South Carolina Car Insurance Requirements in 2026
South Carolina law requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/25 liability insurance. Uninsured motorist protection is also mandatory.
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Daria Kelly UhligHome Insurance Writer, Realtor
Licensed Realtor with 10+ years in personal finance content
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South Carolina car insurance requirements at a glance
Coverage | Minimum Requirement in South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 |
| Uninsured motorist bodily injury | $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident |
| Uninsured property damage liability | $25,000 |
South Carolina car insurance requirements explained
The South Carolina Department of Insurance says South Carolina drivers need 25/50/25 in both liability and uninsured motorist coverage.[1] Those minimums align with other states, 19 of which require uninsured motorist coverage and 18 of which have the same 25/50/25 liability requirements.[2] Still, South Carolina’s minimums are lower than North Carolina’s 50/100/50 requirement.
South Carolina bodily injury liability insurance requirements
South Carolina’s liability requirements are $25,000 per person for bodily injury and up to $50,000 in total per accident.
Those minimum coverages are consistent with neighboring Georgia’s and lower than about half of U.S. states. Only North Carolina and seven other states have higher minimums.
South Carolina property damage liability insurance requirements
South Carolina drivers need at least $25,000 in property damage liability insurance. That covers damage you cause to another driver’s (or their passenger’s) property, up to $25,000.
The $25,000 minimum is the most common among U.S. states, 23 of which impose it. All other states have lower minimums ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.
South Carolina uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance requirements
Uninsured/underinsured insurance covers you and your passengers in a hit-and-run or an accident where the at-fault driver is uninsured or has insufficient coverage.
South Carolina is one of the few states requiring uninsured motorist coverage without also requiring underinsured motorist coverage. Insurers must offer it, but you don’t have to buy it.
The uninsured motorist coverage minimum is the same as for liability insurance: 25/50/25.
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Are South Carolina’s car insurance requirements sufficient for most drivers?
South Carolina’s minimum insurance requirements might cover far less than you’re responsible for paying after a crash. Property damage and medical bills can quickly add up. The following table explains when extra coverage might be worth considering.
Coverage | Minimum Coverage Requirement | Consider Adding or Increasing Coverage if |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability/property damage liability | 25/50/25 | Minimum coverage isn’t enough protection if you’re at fault |
| Uninsured motorist | 25/50/25 | You drive in congested urban areas such as Columbia, where you might encounter more uninsured drivers |
| Underinsured motorist | N/A | You worry that minimum coverage won’t be enough if other driver is at fault |
| Comprehensive/collision | N/A |
|
| Medical payments (MedPay)/personal injury protection (PIP) | N/A | Paying your/your passengers’ medical bills and/or lost wages would put your assets at risk |
Other car insurance requirements to be aware of in South Carolina
Coverages other than the minimum liability and uninsured motorist requirements are optional for many South Carolina drivers. But you’ll need full coverage if you finance or lease a car.[3]
Full coverage, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage, reimburses you for damage from at-fault car accidents and non-collision incidents. Say, for example, you live in Charleston, and hurricane winds knock a tree down onto your car, or you hit a deer while driving on Greenville County back roads. Comprehensive insurance would cover the damage to your car.
How South Carolina’s car insurance requirements influence rates
Statewide, South Carolina drivers pay an average of $160 per month for liability-only insurance and $256 for full coverage.
South Carolina’s insurance requirements affect how much insurance drivers must buy, which affects how much risk insurance companies take on. Insurers base rates on risk, and the more insurance a driver has, the riskier they are to insurers because of the possibility that they’ll file more, or higher, claims.
If you’re a driver in Columbia, you’ll likely have higher rates because of the higher risk associated with congested areas. South Carolina is an at-fault state, so whoever causes an accident is responsible for paying out claims.
If you live in a more congested, accident-prone area, your insurers will consider that risk and charge more for even the minimum coverage.
Cheapest state-minimum required car insurance in South Carolina
The below rates in South Carolina are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $73 |
| Auto-Owners | $78 |
| State Farm | $80 |
| GEICO | $110 |
| Progressive | $124 |
| Travelers | $134 |
| Safeco | $144 |
| Allstate | $150 |
| Direct Auto | $160 |
| State Auto | $163 |
| National General | $165 |
| Root | $171 |
| GAINSCO | $175 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $188 |
| Dairyland | $189 |
| The General | $189 |
| Liberty Mutual | $190 |
| First Acceptance | $210 |
| Hugo | $242 |
| Bristol West | $258 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time South Carolina car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in South Carolina may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
South Carolina car insurance laws and related programs
South Carolina car insurance laws extend beyond minimum coverage requirements.
The state used to allow drivers to register a vehicle without having insurance if they paid a $550 uninsured motorist fee. That changed in July 2024, when it became illegal for anyone with a South Carolina driver’s license to operate an uninsured vehicle in the state.[4]
If you’re unable to find auto insurance coverage because of your previous claims history, driving record, or other issue, you can purchase it through the Associated Auto Insurers Plan of South Carolina.[5]
Penalties for driving without insurance in South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles emphasizes that all registered vehicles must have insurance. If you don’t, here are the penalties to expect:[6]
If your insurance lapses, you’ll need to show proof of insurance within 20 days, or the state will suspend your driver’s license, license plate, and vehicle registration. Reinstating your license and registration costs $400.
If convicted of driving your own vehicle without insurance, the state will suspend your driver’s license until you’ve paid a $700 uninsured motorist fee. You’ll also have to have your insurer file an SR-22 certificate of insurance for three years, beginning on the date of suspension.
If convicted of driving someone else’s car without insurance, the state will suspend your driver’s license for 30 days and charge you a $100 reinstatement fee.
The South Carolina Title 56 law also imposes a $100–$200 fine or 30 days in jail for the first offense of driving without insurance. The penalty increases to a $200 fine and/or 30 days in jail for a second offense within five years, and 45 days to six months in jail for a third offense.
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Other car insurance coverages worth considering in South Carolina
South Carolina only requires 25/50/25 in liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. Additional coverage can better protect you against catastrophic financial losses.
Collision/comprehensive: This might be worth having if you live in an urban area with a lot of traffic congestion, a rural area where deer are common, or a coastal area that experiences hurricanes and other severe storms.
Uninsured motorist coverage: The Insurance Information Institute estimates that more than 12% of South Carolina drivers are uninsured. Your risk of encountering an uninsured driver is relatively high, and the minimum coverage limits might not cover serious injuries or the cost of repairs for a new car.
Underinsured motorist coverage: A driver with the minimum required insurance might not be able to cover all your medical expenses and car repair/replacement.
Rental reimbursement coverage: Rental reimbursement covers rental car expenses while your car is being repaired due to a crash.
MedPay/PIP: Standard insurance doesn’t provide medical payments coverage for you or your passengers in an accident you cause. Paying for serious injuries out of pocket could be financially devastating.
Roadside assistance: Roadside assistance helps cover the cost of services like towing, jump-starts, and tire changes.
South Carolina car insurance requirements FAQs
Learn more about South Carolina’s car insurance requirements through these common questions.
What happens to uninsured drivers in South Carolina?
Convicted uninsured drivers face license suspension and reinstatement fees as well as fines and possible jail time. Penalties increase for a second or third offense within five years, according to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
What are your options for filing a car insurance claim in South Carolina?
Your options to file a claim depend on the circumstances. You can file claims for injuries and collision damage with your own company if you have MedPay/PIP and collision coverage, no matter who is at fault. You’ll file with the other driver’s insurance company if you don’t have that coverage and they’re at fault.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in South Carolina?
Yes. You need 25/50/25 coverage — the same as the minimum liability coverage. It provides $25,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage for one person, $50,000 total bodily injury coverage for more than one person, and $25,000 in uninsured motorist property damage per accident.
Do you have to have car insurance to get a driver’s license in South Carolina?
Only if you own a car. If you do, you’ll certify that you have insurance on your driver’s license application. If you don’t own a car, you’ll indicate that on your license application.[7]
Sources
- Department of Insurance, SC. "Automobile Insurance."
- III.org. "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists."
- NAIC. "A Shopping Tool for Auto Insurance."
- South Carolina Legislature. "Title 56 - Motor Vehicles."
- Department of Insurance, SC. "Frequently Asked Questions."
- Sc.gov. "Facts About Driving Uninsured."
- Sc.gov. "Insurance Requirements."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Daria Kelly UhligHome Insurance Writer, Realtor
Licensed Realtor with 10+ years in personal finance content
Contributor to Nasdaq and USA Today
Featured in
Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
Daniel RoccatoAdvisor
30+ years in financial services
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego