High Point might be famous worldwide as the Furniture Capital—home to the largest furniture trade show on the planet—but if you're driving here, you need to know about something less glamorous: North Carolina's strict auto insurance rules. Whether you're navigating the busy I-85 corridor during rush hour or dealing with the twice-yearly influx of 100,000 furniture market visitors, understanding your insurance requirements isn't optional. It's essential.
Here's what makes High Point different: you're in an at-fault state with one of the strictest negligence rules in the country, your minimum coverage requirements just jumped dramatically in 2025, and you're driving in a city where major interstates intersect right in the heart of Guilford County's Piedmont Triad. Let's break down exactly what that means for your wallet and your coverage.
North Carolina's At-Fault System: What You Need to Know
North Carolina is an at-fault state, which sounds straightforward until you understand the state's contributory negligence rule. Here's the deal: if you're in an accident and you're found even 1% at fault, you can't recover a single dollar from the other driver's insurance. Zero. Zilch. This is one of the harshest insurance rules in America, and only a handful of states still follow it.
What does this mean for High Point drivers? It means you need solid coverage on your own policy because you can't count on recovering damages from someone else if you share any blame. Say you're driving down Main Street and someone runs a red light at Eastchester Drive—but you were going five miles over the speed limit. That speeding could bar you from any recovery, even though the other driver clearly caused the crash. Your own insurance becomes your safety net.
The at-fault designation also means that when you cause an accident, your insurance company pays out to the other driver. And here's where it hits your wallet: after an at-fault accident in North Carolina, drivers see their premiums spike by an average of 134%. That's the highest increase in the nation. A single mistake on I-85 during your commute could cost you thousands in higher premiums over the next few years.
The Big Change in 2025: New Minimum Coverage Requirements
For 26 years, North Carolina's minimum liability requirements stayed at 30/60/25—that's $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. Those numbers haven't budged since 1999. But starting July 1, 2025, every new or renewed policy must carry at least 50/100/50 coverage. That's $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $50,000 for property damage.
This isn't a suggestion—it's automatic. When your policy renews on or after July 1, 2025, you'll be bumped to the new minimums whether you ask for it or not. The good news? North Carolina will have some of the highest minimum requirements in the country, which means better protection if someone hits you. The not-so-good news? Your premium will go up by roughly $50 per year on average.
There's another critical change bundled into this: underinsured motorist coverage is now mandatory on all new and renewed policies. This coverage protects you when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your damages. Given how expensive medical bills and vehicle repairs have become, this is actually a smart requirement. That $50,000 in bodily injury coverage doesn't go very far if you're hospitalized after a serious crash on I-74.
High Point's Unique Traffic Challenges
High Point sits at a strategic crossroads in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. I-85 runs through the city connecting Charlotte to Greensboro and beyond, while I-74 provides east-west access. This isn't just about convenience—it's about risk. Major interstates mean higher speeds, heavier traffic volumes, and a constant flow of commercial trucks. All of that adds up to more frequent and more severe accidents.
Then there's the furniture industry. Twice a year—every April and October—the High Point Furniture Market brings about 100,000 exhibitors and buyers to the city. That's nearly as many people as live here year-round (High Point's population is just over 114,000). The market uses 12 million square feet of showroom space spread across 188 buildings. During market weeks, traffic congestion spikes dramatically, parking becomes a nightmare, and the risk of fender-benders and more serious accidents goes up.
If you live or work in High Point, you're navigating these conditions regularly. That makes comprehensive coverage—not just the state minimums—worth serious consideration. Collision and comprehensive coverage protect your own vehicle regardless of who's at fault. Given North Carolina's contributory negligence rule, having your own coverage for vehicle damage is a smart hedge against being left holding the bill.
What Auto Insurance Actually Costs in High Point
Here's some genuinely good news: North Carolina drivers pay some of the lowest auto insurance rates in the country. The statewide average is about $1,308 per year—that's 34% below the national average and the fifth-lowest in the nation. Full coverage in 2024 typically ranged from $1,165 to $1,523 annually. These are unusually low rates, and they've historically stayed that way because North Carolina regulates insurance pricing more strictly than many states.
But rates are climbing. In 2024, insurers raised rates by an average of 4.3% in North Carolina—still significantly lower than increases in other states, but an upward trend nonetheless. The Rate Bureau (which sets baseline rates for many insurers in the state) has requested increases of over 20%, though those haven't all been approved yet. Between rising claim costs, more expensive vehicle repairs, and the new 2025 coverage minimums, expect your premiums to edge higher over the next few years.
Rates also vary significantly within the state—by as much as 59% across North Carolina's 857 cities and towns. While specific data for High Point wasn't available, the most expensive places like Charlotte run 20-34% above the state average. High Point, as part of the Guilford County metro area with major interstate access, likely falls somewhere in the middle of the state's pricing spectrum.
How to Get the Right Coverage for Your Situation
So what should you actually buy? Start with the new 50/100/50 minimums that take effect in July 2025—you don't have a choice there. But here's the thing: those minimums might not be enough. If you cause a serious accident on I-85 involving multiple vehicles, $100,000 in bodily injury coverage could get eaten up fast by medical bills and lost wages. Consider bumping your liability limits to 100/300/100 or even higher if you have significant assets to protect.
Add collision and comprehensive coverage if you're financing or leasing your vehicle (your lender will require it anyway) or if your car is worth enough that you couldn't easily replace it out of pocket. Remember, North Carolina's contributory negligence rule means you might not be able to collect from the other driver even if they're mostly at fault. Your collision coverage pays regardless of fault.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is now mandatory, but make sure those limits match your liability limits. You want enough coverage to protect yourself if someone without adequate insurance hits you. This is especially important in a state where even small amounts of fault can bar you from recovering damages from the other party.
Shop around. North Carolina allows you to compare rates from multiple insurers, and prices vary significantly. Your driving record, your vehicle, your ZIP code in High Point, and even your credit score (in most cases) will affect your premium. Get quotes from at least three companies. And because rates in North Carolina are still relatively low compared to the rest of the country, upgrading your coverage often costs less than you'd expect.
Living in High Point means navigating some of the busiest roadways in the Piedmont Triad, dealing with twice-yearly surges in traffic from the furniture market, and operating under some of the strictest fault rules in the country. The good news? You're in a state with some of the lowest insurance rates in America and, as of 2025, some of the strongest minimum coverage requirements. Take advantage of that combination by getting coverage that actually protects you—not just the bare minimum the state requires.
