Is North Carolina a no-fault state?
No. North Carolina is an at-fault state. The insurance of the driver who is legally responsible for the crash pays the other driver's medical bills and car repairs.
Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (4)
How does North Carolina car insurance work?
“Automobile insurance protects you financially by paying the other driver's car repair and medical bills if you are found legally responsible for an accident.”
North Carolina Department of Insurance
What is North Carolina's minimum car insurance?
| Coverage | What North Carolina requires |
|---|---|
| Injury to one person | $50,000 |
| Injuries in one crash | $100,000 |
| Damage to property | $50,000 |
| Uninsured motorist | Uninsured motorist coverage is required in North Carolina, along with liability coverage. Since July 1, 2025, underinsured motorist coverage is also included in all new or renewed policies. |
Other at-fault states
Questions
How much insurance does North Carolina require?
For policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025: at least $50,000 for injury to one person, $100,000 for injuries in one crash, and $50,000 for property damage. (The old minimums were $30,000 / $60,000 / $25,000.).
What if you were partly at fault in North Carolina?
North Carolina follows contributory negligence: if you were even partly at fault, you generally cannot recover anything from a driver who was ordinarily negligent.
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See if I’m owed moneySources (4)
- North Carolina Department of Insurance, checked 2026-11-09. “Automobile insurance protects you financially by paying the other driver's car repair and medical bills if you are found legally responsible for an accident.”
- North Carolina Department of Insurance, checked 2026-11-09. “Starting July 1, 2025, for all new or renewed policies on or after that date, the minimum limits for bodily injury will be increased to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident and the minimum limits for property damage will be increased to $50,000.”
- North Carolina Department of Insurance, checked 2026-11-09. “In North Carolina, liability coverage is required, along with uninsured motorist coverage.”
- North Carolina Court of Appeals, Lovett v. University Place Owner's Ass'n, 2022-NCCOA-594, checked 2026-11-09. “In North Carolina, "a plaintiff's contributory negligence is a bar to recovery from a defendant who commits an act of ordinary negligence."”