North Carolina Auto Insurance
As a driver in North Carolina, you are responsible for making sure that your auto insurance policy meets the minimum standards set in place by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Currently (2010), these standards include at least $30,000/$60,000 in bodily injury liability and a minimum of $25,000 in general property damage insurance. These requirements are higher than most other states but are still far less than you need to be fully protected in the event of a car accident.
How much auto insurance should I buy?
Minimum auto insurance requirements are often set to ensure drivers have some level of liability protection for common, minor accidents however auto insurance laws only require drivers to carry liability insurance and liability coverage only pays for damage to other people’s property and/or injuries. If you want to make sure your vehicle damages or medical expenses are covered in a car accident then it’s wise to purchase collision and/or comprehensive coverage also. Drivers who simply purchase a policy to comply with state minimum requirements often find themselves without enough insurance in accidents where they were at fault. Most experts agree that drivers should always consider a full coverage auto insurance policy which consists of comprehensive, collision and liability coverage with limits exceeding $100,000 due to the high cost of vehicles and medical care in today’s world.
North Carolina is a Tort State
Securing the right type of auto insurance coverage in North Carolina is very important since North Carolina operates under “tort” law when it comes to liability in a car accident. The driver who is responsible for the accident is obligated to pay all the expenses associated with the damages caused and victims can sue for a number of reasons. Due to the nature of tort law having $30,000 in liability coverage is effectively being under-insured and drivers who just have these bare minimum auto insurance requirements often find themselves exposed to great personal liability after a car accident.
How much is North Carolina Auto Insurance?
North Carolina drivers pay an average of $1,130 annually in auto insurance premiums which is about 20% lower than the national average. However your exact auto insurance rates are determined based on your unique risk profile which includes reviewing your driving record, type of vehicle insured, credit score and other factors.
How can I save money on Auto Insurance?
While it’s true that many high risk drivers can often find it difficult to find cheap auto insurance there are still many ways to save money on car insurance no matter what risk profile you have. Good drivers obviously have the highest success obtaining the best auto insurance rates but with an auto insurance comparison search almost any driver can save money on premiums. One of the best ways to save is to take advantage of the many auto insurance discounts around. Some of the more popular discounts which are not necessarily dependent on your driving record are:
- Multi-Policy Discount
- Multi-Vehicle Discount
- Low Mileage Discount
- Vehicle Safety Discount
- Anti-Theft Discount
Young drivers can even save money on auto insurance with a Good Grades Discount or by completing an approved defensive driving course. No matter what kind of risk you pose of filing a future claim it’s important to learn about discounts and compare auto insurance quotes from multiple providers.
Start your North Carolina auto insurance comparison search today and Compare Auto Insurance Quotes online
