Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in South Carolina

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina for a bad driving record?

Progressive offers the cheapest average rate in South Carolina for drivers with a poor driving record at $2,542 per year. Auto-Owners and Travelers also rank among the more affordable insurers for high-risk drivers.

Having accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record will make you pay more for insurance. Most tickets will affect your rates for three to five years. A DUI can affect your rates for up to 10 years and can stay on your record for life.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Progressive	$1,816	$2,542
Auto-Owners	$1,475	$2,854
Travelers	$1,949	$2,884
State Farm	$2,106	$3,219
Allstate	$2,336	$3,220
GEICO	$2,054	$4,445
USAA	$1,451	$2,076

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How much is high-risk car insurance in South Carolina?

Progressive has the cheapest average DUI insurance rates in South Carolina at $2,247 per year. Drivers with a DUI often see some of the largest premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. increases because insurers consider a bad driving record a major risk factor.

Although you may be labeled high-risk for many reasons, some factors raise rates more than others. For example, multiple speeding tickets may significantly raise car insurance rates, but so can a single ticket for excessive speed in a school zone.

Keep reading as we break down high-risk car insurance factors and rates.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in South Carolina, SC is $2,895

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
Auto-Owners	$1,475	$1,974
USAA	$1,451	$2,176
State Farm	$2,106	$2,504
Travelers	$1,949	$2,723
GEICO	$2,054	$2,981
Progressive	$1,816	$3,114
Allstate	$2,336	$3,828

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Average annual rate

People ask

Who is considered a high-risk driver in South Carolina?

Drivers in South Carolina are considered high-risk if they have a DUI, multiple speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, reckless driving convictions, insurance lapses, an SR-22 requirement or a poor driving history. Teen drivers and new drivers also often pay higher premiums. Insurance companies use different rating formulas, so classifications vary by insurer.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina after a DUI?

Progressive has the cheapest average DUI insurance rates in South Carolina at $2,247 annually.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade, in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. a DUI in South Carolina.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
Progressive	$1,816	$2,247
State Farm	$2,106	$2,265
Travelers	$1,949	$2,875
Auto-Owners	$1,475	$2,918
Allstate	$2,336	$3,195
GEICO	$2,054	$4,943
USAA	$1,451	$2,692

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What is the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina with multiple tickets?

Auto-Owners has the cheapest average rates for drivers with multiple tickets at $2,064 annually or $172 monthly.

A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.

This table shows drivers in South Carolina how much having multiple tickets can raise their insurance premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
Auto-Owners	$1,475	$2,064
State Farm	$2,106	$2,265
Progressive	$1,816	$2,441
Travelers	$1,949	$2,754
Allstate	$2,336	$3,031
USAA	$1,451	$1,788

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Expert's Insight Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance than one major violation.

Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in South Carolina?

State Farm offers the cheapest average reckless driving insurance rates in South Carolina at $2,265 per year.

Engaging in driving behaviors that put others at risk can lead to a reckless driving charge. A conviction for reckless driving results in higher car insurance rates.

The table below compares car insurance premiums for drivers with a clean record and those with a reckless driving conviction.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
State Farm	$2,106	$2,265
Progressive	$1,816	$2,660
Travelers	$1,949	$2,875
Auto-Owners	$1,475	$2,918
Allstate	$2,336	$3,195
GEICO	$2,054	$3,873
USAA	$1,451	$2,151

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Expert's Insight Some insurers may limit your coverage options after a reckless driving conviction, making quote comparisons even more important.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in South Carolina?

Progressive offers the lowest average car insurance rates in South Carolina for drivers with bad credit, at $3,020 per year or $252 per month. Even with bad credit, drivers can still find affordable auto insurance coverage.

Your credit score may not be related to your driving skills, but it can affect your car insurance rates and put you in a higher-risk category. From an insurer’s perspective, higher risk means an increased chance of filing a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistics show that drivers with lower credit scores are in this category.

Check the table below to see how your credit score affects South Carolina car insurance.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
Progressive	$1,816	$3,020
Travelers	$1,949	$3,290
Allstate	$2,336	$3,834
Auto-Owners	$1,475	$4,306
GEICO	$2,054	$4,521
State Farm	$2,106	$7,989
USAA	$1,451	$2,245

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What company has the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina after an accident?

Auto-Owners offers the cheapest average post-accident rates in South Carolina at $1,974 annually. State Farm also provides relatively affordable rates at $2,504 per year.

Drivers with accidents on their record typically pay higher insurance rates than those with a clean record. While car insurance rates may increase after one accident, multiple accidents can increase rates even more.

This table shows rates for drivers with a clean record, one at-fault accident and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
Auto-Owners	$1,475	$1,974	$2,406
State Farm	$2,106	$2,504	$2,504
Travelers	$1,949	$2,658	$3,262
GEICO	$2,054	$2,981	$3,873
Progressive	$1,816	$3,114	$4,199
Allstate	$2,336	$3,828	$4,933
USAA	$1,451	$2,176	$3,500

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Expert's Insight Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city is the cheapest for high-risk car insurance in South Carolina?

Westminster has the cheapest average high-risk car insurance rates in South Carolina at $2,612 annually. In comparison, Eastover has the highest average premiums at $3,112 per year.

Where you live in South Carolina matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood of claims.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Westminster	$1,739	$2,612
Seneca	$1,744	$2,642
Hardeeville	$1,920	$2,886
York	$1,920	$2,900
Anderson	$1,931	$2,921
Spartanburg	$1,945	$2,936
Manning	$2,012	$2,988
Myrtle Beach	$2,042	$3,057
Johnsonville	$2,055	$3,085
Eastover	$2,065	$3,112

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How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in South Carolina?

Even if you're considered a high-risk driver, there are still several ways to lower your insurance premiums in South Carolina, including shopping around, taking a defensive driving course and avoiding further infractions.

You may be able to save money by:

Carefully consider filing claims. Covering minor damage out of pocket can be less expensive than filing an insurance claim, which might raise your premiums for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Practice safe driving to prevent additional traffic violations on your record. Tickets typically impact your insurance rates for only a few years, and your premiums may decrease if no new violations occur during that time.
Improve your credit score. Improving your credit score can lower your car insurance premiums. Paying bills on time and managing your credit utilization responsibly will help raise your score.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurers offer discounts for completing the course, and certain states will even remove points from your driver's license once you complete it.
Shop around for coverage. Each car insurance company evaluates factors differently and sets its own rates. Comparing quotes can help you find the lowest price.

People ask

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in South Carolina?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in South Carolinadepends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

What are South Carolina's insurance requirements for high-risk drivers?

If you're considered a high-risk driver in South Carolina, you may be required to file an SR-22. This form is filled out by your car insurance company, stating that you have at least the minimum required coverage. The court will let you know how long you must file an SR-22.

An SR-22 is not an insurance policy and doesn't require special coverage, but rates are much higher for high-risk drivers, and not all carriers insure such drivers.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Our data is then adjusted to reflect the rate increase from this base rate for the following infractions and issue:

DUI
Reckless driving
Multiple speeding tickets
Bad credit
One at-fault accident over $2,000

FAQ: High-risk car insurance in South Carolina

Can high-risk drivers get full coverage car insurance in South Carolina?

Yes, you can get full coverage insurance as a high-risk driver. However, you can expect it to cost a lot more than liability-only coverage.

Does an SR-22 automatically make your insurance more expensive in South Carolina?

An SR-22 doesn't increase your rates, but the violation that resulted in the requirement will; as a result, having an SR-22 means higher rates. An SR-22 is the form the insurance company has to file with the state, and by itself, it doesn't increase your rates.