South Carolina car insurance discounts at a glance
Discount Type | Maximum Advertised Savings |
|---|---|
| Multiple vehicles | 27% |
| Driver education/defensive driving course | 10% |
| Good student | 25% |
| Safety equipment | 40% |
| Anti-theft devices | 5% |
| Low mileage | 10% |
| Accident-free/safe driving | 25% |
| Multi-policy | 20% |
| Telematics | 30% |
| Paperless documents | 8% |
| Automatic payments | 8% |
| Affinity programs | 5% |
| Online purchase | 10% |
| Pay in full | 9% |
| Military | 15% |
| Student away from home | 10% |
Best companies for discounts in South Carolina
Drivers in South Carolina face some distinct risks, from hurricane exposure along the coast to a high percentage of collisions involving teen drivers.[1] USAA, State Farm, and GEICO are among the best car insurance companies, offering discounts that address those risks and help keep car insurance affordable.
USAA
| User Reviews | 4.9 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 9.1 /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. | $72/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. | $119/mo |
USAA's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.9 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.9 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 4.9 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 4.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | 4.9 | 2.9 |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
USAA is one of South Carolina’s cheapest insurers for full-coverage car insurance, but only military members, veterans, and their families are eligible. Its SafePilot telematics program can help you save up to 30% at renewal, while members deployed overseas can save up to 60% by putting their vehicle in storage.
Some of the lowest car insurance rates in South Carolina
Highest J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast
Customized discounts for military families
Limited to military-affiliated drivers only
No branch locations in South Carolina
Bundling discount is modest compared to some competitors
State Farm
| User Reviews | 4.1 |
|---|---|
| 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. | $81/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. | $132/mo |
State Farm's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.1 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.4 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.9 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.7 | 2.9 |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
Nearly 16% of collisions in South Carolina involve teen drivers, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. State Farm’s discounts for teen and young adult drivers target responsible habits on and off the road.
Its good student discount can take up to 25% off your car insurance premiums, while its Drive Safe & Save telematics program offers savings up to 30%. State Farm also has a Steer Clear training program to teach young drivers to practice safe driving habits.
Wide network of local agents
Low average rates in South Carolina
Many discounts and customizable coverage options
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast
No live chat customer service
Can’t purchase a policy online
GEICO
| 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. | 9.2 /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. | $110/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. | $167/mo |
GEICO's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.1 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.9 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 4.0 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.9 | 2.9 |
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
GEICO offers competitive rates in South Carolina and an extensive list of potential discounts. Some discounts include savings of up to 22% for having a clean driving record, up to 22% for deployed military members, and up to 25% for multi-vehicle policies. Its digital-first model may suit budget-focused drivers.
Extensive list of available discounts
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast
Mobile app has excellent App Store ratings
Limited number of local agents in South Carolina
Gap insurance not available
Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction ranking
Largest car insurance discounts available in South Carolina
Discounts and amounts vary by insurance company because each company weighs risk factors differently and uses its own underwriting formula. Some insurance companies emphasize telematics data, while others prioritize bundling car insurance with homeowners insurance.
State-specific rules matter as well. For example, USAA’s SafePilot enrollment discount isn’t available in South Carolina, although drivers can still earn renewal-based savings.
Discount Type | Potential Savings | Eligibility Criteria | South Carolina Insurer With Largest Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stored vehicle | Up to 60% | Must be eligible for coverage with USAA; must not drive the vehicle and must store it in a secure place | USAA |
| Safety equipment | Up to 40% (on MedPay only) | Vehicle with factory-installed airbags or passive restraint system | State Farm |
| Telematics/safe driving | Up to 30% | Install telematics device on car or use mobile app | State Farm, USAA |
| Multi-vehicle | Up to 27% | Insure two or more vehicles with the same company | AAA |
| Accident-free | Up to 22% | Remain accident-free for at least one year | GEICO |
| Multi-policy | Up to 20% | Purchase car insurance plus home, renters, or life insurance from the same company | Nationwide |
| Good student | Up to 25% | Full-time high school or college student with a GPA of 3.0 or better | State Farm |
| Defensive driving course | Up to 10% | Complete an approved defensive driving/driver education course | GEICO |
The three largest discounts available to South Carolina drivers are safety equipment, telematics, and stored-vehicle coverage discounts.
State Farm rewards drivers with vehicles that have factory-installed equipment, like airbags and passive-restraint systems. Discounts are also available for enrolling in its telematics program. Families with teen drivers can also benefit from its good student discount.
USAA also offers several discounts for South Carolina drivers who agree to telematics tracking, insure multiple vehicles, or buy multiple policies through USAA.
Find Cheap Car Insurance in South Carolina
Liability policies average $159/mo.
Easiest South Carolina car insurance discounts to qualify for
Several car insurance discounts in South Carolina require little to no effort on your part. For example, you might qualify for a paperless billing discount with just a few clicks, regardless of your driving record or the type of vehicle you drive.
Setting up automatic payments works the same way. And if you insure more than one car in your household, you likely qualify for a multi-car discount.
Another easy savings opportunity to consider is a defensive driving course discount. The Southeastern Chapter of the National Safety Council offers a four-hour online course that may qualify you for a discount. Just make sure your insurance company accepts it before enrolling.[2]
Discount | Potential Savings | How to Qualify |
|---|---|---|
| Paperless billing | 8% | Enroll in electronic statements and documents |
| Auto pay/EFT | 8% | Set up automatic payments from a bank account |
| Anti-theft device | 5% | Many cars come with factory-installed systems that automatically qualify |
| Multi-vehicle | 27% | Insure two or more vehicles on one policy |
| Defensive driving course | 10% | Complete an approved course |
| Multi-policy | 20% | Bundle auto with a home or renters policy from the same company |
How to maximize your South Carolina car insurance discounts
Many South Carolina drivers leave money on the table by settling for one or two discounts instead of stacking several. Use these tips to maximize your discounts:
Take an approved defensive driving course. The Southeastern Chapter of the National Safety Council offers an interactive, online course that might qualify you for a discount, but check with your insurance company first.
Ask about affinity discounts. Several discount programs are available through South Carolina employers, alumni groups, and professional associations. For example, Nationwide offers discounts to members of the South Carolina Bar and the South Carolina State Firefighters Association. It also has discounts for members of alumni associations for the University of South Carolina, Clemson, and Winthrop University.
Maintain continuous coverage. A lapse in coverage triggers South Carolina’s electronic insurance verification system and can result in suspension of your license and registration and raise your rates at renewal.[3]
How to apply car insurance discounts to your policy in South Carolina
Your insurance company might apply some types of discounts to your policy automatically, while other discounts can require you to submit proof before they can be added. Here’s how to use discounts to find cheap car insurance in South Carolina:
Get a quote. Your insurance company automatically applies discounts such as multi-vehicle, bundling, or clean driving history based on the information you provide.
Submit verification for eligibility-based discounts. Good student, defensive driving course, and military affiliation discounts typically require a transcript, certification, or other documentation.
Enroll in optional programs. Telematics programs require app or device sign-up before savings apply.
Confirm at renewal. Some discounts, like low-mileage discount programs, need periodic reverification.
The exact steps vary from company to company, so check with your agent or online account to confirm which discounts need extra paperwork.
Compare South Carolina Car Insurance Quotes
Find discounts to help you save
Cheapest car insurance for South Carolina drivers
South Carolina drivers pay well above the national average for car insurance, with full-coverage premiums running around $3,072 per year compared to the national average of $2,241.
After a stretch of steep increases tied partly to staged-accident fraud, rates fell in 2025, and Insurify projects only a slight decrease for 2026, according to Insurify data.
Nearby North Carolina is far cheaper, with an average full-coverage premium of $1,359, while Georgia’s annual average of $3,105 is closer to South Carolina’s average.
Here’s how liability-only and full-coverage rates compare across companies in South Carolina.
Insurance Company | Average Quote: Liability Only | Average Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $72 | $119 |
| Auto-Owners | $78 | $128 |
| State Farm | $81 | $132 |
| GEICO | $110 | $167 |
| Progressive | $124 | $196 |
| Travelers | $134 | $221 |
| Safeco | $144 | $185 |
| Allstate | $149 | $239 |
| Direct Auto | $158 | $249 |
| State Auto | $163 | $268 |
| National General | $164 | $250 |
| Root | $172 | $262 |
| GAINSCO | $173 | $319 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $187 | $267 |
| The General | $187 | $400 |
| Liberty Mutual | $189 | $310 |
| Dairyland | $190 | $378 |
| First Acceptance | $210 | $339 |
| Bristol West | $255 | $434 |
Car insurance discounts in South Carolina FAQs
South Carolina’s above-average car insurance rates and unique risk factors raise plenty of questions about coverage costs and discounts. Here are answers to some of the most common ones.
How much is car insurance in South Carolina?
South Carolina drivers pay an average of $159 per month for liability coverage and $256 per month for full coverage, according to Insurify data. Rates run above the national average, partly due to mandatory uninsured motorist coverage with the same limits as the policy’s bodily injury liability limits.
How do you lower car insurance costs in South Carolina?
Compare quotes from multiple insurance companies, raise your deductible on comprehensive coverage and collision coverage, and ask about discounts for bundling, safe driving, and insuring multiple vehicles. Maintaining a clean driving record and a good credit history also helps lower your rate.
What car insurance discounts are available in South Carolina?
South Carolina drivers can access discounts for bundling, insuring multiple vehicles, having a high school or college-aged driver with good grades, enrolling in a telematics program, and taking a defensive driving course. Savings can range from 10% to nearly 30%, depending on the insurance company and discount type.
Sources
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. "Hurricanes & Tropical Storms."
- National Safety Council Southeastern Chapter. "4-Hour Defensive Driving."
- South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance Requirements."
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
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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