Cheapest Auto Insurance in Columbia, South Carolina (2024)

USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in Columbia, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $53 per month.

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Updated July 25, 2024

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Cheapest recent rates near Columbia, South Carolina

Recent Columbia, South Carolina car insurance prices for Chevrolet , and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Columbia, South Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 25, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from July 25, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Columbia, South Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 25, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from July 25, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Columbia is the second-largest city in South Carolina, with a population of 139,698. Drivers in the states capital city pay $292 per month for full-coverage car insurance and $179 for liability-only policies, compared to the state averages of $280 for full coverage and $165 for liability only.

The citys population and location in Richland County, the county with the third-highest crash rate in the state, are likely factors in its higher-than-average auto insurance costs.

Still, Columbia drivers can find affordable car insurance by comparing quotes from multiple insurers, driving safely, and choosing safe vehicles. Here’s what you need to know about finding cheap car insurance in Columbia.

Quick Facts
  • USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm are the cheapest car insurance companies in Columbia.

  • Nearly 11% of drivers in South Carolina are on the road without insurance, according to data from the Insurance Research Council.

  • Richland County had the third-highest number of collisions in the state in 2021, and the fourth-highest number of fatalities, according to data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.

3 of the 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.

Insurance CompanyIQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Full CoverageLiability OnlyBest For
USAA9.4$87$50Drivers with an accident
State Farm9.3$97$56Teen drivers
Hugo7.0$54$48Infrequent drivers
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.
  • Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.

    We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

    • Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
    • Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
    • Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
    • Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
    • Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.

Cheapest insurer for drivers with an accident: USAA

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User Reviews
3.7
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.4/10
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.
$92/mo

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. Eligible policyholders can earn significant discounts. Unfortunately, USAA only offers coverage for current, former, and reserve military members and their families.

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

Read more driver reviews of USAA
Charles - July 23, 2024
Verified

Average

The rates are way too high.

Ralph - July 22, 2024
Verified

No Answer

There is no senior discount available.

Wilfred - July 22, 2024
Verified

Issues Encountered with USAA

A few years ago, a minor male bicyclist collided with my car, which my wife was driving at the time. She was leaving a large intersection with a green light when the bicyclist, who was riding in a pedestrian lane, appeared from behind a stopped box truck that obscured his approach. The local police department in Belmont, MA, was called and the Traffic Control Officer wrote up the accident report, clearing my wife of any responsibility. I forwarded this report to USAA. However, when I applied for increased motor vehicle insurance coverage about a year later, I was denied. USAA cited the accident with the bicyclist as a chargeable accident against my wife, despite the police report, and they had never informed us about this. I was never able to resolve this issue. Another incident occurred on December 14, 2023. I wired $60,000 to USAA for a 7-month CD and received a receipt acknowledgment. However, on the same day, the deposit was withdrawn without any direct notice to me, except for a normal monthly bank statement reflecting the withdrawal without any explanation in mid-January. It took about 9 days for USAA to resolve the issue and return the $60,000. This was a very stressful 9 days for me, and I never received an apology or explanation. Trying to reach someone with authority through numerous phone calls was literally impossible. It took a two-page business letter with 7 enclosures to get the CEO's right-hand woman to take action and return the $60,000 to my credit union. As for insurance rates, we own, register, and insure two cars that are driven about 10 miles per week on average, sometimes 100 miles on a Saturday to visit our daughter. However, it seems that we do not receive any discount for this.

Cheapest insurer for teen drivers: State Farm

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User Reviews
3.2
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.3/10
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.
$103/mo

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
  • 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

Read more driver reviews of State Farm
Robert - July 25, 2024
Verified

Upsetting

The initial representative lied to me about the price of the policy. I'm paying $30 more a month than was quoted.

Matthew - July 25, 2024
Verified

Abandoned by State Farm

It was a negative experience. After 15 years with the company, I was dismissed due to two car accidents on my record, both of which had been previously reported as not my fault. They refused to communicate with me afterwards. I would advise others to consider this before choosing State Farm.

Janet - July 25, 2024
Verified

Too High

I have had State Farm for 5 years and have been very happy until this last renewal. My full coverage insurance jumped up by $400. This is why I keep looking for cheaper insurance.

Cheapest insurer for infrequent drivers: Hugo

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User Reviews
4.0
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
7.0/10
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.
$52/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.
$60/mo

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
  • 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

Read more driver reviews of Hugo
Camero - July 22, 2024
Verified

Poor Customer Support and Too Expensive

It's too expensive and I never get a response from them until days later. It's hard to modify your policy. They don’t cover all cars and when you try to talk with someone, they never answer. Very poor insurance company.

Kimberly - July 14, 2024
Verified

I disliked the fact that there's no app. I'm uncertain about its legitimacy. I was also disappointed that my coverage was not reported to my state as requested. I'm not fond of the idea that the price might change if it's turned off for a day.

I disliked the fact that there's no app. I'm uncertain about its legitimacy. I was also disappointed that my coverage was not reported to my state as requested. I'm not fond of the idea that the price might change if it's turned off for a day.

Jennifer - July 13, 2024
Verified

Rate Increase If You Turn Off and On

I can't say much except that I don't like the rate hike because I didn't use it.

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.

  • Drive a safe vehicle. Many insurers offer discounts for vehicles with safety features.

  • 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

Liability rates start at $53 per month

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Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Columbia: USAA

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]

Liability insurance costs an average of $179 per month in Columbia.

The insurance companies that offer the cheapest liability-only car insurance policies for you depend on your driving history and other factors. The following table shows minimum coverage quotes from top insurers in Columbia.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
USAA$53
Auto-Owners$57
State Farm$59
GEICO$63
Nationwide$87
Safeco$89
Allstate$92
Travelers$99
Progressive$115
State Auto$120
Midvale Home & Auto$128
Direct Auto$145
Liberty Mutual$164
Dairyland$166
National General$186
The General$186
AssuranceAmerica$221
Bristol West$229
GAINSCO$254
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: USAA

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 non-collision incidents.

Full coverage costs more than liability-only insurance but may be worth it if you drive an expensive vehicle. If you finance or lease your car, your lender or leasing company will require you to buy full coverage.

In Columbia, full-coverage car insurance averages $292 per month. Here are monthly quotes from some top insurers in Columbia.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
USAA$92
Auto-Owners$99
State Farm$103
GEICO$110
Safeco$146
Nationwide$150
Allstate$160
Travelers$171
Progressive$183
State Auto$189
Midvale Home & Auto$201
Direct Auto$250
AssuranceAmerica$260
National General$273
Liberty Mutual$299
The General$350
Dairyland$363
Bristol West$406
GAINSCO$446
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 recent rates near Columbia, South Carolina

Recent Columbia, South Carolina car insurance prices for Chevrolet , and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Columbia, South Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 25, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from July 25, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Columbia, South Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 25, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from July 25, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

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]

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

Optional coverages in South Carolina include:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/169fdfde11/liability-coverage.svg

    Collision coverage

    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.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/665da91bf7/comprehensive-coverage.svg

    Comprehensive coverage

    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]

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/5285c4cd74/uninsured-or-underinsured-motorist-coverage.svg

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

    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, the average cost of full-coverage car insurance for Columbia drivers with clean records is $292 per month. But drivers with infractions on their records pay an average of $411 per month for the same coverage.

Find Car Insurance in Columbia, SC

Monthly rates start at $252 for drivers with an incident

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA

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.

In Columbia, the average cost of car insurance with a speeding ticket is $434 per month for full coverage and $266 for liability-only policies. The following table shows the cheapest rates for drivers with speeding tickets.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyClean Driving RecordWith Speeding Ticket
USAA$53$70
Auto-Owners$57$76
State Farm$59$78
GEICO$63$84
Nationwide$87$117
Safeco$89$120
Allstate$92$122
Travelers$99$133
Progressive$115$153
State Auto$120$173
Midvale Home & Auto$128$176
Direct Auto$145$193
Liberty Mutual$164$238
Dairyland$166$222
National General$186$247
The General$186$250
AssuranceAmerica$221$299
Bristol West$229$303
GAINSCO$254$369
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: USAA

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.

Drivers with an at-fault accident in Columbia pay average car insurance costs of $445 per month for full coverage and $273 for liability only. Here are quotes from top insurers for Columbia drivers with at-fault accidents on their records.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyClean Driving RecordWith Accident
USAA$53$73
Auto-Owners$57$79
State Farm$59$81
GEICO$63$88
Nationwide$87$122
Safeco$89$120
Allstate$92$127
Travelers$99$138
Progressive$115$162
State Auto$120$182
Midvale Home & Auto$128$188
Direct Auto$145$205
Liberty Mutual$164$247
Dairyland$166$230
National General$186$260
The General$186$262
AssuranceAmerica$221$306
Bristol West$229$314
GAINSCO$254$339
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: USAA

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.

In Columbia, car insurance for drivers with DUIs averages $504 per month for full coverage and $309 for liability only. Many companies in Columbia still provide affordable insurance for drivers with a DUI. Here are monthly quotes from some top insurance companies.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyClean Driving RecordWith DUI
USAA$53$90
Auto-Owners$57$97
State Farm$59$101
GEICO$63$107
Nationwide$87$148
Safeco$89$152
Allstate$92$157
Travelers$99$169
Progressive$115$196
State Auto$120$205
Midvale Home & Auto$128$218
Direct Auto$145$247
Liberty Mutual$164$280
Dairyland$166$283
National General$186$317
The General$186$317
AssuranceAmerica$221$377
Bristol West$229$390
GAINSCO$254$433
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: USAA

Car insurance rates typically decrease once drivers reach 25, thanks to more experience driving and reduced risky behavior. But insurance premiums tend to increase again slightly when drivers reach around age 70, partially due to potentially declining physical abilities and a heightened vulnerability to accidents.

Senior drivers in Columbia can still find affordable coverage. The average rate for full coverage for Columbia seniors is $229 per month, and liability-only policies average $141 per month, according to Insurify data. Here are average monthly quotes for senior drivers from some top insurance companies in Columbia.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyFull CoverageLiability Only
USAA$72$41
Auto-Owners$76$44
State Farm$78$45
GEICO$86$49
Nationwide$109$63
Safeco$116$71
Allstate$125$72
Progressive$128$80
Travelers$131$76
State Auto$141$90
Midvale Home & Auto$150$96
Direct Auto$189$110
AssuranceAmerica$192$163
National General$208$142
Liberty Mutual$235$129
The General$278$148
Dairyland$283$129
Bristol West$317$179
GAINSCO$360$205
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: USAA

Car insurance rates for teenage drivers are typically much higher than premiums for adults due to the increased risk associated with inexperienced drivers.

In Columbia, car insurance rates for teen drivers average $524 per month for full coverage and $321 for liability only.

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.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyFull CoverageLiability Only
USAA$153$88
Auto-Owners$170$98
GEICO$174$99
State Farm$175$100
Nationwide$257$149
Allstate$281$162
Safeco$303$184
Travelers$308$178
Progressive$330$207
State Auto$336$213
Midvale Home & Auto$347$221
Direct Auto$456$264
AssuranceAmerica$483$410
National General$527$359
Liberty Mutual$550$301
The General$565$300
Dairyland$606$277
Bristol West$691$390
GAINSCO$791$451
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.

Columbia car insurance quotes by credit tier

In the state of South Carolina, car insurance companies can consider credit history 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, drivers have higher car insurance rates than the state’s average costs.

The average cost of minimum coverage in Columbia is $179, while full coverage averages $292 per month. By comparison, the state averages are $165 and $280.

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.”

The following table shows average monthly car insurance rates in other South Carolina cities.

CityFull CoverageLiability Only
Charleston$322$205
Greenville$249$165
Lexington$246$159
Myrtle Beach$212$146
North Charleston$352$235
Rock Hill$292$189
Summerville$324$212
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.

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 $292 per month for full-coverage insurance, while liability coverage comes in at $179 per month. Your actual rate will vary depending on multiple factors, including your ZIP code, gender, age, driving record, and more.

  • What company has the cheapest car insurance in Columbia?

    USAA is the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina, with liability rates starting at $53 per month. But USAA may not be an option for all drivers.

    Columbia motorists can also find affordable coverage through Auto-Owners and State Farm, which have liability-only rates as low as $57 and $59 per month.

  • What are the best car insurance companies in Columbia?

    With an A++ (Superior) rating from AM Best, an IQ Score of 9.4 out of 5, and cheap average rates, USAA is one of the best car insurance companies in Columbia. State Farm also earned an A++ rating from AM Best and also has a high IQ Score of 9.3.

  • 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 drive legally 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.

Sources

  1. Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage."
  2. South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance."
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "What is covered by collision and comprehensive auto insurance?."
  4. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
  5. Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance."
  6. Experian. "Which States Restrict the Use of Credit Scores in Determining Insurance Rates?."
Jacqueline DeMarco
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.

Katie Powers
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
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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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Daniel Roccato
Reviewed byDaniel RoccatoAdvisor
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Daniel RoccatoAdvisor
  • 30+ years in financial services

  • Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego

Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.

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