Cheap South Carolina Car Insurance

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.

Cheap Car Insurance

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%.

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.

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.

What are the 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 finest selection. 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.

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.

Car 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

Liability coverage is legally required in South Carolina and pays for injury and lost wages that you cause to another driver or their passengers as well as damage to the other driver’s vehicle in the event that you are considered “at fault” in an accident. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into three categories. In South Carolina, the minimum is listed as 25/50/25 and explained below:

• $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person that you injure in an auto accident.
• $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries that you cause in an accident if more than one person is hurt.
• $25,000 property damage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for damage that you cause in an accident.

Uninsured Motorist coverage is legally required in South Carolina and pays for injury and lost wages that you or your passengers may suffer in the event that you are hit by an uninsured driver who is at fault. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into two categories. In South Carolina, the minimum is listed as 25/50/25 and explained below:

• $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person injured in your vehicle by an uninsured driver.
• $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries in your vehicle by an uninsured driver if more than one person is hurt.
• $25,000 property damage coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for damage caused to your vehicle by an uninsured driver.
• These numbers reflect the minimum limits required in South Carolina but higher coverage amounts are available with most companies.

South Carolina Car Insurance FAQs

Is car insurance required in South Carolina?

Yes. Car insurance is required by law in South Carolina.

Do restricted license drivers need car insurance in South Carolina?

Yes. Your driver's license status does not affect your need for car insurance. If you're driving a vehicle in South Carolina, it needs to be insured.

Do I need insurance on a totaled car South Carolina?

This depends on what your plan for the vehicle is, and on details of your insurance policy. If your vehicle has been totaled and you do not plan on replacing it, you can cancel the policy. Just be aware that if you do not have another vehicle on the policy, canceling coverage for the vehicle would cancel the coverage altogether.

Driving Laws

South Carolina Texting and Driving Laws

1. 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

How Do Tickets Impact South Carolina Auto Insurance Rates?

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.