Minimum car insurance requirements in South Carolina

The minimum car insurance requirements in South Carolina are 25/50/25 in liability limits. State minimum coverage pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others, but does not cover damage to your own vehicle.

  • 25/50/25 in liability coverage to help pay for injuries and property damage you cause in an accident.

Keep in mind that the minimum coverage required by South Carolina is just the bare minimum. Experts suggest raising your limits and adding extra coverage like collision and comprehensive to better protect yourself. Having enough coverage can give you peace of mind while driving.

State Minimum Requirements25/50/25
State minimum car insurance$682
Liability-only car insurance$918
Full coverage car insurance$2,367

Average cost of car insurance in South Carolina

Car insurance in South Carolina costs around $2,367 annually for full coverage with 100/300/100 limits and $500 deductibles. Minimum coverage costs about $682 per year.

Rates change based on company, location, vehicle, driving history, and coverage choices.

Average annual premium$2,367
Average monthly premium$197

Cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina

Auto-Owners offers the cheapest average car insurance rates in South Carolina for a full coverage policy. Every car insurance company sets car insurance rates differently. Some focus more on age, while others pay closer attention to driving records.

Comparing quotes from multiple companies can help drivers find lower premiums and better coverage options.

Company State minimum Liability-only Full coverage 
Auto-Owners$533$751$1,715
Nationwide$876$935$2,130
Southern Farm Bureau$686$915$2,310
Travelers$790$1,096$2,342
GEICO$571$846$2,417
Progressive$597$907$2,666
Allstate$668$905$2,806
State Farm$1,037$1,352$3,133
USAA$371$560$1,772

South Carolina car insurance rates by age group

Age plays a role in car insurance rates. In South Carolina, younger drivers with less experience usually pay the most. As drivers get older and gain more experience, their rates usually go down.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates in South Carolina based on age.

Age groupFull coverage car insurance
Teens (16-19)$7,503
Young Adults (20-24)$3,809
Adults (25-60)$2,377
Seniors (65-75)$2,324

South Carolina car insurance costs by coverage level

Generally, South Carolina minimum car insurance is the cheapest option. However, it won't protect you or your vehicle, even if you increase your limits. Although full coverage is more expensive, it includes collision and comprehensive coverages, which pay for damages to your car from an accident or events like severe weather.

Compare South Carolina car insurance costs based on coverage level below.

State minimum car insurance$682
Liability-only car insurance$918
Full coverage car insurance$2,367

Cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina by driver profile

If you have a violation or accident on your record, you can expect to pay more for car insurance in South Carolina. The highest rates in South Carolina are for drivers with Bad Credit. If you have a DUI, several accidents, or a history of reckless driving, your insurance rates will be much higher.

Comparing quotes becomes especially important for high-risk drivers because insurers apply rate increases differently.

ProfileAverage annual premiumAnnual premium for profile$ Increase% Increase
At-Fault Accident$2,367$3,404$1,03744%
Bad Credit$2,367$4,739$2,372100%
Careless driving$2,367$3,104$73731%
Claims$2,367$2,764$39717%
DUI$2,367$3,519$1,15349%
Reckless driving$2,367$3,703$1,33756%
Speeding$2,367$3,077$71130%
Texting ticket$2,367$3,096$73031%

How much does car insurance cost in South Carolina per month?

The average monthly cost of car insurance in South Carolina depends on how much coverage you pick. Minimum coverage is the cheapest, while full coverage gives you more protection for a higher price.

Coverage LevelAverage monthly premiumAverage annual cost 
State Minimum BI/PD$57$682
Liability Only - 50/100/50 BI/PD$76$918
Full Coverage - 100/300/100 BI/PD - 500 Comp/Coll$197$2,367

Car insurance discounts in South Carolina

Drivers in South Carolina can lower insurance costs by qualifying for discounts. Discount availability varies by carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims..

Common discounts include:

  • Multi-policy discount
  • Safe driver discount
  • Good student discount
  • Defensive driving discount
  • Multi-vehicle discount
  • Anti-theft discount
  • Paperless discount
  • Telematics discount

Compare discounts when shopping for coverage.

Discount type Premium before discount Premium after discount $ Saving % Saving
Air Bags$2,367$2,350$171%
Anti-Theft Device$2,367$2,334$331%
Comp and Coll Deductibles$2,367$2,101$26512%
Daily Commute$2,367$2,213$1547%
Days Advanced Purchase$2,367$2,178$1897%
Days Per Week Driven$2,367$2,243$1245%
Education$2,367$2,311$552%
Electronic Funds Transfer$2,367$2,309$572%
Homeowner$2,367$2,298$684%
Lower Annual Mileage$2,367$2,227$1406%
Loyalty - Years Renewal With Company$2,367$2,203$1637%
Marital Status$2,367$2,110$25710%
Multi Policy$2,367$2,179$1888%
Paperless/Electornic Documents$2,367$2,296$713%
Payment Type$2,367$2,111$25611%
Primary Use$2,367$2,158$2089%
Profession$2,367$1,984$38316%
Safety Devices$2,367$2,275$923%
Telematics$2,367$2,112$25411%
Years Insured$2,367$2,027$33917%

How to lower car insurance costs in South Carolina

You can reduce your insurance rates in South Carolina by shopping around, bundling policies and qualifying for discounts.

Common ways to lower insurance costs include:

  • Compare quotes from multiple insurers
  • Raise your deductibles
  • Maintain a clean driving record
  • Bundle insurance policies
  • Drive a lower-cost vehicle
  • Ask about available discounts
  • Remove unnecessary coverage from older vehicles

Regularly reviewing coverage can help drivers avoid overpaying.

Car insurance rates in South Carolina by model year

The vehicle you drive also affects South Carolina car insurance rates. For example, newer cars cost more to repair since they have expensive parts, such as collision warning systems, cameras, and anti-theft devices.

See how the model and age of the vehicle affect South Carolina car insurance rates below.

Compare accord insurance rates by state

L O A D I N G
CompanyStyleAverage annual premium

Compare auto insurance rates by city in South Carolina

Auto insurance rates vary not just by state, but also by city. Cities have different levels of risk based on factors like accident rates, 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. costs, weather and more. That means where you live in South Carolina will impact what you pay. Below, we've gathered South Carolina car insurance rates by city for comparison.

CityAnnual insurance premium
Anderson
$2,119
Eastover
$2,065

Car insurance rates change regularly, influenced by changes in the cost of repairs, claim rates and other factors. Recent years have seen car insurance rates rise across the country, but not every state has seen the same increases.

We've tracked car insurance premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. trends in South Carolina to show you how things have changed and help you prepare for potential changes in the future. Take a look at the chart below.

Coverage recommendations and insurance comparisons are based on commonly available personal auto insurance policies and state insurance requirements.

Example coverage scenarios use the following assumptions unless otherwise noted:

  • 40-year-old driver
  • Honda Accord LX
  • Good credit
  • Clean driving record
  • 12,000 annual miles driven
  • Full coverage with 100/300/100 liability limits
  • $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles

Additional data comparisons include:

  • State minimum liability requirements
  • Multiple deductible levels
  • Optional coverage endorsements
  • High-risk driver scenarios
  • Multiple vehicle values and driver profiles

Coverage examples are for comparison purposes only. Actual premiums, requirements and coverage availability vary by insurer and driver profile.

South Carolina car insurance coverage guide: FAQ

How much is car insurance in South Carolina?

Car insurance in South Carolina costs an average of $2,367 annually for full coverage and $682 annually for minimum coverage.

Auto-Owners offers the cheapest average full coverage rates in South Carolina.

Full coverage includes liability insurance and all coverages required by state law, plus collision and comprehensive coverage for damage to your own vehicle after covered losses.

Insurance companies raise premiums after violations because drivers with DUIs and accidents are statistically more likely to file future claims.

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