Kinston Car Insurance

Even the most careful drivers can sometimes get into accidents. That is why vehicle owners in Kinston are required to have car insurance. From fender benders on N. Queen Street to serious collisions on New Bern Road, a solid auto insurance policy can save you from large financial losses.

Shopping for car insurance is easy when you work with an independent agent. These local insurance professionals can help you obtain and compare a variety of customized car insurance quotes. That way, you can be sure you are getting the coverage you need at a great price.

Contact an insurance agent near you to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Kinston, NC?

The average cost of car insurance in North Carolina is lower than the national average. This is great news for Kinston residents who are looking for an affordable policy.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• North Carolina average annual car insurance cost: $986

Of course, these average rates can only give you an estimate of what you might be expected to pay. Actual car insurance costs can vary significantly from one driver to the next because they are based on several factors such as:

• The make, model, and year of the vehicles you are insuring
• Your age, occupation, marital status, and driving record
• Details about the other licensed drivers in your household
• Whether you own or rent your home
• Your claims history and credit score
• The auto theft and accident rates in the vicinity of your home
• The coverage options and amount of coverage you are purchasing
• The size of your deductible

You can often get rate reductions if you bundle your car insurance with other policies such as home insurance or renters insurance. Contact an independent agent in Kinston to learn more about this and any other potential discounts for which you may qualify.

What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in North Carolina?

When it comes to auto insurance, every state has its own minimum coverage requirements. In North Carolina, all car insurance policies must include:

• Liability insurance: This covers other people’s injuries and property damage if you are at fault for a collision.
• Uninsured motorist insurance: This covers your own injuries and property damage if an uninsured driver is responsible for a collision with you.

North Carolina requires your car insurance to include, at a minimum, the following amounts of coverage:

• Bodily injury liability insurance: $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident
• Property damage liability insurance: $25,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury insurance: $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist property damage insurance: $25,000 per accident

Many Kinston drivers have a lot to lose. That is why they opt to purchase car insurance that has higher-than-required liability limits. Some residents of this city also purchase umbrella insurance in order to get even more liability coverage than their policy will allow.

A local insurance agent can help you find the liability and personal injury protection coverage you want at a price you can afford.

What Else Can Kinston Car Insurance Cover?

In addition to the mandatory liability coverage mentioned above, your car insurance provider will offer a variety of coverage options that you may want to include in your Kinston auto insurance policy. These options include:

• Collision insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if is it damaged or totaled in a collision, even if the accident was your fault. This coverage is typically required by lenders if you are still paying for your vehicle and by dealerships if you have your car on a lease.
• Comprehensive insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled due to a non-collision event like a falling object or vandalism. This coverage is also typically required if you are still paying for your vehicle or are leasing it.
• Medical payments insurance: This covers your own medical treatment if you are at fault for a collision.
• Towing & roadside assistance: This covers the costs of assistance if your car becomes disabled while you are on the road, such as if you get a flat tire. run out of gas, or your engine overheats.
• Gap insurance: If your car is totaled, this can cover the gap between what your car is worth and what you currently owe. New cars can depreciate quickly, so this coverage may be necessary for the first few years of new vehicle ownership.
• Rental car reimbursement: This covers the cost of renting a vehicle while your car is being repaired for damage caused by a covered event.

Talk to a local independent insurance agent for help determining which, if any, of these coverage options is a good fit for you.

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Why Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance So Important?

Driving without insurance in North Carolina is considered a Class 3 misdemeanor. Penalties for driving an uninsured vehicle can include:

• A fine ranging from $50 to $150.
• The suspension of your vehicle’s plates and registration for up to 30 days.
• A reinstatement fee of $50 to get your vehicle registered again.
• Probation for up to 45 days.
• The loss of your driver’s license for up to one year if you are involved in a collision while driving an uninsured vehicle.

Additionally, you may find that your insurance rates are increased because of the infraction. Despite these penalties, some people choose to illegally drive uninsured vehicles anyway.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
• Percentage of North Carolina drivers who are uninsured: 6.5%

If you are in a collision that was caused by an uninsured driver, that person is responsible for compensating you and your passengers for resultant damages and necessary medical treatment. However, this money can often be difficult to collect.

Uninsured motorist insurance was created to ensure that you receive timely compensation without the need to take legal action against the at-fault driver. After compensating you, your insurance company will attempt to collect the money owed from the at-fault driver and will absorb the losses if unsuccessful.

Uninsured motorist insurance is required in North Carolina.

Does Kinston Car Insurance Cover against Auto Theft?

The auto theft rate in North Carolina is lower than the national rate; but in Kinston, the risk is higher. Residents of this city report about 45 vehicle thefts a year. 

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.29
• North Carolina auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 1.70
• Kinston auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.41

It is important to know that you can only get compensation for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive (or “other than collision”) coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers against more than just auto thefts. It can also reimburse you for repair costs related to non-collision events such as if a tree falls on your vehicle, or if your car is totaled in a flood or a garage fire.

If you are still paying for your car, chances are good you already have comprehensive insurance. If not, talk to a local independent agent to find out how much it will cost you to include this optional coverage in your Kinston car insurance policy.

Why Let an Independent Insurance Agent in Kinston, NC Help You?

You can ask a local independent agent for assistance when you are looking for the best auto insurance policy to meet your coverage and budgetary needs. These agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company, so they can shop around to find you the coverage you want at a price you can afford.

Consult an insurance agent in or near Kinston to get answers to your insurance-related questions and to start comparing customized car insurance quotes.