Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage protects you if you are hit by someone with no insurance or with less insurance than you need to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the wreck. 

Starting in 2025, every new or renewed policy in North Carolina includes UIM coverage at the same 50/100/50 level. 

That means if you or a family member is seriously hurt in Shelby or anywhere in Cleveland County, your household’s UM/UIM can help bridge the gap. 

The law also strengthens UIM rules so the amount you collect is based on your total damages, not reduced dollar-for-dollar by the other driver’s insurance.

The Role of Car Insurance Limits in Serious Car Accident Claims

When you suffer fractures, a traumatic brain injury, or spinal injuries in a crash, costs add up quickly. 

Hospital stays, rehabilitation, and months of lost wages can easily exceed $100,000. 

Even though the new minimums provide more than before, they may still fall short. 

In those cases, your recovery strategy shifts to include your own UM/UIM coverage, household policies, and in some cases, umbrella policies. 

Knowing how insurance limits interact is an important part of protecting yourself and your family after a wreck.

How Insurance Limits Affect Trucking Accident Cases in Western North Carolina

Trucking companies and commercial carriers typically maintain policies well above the state minimums, but collisions between large trucks and passenger cars often involve multiple injured parties. 

If another driver with only the minimum coverage contributes to the crash, their 50/100/50 policy may prove helpful. 

Identifying all potential insurance sources is a critical part of a trucking accident case. 

At Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, our work includes tracking down commercial policies, broker coverage, and umbrella policies to help victims of negligence in Cleveland County and surrounding areas have access to the full range of available compensation.

Car Insurance Limits and Wrongful Death Claims

In wrongful death cases, damages may include medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of income, and loss of companionship. 

A single minimum-limit policy, even at 50/100/50, rarely reflects the value of a wrongful death claim. 

Still, the increase provides families with more resources than before, particularly when combined with their own UIM coverage. 

For families in Western North Carolina facing the tragedy of a fatal crash, these insurance changes may influence both negotiations with insurers and the structure of any lawsuit.

Reviewing Your Policy Declarations Under the New Law

When you receive your next renewal notice, you should review your declarations page closely. 

If your policy shows only 50/100/50, you may want to raise it to 100/300/100 or higher. 

Matching your UM/UIM limits to your liability coverage is another smart step, since that is the coverage that protects you. 

Checking your medical payments coverage and considering a personal umbrella can also provide valuable additional protection. 

Policy reviews are not just for people with assets to protect. They matter to anyone who drives on North Carolina roads.

How Insurance Limits Affect Premiums and Surcharges

The Department of Insurance has explained that raising the minimums will likely increase premiums, particularly for drivers who previously carried only minimum coverage. 

There are also new rules on how long surcharges last. 

For example, certain violations now carry insurance points for up to five years instead of three. 

Young drivers licensed after July 1, 2025 may see longer “inexperienced operator” surcharge periods. 

Understanding how these rating changes work can help you anticipate cost increases and make informed decisions about coverage.