How Much Is Car Insurance in South Carolina? (2026)
Drivers in South Carolina pay an average of $2,487 per year for car insurance.
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Writer: Kim PorterInsurance Writer
Writer: Kim PorterInsurance Writer
Qualifications:
Co-authored the book “Future Millionaires’ Guidebook”
13 years writing personal finance content
A former chief copy editor at Bankrate and past managing editor at Macmillan, Kim specializes in writing easy-to-understand, actionable personal finance content.
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Editor: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Editor: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ 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.
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Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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Quick Facts
South Carolina drivers pay an average monthly rate of $160 for a liability-only policy and $255 for full coverage.
USAA has the cheapest car insurance in the Palmetto State on average, at $73 per month for minimum coverage.
South Carolina’s average car insurance rates spiked in 2024, then decreased slightly in 2025, before mostly holding steady in the first half of 2026.
How much is car insurance in South Carolina?
The average monthly cost of auto insurance in South Carolina is $160 for a liability-only policy and $255 for full coverage, according to Insurify data. Drivers in the Palmetto State pay more than the national monthly averages of $99 for liability coverage and $187 for full coverage.
Monthly average rates in neighboring Tennessee are much lower, at $160 for liability insurance and $255 for full coverage.
See average monthly and annual quotes for South Carolina in the table below.
Coverage Type | Average Monthly Quote | Average Annual Quote |
|---|---|---|
| State-minimum coverage | $160 | $1,914 |
| Full coverage | $255 | $3,060 |
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time South Carolina quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.
Minimum car insurance requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina law requires all drivers to carry bodily injury liability insurance with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, plus $25,000 in property damage liability coverage.[1] Drivers must also have uninsured motorist insurance with the same minimum limits as their liability coverage.
Here are the minimum car insurance requirements for South Carolina drivers.
Coverage Type | South Carolina Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
| Uninsured motorist bodily injury | $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident |
| Uninsured motorist property damage | $25,000 per accident |
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Cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina
South Carolina’s high vehicle crash death rate, strict minimum requirements, and exposure to severe weather contribute to its above-average car insurance rates.[2] You can find the cheapest rates in South Carolina for liability-only car insurance with USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm.
If you cause a car accident in South Carolina, your liability insurance pays for the other driver’s medical expenses and damage to their vehicle or property. Liability-only insurance is cheaper than full coverage because it doesn’t cover your injuries or the damage to your car. Full coverage is more expensive because it typically includes comprehensive and collision coverage.
The table below lists the cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina.
The below rates in South Carolina are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| USAA | $73 |
| Auto-Owners | $78 |
| State Farm | $80 |
| GEICO | $108 |
| Progressive | $123 |
| Travelers | $134 |
| Safeco | $144 |
| Allstate | $150 |
| Direct Auto | $157 |
| National General | $164 |
| State Auto | $164 |
| GAINSCO | $170 |
| Root | $171 |
| The General | $186 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $187 |
| Liberty Mutual | $188 |
| Dairyland | $190 |
| First Acceptance | $208 |
| Bristol West | $252 |
| Hugo | $263 |
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.
Average South Carolina car insurance rates by city
When setting rates, insurers consider your location’s risk factors and claims trends. Hilton Head Island and Fort Mill have the cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina, likely due in part to the relatively low annual mileage among drivers there.
Drivers in North Charleston, Charleston, and Summerville pay the highest car insurance rates in South Carolina. All three cities are part of the Charleston metro area, where heavy traffic, exposure to coastal storms, and an increased fatal crash risk may contribute to higher insurance costs.[3]
Below, you can compare average quotes by coverage type for different South Carolina cities.
The below rates in South Carolina are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT.
City | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island | $164 |
| Aiken | $168 |
| Fort Mill | $173 |
| Greer | $173 |
| Anderson | $180 |
| Bluffton | $186 |
| Greenville | $188 |
| Spartanburg | $190 |
| Lexington | $192 |
| Myrtle Beach | $195 |
| Rock Hill | $196 |
| Conway | $208 |
| Sumter | $210 |
| Lancaster | $223 |
| Columbia | $224 |
| Summerville | $228 |
| Florence | $229 |
| Charleston | $230 |
| North Charleston | $241 |
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.
Average South Carolina car insurance rates by age
Your age is one of the main factors insurers consider when determining how much you pay for car insurance. In South Carolina, teens pay an average of $370 per month. Drivers in their 60s pay much less on average, at $189 monthly.
Teen drivers in South Carolina have many crashes each year, making them more likely to file a claim than older drivers. In 2023, the state recorded more than 13,500 crashes involving drivers 15 to 19, according to South Carolina’s Office of Highway Safety data.[4]
The prevalence of teen crashes is one reason South Carolina drivers younger than 17 must complete a driver’s education course as well as 40 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.[4]
The table below shows average South Carolina car insurance rates by age.
Age | Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Teens | $286 | $456 |
| Adults (40s) | $163 | $260 |
| Seniors | $146 | $233 |
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time South Carolina quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.
How your driving record affects car insurance rates in South Carolina
Your driving history can significantly affect your car insurance rates in South Carolina. Tickets, accidents, and other infractions can signal greater risk to insurers, potentially resulting in higher car insurance premiums.
Among Palmetto State drivers, 5% have a traffic ticket on their records, 5% have an at-fault accident, and 0.5% have a DUI, according to Insurify data. Average car insurance rates increase by 27% for South Carolina drivers after an at-fault car accident.
The table below shows car insurance quotes in South Carolina by driving record.
Driving Record | Average Monthly Quote in SC | % Increase Compared to Clean Driving Record |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $208 | N/A |
| With speeding ticket | $247 | 19% |
| With accident | $264 | 27% |
| With DUI | $335 | 61% |
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time South Carolina quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.
What affects car insurance rates in South Carolina?
Several unique factors affect car insurance rates in South Carolina, including:
High crash rates: South Carolina ranked No. 3 in the nation for traffic fatalities per 100 million miles in 2024, behind New Mexico and Mississippi.[5] More crashes generally result in more insurance claims, and insurers factor claim frequency and expected claim costs into their rates.
Exposure to severe weather: Hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and other severe weather can damage vehicles and generate comprehensive insurance claims in the state. South Carolina’s exposure to these events likely increases insurance costs.
Minimum coverage requirements: South Carolina drivers must carry uninsured motorist coverage as part of their minimum insurance, which many other states don’t require. This may be one reason South Carolina drivers pay some of the highest average rates for a minimum-coverage policy.
Credit-based insurance scores: South Carolina allows insurers to use credit-based insurance scores when setting rates. Drivers in South Carolina with poor credit pay more on average for full coverage than drivers with excellent credit, according to Insurify data.
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How South Carolina car insurance rates have changed over the past five years
Car insurance rates in South Carolina rose sharply between 2021 and 2024, then steadied a bit in 2025. This mirrors a national trend of rates increasing between 2022 and 2024, then lowering by 6% nationally in 2025, according to Insurify data.
South Carolina drivers still pay more for car insurance than the national average, likely due to severe weather risks and high fatal accident rates.
That said, rates in South Carolina saw a slight increase of 0.4% during the first half of 2026, according to an Insurify report. Insurify predicts rates will remain stable in South Carolina for the rest of the year.
Average South Carolina Car Insurance Rates Over the Past Five Years
State Name | 2022-04 | 2022-05 | 2022-06 | 2022-07 | 2022-08 | 2022-09 | 2022-10 | 2022-11 | 2022-12 | 2023-01 | 2023-02 | 2023-03 | 2023-04 | 2023-05 | 2023-06 | 2023-07 | 2023-08 | 2023-09 | 2023-10 | 2023-11 | 2023-12 | 2024-01 | 2024-02 | 2024-03 | 2024-04 | 2024-05 | 2024-06 | 2024-07 | 2024-08 | 2024-09 | 2024-10 | 2024-11 | 2024-12 | 2025-01 | 2025-02 | 2025-03 | 2025-04 | 2025-05 | 2025-06 | 2025-07 | 2025-08 | 2025-09 | 2025-10 | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 | 2026-06 | 2026-07 | 2026-08 | 2026-09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 2,007 | 2,022 | 2,030 | 2,044 | 2,050 | 2,073 | 2,083 | 2,093 | 2,109 | 2,123 | 2,164 | 2,188 | 2,248 | 2,292 | 2,339 | 2,365 | 2,395 | 2,453 | 2,485 | 2,518 | 2,577 | 2,623 | 2,658 | 2,782 | 2,932 | 3,113 | 3,188 | 3,263 | 3,378 | 3,438 | 3,480 | 3,504 | 3,473 | 3,415 | 3,349 | 3,338 | 3,312 | 3,277 | 3,247 | 3,217 | 3,150 | 3,118 | 3,087 | 3,059 | 3,061 | 3,037 | 3,033 | 3,048 | 3,059 | 3,056 | 3,068 | 3,069 | 3,067 | 3,060 |
| United States | 1,591 | 1,602 | 1,607 | 1,613 | 1,617 | 1,624 | 1,631 | 1,639 | 1,650 | 1,665 | 1,689 | 1,718 | 1,758 | 1,803 | 1,850 | 1,887 | 1,919 | 1,956 | 1,982 | 2,006 | 2,036 | 2,076 | 2,127 | 2,194 | 2,238 | 2,298 | 2,341 | 2,368 | 2,391 | 2,387 | 2,375 | 2,371 | 2,363 | 2,352 | 2,368 | 2,369 | 2,368 | 2,357 | 2,343 | 2,318 | 2,286 | 2,258 | 2,229 | 2,216 | 2,223 | 2,223 | 2,225 | 2,233 | 2,238 | 2,237 | 2,238 | 2,239 | 2,241 | 2,242 |
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To find car insurance rates in South Carolina and the U.S. over the last five years, download our data here.
How to lower car insurance costs in South Carolina
Car insurance in South Carolina is much more expensive than the national average. If you’re trying to keep costs down, try these steps:
Shop around and compare quotes. Companies use different rating systems and may charge different rates for the same driver, so it’s important to compare prices from multiple insurers.
Take an approved driver training course. South Carolina law requires insurers to provide a discount to drivers who complete an approved driver training course.[6] The credit generally lasts at least 36 months, although insurers can set the amount of the discount and may require drivers to remain accident-free to keep it.
Ask about car insurance discounts. Drivers in South Carolina average about 9,400 miles per year, according to Insurify data. Insurers may offer car insurance discounts for driving fewer miles, insuring multiple vehicles, maintaining an accident-free record, having certain safety or anti-theft equipment, or bundling home and auto coverage.
Improve your credit. South Carolina allows insurers to use credit-based insurance scores when calculating premiums. Lower credit scores typically translate to higher auto insurance premiums, so improving your credit may help you save money. Paying your bills on time and keeping your credit card balances low are two of the best ways to do this.
South Carolina average car insurance cost FAQs
The following information can help answer your remaining questions about car insurance in South Carolina.
Why is car insurance so high in South Carolina?
South Carolina has one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the nation, and the state’s position on the Eastern Seaboard exposes car owners to severe weather. Both factors can increase car insurance claims, which results in higher premiums. Additionally, South Carolina requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist insurance, which increases the cost of minimum-coverage policies.
Is $300 per month too much for car insurance in South Carolina?
It depends. A monthly rate of $300 is too much for car insurance in South Carolina if you have a clean driving record, since rates for this profile average $160 for minimum coverage and $255 for full coverage. But $300 may be a suitable monthly price if the policy covers a teenager or an adult with a spotty driving record.
Is car insurance cheaper in South Carolina than in Florida?
No. Car insurance is a bit cheaper on average in Florida than in South Carolina. The average car insurance rate in Florida is $189 per month, compared to $207 in South Carolina.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina?
The cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina is USAA, with an average liability insurance rate of $73. Auto-Owners and State Farm are the second- and third-cheapest car insurance companies in the state, with average monthly liability rates of $78 and $80, respectively.
Sources
- South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance."
- South Carolina Emergency Management Division. "Hurricanes."
- South Carolina Department of Public Safety. "Traffic Fatalities by County."
- South Carolina Department of Public Safety. "South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book."
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Fatality Facts 2024: State by state."
- South Carolina Code of Laws. "Insurance."
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
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Writer: Kim PorterInsurance Writer
Writer: Kim PorterInsurance Writer
Qualifications:
Co-authored the book “Future Millionaires’ Guidebook”
13 years writing personal finance content
A former chief copy editor at Bankrate and past managing editor at Macmillan, Kim specializes in writing easy-to-understand, actionable personal finance content.
Editor: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Editor: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ 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.
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.