Find Car Insurance in Wilmington, N.C. 

What You Should Know About Car Insurance in Wilmington, NC

Nestled between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, Wilmington is a thriving port town entrenched in Colonial history and beyond. Established as New Town in 1740, shipping has always been and continues to be an integral part of the city’s economy. Its burgeoning manufacturing industry has evolved with the times, producing the likes of optical fibers, pharmaceuticals, nuclear power, and aerospace supplies.

Its many riverfront and oceanfront hotels and resorts, food establishments along the water, miles of beautiful beaches, historical sites, and an array of parades and festivals are the backbone of Wilmington’s vibrant tourism industry.

Check out the Battleship North Carolina, catch a boat ride to the famous Masonboro Island, relax in one of Wilmington’s many pristine parks, or enjoy the warmth of the area’s southern hospitality. Regardless of what draws you to this popular New England city, remember that you can always rely on an expert InsureOne agent to help you find the best auto insurance at the best price in North Carolina so you can travel through Wilmington with peace of mind.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Wilmington, North Carolina?

As you shop for car insurance in North Carolina, keep in mind that prices vary depending on the type of policy you get. For example, the average yearly cost of a full coverage plan in the state is $1,446, while a minimum liability policy is $432. These numbers are well below the national average, which is $2,014 and $622 for similar policies.

What Does It Mean If North Carolina Is an At-Fault State?

Since North Carolina is an at-fault state, if you are found to be responsible for a crash, you will have to pay for all losses resulting from the incident. Whether you hit another car, private or city property, or a person who now needs medical attention, you or your insurer are liable and must make the other party whole.

A no-fault state varies in that if you are at fault for a car accident in which you injure someone, the injured individual would have to contact their own insurer for reimbursement of their medical bills, even though you caused the accident.

Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in North Carolina

Formulating an insurance quote includes a host of variables that help insurers determine their risk. Where you live is one of the details that heavily influence your premiums, which is why rates vary by city, as shown in the chart below.

City	Full Coverage Insurance	Liability Insurance Coverage
Wilmington	$109	$37
Fayetteville	$129	$44
Kinston	$119	$33
Lumberton	$128	$40
Whiteville	$136	$37

How Bundling Your Car and Homeowners Insurance Can Save You Money in Wilmington

Although car and homeowners insurance in North Carolina are reasonably priced compared to other states, you can lower your premiums even further by bundling these policies, which simply means obtaining both of them through the same carrier. In fact, insurers offer discounts as high as 25% when you bundle your home and auto coverage. Besides the financial aspect of bundling, it is also more convenient to deal with one insurer for all your policy needs, and it simplifies your bill payments since you pay the same carrier for both policies.

Researching prices with various high-quality insurers to find the best rates for your policies does not take any extra work — your expert InsureOne agent will do all the work. Having shopped for the best options, they will deliver a customized package of policies that meets your unique needs at affordable prices.

What Types of Car Insurance Discounts Are Available in Wilmington?

You can lower your insurance premiums even further by taking advantage of discounts. There are many of these available, but you have to ask your insurer which ones they offer. Here are a few that might pertain to you:

• Premium up-front discount
• Multi-vehicle discount
• Anti-theft discount
• Defensive driving discount
• Loyalty discount

Notable Car Insurance Laws in Wilmington

Wilmington does not have its own legislation that impacts coverage, but these are some North Carolina laws and policies that affect every city in the state:

What Are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Wilmington?

Uninsured or underinsured motorists create a major liability on U.S. roads. If they cause an accident that leads to injuries or property damage, the damaged parties may never be able to recoup their losses if the driver does not have the money to reimburse them. Therefore, each state requires its drivers to insure themselves with at least a basic policy.

The following are the minimum levels of coverage North Carolina drivers are required to obtain:

• Liability coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person
• Liability coverage of $60,000 liability coverage for bodily injury per accident
• Liability coverage of $25,000 for property damage

What Is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance in Wilmington?

Many drivers do not abide by the state’s minimum coverage requirements, but that is a big mistake. It is illegal to drive in the state without coverage. If you fail to maintain an adequate policy, your insurer must immediately report you as a North Carolina driver with a lapse of insurance. Those who violate the law will face the following penalties:

• $50 for a first offense
• $100 for a second offense
• $150 for a third offense and on
• $50 restoration fee
• Possible revocation of vehicle registration
• Class 3 misdemeanor with potential jail time or probation

Do Wilmington-Specific Laws Play a Role in Determining Your Insurance Premiums?

Other than age, education level, and gender, North Carolina allows insurers operating in the state to view many different factors about you and your vehicle to help calculate your premiums, including the following:

• Vehicle safety rating: Every car has a safety rating. If all other factors are equal, safer vehicles have lower premiums.
• Options you choose: If you increase your coverage limits or add options like rental car reimbursement, you will be better protected but also pay more for your policy.
• Driving experience: Although insurers may not consider your age, they may charge you based on how long you have been driving.
• Marital status: Married people are statistically safer drivers than those who are single and, therefore, get better rates.
• Probability of theft: Insurers look at crime stats for your specific vehicle and its anti-theft devices to help determine your premiums.

Typical Driving Conditions in Wilmington

Wilmington has seen heavy growth since the 1980s, nearly tripling its population. It is also a popular beach town that draws increasing numbers of both in- and out-of-state tourists. As the largest economic hub in the area, many people also commute here for work. Though the municipal government continues to work on improving infrastructure, there is lots of traffic on the local roads and a significant number of accidents occur in Wilmington.

How Many Car Accidents Happen in Wilmington Per Year?

The North Carolina Department of Transportation reports the following 2023 crash statistics for Wilmington and its surrounding cities:

City	Total Crashes
Wilmington	14,537
Fayetteville	17,502
Kinston	1,586
Lumberton	5,984
Whiteville	1,490

How Many Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Are in Wilmington?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, 10.3% of North Carolina drivers were uninsured in 2022. That means that slightly more than one out of every 10 drivers in the state have zero coverage. If one of them crashes into you, you may need to turn to your uninsured motorist coverage to help recover your losses, so you should strongly consider maintaining adequate uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.