North Carolina insurance laws
Insurance regulations, rate filing requirements, department info, and recent bulletins for North Carolina. Updated Aug 22, 2026.
North Carolina DOI page content changed
North Carolina DOI Website · Aug 22, 2026
North Carolina DOI page content changed
North Carolina DOI Website · Jul 18, 2026
Department of Insurance
The North Carolina Department of Insurance regulates the insurance industry to ensure fair practices and protect consumers. The department oversees various types of insurance, including auto, health, life, homeowners, workers' compensation, and commercial insurance, ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations.
Auto Insurance
Notable Laws
- G.S. 20-309: Requires continuous liability insurance for all registered vehicles
- G.S. 20-279.21: Mandates uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage equal to liability limits
- G.S. 58-36-65: Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) for rating nonfleet private passenger vehicles
- G.S. 58-36-90: Prohibits using credit scoring as sole basis for termination or consent to rate
- S.L. 2024-29: Increased minimum liability limits to $50,000/$100,000/$50,000 effective July 1, 2025
- N.C.G.S. § 20-279.21 - Financial Responsibility
- N.C.G.S. § 20-310 - Motor Vehicle Insurance
- N.C.G.S. § 58-36-65 - Uninsured Motorist Coverage
- N.C.G.S. § 58-37-1 - Rate Approval
- N.C.G.S. § 58-40-1 - Insurance Fraud Prevention
- NC Gen. Stat. § 20-279.21 (Liability Insurance)
- NC Gen. Stat. § 20-310 (Uninsured Motorist Coverage)
- NC Gen. Stat. § 20-310.1 (Underinsured Motorist Coverage)
- NC Gen. Stat. § 20-279.22 (Financial Responsibility)
- NC Gen. Stat. § 20-279.23 (Proof of Insurance)
Homeowners Insurance
Notable Laws
- G.S. 58-36-90: Prohibits using credit scoring as sole basis for terminating residential property insurance
- G.S. 58-41-15: Certain policy cancellations prohibited; establishes grounds and notice requirements
- G.S. 58-45-1 through 58-45-96: Essential Property Insurance for Beach Area Property (Beach Plan)
- G.S. 58-46-1 through 58-46-60: Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR Plan)
- G.S. 58-44-16: Standard fire insurance policy provisions
- N.C.G.S. § 58-41-15 - Homeowners Insurance Coverage
- N.C.G.S. § 58-41-20 - Cancellation and Nonrenewal
- N.C.G.S. § 58-41-30 - Fair Plan Coverage
- N.C.G.S. § 58-41-40 - Flood Insurance Requirements
- N.C.G.S. § 58-41-50 - Windstorm Coverage
- NC Gen. Stat. § 58-45-5 (Fair Plan)
- NC Gen. Stat. § 58-46-5 (Wind Pool)
- NC Gen. Stat. § 58-46-10 (Flood Insurance)
- NC Gen. Stat. § 58-45-15 (Homeowners Insurance)
- NC Gen. Stat. § 58-45-20 (Cancellation and Nonrenewal)
Recent Bulletins
Disclosure Statement Requirements
Outlines revised requirements regarding disclosure statements for continuing care retirement communities to improve clarity and accessibility for North Carolina residents.
View bulletinPotential Unfair Practices Involving the Sale of Medicare Products
Addresses potential unfair practices related to the sale and marketing of Medicare products, warning insurers and agents about deceptive practices.
View bulletinShort-Term Limited Duration Health Insurance Policies
Addresses regulatory requirements and guidance related to short-term limited duration (STLD) health insurance policies, confirming North Carolina follows federal definition under 45 C.F.R. 144.103.
View bulletinUse of Aerial Images
Provides guidance on the use of aerial imagery by insurance companies in making underwriting and claims decisions for property insurance.
View bulletinThe Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems in Insurance
Provides guidance and outlines regulatory expectations regarding the use of artificial intelligence systems by insurance entities in underwriting, rating, claims handling, and other insurance operations.
View bulletinRecent Law Changes
Insurance Rev/Online Auctions/Firefighters
Increases minimum auto insurance liability limits to $50,000/$100,000/$50,000; revises definition of underinsured vehicle; modifies UM/UIM coverage requirements; extends SDIP surcharge period for new drivers from 3 to 8 years of experience; makes permanent the firefighters' cancer insurance program.
All North Carolina drivers must carry higher minimum liability coverage ($50k/$100k/$50k instead of $30k/$60k/$25k), with corresponding increases to UM/UIM requirements, effective July 1, 2025.
Effective: 2025-07-01
Insurance Law Amendments/Revise High School Athletics
Makes various changes to insurance laws including: increases Insurance Guaranty Association covered claims limit from $300,000 to $500,000; lowers colorectal cancer screening coverage age from 50 to 45; establishes protocols for large deductible workers' compensation policies ($100,000+); increases fraud penalties to Class C felony for amounts over $100,000; allows virtual audits of TPAs; permits 4% convenience fee for credit/debit card premium payments; modifies surplus lines regulations.
Insurers and policyholders benefit from increased guaranty coverage limits and expanded health benefits; employers with large deductible workers' comp policies face new administration protocols.
Effective: 2023-10-01
Access to Healthcare Options (Medicaid Expansion)
Expands Medicaid eligibility to adults ages 19-64 with household incomes up to 138% of federal poverty level, providing coverage to over 600,000 North Carolinians; reforms Certificate of Need laws; strengthens mental health system and supports rural hospitals.
Over 600,000 previously uninsured low-income North Carolina adults gained access to Medicaid health coverage, reducing the uninsured rate and bringing billions in federal funding to the state.
Effective: 2023-12-01
Government Mandates, Increase Healthcare Costs
Proposes disclosure requirements for the cost impact of state government health insurance mandates on North Carolina employers and taxpayers; aims to increase transparency about how mandated benefits affect insurance premiums.
If enacted, would require state to disclose fiscal impact of health insurance mandates, potentially influencing future mandate legislation and premium costs.
Changes to Rating of Automobile Insurance Policies
Multiple insurers filed for significant rate increases for 2025-2026, with some requests exceeding 50-68% average increases; Commissioner Causey scheduled public hearings to review proposed rate hikes; changes to rating factors and methodology effective July 1, 2025.
North Carolina drivers face significant auto insurance premium increases as insurers adjust rates to reflect higher claims costs, increased vehicle repair expenses, and updated liability minimum requirements.
Effective: 2025-07-01
Health Insurance
Sign up for full health insurance data
Sign up — it's freeLife Insurance
Sign up for full life insurance data
Sign up — it's freeWorkers Compensation
Sign up for full workers compensation data
Sign up — it's freeCommercial Insurance
Sign up for full commercial insurance data
Sign up — it's freeGet full North Carolina insurance data
Health, life, workers comp, commercial lines, compliance penalties, rate filing requirements, and real-time DOI monitoring for all 51 jurisdictions.
Sign up — it's free