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, Auto-Owners, Travelers are the cheapest options. Progressive has the lowest annual rate at $2,542 per year.

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?

A problematic driving record or poor credit score may mean higher insurance rates, but affordable options exist. In South Carolina, high-risk car insurance costs $3,019 per year. However, you can get rates as low as $2,542 annually from Progressive.

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.

Read on as we explain high-risk car insurance factors and rates below.

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?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

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

Although many insurance companies provide coverage after a DUI, Progressive offers the most affordable rate at $2,247 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that damages your driving record. It can raise auto insurance premiums for nearly 10 years, on top of fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs drive rates even higher, but consistent safe driving over time can gradually lead to lower premiums.

The table below compares average car insurance premiums in South Carolina for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.

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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Cheapest car insurance in South Carolina with multiple tickets

For drivers with multiple tickets, Auto-Owners offers the lowest premiums, averaging $2,064 per year or $172 per month.

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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Key insight

Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

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

State Farm offers the most affordable rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions, averaging $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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Key insight

A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

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

In South Carolina, Progressive provides the lowest premiums for drivers with poor credit, averaging $3,020 per year or $252 per month. Even with a low credit score, you can still find affordable auto insurance.

While your credit score doesn't reflect your driving ability, it can impact your car insurance rates and place you in a higher-risk category. Insurers view lower credit scores as an indicator of increased risk based on statistics showing that these drivers are more likely to file claims.

Check the table below to see how credit scores impact car insurance costs in South Carolina.

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 lowest rates after an accident, averaging $1,974 per year. State Farm is another budget-friendly option, with rates around $2,504 a 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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Key insight

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

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

Westminster has the cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina at $2,612 per year. But the most expensive city is Eastover with rates of $3,112 per year.

Your location in South Carolina also matters. For example, if you live in an area with heavy traffic or a high vehicle theft rate, rates will reflect the increased chance 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?

Finding affordable car insurance in South Carolina is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

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 California depends 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.

South Carolina's car insurance laws 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.

Although an SR-22 is typically called insurance, it is only the form. You don't need special insurance 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: