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South Carolina drivers pay 19% more for full-coverage car insurance than the average American driver. Overall, South Carolina drivers pay an average of $291 per month for full-coverage insurance and $167 per month for liability-only coverage. In fact, South Carolina is the sixth most-expensive state for car insurance, according to Insurify data.
Extreme weather, rising repair costs, and multiple other factors contribute to the state's high insurance prices. Nearly 11% of drivers in South Carolina are uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council. And Insurify data indicates that South Carolina had the most traffic accidents of any state in 2022. The Palmetto State's accident rate is significantly higher than the national average.
Comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies is the best way for South Carolina drivers to find the coverage they need at affordable prices.
Quick Facts
The overall average South Carolina car insurance cost for is $229 per month.
Drivers in Anderson, South Carolina, have the cheapest average rates for car insurance in the state.
USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm offer the cheapest auto insurance policies in South Carolina.
What’s the average cost of car insurance in South Carolina?
South Carolina drivers pay an average of $291 per month for full-coverage insurance and $167 per month for liability-only coverage. It shouldn’t be surprising, then, that South Carolina’s auto insurance average is higher than the national rates of $207 and $103, respectively.
“It can be different from state to state,” says Loretta Worters, vice president of media relations at the Insurance Information Institute. Worters says that geography and weather events often play a factor in how insurers price auto policies.
“For example, in Texas, they have a lot of hail that damages cars, so [auto insurance rates] may be higher than a place like Iowa,” Worters says.
South Carolina has a 79.9% chance that a tropical storm will make landfall in any given year, which poses a risk to property in the state’s coastal area, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.[1] This high chance of tropical storms may contribute to higher car insurance rates for the state.
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Average South Carolina car insurance rates by city
Car insurance rates vary among cities in South Carolina. Insurers consider your area’s rates of accidents and theft when setting your car insurance premiums.[2]
“Urban areas such as Charleston, for example, tend to have higher average rates, since more vehicles on the road means a higher chance of getting into an accident,” Worters says.
Urban areas also tend to have more crime, such as cars being stolen or broken into, and insurers factor those rates into premiums as well.
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 South Carolina car insurance rates by insurance company
Insurers have their own formulas and algorithms to determine a driver’s car insurance policy costs.[3] It’s all about calculating risk while weighing what the average consumer is willing to pay for coverage.
USAA and Auto-Owners offer the lowest average liability-only rates for car insurance in South Carolina, at $51 and $55 a month, respectively. The following table illustrates rates from top insurance companies operating in South Carolina.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
Average South Carolina car insurance rates by age
Insurers consider teenage drivers without much experience as a higher risk, so they typically charge them higher premiums as a result.[4] Teenage drivers in South Carolina pay $477 a month, on average, for car insurance. However, these average rates drop 81% once you reach your 20s.
Age
Average Monthly Quote
Teenagers
$477
20s
$261
30s
$236
40s
$215
50s
$196
60s
$175
70s
$191
80s
$226
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 South Carolina car insurance rates by gender
Many insurance companies factor your gender when setting your car insurance premiums, and male drivers typically pay more.[2] This is because, statistically, men are more likely to get into more, and more severe, traffic accidents. The following table illustrates the cost differences between average monthly rates for men and women in South Carolina.
Driver Gender
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Men
$297
$170
Women
$286
$164
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 South Carolina car insurance rates by marital status
If you’re unmarried in South Carolina, you’ll pay more than married drivers. Married drivers may pay less because they’re more likely to own multiple vehicles that can qualify them for a discount. The following table illustrates the differences in average monthly liability rates for South Carolina drivers based on marital status.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
Average South Carolina car insurance rates by driving record
In South Carolina, if you have a clean record, you may pay less on average for full coverage or liability-only insurance than somebody who has a DUI on their record. Speeding tickets and at-fault accidents can also affect your premiums in South Carolina. Drivers with these spots on their records pay 33% and 43% more, respectively, for liability-only insurance.
The following table shows examples of how different motor vehicle violations can affect monthly liability insurance rates for South Carolina drivers.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
Average South Carolina car insurance rates by credit
If you’ve been thinking you should raise your credit score, it should pay off — not just with better terms for loans but also with your car insurance premiums. Insurance companies assume that if your credit score is high, your odds of filing a claim are lower.[5]
In South Carolina, drivers with poor credit pay $327 a month on average for full coverage, compared to $231 for drivers with excellent credit. Liability-only coverage differences are similar. Drivers with bad credit pay $188 for liability coverage versus $132 for those with excellent credit.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
South Carolina minimum car insurance requirements
Every state regulates insurance a little differently; there’s no national standard.
South Carolina’s minimum car insurance requirements are as follows:[6]
$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability
$50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability
$25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Uninsured motorist coverage at the liability requirement limits
Here’s what to know about South Carolina’s minimum car insurance requirements.[6]
Bodily injury liability
If you injure somebody else in a car accident your insurance will pay for their medical expenses, up to the policy limits.
Property damage liability
This coverage provides protection if you damage another car or some other property in a car accident.
Uninsured motorists coverage
This protects you, the policyholder. If a hit-and-run driver or uninsured driver injures you or damages your car, uninsured motorist coverage pays for medical expenses and repairs, up to the policy limit.
Underinsured motorists coverage
This pays for your injuries or car’s damage if the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to compensate you for your medical care or repairs. South Carolina doesn’t require underinsured motorist coverage, but the state requires that insurance companies offer underinsured motorists coverage to drivers.
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South Carolina car insurance FAQs
Insurify answers your questions about buying car insurance in South Carolina.
What’s the average cost of car insurance in South Carolina?
Drivers in South Carolina pay an average of $291 per month for full-coverage insurance and $167 a month for liability-only coverage.
What factors affect car insurance costs in South Carolina?
South Carolina is like every state in the country: Insurers calculate premiums based on everything from a policyholder’s age, gender, and credit score to marital status. But a state’s geography does factor in, as well. If you live in a rural part of South Carolina, where there are fewer people and cars, you’ll probably pay less than somebody in a more-populated city.[2]
Do car insurance rates vary by county in South Carolina?
Car rates do vary by county in South Carolina, though it has more to do with the city and geographical terrain than the county line. For instance, if your county has a big city known for crime and accidents, you may pay more.[2]
What are the best auto insurance companies in South Carolina?
New Jersey Manufacturers and USAA are two of the best insurance companies in South Carolina. However, the best insurer for you will depend on your coverage needs and budget when you shop for car insurance.
Is car insurance required in South Carolina?
Yes. To drive legally in the state, you must purchase bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and uninsured motorist coverage. Insurance companies must offer you underinsured motorist coverage — typically with a $200 deductible — but you don’t have to buy it.[6]
South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance." Accessed May 13, 2023
Geoff Williams
Geoff Williams is a freelance journalist who has written personal finance articles for most of his career and for numerous publications, including U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Bankrate, CNNMoney.com and Forbes.com. He is also the author of several books, including “C.C. Pyle’s Amazing Foot Race” and “Washed Away,” and writes a classic TV blog called “The TV Professor.”
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.