Drivers who are searching for cheap car insurance in North Carolina (NC) will find it challenging, though not impossible, to find a good policy at a good rate. We will provide some tips to save you money.
On January 1, 2009 the state of North Carolina raised the liability limits for all drivers in the state, increasing costs for most consumers. The Tar Heel state went from having one of the lowest liability requirements to one of the highest. Drivers now must keep at least $30,000 in Bodily Injury Liability with maximum coverage of at least $60,000 per accident. In comparison, many other states require $25,000/$50,000 liability policies.
While these higher liability requirements make it more difficult to find cheap car insurance in North Carolina, they do serve to protect the average driver more completely. As medical costs of accidents rise, so too does your potential exposure to financial catastrophe. If your liability coverage runs out you become personally liable for paying any medical expenses from an accident you caused. Even with North Carolina’s relatively high requirement of $60,000 per accident, you may want to consider going beyond this level if you own a home or have other substantial assets.
You must file form FS-1 with the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to prove that you maintain insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements. Usually this can be done by your insurer. If at any time you let you coverage lapse, your insurance company will contact the DMV to let them know. You will then need to file form FS 5-7 which will be sent to you by the DMV. One key to getting cheap car insurance in North Carolina is not to let your policy coverage lapse. You could be subject to penalties and fees if you let your coverage drop even briefly, so it’s important to always keep your policy current.
Last year North Carolina drivers paid an average of $1,558 in car insurance premiums, about $200 less than the national average. However, due to the state’s new liability requirements, average premiums rocketed up 27% in 2009 over 2008 rates. With rates climbing, it’s important to lock in cheap car insurance in North Carolina as soon as possible. Putting off the task of looking for low rates will only increase the likelihood you will end up paying more.
It is an unfortunate fact of life that now all drivers in North Carolina are treated the same. If you live in Raleigh, Durham or Charlotte you are likely to pay more in auto insurance than those who live in rural areas. Cities mean more cars on the road which in turn means a greater chance that an accident and a costly claim will occur. Carriers price this into their policies which means that urban drivers find it much more difficult to obtain cheap car insurance in North Carolina than their country cousins.
Pros know that the best way to locate cheap car insurance in North Carolina is to compare rates from several carriers. Dozens of insurers are vying for your policy, so let them compete against each other to get the very best rate possible. To get started just enter your zip code in the field above and you will be instantly connected to the best discount car insurance companies in North Carolina.