Cheapest Liability Car Insurance in North Carolina (2026)

What is liability car insurance?

In North Carolina, liability insurance helps pay for the other driver’s injuries and property damage in an accident you cause. Like most states, North Carolina requires liability insurance to ensure the injured parties in car accidents are fairly compensated.^[1]

Liability coverage doesn’t pay for your injuries or damages in the accident. That’s what full coverage is for. Full-coverage car insurance includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. It also covers damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident with another driver or object, or if a non-collision incident damages your car.

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Cheapest liability car insurance in North Carolina

The average monthly cost of car insurance in North Carolina is $69 per month for liability coverage and $115 for full coverage. 

The following table shows the cheapest car insurance quotes for liability-only coverage in North Carolina. But keep in mind that factors like your driving history, age, credit, and ZIP code affect the exact rate you’ll receive.

The below rates in North Carolina are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
Erie	$56
Progressive	$61
GEICO	$64
Direct Auto	$65
National General	$65
Liberty Mutual	$66
Safeco	$68
Travelers	$70
Dairyland	$75
Allstate	$76
State Farm	$92

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time North Carolina car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in North Carolina may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Minimum liability car insurance requirements in North Carolina

North Carolina drivers need to carry at least $50,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage, $100,000 per accident, and $50,000 in property damage liability coverage, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). The state also requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Bodily injury liability protects the other drivers and their passengers by covering their medical bills and lost wages if they’re injured in the accident. Property damage liability protects the other driver or property owner by covering repairs to their vehicle or property resulting from the accident.

Coverage	Minimum Amount
Bodily injury liability (per person)	$50,000
Bodily injury liability (per accident)	$100,000
Property damage liability	$50,000

For example, if you rear-end another driver at a stoplight, your liability coverage will pay for damages to their vehicle and any of their medical bills. But unless you have full-coverage car insurance, you’ll be stuck paying for your own expenses out of pocket.

Is minimum liability coverage enough in North Carolina?

For many North Carolina drivers, the minimum liability insurance requirements won’t be enough coverage. While meeting North Carolina’s car insurance requirements keeps you legal on the road, it could leave you stuck paying high out-of-pocket costs after an accident.

Liability coverage won’t cover damages to your vehicle after an accident, and it won’t pay to repair your vehicle after hail, flooding, vandalism, or other non-collision damages. It also won’t cover your medical expenses if you’re at fault for an accident. And in a serious car accident, the total costs could easily exceed your policy’s limits, leaving you stuck paying for the rest.

You may want to consider full-coverage car insurance if you:

• Finance or lease your vehicle

• Own a new or high-value car that would be expensive to repair

• Live in an area prone to severe weather events

• Can’t afford out-of-pocket repairs or a down payment on another car

• Spend a lot of time driving or regularly park on the street

Agent Tip: Should you purchase more than state-minimum coverage?

“While North Carolina has decent liability minimums, it’s worth considering getting full coverage. Some situations include if you have a high-value car, if you can’t afford to buy a new car, if you have a teen driver on your policy, or if you commute during high-traffic times. If you have a loan or a lease on your car, your lender may require it as part of your contract.”

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Britney BalkLicensed P&C Agent and Customer Service Supervisor

Britney Balk's bio

Penalties for driving without liability insurance in North Carolina

According to North Carolina law, driving without the minimum car insurance can lead to significant fines and penalties. If you can’t provide proof of insurance, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles may revoke your vehicle’s license plate.

You’ll need to provide proof of the state’s minimum-coverage car insurance and pay the $50 restoration fee to reinstate your registration. North Carolina also imposes fines for insurance lapses. The first lapse comes with a $50 penalty, the second includes a $100 penalty, and any subsequent lapses cost $150, according to the NCDOT.

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How to find cheap liability car insurance in North Carolina

Here are some strategies you can use to find cheap liability-only car insurance in North Carolina:

Maintain a clean driving record

The North Carolina Department of Insurance created the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) to encourage drivers to practice safe driving habits. SDIP points can directly translate into rate increases, with just one point increasing your rate by 40%.^[2] So maintaining a clean driving history is the best way to keep your rates low.



Take advantage of discounts

Many insurers offer car insurance discounts for paying your premium in full, setting up auto pay, or taking an approved driving course. Talk to your insurance company about what discounts it offers.



Increase your deductible

Increasing your deductible can help you qualify for lower car insurance premiums. Just make sure you can afford to pay the deductible out of pocket if you do have to file a claim.



Maintain a good credit score

North Carolina allows insurance companies to consider your credit-based insurance score when evaluating you for car insurance. So maintaining a good credit score can help you qualify for lower rates.^[3]



Bundle your insurance

Many insurance companies will offer you a discount for bundling your auto and home insurance or renters insurance.



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Liability car insurance in North Carolina FAQs