North Carolina: rules and deadlines at a glance

Every 14 topic we track for North Carolina on one page. Open a topic for the details, the law it comes from and how North Carolina compares.

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Car insurance by state · Claim deadlines · Small claims limits · Total loss rules · Shared fault rules · Accident reporting rules · Lemon law rules · Sales tax rates · Phone-while-driving laws · Motorcycle helmet laws · Gas tax · Uninsured drivers · Marijuana laws

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply; open a topic for the details.

Filing deadlines (statute of limitations)

Personal injury	3 years
Property damage	3 years

Car insurance by state

Minimum liability	$50,000 / $100,000 / $50,000
Fault system	At-fault (the driver who caused it pays)
Shared-fault rule	Contributory negligence: any fault (even 1%) can bar recovery

Claim deadlines

Acknowledge	No fixed number of days; must act with reasonable promptness
Accept or deny	Reasonable time
Pay	Not set by rule

Small claims limits Single detailed source

Dollar limit	$10,000 (lower in some counties)
Filing fee	$96
Lawyers	Not required

Total loss rules

Total loss rule	75% of actual cash value

Shared fault rules

Rule	Contributory negligence
When you are barred	Barred if you are even 1% at fault

Accident reporting rules

Report required if	Death, injury, or over $1,000 damage
Deadline	Immediately

Lemon law rules Single detailed source

Repair attempts or days	4 attempts or more than 20 days in any 12 months
Coverage period	2 years, 24,000 miles or warranty, whichever is greater

Sales tax rates Single detailed source

State rate	4.75%
Combined average	7.10%

Phone-while-driving laws Single detailed source

Handheld ban	No
Texting ban	Yes, primary

Motorcycle helmet laws Single detailed source

Law type	Universal
Who must wear one	All riders (universal law)

Gas tax Under review

Gasoline	41.2¢ per gallon
Diesel	41.2¢ per gallon

Uninsured drivers Single detailed source

Drivers uninsured	11.8%
UM/UIM coverage	Uninsured and underinsured motorist required

Marijuana laws Single detailed source

Legal status	CBD / low-THC only