NC is a beautiful state, from the majestic Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains to the scenic coastline. Those who live in North Carolina can choose to live in the large, busy cities such as Charlotte or Raleigh, on the outskirts of town, or tucked away the lush forests of the NC Mountains. Whether you're a city dweller or a mountaineer, North Carolina has just as much variety to offer when it comes to car insurance. That's why you should shop around and see if there's a better price available to you than what you're already paying.
What do Insurance Savings Mean for You?
You must purchase at least the minimum amount of car insurance … there's no way around it. This is a bill you'll have to pay for as long as you own a vehicle, which could be 50, 60 or 70 years!
On a short term basis, you can potentially save a few hundred bucks per year. This is money you can invest elsewhere or use to pay off another smaller debt. Put this money back for vacation or a rainy day. Add it to your retirement fund, or pay for college books for your son or daughter. Everyone can find a way to use an extra few hundred dollars. It's great when you can save on a bill that you'd normally have to pay anyway! For the long term, several hundred dollars per year can add up over the years with interest. As mentioned earlier, put $ 200 extra (per year) toward your retirement fund, which will likely draw interest, and see what this amounts to in say, 30 years or so!
What are NC Requirements?
North Carolina state law requires you to purchase several types of liability coverage. For Bodily Injury coverage, the minimum amount is $ 30,000 per individual and up to $ 60,000 per accident. For Property Damage coverage, the amount is $ 25,000. Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury is required, and the limit for this is $ 30,000 / $ 60,000. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage is $ 25,000. The Tort system is used in NC, requiring the person found to be at fault to cover any damages or injuries caused in the accident.
Pricing North Carolina Car Insurance
Pricing car insurance can be tricky. Get to know the types of coverage available to you and the amount covered if an accident occurs. Providers may offer the same types of coverage, but their stipulations and coverage amounts may vary. Use online resources to carefully compare up to 20 or more providers. An online quote site is free to use, and it takes only moments to enter your information. Some providers will give you a quote immediately, while others may email or phone you (or both). If the rates are still higher than expected, try making your deductible higher; this may lower the rate quotes quite a bit.
Once you get a few reasonable quotes in your price range, compare the companies. To do this, visit the North Carolina Department of Insurance website, Better Business Bureau (online) and some insurance rating sites such as AM Best and others. This will give you an idea of how stable the company is as well as the type of customer service it offers – especially when there's a claim!
Compare quotes based on the North Carolina average rate, which is $ 1,549 (as of 2009). This is fairly low compared to the national average premium of $ 1,735, so you're already a good candidate for better rates.
Discounts for Car Insurance
NC car insurance providers can offer discounts for various reasons: safe driving history, good credit score, good grades in school for teens, safe driving course, low mileage, combined policies for multiple automobiles and homeowners insurance, etc. Anti-theft devices and safety features on your car can help improve your rate as well.
Start shopping for better rates on your North Carolina car insurance today. Put that extra money in your pocket or a savings fund instead of throwing it away!
