South Carolina car insurance laws and requirements: What is changing in 2025

Q: Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes , your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

South Carolina car insurance laws

South Carolina requires that drivers carry at least 25/50/25.

These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.

However, coverage limits are very low and will not cover expenses from a serious accident. To be better protected, South Carolina drivers should consider increasing liability limits and adding coverage, such as collision and comprehensive.

South Carolina car insurance requirements

South Carolina requires the following coverage:

Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.

South Carolina liability minimums are 25/50/25.

The average cost of a minimum coverage policy is $720. However, Auto-Owners has the lowest minimum car insurance rates, averaging $415.

The table below shows the top insurers' average rates for minimum coverage in South Carolina.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Auto-Owners	$415	$35
Geico	$512	$43
Progressive	$560	$47
Allstate	$619	$52
State Farm	$621	$52
Southern Farm Bureau	$686	$57
Travelers	$712	$59
Sentry Insurance	$1,999	$167
USAA	$444	$37

Read our methodology

South Carolina car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits

On average, state minimum car insurance costs $720. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average rates for drivers with minimum coverage in South Carolina.

The cheapest company for minimum coverage in South Carolina is Auto-Owners at an average rate of $415 annually.

State minimum coverage limit	25/50/25
Average annual premium	$720
Average monthly premium	$60

Read our methodology

Are the South Carolina minimum coverage requirements changing in 2025?

South Carolina car insurance requirements will not change in 2025. You do not need to make any changes if you have minimum coverage. If mandatory coverage changes in the future, your insurer will inform you, along with any rate changes.

Why do limits change?

"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated values of coverage and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."

What does minimum car insurance cover in South Carolina?

South Carolina requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.

South Carolina drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.

PEOPLE ASK:

Is South Carolina minimum car insurance enough?

It may not be. Even a moderately serious accident could exceed the state minimum limits of 25/50/25, and minimum coverage may not cover all accident costs. Furthermore, state minimums do not cover your vehicle; you need to add comprehensive and collision coverage.

How much car insurance is enough in South Carolina?

Car insurance isn't one size fits all. The amount of coverage you need depends on your assets, net worth and risk level.

For example, if you are financially stable and can afford to pay out of pocket for medical costs and repairs, you may keep insurance limits low. However, you may be sued for the cost difference if you have a sizeable net worth and don't carry enough insurance to cover expenses.

Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.

Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.

South Carolina penalties for driving without car insurance

Since South Carolina requires its drivers to carry car insurance, failing to do so has consequences. Although you may be tempted to skip coverage to save money, you'll wind up paying heavily in the long run.

Failing to carry South Carolina car insurance has penalties including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.

Fines	$400
Other penalties	License and registration suspension
Jail time	No

Read our methodology

South Carolina minimum coverage cost by age group

Younger drivers pay for more car insurance because they lack experience behind the wheel. Fortunately, rates decrease as drivers age.

The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. Auto-Owners has the best rates for teens with minimum coverage averaging $1,413. Auto-Owners offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $425.

Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $714, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $726, a difference of $12.

Male

Male
Female

Age	Company	Male annual premium	Male monthly premium
16	Geico	$1,911	$159
16	Allstate	$2,042	$170
16	Auto-Owners	$2,097	$175
16	Southern Farm Bureau	$2,279	$190
16	State Farm	$2,681	$223
16	Travelers	$3,646	$304
16	Progressive	$3,819	$318
16	Sentry Insurance	$5,037	$420
17	Auto-Owners	$1,680	$140
17	Allstate	$1,782	$149
17	Geico	$1,911	$159
17	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,967	$164
17	State Farm	$2,324	$194
17	Travelers	$2,759	$230
17	Progressive	$3,623	$302
17	Sentry Insurance	$4,540	$378
18	Auto-Owners	$1,468	$122
18	Geico	$1,630	$136
18	Allstate	$1,673	$139
18	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,735	$145
18	State Farm	$1,990	$166
18	Travelers	$2,151	$179
18	Progressive	$3,087	$257
18	Sentry Insurance	$4,439	$370
19	Auto-Owners	$1,221	$102
19	Allstate	$1,223	$102
19	Geico	$1,372	$114
19	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,540	$128
19	Travelers	$1,665	$139
19	Progressive	$1,699	$142
19	State Farm	$1,704	$142
19	Sentry Insurance	$3,729	$311
20	Auto-Owners	$1,032	$86
20	Geico	$1,172	$98
20	Allstate	$1,173	$98
20	Travelers	$1,380	$115
20	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,387	$116
20	Progressive	$1,436	$120
20	State Farm	$1,465	$122
20	Sentry Insurance	$3,248	$271
21	Auto-Owners	$888	$74
21	Allstate	$919	$77
21	Progressive	$1,023	$85
21	Geico	$1,024	$85
21	Travelers	$1,141	$95
21	State Farm	$1,237	$103
21	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,263	$105
21	Sentry Insurance	$3,027	$252
22	Auto-Owners	$784	$65
22	Allstate	$856	$71
22	Progressive	$898	$75
22	Geico	$957	$80
22	Travelers	$1,025	$85
22	State Farm	$1,103	$92
22	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,162	$97
22	Sentry Insurance	$2,943	$245
23	Auto-Owners	$692	$58
23	Progressive	$816	$68
23	Allstate	$825	$69
23	Geico	$857	$71
23	Travelers	$925	$77
23	State Farm	$960	$80
23	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,075	$90
23	Sentry Insurance	$2,460	$205
24	Auto-Owners	$648	$54
24	Progressive	$744	$62
24	Geico	$776	$65
24	Allstate	$811	$68
24	State Farm	$841	$70
24	Travelers	$866	$72
24	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,001	$83
24	Sentry Insurance	$2,416	$201
25	Auto-Owners	$556	$46
25	Progressive	$670	$56
25	Geico	$676	$56
25	Allstate	$710	$59
25	State Farm	$741	$62
25	Travelers	$800	$67
25	Southern Farm Bureau	$939	$78
25	Sentry Insurance	$2,340	$195
30	Auto-Owners	$416	$35
30	Geico	$519	$43
30	Progressive	$609	$51
30	State Farm	$617	$51
30	Allstate	$626	$52
30	Southern Farm Bureau	$766	$64
30	Travelers	$780	$65
30	Sentry Insurance	$2,277	$190
35	Auto-Owners	$418	$35
35	Geico	$519	$43
35	Progressive	$565	$47
35	State Farm	$612	$51
35	Allstate	$626	$52
35	Southern Farm Bureau	$712	$59
35	Travelers	$778	$65
35	Sentry Insurance	$2,126	$177
40	Auto-Owners	$415	$35
40	Geico	$519	$43
40	Progressive	$549	$46
40	State Farm	$621	$52
40	Allstate	$626	$52
40	Southern Farm Bureau	$705	$59
40	Travelers	$727	$61
40	Sentry Insurance	$2,036	$170
45	Auto-Owners	$405	$34
45	Geico	$519	$43
45	Progressive	$540	$45
45	Allstate	$626	$52
45	State Farm	$626	$52
45	Southern Farm Bureau	$709	$59
45	Travelers	$727	$61
45	Sentry Insurance	$1,965	$164
50	Auto-Owners	$392	$33
50	Geico	$452	$38
50	Progressive	$503	$42
50	Allstate	$575	$48
50	State Farm	$617	$51
50	Southern Farm Bureau	$704	$59
50	Travelers	$727	$61
50	Sentry Insurance	$1,770	$148
55	Auto-Owners	$380	$32
55	Geico	$452	$38
55	Progressive	$486	$41
55	Allstate	$573	$48
55	State Farm	$602	$50
55	Southern Farm Bureau	$683	$57
55	Travelers	$685	$57
55	Sentry Insurance	$1,761	$147
60	Auto-Owners	$382	$32
60	Geico	$452	$38
60	Progressive	$490	$41
60	State Farm	$588	$49
60	Allstate	$594	$50
60	Southern Farm Bureau	$654	$55
60	Travelers	$696	$58
60	Sentry Insurance	$1,782	$149
65	Auto-Owners	$412	$34
65	Geico	$476	$40
65	Progressive	$512	$43
65	State Farm	$588	$49
65	Southern Farm Bureau	$633	$53
65	Allstate	$721	$60
65	Travelers	$763	$64
65	Sentry Insurance	$1,832	$153
70	Auto-Owners	$475	$40
70	Geico	$562	$47
70	Progressive	$599	$50
70	State Farm	$621	$52
70	Southern Farm Bureau	$647	$54
70	Allstate	$721	$60
70	Travelers	$820	$68
70	Sentry Insurance	$1,915	$160
75	Auto-Owners	$559	$47
75	State Farm	$688	$57
75	Geico	$743	$62
75	Southern Farm Bureau	$744	$62
75	Progressive	$775	$65
75	Allstate	$867	$72
75	Travelers	$928	$77
75	Sentry Insurance	$2,044	$170
16	USAA	$2,453	$204
17	USAA	$2,275	$190
18	USAA	$2,123	$177
19	USAA	$1,400	$117
20	USAA	$1,198	$100
21	USAA	$805	$67
22	USAA	$748	$62
23	USAA	$704	$59
24	USAA	$670	$56
25	USAA	$535	$45
30	USAA	$479	$40
35	USAA	$454	$38
40	USAA	$439	$37
45	USAA	$427	$36
50	USAA	$417	$35
55	USAA	$419	$35
60	USAA	$426	$36
65	USAA	$446	$37
70	USAA	$483	$40
75	USAA	$544	$45

Read our methodology

Age	Company	Female annual premium	Female monthly premium
16	Geico	$1,887	$157
16	Allstate	$1,685	$140
16	Auto-Owners	$1,435	$120
16	Southern Farm Bureau	$2,316	$193
16	State Farm	$2,114	$176
16	Travelers	$2,726	$227
16	Progressive	$3,498	$292
16	Sentry Insurance	$4,696	$391
17	Auto-Owners	$1,228	$102
17	Allstate	$1,477	$123
17	Geico	$1,887	$157
17	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,992	$166
17	State Farm	$1,828	$152
17	Travelers	$2,112	$176
17	Progressive	$3,297	$275
17	Sentry Insurance	$4,247	$354
18	Auto-Owners	$1,143	$95
18	Geico	$1,606	$134
18	Allstate	$1,391	$116
18	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,752	$146
18	State Farm	$1,585	$132
18	Travelers	$1,680	$140
18	Progressive	$2,774	$231
18	Sentry Insurance	$4,156	$346
19	Auto-Owners	$1,029	$86
19	Allstate	$1,020	$85
19	Geico	$1,363	$114
19	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,551	$129
19	Travelers	$1,335	$111
19	Progressive	$1,511	$126
19	State Farm	$1,375	$115
19	Sentry Insurance	$3,494	$291
20	Auto-Owners	$927	$77
20	Geico	$1,177	$98
20	Allstate	$978	$82
20	Travelers	$1,141	$95
20	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,393	$116
20	Progressive	$1,283	$107
20	State Farm	$1,208	$101
20	Sentry Insurance	$3,076	$256
21	Auto-Owners	$851	$71
21	Allstate	$804	$67
21	Progressive	$919	$77
21	Geico	$986	$82
21	Travelers	$976	$81
21	State Farm	$1,041	$87
21	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,266	$106
21	Sentry Insurance	$2,915	$243
22	Auto-Owners	$786	$66
22	Allstate	$748	$62
22	Progressive	$837	$70
22	Geico	$929	$77
22	Travelers	$900	$75
22	State Farm	$950	$79
22	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,162	$97
22	Sentry Insurance	$2,840	$237
23	Auto-Owners	$718	$60
23	Progressive	$786	$66
23	Allstate	$719	$60
23	Geico	$834	$70
23	Travelers	$856	$71
23	State Farm	$836	$70
23	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,071	$89
23	Sentry Insurance	$2,377	$198
24	Auto-Owners	$672	$56
24	Progressive	$731	$61
24	Geico	$752	$63
24	Allstate	$708	$59
24	State Farm	$760	$63
24	Travelers	$837	$70
24	Southern Farm Bureau	$995	$83
24	Sentry Insurance	$2,328	$194
25	Auto-Owners	$630	$53
25	Progressive	$654	$55
25	Geico	$681	$57
25	Allstate	$661	$55
25	State Farm	$688	$57
25	Travelers	$772	$64
25	Southern Farm Bureau	$930	$78
25	Sentry Insurance	$2,265	$189
30	Auto-Owners	$416	$35
30	Geico	$504	$42
30	Progressive	$622	$52
30	State Farm	$617	$51
30	Allstate	$612	$51
30	Southern Farm Bureau	$747	$62
30	Travelers	$752	$63
30	Sentry Insurance	$2,283	$190
35	Auto-Owners	$418	$35
35	Geico	$504	$42
35	Progressive	$614	$51
35	State Farm	$612	$51
35	Allstate	$612	$51
35	Southern Farm Bureau	$684	$57
35	Travelers	$745	$62
35	Sentry Insurance	$2,066	$172
40	Auto-Owners	$415	$35
40	Geico	$504	$42
40	Progressive	$571	$48
40	State Farm	$621	$52
40	Allstate	$612	$51
40	Southern Farm Bureau	$667	$56
40	Travelers	$697	$58
40	Sentry Insurance	$1,964	$164
45	Auto-Owners	$405	$34
45	Geico	$504	$42
45	Progressive	$562	$47
45	Allstate	$612	$51
45	State Farm	$626	$52
45	Southern Farm Bureau	$661	$55
45	Travelers	$697	$58
45	Sentry Insurance	$1,899	$158
50	Auto-Owners	$392	$33
50	Geico	$452	$38
50	Progressive	$507	$42
50	Allstate	$575	$48
50	State Farm	$617	$51
50	Southern Farm Bureau	$647	$54
50	Travelers	$697	$58
50	Sentry Insurance	$1,695	$141
55	Auto-Owners	$380	$32
55	Geico	$452	$38
55	Progressive	$478	$40
55	Allstate	$573	$48
55	State Farm	$602	$50
55	Southern Farm Bureau	$619	$52
55	Travelers	$659	$55
55	Sentry Insurance	$1,680	$140
60	Auto-Owners	$382	$32
60	Geico	$452	$38
60	Progressive	$482	$40
60	State Farm	$588	$49
60	Allstate	$594	$50
60	Southern Farm Bureau	$584	$49
60	Travelers	$667	$56
60	Sentry Insurance	$1,696	$141
65	Auto-Owners	$412	$34
65	Geico	$476	$40
65	Progressive	$500	$42
65	State Farm	$588	$49
65	Southern Farm Bureau	$557	$46
65	Allstate	$721	$60
65	Travelers	$730	$61
65	Sentry Insurance	$1,730	$144
70	Auto-Owners	$475	$40
70	Geico	$562	$47
70	Progressive	$540	$45
70	State Farm	$621	$52
70	Southern Farm Bureau	$560	$47
70	Allstate	$721	$60
70	Travelers	$774	$65
70	Sentry Insurance	$1,801	$150
75	Auto-Owners	$559	$47
75	State Farm	$688	$57
75	Geico	$743	$62
75	Southern Farm Bureau	$632	$53
75	Progressive	$614	$51
75	Allstate	$867	$72
75	Travelers	$848	$71
75	Sentry Insurance	$1,909	$159
16	USAA	$2,476	$206
17	USAA	$2,296	$191
18	USAA	$2,144	$179
19	USAA	$1,415	$118
20	USAA	$1,213	$101
21	USAA	$817	$68
22	USAA	$759	$63
23	USAA	$715	$60
24	USAA	$681	$57
25	USAA	$544	$45
30	USAA	$488	$41
35	USAA	$463	$39
40	USAA	$449	$37
45	USAA	$437	$36
50	USAA	$428	$36
55	USAA	$431	$36
60	USAA	$439	$37
65	USAA	$459	$38
70	USAA	$500	$42
75	USAA	$564	$47

Read our methodology

South Carolina minimum coverage cost by city

Mount Pleasant drivers pay the least for minimum coverage in South Carolina at $743. However, Goose Creek pay the most at $924.

Car insurance rates vary by city. For example, drivers in larger cities with a high traffic volume or vehicle theft rate pay higher rates.

The table below shows average minimum coverage rates for cities in South Carolina.

City	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Mount Pleasant	$743	$62
Greenville	$749	$62
Rock Hill	$771	$64
North Charleston	$787	$66
Sumter	$800	$67
Columbia	$822	$69
Charleston	$849	$71
Florence	$850	$71
Summerville	$885	$74
Goose Creek	$924	$77

Read our methodology

Optional car insurance coverage in South Carolina

South Carolina requires drivers to carry car insurance to pay for injuries and damages caused to others. However, drivers don't have to carry coverage for their vehicle unless required by a loan or lease.

Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:

Collision. Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
Comprehensive. This coverage pays for damages to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
Roadside assistance. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery roadside assistance will send someone to help.
Gap. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned state minimum car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Systems based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history, driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates are based on all coverages required by law at minimum coverage limits. Rates were also fielded for various additional age groups. State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.

[state_from_state_link attr={customh2:Compare state minimum requirements with other states^placeholder_to_fetch:South Carolina $720}/]

South Carolina car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs

Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes, your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

What happens if I drive without car insurance in South Carolina?

If you're caught driving without car insurance in South Carolina, you may face fines, a driver's license suspension, having your vehicle impounded, and increased car insurance rates. Additionally, you may face jail time, especially for multiple violations.

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