Best Cheap Auto Insurance in South Carolina (2023)

If you’re looking for car insurance in South Carolina, you have plenty of options. USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm offer some of the cheapest car insurance options in the Palmetto State. Each of these insurers offers average monthly auto quotes of under $75, which can leave you with more money to dine in Charleston, stroll through Congaree National Park, or take in another day at the beach.

It’s also important to note that the price you’ll pay for auto insurance in South Carolina can vary dramatically based on your driving record, age, location, and more. This article is your guide to how average auto insurance rates fluctuate based on these unique conditions so you can use this information to find the policy to best match your needs.

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Cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina

Some of the best car insurance companies in South Carolina offer consistently low rates for a wide range of drivers. But every driver has a unique situation, which means the right auto insurance company for you varies based on your needs.

For example, if you have a speeding ticket or an accident on your record, you might find the best rates with a different insurer than if you had a clean record. However, no matter your circumstances, you can always start by researching some of the best insurers, highlighted below.

Best insurer for liability-only and full-coverage policies: USAA

Best insurer for seniors: Progressive

Best insurer for on-demand insurance: Hugo

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in South Carolina

Often more affordable, liability coverage is designed to help you cover the cost of damage or injuries you cause in an accident. However, liability-only car insurance doesn’t cover the cost of repairs for your own vehicle.^[1]

This table provides you with a list of the most affordable liability-coverage offerings in the state.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT. 

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

• 7+ years experience in data analysis

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
USAA	50
Auto-Owners	54
State Farm	55
GEICO	59
Safeco	79
Nationwide	80
State Auto	85
Allstate	86
Travelers	93
Progressive	111
Liberty Mutual	126
Direct Auto	132
Dairyland	173
The General	178
Bristol West	201

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in South Carolina

Full-coverage auto insurance goes beyond the minimum liability coverage to provide protection for your vehicle as well. This type of insurance is broken down into comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.

If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender or dealership may require you to carry full-coverage insurance. You may also benefit from this increased protection if you have a newer vehicle that would be more expensive to replace.

Here’s a look at some of the leading insurance companies in South Carolina offering full-coverage car insurance.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT. 

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

• 7+ years experience in data analysis

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
USAA	81
Auto-Owners	87
State Farm	89
GEICO	96
Nationwide	124
Safeco	136
Allstate	139
Travelers	140
State Auto	164
Progressive	172
Direct Auto	194
Liberty Mutual	227
Dairyland	289
The General	292
Bristol West	335

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Car insurance requirements in South Carolina

You must carry a minimum amount of car insurance to legally drive in South Carolina. Under the South Carolina tort law, you’ll need to carry at least the minimum coverage outlined below.

Bodily injury liability

• $25,000 per person

• $50,000 per accident

Property damage

• $25,000 per accident

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Mistakes happen. But if you have an incident on your record — including at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, driving under the influence, and other moving violations — you’ll tend to face higher auto premiums. The reason for the increase is that insurance companies feel your past behavior is more likely to lead to you filing future claims.

For example, GEICO offers average monthly premiums of $79 to drivers with a clean record. However, the average monthly rate increases to $106 for drivers with a speeding ticket and to $157 for drivers with a DUI.

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

A speeding ticket will cost you. Beyond the ticket itself, you’ll likely have to pay higher insurance premiums, particularly if you have multiple speeding tickets. Fortunately, the quotes you’ll receive for having a speeding ticket on your record are still more inexpensive than for other incidents.

Here’s a look at the average monthly quotes offered by South Carolina insurers for drivers with a speeding ticket.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT. 

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

• 7+ years experience in data analysis

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Auto-Owners	130
State Farm	133
GEICO	144
Nationwide	186
Safeco	204
Allstate	208
Travelers	210
State Auto	246
Progressive	258
Direct Auto	291
Liberty Mutual	340
Dairyland	433
The General	437
Bristol West	502

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident

If you’ve had an at-fault car accident in the past, you can expect to pay more for car insurance than drivers with a clean record. Below are some average monthly quotes from insurers in South Carolina for drivers with an at-fault accident. As you can see, the average premiums are higher than those with a clean record or those with a speeding ticket.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT. 

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

• 7+ years experience in data analysis

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Auto-Owners	132
State Farm	135
GEICO	145
Nationwide	188
Safeco	206
Allstate	210
Travelers	212
State Auto	248
Progressive	260
Direct Auto	294
Liberty Mutual	344
Dairyland	437
The General	442
Bristol West	507

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

Driving under the influence is a serious violation that comes with serious consequences that include higher car insurance costs. If you’re convicted of driving under the influence, you can expect to pay more for your average car insurance than drivers with clean records or other incidents.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT. 

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

• 7+ years experience in data analysis

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Auto-Owners	149
State Farm	153
GEICO	165
Nationwide	213
Safeco	233
Allstate	238
Travelers	240
State Auto	281
Progressive	295
Direct Auto	332
Liberty Mutual	389
Dairyland	495
The General	500
Bristol West	574

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors

Your driving history isn’t the only thing that affects your car insurance costs. Age can play a vital role as well, particularly if you’re a teen or a senior. In general, drivers tend to pay more for car insurance until around age 25. But rates start to creep up again around age 75.

As a senior driver, shopping around can help you find the best rates for your age group, and a collection of average quotes are included below.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT. 

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

• 7+ years experience in data analysis

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Nationwide	78
Safeco	86
Travelers	88
Progressive	108
Direct Auto	122
Liberty Mutual	143
Dairyland	182
The General	184
Bristol West	211

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for teens

Car insurance is notoriously high for young drivers because these less-experienced motorists are statistically more likely to get in an accident and file a claim. If you’re a teen looking to cut expenses, some ways to trim your car insurance costs include staying on your parents’ insurance, driving a safe vehicle, maintaining good grades, and raising your deductible.

Comparing quotes can also help you find a more affordable rate. You can see average monthly quotes from several South Carolina insurers below.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 PM PDT. 

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

• 7+ years experience in data analysis

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Progressive	313
Direct Auto	353
Liberty Mutual	414
Dairyland	527
The General	532
Bristol West	610

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina

Car insurance is an unavoidable cost, but there’s no need to overpay. Here are some strategies to help you lower your car insurance costs:

• Raise your deductible. Carrying a higher deductible will generally lead to lower premiums because you’re assuming a greater portion of the up-front costs should you file a claim. Just make sure not to set your deductible so high you can’t afford to cover it.

• Ask for a discount. Many insurance companies offer a suite of discount options, including those for safe drivers, students with good grades, and drivers who take an approved defensive driving course. You’ll never know what’s available for you if you don’t ask.

• Improve your credit score. Drivers with a higher credit score tend to pay less for car insurance. You can start building a better credit score by paying your bills on time and not applying for any new lines of credit.

• Shop around. Shopping around can also help you find affordable premiums, so get quotes from at least three different insurance companies before making a decision.

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South Carolina car insurance quotes by credit tier

South Carolina allows insurance companies to consider your credit history when determining your premiums. In general, drivers with excellent or good credit scores tend to pay lower rates than drivers with poor credit scores.

You can improve your credit score by paying your bills on time and not applying for any new lines of credit. Reviewing your credit report to look for mistakes, using a secured credit card, and aiming to use 30% or less of your available credit on any account can also help you improve your credit and lower the cost you pay for insurance.

South Carolina car insurance FAQs

Insurify Insights

How South Carolina Drivers Measure Up

While most drivers know that car insurance quotes are determined in part by your personal driving history, many may be unaware that rates are also impacted by the average risk of the drivers around you as well. Check out Insurify's latest analysis of driving records in South Carolina below:

Methodology

Drawing from an internal database of over 4 million car insurance applications, the research team at Insurify analyzes patterns in car ownership and driver behavior - including how South Carolina drivers measure up to their fellow motorists across the United States in areas including speeding, DUIs, and more.
Insurify Insights publishes data-driven articles, trend analyses, and national rankings each week on all factors related to cars and those who drive them.

Honda Accord

Most Popular Car in South Carolina

#4

State with the Most Speeding Tickets Rank

#3

State with the Moving Violations Rank

#39

State with the Most DUIs Rank

#30

State with the most Suspended Licenses

• Accidents in South Carolina

  While car accidents are a sadly unavoidable feature of time spent on the road, rates of accidents do vary from city to city and from state to state. South Carolina is the #1 state in the country for drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record.

  • Rank among states: #1
  • Percent of drivers in South Carolina with an accident: 12.6%
• DUIs in South Carolina

  While driving while intoxicated is never acceptable, it’s a more common offense than many assume. South Carolina is the #39 state in the country for drivers with a prior drunk driving conviction.

  • Rank among states: #39
  • Percent of drivers in South Carolina with a DUI: 1%
• Reckless Driving in South Carolina

  Reckless driving refers to a specific traffic violation: when drivers willfully act dangerously in spite of the risks they’re imposing on both themselves and others. South Carolina is the #38 state in the country for drivers with a reckless driving offense on record.

  • Rank among states: #38
  • Percent of drivers in South Carolina with a reckless driving offense: 1%
• Rude Driving in South Carolina

  The Insurify team classifies rude drivers as those who commit one or more of the following driving offenses: failure to yield or failure to stop, improper backing, passing where prohibited, tailgating, street racing, or hit-and-run. South Carolina is the #37 state in the country for drivers with a rude driving violation on record.

  • Rank among states: #37
  • Percent of drivers in South Carolina with a rude driving violation: 1.2%
• Speeding in South Carolina

  Exceeding the speed limit can endanger others and have a serious impact on your insurance costs. South Carolina is the #4 state in the country for drivers with a speeding ticket on record.

  • Rank among states: #4
  • Percent of drivers in South Carolina with a speeding ticket: 12.3%
• Failure to Yield Rates in South Carolina

  Failing to yield the right of way isn’t just frustrating for other drivers; it’s dangerous, too. South Carolina is the #9 state in the country for drivers with a failure to yield violation on record.

  • Rank among states: #9
  • Percent of drivers in South Carolina with a failure to yield violation: 0.2%

Insurify Insights

Insurify's team of data scientists and content specialists presents Insurify Insights, a series of automotive, home, and health studies focusing on the topics that impact us all. through expert analysis of over 4 million car insurance applications and an array of top data sources, the Insurify Insights team produces new data-driven articles, trend analyses, regional superlatives, and national rankings every week. See Insurify Insights as featured in Forbes, Fox News, USA Today, NPR, and more.