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Insurance · North Carolina

Insurance in North Carolina

The rules that shape car, home and business insurance in North Carolina, each linked to its official source, and how to get coverage shopped here.

By Sam Alishahi · Reviewed October 2026

Car insurance in North Carolina (50/100/50)

  • Minimum car insuranceFor policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025, North Carolina requires $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is required, and since July 1, 2025 underinsured motorist coverage is included in every new or renewed policy; PIP is not required. Source
  • Fault systemNorth Carolina is an at-fault state, so the driver who causes a crash is responsible through their liability insurance for the injuries and damage they cause. Source

Business insurance rules in North Carolina

  • Workers’ compensationBusinesses that regularly employ three or more employees must carry workers' compensation or qualify to self-insure, and corporate officers count toward the three. Employers whose work involves radiation must cover even one employee, and motor carriers must cover owner-operators who lack their own coverage. North Carolina is not monopolistic. Source
  • Contractor licensingThe North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors requires a state license for any project valued at $40,000 or more. Applicants must show evidence of financial responsibility as the Board determines; the statute does not require a license bond or proof of liability insurance. Source

Home insurance in North Carolina

  • Home insurer of last resortThe FAIR Plan is the statewide insurer of last resort, while the Beach Plan serves the beach and coastal areas, where hurricanes are the main exposure. The coastal pool offers a named-storm deductible plan. Source

High-value homes in North Carolina.

Disasters, floods, hail, tornadoes and earthquakes in North Carolina

North Carolina disasters, floods, hail, tornadoes and earthquakes, from federal records
MeasureNorth CarolinaRank among the statesDetail
Federal major disaster declarations since 200028#27 of 51Most often for hurricane (11), severe storm (8), severe ice storm (3). Brunswick County has been in 11 of them.
National Flood Insurance Program claims, 2005–202551,577#7 of 51$1.6 billion paid; 22% of claims with a known flood zone were outside FEMA’s high-risk zones.
Homes in high-risk flood zones with a federal flood policy53%#7 of 5060,527 policies for 113,606 homes in the counties FEMA can measure; US: 40%.
Hail reports, 2016–20251,466#18 of 5163 of them 2 inches or larger. Largest stone 4 inches, Hertford County, May 2019.
Tornadoes, 2016–2025294#21 of 5124 rated EF2 or stronger; 1,551 recorded since 1950.
Earthquakes of magnitude 4.0+, 2000–20251#28 of 51Largest: magnitude 5.1, 4 km SE of Sparta, North Carolina, August 9, 2020.

From the public FEMA, NOAA, Storm Prediction Center, USGS and FMCSA records behind each linked report; ranks count all 50 states and Washington, DC unless noted.

Look up the storm history of any county in North Carolina.

Worth knowing in North Carolina

North Carolina raised its auto minimums to 50/100/50 on July 1, 2025, and under its Safe Driver Incentive Plan, convictions carrying 4 or more insurance points now raise premiums for 5 years instead of 3.

North Carolina’s insurance regulator

Insurance in North Carolina is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, which handles consumer complaints and licenses insurers and agents.

Sam Alishahi holds a nonresident insurance producer license in North Carolina (NPN 21022298), so requests from North Carolina are handled by him directly.

Common questions

What is the minimum car insurance in North Carolina?

For policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025, North Carolina requires $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is required, and since July 1, 2025 underinsured motorist coverage is included in every new or renewed policy; PIP is not required.

Is North Carolina a no-fault state?

North Carolina is an at-fault state, so the driver who causes a crash is responsible through their liability insurance for the injuries and damage they cause.

Do employers in North Carolina need workers’ comp?

Businesses that regularly employ three or more employees must carry workers' compensation or qualify to self-insure, and corporate officers count toward the three. Employers whose work involves radiation must cover even one employee, and motor carriers must cover owner-operators who lack their own coverage. North Carolina is not monopolistic.

What can a North Carolina homeowner do if no insurer will write the house?

The FAIR Plan is the statewide insurer of last resort, while the Beach Plan serves the beach and coastal areas, where hurricanes are the main exposure. The coastal pool offers a named-storm deductible plan.

Sources

General information as of October 2026, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the agency.

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Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage.

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