However, the county may waive its governmental immunity by purchasing liability insurance for specific claim amounts or certain actions. N.C. Gen. Stat. The county may limit its waiver of immunity to injuries specifically covered by the insurance policy and to the amount of the coverage. Governmental immunity normally precludes recovery for personal injuries caused by negligent acts of the county's agents or servants. However, if the county is acting within its authority in the exercise of powers assumed voluntarily for its own advantage, it is liable for the negligence of its officers or agents, even though they may be engaged in work that will enhance the general welfare of the county.
Governmental immunity depends on the nature of the power the entity is exercising.
Plaintiffs contend that the Forsyth County ambulance service is not shielded by governmental immunity because it qualifies as a proprietary function for four reasons. First, ambulance service was historically provided by private companies and frequently by funeral homes. Second, Forsyth County charged for the service. Third, Forsyth County's ambulance service was providing a service that a private individual, corporation or company could provide. Fourth, the ambulance service constituted a public enterprise.