High Point isn't just the Furniture Capital of the World—it's home to nearly 119,000 people who need solid insurance coverage to protect what matters most. Whether you're living near High Point University, working in one of the city's legendary furniture showrooms, or raising a family in Guilford County, understanding your insurance options can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of headaches down the road.
Here's the thing about insurance in High Point: the landscape is changing fast. New state requirements kick in July 2025, rates are climbing across the board, and the weather patterns we're seeing mean you need to think carefully about what coverage actually makes sense for your situation. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about auto, home, and life insurance in High Point—without the industry jargon.
Auto Insurance in High Point: What You're Really Paying
Good news first: High Point drivers pay about $123 per month for car insurance, which is significantly lower than the national average of $170. But before you celebrate those savings, you need to know about a major change coming in 2025.
Starting July 1, 2025, North Carolina's minimum liability requirements are jumping substantially. The old minimums of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury—which had been in place since 1999—are increasing to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. Property damage minimum coverage is also going up from $25,000 to $50,000. When your policy renews after that date, expect your premium to increase to cover these new minimums.
Why does this matter? Because if you're currently carrying just the state minimums, you're about to see a noticeable bump in your bill. More importantly, those old minimums weren't really adequate anyway. A serious accident can easily rack up $100,000 or more in medical bills, and that's before we even talk about a totaled luxury vehicle or multiple injured parties. The new minimums are a step in the right direction, but many insurance experts recommend going even higher—think $100,000/$300,000 for bodily injury—especially if you have assets to protect.
Your driving record matters enormously in High Point. Clean drivers with State Farm can find some of the cheapest rates in the area, with minimum coverage starting around $51 per month. But one DUI or at-fault accident can double or triple your premium overnight. If you're commuting to one of the twice-yearly High Point Market events or making regular trips down I-85 to Charlotte, comprehensive and collision coverage becomes essential—those highway miles add risk that liability-only policies won't cover.
Homeowners Insurance: Navigating Rising Costs in Guilford County
Homeowners insurance in North Carolina is going through a rough patch, and High Point residents are feeling it. Insurance companies originally requested a staggering 42.2% rate increase statewide, though that was negotiated down to around 8.2% annually for the Triad area, including Guilford County. You'll see these increases hit your renewal in 2025 and 2026.
Why the increases? Construction costs are brutal right now—we're talking $180 to $250 per square foot to rebuild in 2024. When insurers have to pay out claims, they're paying more than ever to replace your roof, siding, or entire home. Add in the fact that severe weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, and you can see why insurers are nervous. Even though High Point isn't on the coast, hurricanes like Florence and Ian proved that inland areas can still get hammered by tornadoes, flooding, and wind damage when tropical systems move through.
Here's what catches people off guard: your standard homeowners policy doesn't cover flooding. Period. High Point participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which means you can get flood insurance through your agent for around $77 per month. Even if you're not in a FEMA-designated flood zone, it's worth considering. About 25% of flood claims come from so-called low-risk areas, and with climate patterns shifting, that spring thunderstorm that dumps four inches of rain in an hour can flood your basement whether you're near a creek or not.
One more thing about homeowners insurance: make sure your dwelling coverage actually reflects what it would cost to rebuild your home today, not what you paid for it. With construction costs climbing, being underinsured is dangerous. If a fire destroys your 2,000-square-foot home and you only have $250,000 in dwelling coverage but it costs $400,000 to rebuild, you're going to be $150,000 short. Review your policy annually and adjust those limits as construction costs rise.
Life Insurance and Other Coverage Considerations
Life insurance is one of those things people know they should have but keep putting off. If you have a family depending on your income—whether you're working at one of High Point's furniture manufacturers, teaching at High Point University, or running your own business—life insurance isn't optional. It's the financial backup plan that keeps your mortgage paid, your kids in school, and your spouse from having to sell the house if something happens to you.
Term life insurance is usually the best bang for your buck. A healthy 35-year-old can get a $500,000, 20-year term policy for around $25-40 per month. That's less than most people spend on streaming services, and it provides half a million dollars of protection. Whole life and universal life policies have their place—they build cash value and last your entire life—but they're also way more expensive. For most families in High Point, term life makes the most sense: get a big death benefit while your kids are young and your mortgage is high, then reassess once you're closer to retirement.
Don't forget about disability insurance either. Most people focus on dying too soon, but what if you're injured and can't work for six months or a year? Disability insurance replaces a portion of your income if you're unable to work due to illness or injury. If your employer offers it as a benefit, sign up. If not, a private policy is worth exploring, especially if you work in one of High Point's manufacturing or trade industries where physical injury risks are higher.
Getting Started: Your Next Steps
Insurance isn't exciting, but it's the foundation of financial security. Start by reviewing your current policies—when was the last time you actually read through your auto or homeowners coverage? Check your liability limits, make sure your dwelling coverage reflects current construction costs, and confirm you have uninsured motorist coverage on your auto policy.
Next, get quotes from at least three different insurers. Rates can vary wildly between companies for the exact same coverage, and what was cheapest five years ago might not be your best deal today. Ask about bundling discounts if you get multiple policies with the same company—auto and home together often saves 15-25%. With the 2025 auto insurance changes coming and homeowners rates climbing, now is actually the perfect time to shop around and lock in the best rate you can find.
Finally, think about the gaps in your coverage. Do you have enough liability protection if you cause a serious accident? Would flood insurance give you peace of mind during spring storm season? Is your family financially protected if you die unexpectedly? These aren't fun questions, but answering them now—before you need the coverage—is what separates people who survive financial disasters from people who are buried by them. High Point is a great place to live and work, and having the right insurance in place lets you enjoy it without constantly worrying about what might go wrong.
