How much does auto insurance cost in Columbia?
Car insurance costs an average of $1,438 per year in Columbia, South Carolina. That's more expensive than the average in South Carolina ($1,414) and less expensive than the national average of $1,548. Keep reading to learn more about how much you can expect to pay based on your marital status, age, credit score, and other factors in Columbia.
AUTO INSURANCE: COLUMBIA RATES VS. STATE + NATIONAL AVERAGES
| Columbia Average (yearly) | South Carolina Average | National Average |
| $1,438 | $1,414 | $1,548 |
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Columbia car insurance rates by company
The difference in auto insurance rates from company to company can be substantial. For a typical driver, USAA offers Columbia's most affordable premiums. Reference below the top options for affordable insurance in Columbia, South Carolina. Don't forget to get car insurance quotes based on your unique driving profile.
COLUMBIA CAR INSURANCE RATES BY COMPANY
| Company | Average Rate (annual) |
| USAA | $1,103 |
| GEICO | $1,204 |
| State Farm | $1,316 |
| Travelers | $1,378 |
| Allstate | $1,568 |
Check out our guide to learn how to find the best cheap car insurance.
Columbia car insurance costs by age
The age group that pays the least for car insurance in Columbia are drivers in their 50s ($1,282 per year). Those in their 60s don't pay significantly more ($1,320).
Teen drivers pay Columbia's most expensive auto insurance rates. One of the most effective ways to lower your car insurance rates as a driver in Columbia is to age out of your teens. The gap in cost between the car insurance premiums paid by teenage drivers and drivers in their 20s in Columbia is $3,041. That's the biggest gap in premiums between any pair of age brackets.
COLUMBIA CAR INSURANCE RATES BY DRIVER AGE
| Age | Average Annual Rate |
| Teenagers | $4,944 |
| 20s | $1,903 |
| 30s | $1,411 |
| 40s | $1,354 |
| 50s | $1,282 |
| 60s | $1,320 |
| 70s | $1,599 |
Learn more about how age influences auto insurance rates.
Columbia auto insurance premiums by gender and marital status
Marital status and gender are contributing factors to car insurance rates in many cases. In Columbia, married drivers pay $127 less than single drivers for car insurance. Married drivers enjoy less expensive rates than their single counterparts in most locations, based on data showing they file fewer insurance claims. Rates for those who are widowed are also much cheaper than rates for those who are single. Interestingly enough, in Columbia, single drivers pay more than those who are widowed.
Another component of auto insurance pricing is gender. In Columbia, the gap in auto insurance rates between genders is $33 per year, with male drivers paying more than female drivers.
COLUMBIA AUTO INSURANCE RATES: BY MARITAL STATUS AND GENDER
| Gender/Marital Status | Average Yearly Rate |
| Female | $1,406 |
| Male | $1,438 |
| Single | $1,311 |
| Married | $1,311 |
| Divorced | $1,438 |
| Widowed | $1,406 |
Learn more about the impact gender and marital status have on insurance rates.
Columbia car insurance costs by driving history
Maintaining a clean driving record is one of the best ways to keep your car insurance costs low. Speeding citations, reckless driving charges, DUIs and DWIs, and at-fault accidents all tend to bring about rate increases.
Columbia drivers found guilty of reckless driving pay the price when it comes to auto insurance, facing a rate increase of $527 per year versus the city average. A ticket for speeding results in a $286 rate hike, on average, while a DUI violation costs $579per year in insurance premiums.
COLUMBIA CAR INSURANCE RATES AFTER A COLLISION OR CITATION
| Violation | Average Yearly Rate |
| DWI/DUI | $2,017 |
| Reckless Driving | $1,965 |
| At-fault Accident (damages less than $1,000) | $1,959 |
| At-fault Accident (damages > $2,000) | $2,069 |
| Speeding Ticket (16-20 mph over speed limit) | $1,724 |
Get more info on how a bad driving history can impact your car insurance costs.
Columbia car insurance rates by credit level
In many cases, a driver's credit level is closely correlated with their auto insurance rates. Columbia drivers who improve their credit score from "Very Poor" (300-579) to "Exceptional" (800-850) can save as much as 58% on their car insurance premiums. If you move from the "Very Poor" credit tier to the "Fair" credit tier, you could be in line for an auto insurance price adjustment. In Columbia, moving into the "Fair" credit tier corresponds to an average of $1,195 in savings on insurance each year.
COLUMBIA CAR INSURANCE RATES BY CREDIT TIER
| Credit Score | Average Yearly Rate |
| Very Poor | $2,900 |
| Fair | $1,704 |
| Good | $1,438 |
| Very Good | $1,326 |
| Exceptional | $1,206 |
Learn more about the relationship between poor credit and car insurance.
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About The Zebra
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.