North Carolina Auto Insurance
North Carolina auto insurance is required of all motorists driving on any public North Carolina road or highway. North Carolina is a fairly large state geographically speaking with many interstate highways including I-40 I-77 I-95 I-85.
To save money on NC auto insurance it’s important to get insurance quotes from multiple companies to see who can offer you the best rate for your particular insurance needs. We make that process safe, easy and fast. Simply click above and you’ll be able to see every available quote for you in your area.
North Carolina Auto Insurance Requirements
In 1957 North Carolina adopted a law called the Vehicle Financial Responsibility Act which effectively required all motor vehicles (registered with the State) to be covered with auto insurance that meets state mandated minimum requirements and that the motor vehicle must maintain this insurance with no lapses of coverage until the registration is ended.
Hence, in North Carolina you must show proof of auto insurance when titling /registering your vehicle. In addition, if stopped by the North Carolina police or highway patrol you must provide acceptable proof of auto insurance. The acceptable proof of insurance includes:
- Insurance company name and policy number (Self Certification)
- Certificate of Insurance (FS-1), obtained from an Insurance Company that is licensed to do business in North Carolina.
NC Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage
- Liability Insurance: $60,000 coverage for bodily injury for 2 or more people. $30,000 of coverage for 1 person, and $25,000 worth of insurance coverage for property damage.
North Carolina Auto Insurance Information
What’s unique about NC auto insurance laws is that the state requires all insurance companies to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if the insurance coverage lapses for any reason. Most states do not do this (exception: high risk drivers in most states have this requirement through an SR-22 insurance policy).
If your insurance coverage lapses the insurance company will notify the NC DMV and the DMV will send you NC form FS 5-7 which you are required to respond to within 10 days. If your insurance has changed, your response must be within 10 days and it must include the new insurance information along with a $50 dollar fee to the DMV in order to retain your license plates.
If the FS 5-7 form is not correct and there has not been a lapse in coverage you are still required to respond within 10 days providing the correct insurance information certifying that there has not been a lapse in coverage. Reference NC DMV Auto Insurance Requirements.