Which companies offer the cheapest non-owner car insurance in South Carolina?
The cheapest non-owner car insurance company in South Carolina is Auto-Owners, with average annual rates of $100, followed by GEICO at $333. These insurers consistently offer the lowest liability-only premiums for drivers who don't own a vehicle.
Compare the cheapest non-owner car insurance companies in South Carolina below.
| Company | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $100 | $8 |
| GEICO | $333 | $28 |
| Travelers | $508 | $42 |
| State Farm | $582 | $49 |
| Progressive | $600 | $50 |
| Dairyland | $697 | $58 |
| USAA | $322 | $27 |
Best non-owner car insurance in South Carolina
Auto-Owners is the best non-owner car insurance company in South Carolina based on cost, customer complaints and financial strength ratings. GEICO and State Farm are also strong choices for drivers looking for affordable liability coverage.
To identify the best non-owner car insurance companies in South Carolina, we considered several key factors, such as the number of customer complaints, financial strength, and average premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. rates. Our analysis used rate data from Quadrant Information Services, along with third-party ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
The table below provides a comparison of the top non-owner car insurance companies in South Carolina.
| Company | Average annual premium | J.D. Power | NAIC | A.M Best | Overall score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $100 | 654 | 0.44 | A+ | 4.67 |
| GEICO | $333 | 670 | 0.60 | A++ | 4.27 |
| State Farm | $582 | 677 | 0.87 | A+ | 3.45 |
| Progressive | $600 | 645 | 0.60 | A+ | 3.39 |
| Travelers | $508 | 606 | 0.63 | A++ | 3.22 |
| USAA | $322 | 749 | 1.16 | A++ | 4.06 |
Insurance.com's top choices for non-owner car insurance
Take a closer look at our top picks for non-owner car insurance in South Carolina.
Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners is our top choice for non-owner car insurance in South Carolina. Its average annual non-owner car insurance cost is $100. Auto-Owners has an AM Best score of A+ and a low NAIC complaint ratio of 0.44.
GEICO
GEICO is another great option for non-owner car insurance in South Carolina, with average rates of $333 per year. It has an AM Best rating of A++ and a low NAIC complaint ratio of 0.60.
State Farm
Our third recommendation is State Farm, with average rates of $582. It has an NAIC complaint ratio of 0.87 and holds an AM Best rating of A+.
PEOPLE ASK:
Do I need South Carolina non-owner car insurance to drive a friend's car?
Probably not, unless you use the car a lot. If you only drive your friend's car occasionally, their insurance usually covers it under something called permissive use-as long as it's less than 12 times a year. Still, it's a good idea to check with your friend's insurance company just to be sure.
Average cost of non-owner car insurance in South Carolina
The average cost of non-owner car insurance in South Carolina is $448 per year. Rates depend on several factors, including your driving record, age, ZIP code, and coverage limits. Drivers with clean records and continuous insurance coverage generally pay lower premiums than drivers with accidents, violations or insurance lapses.
The average cost of non-owner car insurance will vary based on:
- Your driving record
- The coverage levels on your policy
- Your ZIP code
Non-owner car insurance in South Carolina by age and gender
Teen drivers and younger motorists usually pay the highest premiums because insurers consider them higher risk. Rates generally decrease after age 25, remain lowest for drivers in their 50s and may increase slightly after age 65.
How it works:
- Teen drivers pay the highest rates due to lack of experience and a statistically higher risk of a crash
- Rates start to level out around the age of 25 and continue to drop
- Drivers in their 50s pay the lowest average rates
- After 65, rates increase, but not dramatically
Even in a state that bans the use of age and gender for car insurance rates, like South Carolina, your years of driving experience will still impact what you pay.
Below are the average non-owner car insurance rates in South Carolina by age and gender.
| Age group | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Teens (16-19) | $1,200 | $1,039 |
| Young Adults (20-24) | $655 | $625 |
| Adults (25-60) | $456 | $453 |
| Seniors (65-75) | $466 | $449 |
Do you need non-owner car insurance in South Carolina?
You may need non-owner insurance in South Carolina if you drive cars you do not own on a regular basis. This coverage can also help if you need proof of insurance to file an SR-22 after a license suspension.
You may need non-owner car insurance if:
- You frequently drive cars owned by others and want an extra layer of protection
- You frequently rent cars
- You need insurance to file an SR-22 in order to reinstate your license
- You want to prevent a lapse in coverage while in between cars
You don't need a non-owner policy if:
- You own and insure your own vehicle
- You only drive cars owned by others occasionally
- You drive a company car for which insurance is provided by your employer
Non-owner vs. traditional car insurance
Non-owner car insurance costs less than standard car insurance because it provides minimal coverage. It only includes liability coverage, while standard auto insurance offers many additional types of coverage.
For example, non-owner car insurance in South Carolina doesn't cover damage to the car you're driving or your injuries. Standard car insurance may include collision and comprehensive coverage to help pay for car repairs.
Non-owner car insurance is cheaper because drivers without vehicles drive less often and file fewer claims. This coverage also acts as secondary insurance, meaning the car owner's policy pays first. Non-owner insurance may apply only after the vehicle owner's liability limits are exhausted.
The table below shows a comparison of average yearly rates for non-owner and standard car insurance.
| Non-owners state minimum liability only | $448 |
| Traditional state minimum policy | $785 |
| State minimum car insurance limits | 25/50/25 |
What does South Carolina non-owner car insurance cover?
Non-owner car insurance in South Carolina generally provides the minimum required liability coverage, including bodily injury and property damage liability. In no-fault states, policies will also include required personal injury protectionPersonal injury protection (PIP) pays for your medical, hospital and funeral expenses resulting from a car accident, regardless of who's at fault. (PIP) coverage. However, non-owner insurance does not cover damage to the vehicle you are driving.
Non-owner car insurance is considered secondary coverage, meaning it only kicks in after the car owner's policy limits are exceeded.
The bottom line: Non-owner car insurance in South Carolina
Drivers in South Carolina who frequently rent or borrow vehicles may benefit from non-owner car insurance. This policy provides liability protection if you cause injuries or property damage to others. However, it does not cover your injuries or damage to the car you are driving.
Non-owners car insurance averages $448 in South Carolina, and Auto-Owners offers the lowest rates. In our analysis, Auto-Owners was the top pick overall. Remember that your age, gender, and driving record significantly impact insurance rates.
Shop around to find the best South Carolina non-owner car insurance available. Use the tool above to compare non-owner insurers in your area.
Methodology
170+ insurance companies analyzed 34,000+ ZIP codes examined $53M insurance quotes analyzed
Non-owner car insurance rates were fielded by Quadrant Data Services for a sample policy based on:
- A 40-year-old driver
- A clean record
- Good credit
- State minimum insurance, which includes liability coverage and may also include personal injury protection, medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage
Best company rankings use the rate data outline above, as well as:
- Customer complaints ratios from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaints database, where a score of 1.00 is considered the baseline and anything below is a low complaint volume while anything above is considered a high volume.
- Overall customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power's U.S. Auto Insurance Study, where companies are scored out of 1,000.
- AM Best financial ratings were used to indicate financial stability, where the best possible score is A++.
FAQ: Non-owner car insurance in South Carolina
Do I need non-owner insurance to drive a friend's car in South Carolina?
No. If you have permission to drive the vehicle, the owner's insurance policy will normally cover you. However, if accident costs exceed the policy limits, non-owner insurance can provide additional liability protection.
Can I use non-owner insurance for Uber or delivery driving in South Carolina?
No. Non-owner insurance does not cover business driving, including rideshare or delivery work. Drivers working for Uber, Lyft or food delivery apps need rideshare or commercial auto insurance.
Does non-owner insurance cover rental cars?
Yes. Non-owner insurance provides liability coverage when driving a rental car. However, it does not pay for damage to the rental vehicle itself.
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