil penalty depending on prior lapses within three years, plus a $50 restoration fee, according to NCDMV.
Notices
What to know in North Carolina.
- North Carolina raised its minimum limits for policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025. Before then, the minimums were $30,000, $60,000 and $25,000. Many websites still show the old numbers, and a declarations page may show them until renewal.
- NCDMV does not accept out-of-state policies for vehicles registered in North Carolina. Coverage must come from a company licensed to do business in North Carolina.
- Cancel insurance only after you turn in your license plate to NCDMV. Canceling first results in a fine for failing to maintain continuous coverage.
- Starting October 1, 2026, a registered owner has 30 days, instead of 10, to respond to an NCDMV liability insurance termination notice.
- The Department of Insurance states that underinsured motorist coverage is included on all new or renewed policies beginning July 1, 2025, and that the law changed how underinsured motorist coverage is determined.
General information only. It is not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with the official sources listed below.
Home insurance
Start with the North Carolina Department of Insurance
- Standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood. Flood coverage is bought separately, including through the National Flood Insurance Program.
- The Department of Insurance is the state authority for questions about insurers, agents and complaints.
Health insurance
HealthCare.gov
HealthCare.gov (federal marketplace)
- North Carolina residents use the federal marketplace, HealthCare.gov. North Carolina is not on CMS's list of state-based exchanges.
- Confirm current enrollment dates and eligibility for financial help on HealthCare.gov.
Contacts
Who to contact.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance
- Website: ncdoi.gov
- Phone: 855-408-1212 (Consumer Services Division, select Option 3 for auto insurance, per NCDMV)
- NAIC directory of state insurance departments
Sources
Where this summary comes from.
Reviewed 2026-10. Check each source for the current rule.
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