Getting insured in the Tar Heel State is a must if a motorist intends on operating an automobile legally, but getting properly insured and at a decent rate comes down to much more than just picking up the phone and calling the first auto insurance carrier that comes to mind; finding the right policy and insurer can take a little bit of research and shopping around. The main reason for this is because there are many options that an individual has when insuring themselves and their vehicles and there is no single policy that can fit the needs of every motorist and there is no company that can offer everyone the best price for the coverage needed.

Obtaining proper North Carolina auto insurance should start with making sure that the legal requirements are fulfilled before all else. Currently the state requires that motorists carry policies with minimum liability limits in the amounts of $30,000 for bodily injury for one person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident and $25,000 for property damage; higher limits may be purchased for an additional premium and the individual would need to evaluate their personal situation and budget to see if they would benefit from more extensive protection. In addition to the minimum liability requirements, motorists must also purchase Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage in amounts no less than the required liability limits. These types of coverage do not cover the policyholder’s vehicle for any damage that it may sustain and it is not required by law for individuals to do so, but may be beneficial for some.

Additional auto insurance Tips for North Carolinians

As mentioned, the state requirements will not pay for damages to the insured’s vehicle and the motorist would have to purchase a policy which includes Comprehensive and Collision to cover property damage; this will compensate the policyholder if their automobile is damaged minus the amount of the deductible chosen when coverage was purchased. Adding this additional protection may not be beneficial to all; if a vehicle’s value is low it may be a better idea to opt not to purchase this coverage if the annual premium and deductible exceeds the automobile’s worth. On the other hand, some motorists may be in need of this additional coverage; those who own a high end car may want to insure it due to the fact that it can be quite expensive to repair or replace it and those who are financing automobiles will usually be required by their financial institution to maintain comprehensive and collision on their policies during the length of the loan as part of the loan agreement.

Once the necessary coverage has been determined by the driver it is absolutely necessary that they comparison shop in order to find the best rate for the policy needed; this is because the difference in quotes can be substantially different from one company to the next even if comparing the same amount of coverage. When shopping for policies there are many ways that a consumer can find savings. The North Carolina Consumer’s Guide to Automobile Insurance suggests checking to see if you are eligible for any types of discounts. Some of the more common discounts offered by insurers are given for vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes, anti-theft devices, daytime running lights, safety equipment such as airbags and automatic seatbelts and a discount may be applied for having more than one automobile on a policy. In addition, you may also be able to lower premiums by increasing deductibles if purchasing comprehensive and collision, but you should make sure that you can pay the amount chosen in the event of a loss. Therefore, the best way to get properly insured in NC is to understand the coverage needed and shop around to locate the company who can offer the desired protection at the most affordable price.