Cheap Car Insurance in South Carolina 2023

Drivers in South Carolina pay an average of $250 per month, making it the 16th most-expensive state for car insurance, according to our data. South Carolina drivers pay just $17 per month more than the national average of $233 per month. Though the Palmetto State requires drivers to purchase car insurance, you have control over choosing an auto insurer that works best for you. The most effective way to find cheap car insurance is to compare quotes online to find the most affordable provider in your area.

Many South Carolina residents drive golf carts near their homes, so the state implemented requirements and guidelines for you to do so legally. In order to be driven, golf carts must be properly insured, permitted, and registered; only driven on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less during daylight hours within four miles from home; and driven by someone with a valid driver’s license.^[1]

Best cheap car insurance in South Carolina: USAA

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USAA

Best Cheap Car Insurance in South Carolina

With an average monthly rate of $107, USAA offers the cheapest car insurance option for drivers in South Carolina. Since the average is $250 per month, USAA offers a chance for savings of more than $100. Other top insurance companies offering low rates include State Farm, GEICO, and Travelers.

Insurify Composite Score (ICS)

To calculate the Insurify Composite Score, a proprietary rating, Insurify data scientists weigh multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company.

Inputs to the score include J.D. Power ratings, Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints, mobile app reviews, user-generated company reviews, and financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch.

Minimum car insurance requirements in South Carolina

All motor vehicles operated or parked on South Carolina roadways are required to be insured. Proof of insurance must be carried in your car at all times and must be available when:

• Requested by law enforcement

• Renewing vehicle registration

• The vehicle is involved in a car accident

The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in South Carolina^[2] are:

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury: As a major part of your liability insurance, bodily injury coverage covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident. South Carolina is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who is responsible for the collision is also responsible for paying for any resulting expenses, either through their car insurance provider or out of pocket.

• $25,000 per accident for property damage: If it’s determined that an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to the property of the other involved parties. Additionally, property damage coverage can cover legal costs if the insured driver is involved in a lawsuit following the accident.

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage: Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for costs caused by a driver with little or no insurance. In South Carolina, drivers are required to purchase this coverage for both bodily injury and property damage.

South Carolina DMV information

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) provides numerous services for drivers, like issuing and renewing driver’s licenses. When you’re renewing or applying for your driver’s license in South Carolina, you must present proof that you meet the state’s minimum coverage requirements with a company licensed to do business in the state.

Public transportation in South Carolina

South Carolina provides bus services as public transportation for its residents. Some bus routes run between cities and counties and may be a good option if your license is revoked or suspended or if you don’t own a vehicle. South Carolina also offers statewide and coastal buses for residents to use.^[3]

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in South Carolina

When determining your insurance premiums, companies consider many factors like your age, credit score, and driving history. Every company weighs these risk factors differently, which means you can find dramatically different rates for the same coverage. It’s important to compare quotes from multiple companies to find the most affordable option for your situation.

Here are some other things you can do to reduce car insurance costs:

• Seek discounts, such as good driver or good student discounts.

• Bundle your homeowners or renters insurance with your car insurance.

• Maintain a good credit score.

• Consider lowering your deductible.

Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in South Carolina

If you live in South Carolina, you can opt to carry liability-only auto insurance, which pays for expenses related to injuries and damage to the other party’s car if you cause an accident. Each state sets its own minimums for how much liability insurance it requires drivers to carry. Liability-only insurance can make sense if:

• You have a low-value vehicle.

• You can afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket.

• Getting the cheapest insurance possible is your top priority.

For a higher level of protection, you can choose full-coverage insurance, which includes basic liability plus collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damages to your car, even if you’re at fault for an accident. Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by events out of your control, like vandalism, weather, and animals. Auto lenders and leasing companies typically require drivers to carry full coverage on a car they’ve financed.

You may also opt for full coverage if:

• You have a high-value vehicle.

• You wouldn’t be able to afford to repair or replace your car out of pocket.

• Your car’s actual cash value (the payout you’d likely get if your car is totaled) exceeds your annual premium to carry full coverage.

Here’s a look at the cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina by policy type.

How your driving history affects South Carolina car insurance rates

Your driving history is the factor that most influences your car insurance costs. Good drivers — whose records are free of serious traffic violations like speeding tickets or reckless driving — tend to get the best car insurance rates in South Carolina. But infractions like driving under the influence or at-fault accidents can significantly increase insurance costs.

Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina based on driving and accident history.

SR-22 insurance in South Carolina

After you get a DUI in South Carolina, you’ll need to prove that you meet the state’s insurance requirements before driving again. Your insurance company must file an SR-22 form for you to confirm your policy meets the requirements. Below, you’ll find some of the companies that offer SR-22s in South Carolina.

How credit scores affect South Carolina car insurance quotes

In South Carolina, insurers can consider your credit score when setting your premiums. Generally, people with excellent or good credit scores can qualify for lower car insurance premiums than people with average or poor credit scores.

How your city affects South Carolina insurance quotes

The city you live in matters to auto insurance companies because your location is tied to several factors, including crime rates, average commute times, population density, and more. In general, drivers living in congested city centers will pay more for car insurance than those in more rural locations.

How your age affects your South Carolina car insurance rates

Because insurers generally equate age with experience level, your age will significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance. New drivers, who tend to be teens or people in their early 20s, typically pay more for insurance than drivers 25 and older.

The following table gives a high-level view of how age can affect insurance rates.

Quotes for younger drivers

Multiple other factors influence how much drivers in each age group will pay for car insurance. Some increase rates for one age group more than another, while others impact all age groups evenly.

The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers younger than 30. Auto insurers tend to view younger drivers as higher risk drivers due to lack of driving experience, which explains why drivers under 25 face the highest rates. The car insurance companies offering the cheapest rates for full-coverage insurance include Kemper Preferred, Travelers, and Safeco. 

Quotes for middle-aged drivers

The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers between 30 and 59. On average, middle-aged drivers in South Carolina spend between $196 and $231 per month. Monthly premiums for liability coverage begin as low as $76 with Kemper Preferred, $94 with State Auto, and $102 with National General.

Quotes for senior drivers

The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers 59 and older. Senior drivers in their 60s and 70s typically pay lower rates than those in their 80s in South Carolina. Travelers provides drivers with an accident in their driving history the cheapest average rate of just $118 per month, followed by $152 per month with Nationwide.