Find affordable auto insurance that works for you in South Carolina. Compare quotes from over 100 top companies.
Across the Palmetto State, there are 139,690 miles of road just waiting to be driven. Learn about average insurance rates in SC for a variety of driving profiles and check out insurance quotes from inexpensive, quality companies in your state.
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 dozens of companies that provide coverage throughout South Carolina. Enter your ZIP code below to get started.
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% |
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 |
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% |
Every car insurer boasts about its low rates. But just like with any service, the least expensive 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) |
Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power) |
Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
Customer Satisfaction (The Zebra) |
Allstate | Average | Average | Superior | 4.3 / 5 |
GEICO | Average | Average | Superior | 4.4 / 5 |
Nationwide | Average | Poor | Superior | 4.3 / 5 |
Progressive | Below average | Below average | Excellent | 4.3 |
Safe Auto | N/A | N/A | Excellent | N/A |
Southern Farm Bureau | N/A | N/A | Excellent | N/A |
State Farm | Above average | Above average | Superior | 4.5 / 5 |
The Hartford | Excellent | Above average | Excellent | N/A |
Travelers | Average | Below average | Superior | 4.3 / 5 |
USAA | Excellent | Excellent | Superior | 4.6 / 5 |
In South Carolina, the state minimum coverage requirements are as follows:
Liability:
Uninsured Motorist:
Optional coverage in South Carolina (varies by carrier):
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.
Learn more about car insurance laws 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 | Summerville | $1,496 |
3 | Charleston | $1,470 |
4 | Columbia | $1,438 |
5 | Rock Hill | $1,433 |
6 | Mount Pleasant | $1,346 |
7 | Spartanburg | $1,308 |
8 | Greenville | $1,306 |
9 | Hilton Head Island | $1,266 |
10 | Simpsonville | $1,206 |
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.