Here's what you need to know when driving in South Carolina
Across the Palmetto State, there are 139,690 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Affordable Insurance Premiums in South Carolina
What's the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hartford | $760 |
| 2 | USAA | $1,319 |
| 3 | Travelers | $1,370 |
| 4 | State Farm | $1,416 |
| 5 | Southern Farm Bureau | $1,586 |
| 6 | National Grange Mutual | $1,610 |
| 7 | Allstate | $1,639 |
| 8 | Progressive | $1,675 |
| 9 | Nationwide | $1,774 |
| 10 | Safe Auto | $2,856 |
Compare quotes from over 30 insurance companies that provide coverage throughout South Carolina. Enter your ZIP code below to get started.
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Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in South Carolina
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. South Carolina drivers without a recent at-fault accident typically save 31% on their car insurance premiums — nearly matching the 32% US average. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $271 | 16.54% |
| No Accidents | $628 | 31.46% |
| Good Credit | $1,394 | 50.48% |
Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in South Carolina
Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In South Carolina, the typical teen driver pays $4,742 annually, which aligns with the national average for teens. Teen drivers in South Carolina pay approximately three times as much as do older drivers.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $5,050 | $6,372 |
| 17 | $4,732 | $5,274 |
| 18 | $4,554 | $4,620 |
| 19 | $4,153 | $3,190 |
Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in South Carolina
If you have a clean driving record — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably enjoy relatively cheap car insurance rates. Conversely, a bad driving record will cause your costs to skyrocket: car insurance premiums typically increase by 33% after a DUI, 31% after an at-fault accident, and 16% after a speeding ticket in South Carolina. The post-citation penalties assessed by car insurance companies in South Carolina are near nationwide averages. If you have a clean driving history, be sure to inquire about your insurance company's safe driver discount.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $1,995 | 31.46% |
| DUI | $2,065 | 33.79% |
| Speeding Violation | $1,638 | 16.54% |
| Bad Credit | $2,761 | 50.48% |
Best Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina
Every car insurer boasts about its low rates. But just like with any service, the cheapest option isn't always the best. Considering the stakes, it's worth doing the due diligence to obtain an auto policy that covers your car completely after an accident. It's worth contrasting options to discover a great value, rather than settling for the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina.
Review top insurance companies' financial strength and claims satisfaction levels to better understand the level of service they will provide. Claims satisfaction — assigned by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and running from "Poor" to "Superior" — evaluates an insurer's financial strength and ability to meet its policy and contractual obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| Auto-Owners | 5 | Superior |
| Bristol West | Not Rated | Excellent |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Liberty Mutual | 3 | Excellent |
| National Grange Mutual | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Nationwide | 4 | Superior |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| Safeco | 3 | Excellent |
| Southern Farm Bureau | Not Rated | Superior |
| State Auto | Not Rated | Excellent |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| The Hartford | 4 | Excellent |
| Travelers | 3 | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
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What is the Best Auto Insurance Coverage in South Carolina?
The minimum insurance requirement in the state of South Carolina is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $25,000 Property Damage per accident.
For the legal minimum coverage level in South Carolina, prepare to pay an average of $693 per year. This is pricier than the U.S. average by 5%. If you opt for more comprehensive coverage, you can purchase a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, which will protect against damages caused by vehicle collisions, theft, or weather conditions. However, better insurance coverage comes at a price: in South Carolina, a comprehensive insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,240, 79% more than liability-only car insurance. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 97% more than you might for basic coverage.
Compare average expenditures for basic, good, and great policy tiers below.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| South Carolina | $693.49 | $1,239.69 | $1,369.56 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
South Carolina Auto Insurance Laws
State minimum insurance requirements in South Carolina
In South Carolina, the state minimum coverage requirements are as follows:
Liability
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage $25,000 per accident
Uninsured Motorist
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage $25,000 per accident
Optional coverage in South Carolina (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Medical Payments
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
- Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
- Underinsured Motorist Property Damage
Driving Laws in South Carolina
South Carolina Texting and Driving Laws
- Ban on text messaging for all drivers
South Carolina DUI Laws
The DUI lookback period in South Carolina is 10 years. Multiple DUI offenses within a decade result in harsher penalties. Penalties are also enhanced for any DUI that leads to injury or death. DUI penalties in South Carolina are also increased for DUI with a passenger under 16 years old.
First-time DUI offenses in South Carolina lead to:
- 48 hours to 30 days in jail or 48 hours of community service
- $400 in fines
- License suspension for six months
Ticket Impact on Auto Insurance Rates in South Carolina
If you get a ticket, your auto insurance rates will probably rise. By how much depends on the violation, your insurance company's pricing strategy, and differences in local insurance risks and regulations. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
Below is a snapshot of average auto insurance rates in South Carolina after a few common violations.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $2,195 | 60% | $826 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $2,125 | 55% | $756 |
| DUI | $2,125 | 55% | $756 |
| Racing | $2,115 | 55% | $746 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,063 | 51% | $694 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $2,103 | 54% | $734 |
| At-Fault Accident | $1,967 | 44% | $598 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $1,807 | 32% | $438 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $1,711 | 25% | $342 |
| Passing a School Bus | $1,705 | 25% | $336 |
| Improper Passing | $1,667 | 22% | $298 |
| Following Too Closely | $1,667 | 22% | $298 |
| Speeding | $1,649 | 20% | $280 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $1,667 | 22% | $298 |
| Illegal Turn | $1,667 | 22% | $298 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $1,667 | 22% | $298 |
| Failure to Yield | $1,667 | 22% | $298 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $1,649 | 20% | $280 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $1,649 | 20% | $280 |
| Distracted Driving | $1,607 | 17% | $238 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $1,602 | 17% | $234 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $1,602 | 17% | $234 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $1,460 | 7% | $91 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,464 | 7% | $95 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,464 | 7% | $95 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,405 | 3% | $36 |
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South Carolina Car Insurance FAQs
Who has the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina?
The Hartford ($380 per six-month policy) and USAA ($658) are the cheapest providers in South Carolina. If you do not qualify for these companies, consider GEICO, Progressive and State Farm.
How much is car insurance in SC?
Car insurance in South Carolina is slightly less costly than the national average. A liability-only policy will set you back $346 per six-month policy, and a full coverage policy costs $684.
Is it illegal to drive without insurance in SC?
Yes, it is illegal to drive without insurance in South Carolina. If you're struggling to pay for auto insurance, let us help. Use our comparison tool to see how much you could be saving for full or liability coverage.
How much does car insurance cost in South Carolina cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Simpsonville, South Carolina, and the most expensive in North Charleston, South Carolina.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $1,508 |
| 2 | Florence | $1,502 |
| 3 | Summerville | $1,496 |
| 4 | Goose Creek | $1,472 |
| 5 | Charleston | $1,470 |
| 6 | Columbia | $1,438 |
| 7 | Rock Hill | $1,433 |
| 8 | Myrtle Beach | $1,404 |
| 9 | Mount Pleasant | $1,346 |
| 10 | Spartanburg | $1,308 |
| 11 | Greenville | $1,306 |
| 12 | Anderson | $1,294 |
| 13 | Taylors | $1,292 |
| 14 | Hilton Head Island | $1,266 |
| 15 | Aiken | $1,258 |
| 16 | Greer | $1,254 |
| 17 | Mauldin | $1,250 |
| 18 | Easley | $1,233 |
| 19 | Greenwood | $1,232 |
| 20 | Simpsonville | $1,206 |
Recent South Carolina Car Insurance Questions and Answers
Filing a claim and we're both at fault?
I broke a tooth while working on my friend's car. Will his auto insurance cover the dentist bill?
Do I qualify for USAA if my brothers are active military members?
If there's no exchange of information, can I still be liable after an accident?
