Average Car Insurance Cost in South Carolina (2025)
Drivers in South Carolina pay an average of $218 per month for car insurance.
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Written byTaylor Milam-Samuel
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8+ years writing for major outlets, including MarketWatch and Business Insider
Master’s in Education
Taylor Mlam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator. When she’s not helping readers better save and spend money, she can be found teaching.
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
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Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Table of contents
Even though South Carolina has an affordable cost of living, car insurance costs are higher than average. Coverage is much higher than the national average of $150 per month. South Carolina drivers may have high average rates partially due to the state’s high crash fatalities and minimum requirements.
Average rates for car insurance have increased nationwide over the past few years, and South Carolina is no exception. Annual full-coverage car insurance costs in the Palmetto State have increased by more than 29% between 2023 and 2024, according to Insurify data.
Quick Facts
The average cost of car insurance in South Carolina is $172 per month for liability-only coverage and $264 for full-coverage car insurance.
Aiken and Greer are the cities with the lowest average cost of car insurance in South Carolina, with respective monthly averages of $183 and $179.
South Carolina drivers pay some of the highest car insurance costs in the United States.
How much is car insurance in South Carolina?
Drivers in South Carolina pay an average of $264 per month for full-coverage car insurance, or $3,173 per year. Full coverage includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, which helps pay for your repairs after a car accident.
Liability-only policies, on the other hand, cost $172 per month, or $2,064 per year. These liability-only policies meet legal requirements for coverage in South Carolina but don’t offer extra protection for your car repairs or medical expenses.
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How South Carolina car insurance rates have changed over the past two years
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To find car insurance rates in South Carolina and the U.S. over the last two years, download our data here.
The average price for full-coverage car insurance in South Carolina rose to $3,500 in 2024, up significantly over rates from just a few years ago. Full-coverage rates also rose nationally, though they remain cheaper than in South Carolina.
See how South Carolina car insurance prices have changed over the past two years below.
Average South Carolina Car Insurance Rates Over the Past Two Years
Rates in this chart are two-year rolling medians in order to manage extreme market volatility seen over the past few years. Rates on the rest of the page reflect one-year rolling medians in order to prioritize the freshest data available.
Average South Carolina car insurance rates by city
Your location will influence how much you pay for car insurance, even for different ZIP codes within the same city. For example, drivers who live in rural areas typically have lower rates since there’s less congestion, traffic, and theft. Drivers in bigger cities like Charleston and Columbia pay more for car insurance, on average.
Even small details, such as whether you park your car in a garage, on the street, or in a driveway, can affect how much you pay.
Here are the average rates of coverage in different South Carolina cities.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 22 at 12:00 PM PDT.
City  | Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Aiken | $141 | $226 |
| Anderson | $144 | $238 |
| Greer | $153 | $205 |
| Spartanburg | $158 | $252 |
| Fort Mill | $159 | $231 |
| Myrtle Beach | $164 | $225 |
| Lexington | $166 | $259 |
| Greenville | $166 | $257 |
| Rock Hill | $174 | $263 |
| Lancaster | $175 | $268 |
| Columbia | $185 | $297 |
| Florence | $194 | $307 |
| Charleston | $195 | $292 |
| Summerville | $199 | $280 |
| North Charleston | $204 | $312 |
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.
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Car Insurance Requirements in South Carolina (2025)
Average South Carolina car insurance rates by age and gender
Your age and gender affect how much you pay for coverage. Insurance companies may review demographic driving and accident data to determine rates.
Female drivers usually pay less than males because they have fewer accidents on average. And teen drivers younger than 20 pay more than older drivers because they have less experience behind the wheel. Rates decrease as drivers age, but insurance premiums will likely increase again after retirement.[1]
Below, you can find the average rates for car insurance by age and gender in South Carolina.
Age | Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $393 | $634 |
| 18 | $341 | $551 |
| 20 | $220 | $357 |
| 25 | $198 | $320 |
| 30 | $175 | $284 |
| 40 | $168 | $272 |
| 50 | $156 | $251 |
| 60 | $146 | $234 |
| 70+ | $152 | $246 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Age | Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $345 | $557 |
| 18 | $300 | $484 |
| 20 | $194 | $314 |
| 25 | $174 | $282 |
| 30 | $154 | $249 |
| 40 | $148 | $239 |
| 50 | $137 | $221 |
| 60 | $128 | $206 |
| 70+ | $133 | $216 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Average cost to insure popular vehicles in South Carolina
The make of your vehicle and whether it’s a new car affect how much you pay for car insurance. Insurers consider a car’s safety features and the damage it might cause in an accident.
Due to their practicality, pickup trucks and midsize SUVs are popular vehicles in South Carolina. Even though the state has major cities like Charleston, most of the area is rural, and drivers utilize large cars for additional safety and mobility.
Below, you can see the average monthly cost of full-coverage car insurance for South Carolina’s most popular vehicles.
Vehicle | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Ford F-Series | $262 |
| Chevrolet Silverado | $278 |
| Honda CR-V | $234 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $257 |
| Ram 1500/2500/3500 | $311 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How your driving record affects car insurance rates in South Carolina
Your driving record has a significant effect on how much you pay for coverage. Drivers with a clean record — free of accidents, tickets, or violations — can earn lower rates. Any violation, even a speeding ticket, can increase insurance costs. But a more serious violation, like a DUI, causes rates to increase even more.
The following table shows full-coverage insurance rates for a sample driver profile with an incident on their record.
Driver Record | Average Monthly Quote | % Increase Compared to Good Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| With accident | $375 | 39% |
| With speeding ticket | $365 | 35% |
| With DUI | $429 | 59% |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Your credit-based insurance score can affect how much you pay for coverage. Insurers in South Carolina can consider credit history as a factor when determining rates.[2]
Your credit-based insurance score is different from your credit score. But it’s based on similar information, like payment history and outstanding debt. Drivers with higher scores usually pay less for car insurance, while drivers with lower scores typically pay more.
Credit TierAverage Monthly Liability-Only QuoteAverage Monthly Full-Coverage QuoteExcellent $153 $247 Good $156 $253 Fair $165 $267 Poor $191 $308 Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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How to lower your insurance costs in South Carolina
Even though South Carolina is one of the most expensive states for coverage, you can use the following strategies to help lower your insurance premium:
Compare quotes
Get car insurance quotes from at least three insurers before finalizing coverage. Every insurance company has different pricing, and comparing options is one of the easiest ways to reduce your monthly bill.
Reduce coverage
If you have an old car that isn’t worth much, it might make sense to lower your insurance policy limits. Collision and comprehensive coverage help pay for vehicle repairs after an accident. But if repairs cost more than your car is worth, you might not need the extra protection. Consider how much car insurance you need.
Increase your deductible
Your deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying when you file a claim. Higher deductibles usually decrease the cost of coverage. It’s an easy way to reduce your costs if you can afford the more expensive deductible.
Improve your credit
Insurance companies in South Carolina can use your credit-based insurance score to determine rates. Taking steps to increase your score, like paying off debt and making on-time payments, can help lower your coverage costs. It’s not a quick fix, but it can pay off over time.
Ask about discounts
Car insurance companies offer discounts to increase loyalty and provide competitive rates. Ask about car insurance discounts, especially for bundling multiple types of insurance, to save money.[3]
Consider pay-per-mile coverage
If you don’t drive much, pay-per-mile coverage might be a cheap alternative to traditional car insurance. Insurers usually charge a flat monthly rate and then a per-mile rate for the amount you drive. It’s usually more affordable to have a pay-per-mile policy if you drive less than 10,000 miles per year.
South Carolina average car insurance cost FAQs
Car insurance in South Carolina is more expensive on average than in most states. The following information can answer your remaining questions about South Carolina car insurance.
What is the average annual cost of car insurance in South Carolina?
The average cost of car insurance in South Carolina is $2,619 per year. On average, South Carolina drivers pay $2,064 per year for liability coverage and $3,173 for full coverage. Depending on your age, ZIP code, vehicle, driving record, and credit history, you might pay more or less than the average.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina?
USAA is the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina, with an average liability coverage rate of $52. Auto-Owners and State Farm also have cheap car insurance, with respective monthly liability rates of $56 and $58.
How much is car insurance per month in South Carolina?
Car insurance costs an average of $218 per month, but it depends on your coverage. On average, South Carolina drivers pay $172 per month for minimum liability and $264 for full coverage.
What are the best auto insurance companies in South Carolina?
USAA, Auto-Owners, and GEICO are the best auto insurance companies for competitive pricing. Alfa, Farmers, and State Farm earn some of the highest customer satisfaction scores in the region. The best car insurance company for you will depend on your driving record, coverage needs, ZIP code, and more.
What are the car insurance requirements in South Carolina?
Drivers in South Carolina must have coverage that meets the state’s minimum requirements. You need $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage and $25,000 per accident in property damage coverage. You also need uninsured motorist coverage equal to your liability insurance limits.[4]
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 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 50+ 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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Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Property & Casualty."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs."
- South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance."
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Taylor Milam-Samuel
Taylor Milam-Samuel is a writer and credentialed educator who is fascinated by how people earn, save, and spend their money. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found in the classroom teaching.
Taylor has been a contributor at Insurify since February 2023.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in