How much is car insurance in Columbia?

On average, drivers in Columbia spend $305 per month for car insurance. Full-coverage insurance costs $352 per month on average, while liability coverage comes in at $248 per month. Statewide, drivers pay $266 per month for coverage.

Who has the cheapest car insurance in Columbia?

USAA has the cheapest car insurance in Columbia, regardless of driving history, coverage level, or age. On average, drivers pay $75 per month for liability and $110 for full coverage with USAA. But coverage is exclusive to military members and their families. Auto-Owners and State Farm also offer cheap coverage options for Columbia drivers.

What are the best car insurance companies in Columbia?

With an A++ (Superior) rating from A.M. Best, a 4.3 IQ Score, and cheap average rates, USAA is one of the best car insurance companies in Columbia. USAA drivers pay $110 per month for full-coverage insurance. State Farm also earned an A++ rating from A.M. Best and has an even higher IQ Score of 4.4. State Farm policyholders in Columbia pay $122 per month for full-coverage insurance.

How much car insurance do you need in South Carolina?

The state’s minimum requirements include $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, $25,000 per accident in property damage liability, and uninsured motorist coverage equal to the bodily injury and property damage requirements. You need to at least carry the minimum required insurance to legally drive in the state.

Is South Carolina a no-fault state?

No. South Carolina is an at-fault, or tort, state, which means the driver responsible for an accident — typically through their insurer — must cover the costs of any property damage or injury they caused the other driver and their passengers.

Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Columbia, South Carolina for 2023

If you’re looking for affordable car insurance policies in Columbia, South Carolina, you may want to explore policy options from USAA, Auto-Owners, State Farm, and other companies offering the cheapest car insurance policies in this city.

The average monthly cost of car insurance in Columbia is $305 per month, according to Insurify data. The actual rate you’ll pay for a car insurance policy depends on a variety of factors, including your driving history and coverage needs.

Here’s what you need to know about finding cheap car insurance in Columbia.

Quick Facts

The city you live in can affect how much you spend on car insurance.
Having a high credit score can help lower car insurance rates.
Teens tend to spend more on car insurance than more experienced drivers.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Columbia

When looking for cheap car insurance in Columbia, it’s important to remember that the right auto insurance company for you varies based on your unique needs as a driver and your financial situation. If you’re looking for affordable coverage, consider the following companies.

Find Car Insurance in Columbia, SC

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4.8/5

Cheapest insurance for drivers with an accident: USAA

Drivers with an accidentUSAA

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IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.	4.3
JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.	880
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.	$53/mo
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.	$85/mo

Overview

USAA offers all the standard coverage options, as well as uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, roadside assistance, and rental reimbursement. Unfortunately, USAA only offers coverage for current, former, and reserve military members and their families. Eligible policyholders can earn significant discounts.

Pros and cons

Pros

Variety of discounts available, including good grade and multi-car discounts
You can file claims and make policy changes through the mobile app

Cons

Only available to military members, veterans, and their families
Low average Better Business Bureau (BBB) customer reviews

Reviews

The representative was very helpful and caring. I felt valued.

Tawana - January 17, 2023

Verified

I have been a member for 14 years. They have always delivered excellent customer care anytime I needed to reach out to them for any reason, whether it was to resolve an issue or assist me with an application for one of the many services and products they offer.

Christina - January 17, 2023

Verified

Exceptional customer service

Anthony - January 15, 2023

Verified

Read our USAA review

Cheapest insurance for teen drivers: State Farm

Teen driversState Farm

Compare personalized, real-time quotes

IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.	4.4
JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.	842
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.	$59/mo
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.	$95/mo

Overview

State Farm provides the standard range of auto insurance options. It also offers uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, rental insurance, rideshare coverage, and emergency roadside service. Savings specifically for teens include good student, driver training, and student-away-at-school discounts.

Pros and cons

Pros

Significant savings possible when bundling auto with life or property insurance
Easy policy management with mobile app

Cons

Negative BBB reviews
No gap insurance coverage

Reviews

Friendly; knowledgeable; cares for customer needs

Phyllis - February 1, 2023

Verified

Premiums jump every six months

Kenneth - January 31, 2023

Verified

They are great; prompt, polite, very educated

Angela - January 31, 2023

Verified

Read our State Farm review

Cheapest insurance for infrequent drivers: Hugo

Infrequent driversHugo

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IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.	3
A.M. Best A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).	NR
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.	$48/mo
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.	$69/mo

Overview

Founded in 2021, Hugo sells usage-based insurance in 13 states, including South Carolina. You can purchase liability coverage for as few as three days at a time, but policy terms range up to six months.

Depending on the plan you choose, you can turn your coverage on and off so you only pay for coverage on the days you drive. Not for everyone, this pay-as-you-drive insurance works best for infrequent drivers like retirees, remote workers, and city dwellers.

Pros and cons

Pros

Option to turn coverage on and off
No down payment or deposit required

Cons

Fewer coverage options than standard insurers
Not the cheapest option for daily drivers

Reviews

Very helpful in times of need.

Alessandra - July 14, 2023

Verified

I love it.

Jamaica - July 12, 2023

Verified

Read our Hugo review

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Columbia

Liability-only car insurance provides coverage for any damages or injuries you cause others in an accident. It doesn’t provide coverage for your car. Rather, liability insurance includes bodily injury liability to cover medical expenses and legal costs for injuries to others, as well as property damage liability to cover repairs or replacement of damaged property.^[1]

The insurance companies that offer the cheapest liability-only car insurance policies for you in Columbia depend on your driving history and other factors. Quotes start at $75 per month with USAA and $81 per month with Auto-Owners.

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
USAA	$75
Auto-Owners	$81
State Farm	$83
GEICO	$89
Hugo	$112
State Auto	$119
Allstate	$129

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 Columbia

In addition to liability insurance, full-coverage insurance includes collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage kicks in to cover repairs to your vehicle after a collision with another vehicle or object, while comprehensive coverage applies to damage from theft, vandalism, natural disaster, and other noncollision incidents.

If you have a new or valuable vehicle, you should definitely consider purchasing full-coverage insurance. USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm offer the cheapest average quotes in Columbia — starting at $110 per month.

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
USAA	$110
Auto-Owners	$118
State Farm	$122
GEICO	$130
Travelers	$180
Allstate	$189
Nationwide	$199

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State

Age

Credit Score

Are you insured

Your estimated deal

*Estimate based on a market average of rates provided to other users like you.

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I’m a good driver

Save 35%

I’m a homeowner

Save 5%

I’m married

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I have multiple cars

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Car insurance requirements in South Carolina

Like most states, South Carolina law requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. Specifically, you must have bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and uninsured motorist coverage.^[2]

Coverage	Minimum Requirements
Bodily injury liability	$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability	$25,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist	$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury; $25,000 per accident in property damage

Optional coverages in South Carolina include:

Collision

Collision coverage pays for physical damage to your car resulting from colliding with an object, such as a tree or another vehicle. If the cost of repairing the car exceeds 75% of its actual cash value (ACV), the car likely qualifies as a total loss.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your vehicle from various causes, including fire, vandalism, flooding, theft, and animals. It also includes coverage for broken glass and doesn’t typically require a deductible for safety glass repairs or replacements.^[3]

Uninsured/underinsured motorist

Uninsured motorist insurance covers your injuries or property damage if the at-fault driver’s coverage limits are too low to cover your damages or medical bills.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Most driving incidents go on your driving record and can affect your auto insurance rates. These include speeding tickets, driving under the influence (DUI) charges, at-fault accidents, and other moving violations. The presence of these incidents on your record can indicate a greater likelihood of filing an insurance claim.^[4]

For example, Columbia drivers with a clean record only spend $75 per month on average with USAA, but people with a DUI on their record spend an average of $149 per month with USAA.

Find Car Insurance in Columbia, SC

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

Though less significant than an accident or DUI, speeding tickets can cause your car insurance costs to increase. Insurance companies view speeding as a risky behavior that increases the likelihood of accidents, so they adjust premiums accordingly.

The cheapest insurers on average for drivers with a speeding ticket on their record in Columbia include USAA, Auto-Owners, State Farm, and GEICO.

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
USAA	$101
Auto-Owners	$108
State Farm	$111
GEICO	$119
Hugo	$150
State Auto	$159
Allstate	$173

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident

At-fault accidents can lead to substantial increases in your car insurance costs. Insurance companies consider these accidents as an indication of higher risk, which results in elevated premiums.

You can still find the most cost-effective insurers for drivers with an at-fault accident in Columbia. Average quotes below start at just $107 per month.

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
USAA	$107
Auto-Owners	$115
State Farm	$119
GEICO	$127
Hugo	$160
State Auto	$170
Allstate	$185

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

Due to the severity of the offense, a DUI greatly affects car insurance costs. Insurance companies view DUIs as a significant red flag for bad driving behavior that can lead to filing future claims. If you have a DUI on your record, you can expect your insurance premiums to increase substantially.

Many companies in Columbia still provide affordable insurance for drivers with a DUI. USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm have the cheapest quotes, at $149, $160, and $165 per month, respectively.

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
USAA	$149
Auto-Owners	$160
State Farm	$165
GEICO	$177
Hugo	$222
State Auto	$237
Allstate	$257

Cheapest car insurance for seniors

Car insurance rates typically decrease once drivers reach 35, thanks to more experience driving and reduced risky behavior. However, insurance premiums tend to increase again slightly when drivers reach around age 75, partially due to potentially declining physical abilities and a heightened vulnerability to accidents.

Senior drivers in Columbia can actually receive really affordable coverage, despite the previously mentioned risk factors. Quotes start at just $47 per month from USAA.

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
USAA	$47
Auto-Owners	$51
State Farm	$52
GEICO	$56
Hugo	$70
State Auto	$75
Allstate	$81

Cheapest car insurance for teens

Car insurance rates for teenage drivers are typically much higher than premiums for adults due to the increased risk associated with inexperienced drivers. To obtain the cheapest car insurance as a teen, consider staying on your parents’ insurance policy, as it often offers more favorable rates.

You can also opt for a car with good safety features to lower insurance costs.^[5] Lastly, you can qualify for a good student discount by maintaining good grades. Affordable average rates for teen drivers in Columbia range between $110 and $190 per month.

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
USAA	$110
Auto-Owners	$118
State Farm	$122
GEICO	$131
Hugo	$164
State Auto	$175
Allstate	$190

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Columbia

When calculating car insurance rates, insurance companies consider elements such as your driving record, vehicle type, age, and credit score.

To help you find affordable car insurance coverage in Columbia, you should consider the following tactics for saving money:

Choose a high deductible. Opt for higher deductibles, as this can lower your premium.
Bundle your policies. You can qualify for multi-policy discounts by bundling your car insurance with other policies, such as homeowners or renters insurance.
Ask about discounts. Inquire about discounts for safety features in your car, such as anti-theft devices and airbags.
Compare insurers. Shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to ensure you get the best rate.

Find Car Insurance in Columbia, SC

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Columbia car insurance quotes by credit tier

In the state of South Carolina, car insurance companies can consider credit scores when determining premiums. Having excellent or good credit scores can lead to lower rates, and poor credit scores generally result in higher rates.^[6] On average, South Carolina drivers with excellent credit pay $271 per month for coverage.

Rates by Credit Tier

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.

Is car insurance more expensive in Columbia?

Car insurance rates vary by location, and Columbia, South Carolina, residents may pay higher car insurance premiums than they would in other states. On average, Columbia drivers pay monthly rates of $305, which exceeds the national average of $212 per month.

Price variations on a city or ZIP code level stem from crime rates, weather, population density, and other factors.

More cities in South Carolina

“In pricing insurance, insurance companies rate coverage by state, city, and even down to the ZIP code level in larger municipalities,” says Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications at the Insurance Information Institute. “Specific location rating factors typically include weather hazards, accident frequency and severity, theft and vandalism rates, and the costs of repairs.”

At $352 per month, Columbia drivers pay more on average for full-coverage insurance than drivers in some other cities in South Carolina. For example, drivers in Rock Hill pay $279 per month, and people in Myrtle Beach pay $285 per month.

City	Average Monthly Quote	Compared to Columbia
Charleston	$315	-11%
Conway	$292	-17%
Greenville	$293	-17%
Lexington	$309	-12%
Myrtle Beach	$285	-19%
North Charleston	$306	-13%
Rock Hill	$279	-21%
Summerville	$311	-12%

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.

Columbia car insurance FAQs

Finding affordable coverage doesn’t have to feel difficult. The information below should help you navigate the process of finding car insurance in Columbia, South Carolina.

How much is car insurance in Columbia?
On average, drivers in Columbia spend $305 per month for car insurance. Full-coverage insurance costs $352 per month on average, while liability coverage comes in at $248 per month. Statewide, drivers pay $266 per month for coverage.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Columbia?
USAA has the cheapest car insurance in Columbia, regardless of driving history, coverage level, or age. On average, drivers pay $75 per month for liability and $110 for full coverage with USAA. But coverage is exclusive to military members and their families. Auto-Owners and State Farm also offer cheap coverage options for Columbia drivers.
What are the best car insurance companies in Columbia?
With an A++ (Superior) rating from A.M. Best, a 4.3 IQ Score, and cheap average rates, USAA is one of the best car insurance companies in Columbia. USAA drivers pay $110 per month for full-coverage insurance. State Farm also earned an A++ rating from A.M. Best and has an even higher IQ Score of 4.4. State Farm policyholders in Columbia pay $122 per month for full-coverage insurance.
How much car insurance do you need in South Carolina?
The state’s minimum requirements include $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, $25,000 per accident in property damage liability, and uninsured motorist coverage equal to the bodily injury and property damage requirements. You need to at least carry the minimum required insurance to legally drive in the state.
Is South Carolina a no-fault state?
No. South Carolina is an at-fault, or tort, state, which means the driver responsible for an accident — typically through their insurer — must cover the costs of any property damage or injury they caused the other driver and their passengers.

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

Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:

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.

More cities in South Carolina

Popular cities

Sources

Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage." Accessed June 9, 2023
South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance." Accessed June 9, 2023
Insurance Information Institute. "What is covered by collision and comprehensive auto insurance?." Accessed June 9, 2023
Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed June 9, 2023
Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance." Accessed June 9, 2023
Experian. "Which States Restrict the Use of Credit Scores in Determining Insurance Rates?." Accessed June 9, 2023

Jacqueline DeMarco

During college, Jacqueline DeMarco interned at a retirement plan advisory firm and was tasked with creating a presentation on the importance of financial wellness. During her research into how money can affect our health, relationships and career, Jacqueline realized just how important financial education is. Jacqueline is a contributor for Insurify and has worked with more than a dozen financial brands, including LendingTree, Capital One, Credit Karma, Fundera, Chime, Bankrate, Student Loan Hero, ValuePenguin, SoFi, and Northwestern Mutual, providing thoughtful content to give readers insight into complex topics that they likely didn’t learn in school.

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Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor

Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor

Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

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

Table of contentsCompare quotes

Cheapest car insurance companies in Columbia

Find Car Insurance in Columbia, SC

Cheapest insurance for drivers with an accident: USAA

Drivers with an accidentUSAA

Cheapest insurance for teen drivers: State Farm

Teen driversState Farm

Cheapest insurance for infrequent drivers: Hugo

Infrequent driversHugo

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Columbia

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Columbia

Estimate your insurance costs

Select discounts that apply to you

Age

Credit Score

Are you insured

Your estimated deal

Select discounts that apply to you

Car insurance requirements in South Carolina

Collision

Comprehensive

Uninsured/underinsured motorist

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Find Car Insurance in Columbia, SC

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

Cheapest car insurance for seniors

Cheapest car insurance for teens

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Columbia

Find Car Insurance in Columbia, SC

Columbia car insurance quotes by credit tier

Rates by Credit Tier

Is car insurance more expensive in Columbia?

More cities in South Carolina

Columbia car insurance FAQs

Methodology

Related articles

More cities in South Carolina

Popular cities

Sources

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