- Cheapest non-owner car insurance companies in South Carolina
- Best non-owner car insurance in South Carolina
- Insurance.com's top choices for non-owner car insurance
- Average cost of non-owner car insurance in South Carolina
- Non-owner car insurance in South Carolina by age and gender
- Non-owner vs. traditional car insurance
- What does South Carolina non-owner car insurance cover?
- The bottom line: Non-owner car insurance in South Carolina
- Methodology
- Compare South Carolina non-owners car insurance rates with other states
Cheapest non-owner car insurance companies in South Carolina
The cheapest non-owner car insurer in South Carolina is Auto-Owners, with rates averaging $126. The second cheapest South Carolina non-owner insurer is GEICO. Average rates are $270.
| Company | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $126 | $11 |
| GEICO | $270 | $23 |
| State Farm | $397 | $33 |
| Progressive | $457 | $38 |
| Travelers | $489 | $41 |
| Sentry Insurance | $581 | $48 |
| USAA | $256 | $21 |
Best non-owner car insurance in South Carolina
While Auto-Owners is the top choice, GEICO and State Farm are also great options for non-owner coverage.
To find the best non-owner car insurance companies in South Carolina, we looked at several factors, including how many complaints each company receives, financial stability and average rates. We used rate data from Quadrant Information Services as well as third-party ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
The table below shows a comparison of the best non-owner car insurance companies in South Carolina.
| Company | Average annual premium | J.D. Power | NAIC | AM Best | Overall score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $126 | 859 | 0.50 | A++ | 3.99 |
| GEICO | $270 | 847 | 0.91 | A++ | 3.00 |
| State Farm | $397 | 807 | 0.70 | A++ | 2.96 |
| Travelers | $489 | 851 | 0.49 | A++ | 2.85 |
| Progressive | $457 | 828 | 0.65 | A+ | 2.61 |
Insurance.com's top choices for non-owner car insurance
Explore our top recommendations for non-owner car insurance in South Carolina.
Auto-Owners
Our top choice for non-owner car insurance in South Carolina is Auto-Owners, with an average rate of $126 for liability coverage. Auto-Owners holds an AM Best rating of A++ and has an NAIC complaint ratio of 0.5.
GEICO
GEICO is also a great choice for non-owner car insurance in South Carolina, offering coverage at an average annual rate of $270. It has earned an AM Best rating of A++ and maintains a low NAIC complaint ratio of 0.91.
State Farm
Our third recommendation is State Farm, with average rates of $397. It has an NAIC complaint ratio of 0.7 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
Non-owner car insurance in South Carolina costs $368 on average. However, your actual rate may vary depending on factors like your driving history, age and the level of coverage you choose.
Non-owner car insurance in South Carolina by age and gender
Whether you're looking for non-owner or standard car insurance, age and gender affect your rates in South Carolina.
Age is one of the most important factors that impacts car insurance rates. Younger drivers lack experience and are more likely to be in accidents. That means car insurance companies charge higher rates to offset claims.
Gender also plays a part in determining car insurance rates in most states. Males tend to be riskier drivers and have more injuries, leading to higher premiums.
Below are the average South Carolina rates for non-owner car insurance based on age and gender.
| Age group | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| Teens (16-19) | $974 | $905 |
| Young Adults (20-24) | $527 | $511 |
| Adults (25-60) | $371 | $371 |
| Seniors (65-75) | $385 | $370 |
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.
Furthermore, because insurance companies anticipate that people who don't own a car will drive less frequently, and because non-owner car insurance is secondary to the owner's policy, the risk of 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. is much lower.
The table below shows a comparison of average yearly rates for non-owner and standard car insurance.
| Non-owners state minimum policy | $368 |
| Traditional state minimum policy | $720 |
| State minimum car insurance limits | 25/50/25 |
What does South Carolina non-owner car insurance cover?
A South Carolina non-owner car insurance policy provides only the basic coverage required to drive legally. It satisfies all the minimum car insurance requirements in South Carolina, but it won't cover any damage to the vehicle you're 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 might need non-owner car insurance for different situations, like renting or borrowing a vehicle. However, this coverage typically only includes liability protection to cover property damage or injuries you cause to others. It does not cover you personally or any damage to the car you're driving.
In South Carolina, non-owner car insurance costs an average of $368, with Auto-Owners offering the most affordable rates. Based on our research, Auto-Owners stands out as the best overall option. Remember, factors like your age, gender and driving history can significantly affect your insurance rates.
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++.
Compare South Carolina non-owners car insurance rates with other states
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