Cheap Full-Coverage Car Insurance in South Carolina (2026)

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in South Carolina

The average cost of car insurance in South Carolina is $255 per month. USAA offers the cheapest full-coverage insurance in South Carolina, with an average monthly rate of 119.

The table below shows the cheapest full-coverage car insurance 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: Full Coverage
USAA	$119
Auto-Owners	$128
State Farm	$133
GEICO	$166
Safeco	$186
Progressive	$198
Travelers	$221
Allstate	$234
Direct Auto	$246
National General	$250
Root	$262
AssuranceAmerica	$267
State Auto	$268
Liberty Mutual	$306
GAINSCO	$313
First Acceptance	$337
Dairyland	$383
The General	$399
Bristol West	$429

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.

How much is full-coverage insurance in South Carolina?

Full-coverage auto insurance in South Carolina costs an average of $255 per month. Rates in South Carolina are typically higher than the national average.

Average rates in South Carolina are also usually much higher than in neighboring North Carolina. But South Carolina’s rates are on par with rates in Georgia.

South Carolina’s more expensive premiums are partly due to severe weather risks, including tornadoes and flash floods, as well as high rates of speeding.^{[1] [2]}

In addition to 25/50/25 liability insurance, South Carolina requires drivers to have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Higher minimum requirements can increase the overall cost of coverage.^[3]

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How to find cheap full-coverage car insurance in South Carolina

The cost of a full-coverage insurance policy can be high in South Carolina. Below, you’ll find a few strategies to help reduce your car insurance costs:

• Compare quotes from multiple companies. Shop around and compare rates from multiple car insurance companies in South Carolina. This is a quick and easy way to save on insurance premiums.

• Increase your deductible. Paying a higher deductible can help reduce your monthly premium. But make sure you can afford to pay more out of pocket if you need to file a claim.

• Complete a driver’s education course. Many insurers offer a 10% discount for completing a defensive driving course. Teen and senior drivers often qualify for this discount.

• Look for multi-car discounts. You may be eligible for a multi-car discount when you insure multiple vehicles with the same company.

• Reduce coverage on older cars. If you own an older vehicle that isn’t worth much, consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage. Your deductibles might cost you more than your vehicle is worth.^[4]

What full-coverage car insurance covers

Full-coverage car insurance isn’t a single policy type. It’s a combination of several coverages. In South Carolina, full coverage includes minimum liability, uninsured motorist insurance, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage.

• 

  Liability insurance

  If you cause an accident, liability coverage helps pay for the other driver’s injuries and the damage you cause to other people’s property. Minimum coverage in South Carolina is 25/50/25.

• 

  Collision coverage

  Collision coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident, regardless of who’s at fault.

• 

  Comprehensive coverage

  Comprehensive coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle after damage from non-collision sources, such as severe weather, vandalism, or theft.

Car insurance requirements in South Carolina

To drive legally in South Carolina, you must purchase liability and uninsured motorist coverage. Minimum coverage includes 25/50/25 of liability coverage and 25/50/25 of uninsured motorist coverage.

• Bodily injury liability: In South Carolina, you need at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage. If you cause an accident that injures someone else, this helps pay for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

• Property damage liability: You need $25,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage. This helps pay for damage you cause to someone’s car or other property, like if you crash into a fence, wall, or building.

• Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: UM coverage kicks in if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run or if an uninsured motorist hits you. The minimum UM requirements are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury coverage and $25,000 of property damage. There’s typically also a $200 deductible.

South Carolina also requires insurers to offer underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, but you don’t have to buy it. UIM helps pay for injuries or property damage if a driver without enough insurance hits you.

While you need only state-minimum insurance, insurance experts typically recommend buying higher limits or extra coverage.^[5] If you cause a serious accident, medical bills and property damage claims can quickly exceed your policy limits. This may leave you responsible for paying the remaining costs out of pocket.

Minimum vs. full-coverage car insurance in South Carolina

South Carolina law requires drivers to have car insurance, but full-coverage car insurance is optional. That said, if you lease or finance your vehicle, your lender might require you to purchase a full-coverage policy to protect their investment in the vehicle.

If you cause an accident, your liability coverage will help pay for the resulting injuries or property damage up to your policy limits. But it doesn’t cover damage to your vehicle. Given South Carolina’s risk of natural disasters, including high winds, tornadoes, and flash flooding, you might consider a full-coverage policy to ensure you have enough financial protection for your car.

The table below compares liability-only and full-coverage insurance in South Carolina.

Factor	Liability Only	Full Coverage
Average cost in South Carolina	$160	$255
Required by South Carolina law?	Yes	No
Covers damage to your own car?	No	Yes
Covers damage to other car?	Yes	Yes
Covers theft of your car?	No	Yes
Covers vandalism, flood, fire, and high winds?	No	Yes
Required by car loan/lease?	No	Yes

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.

Is full-coverage car insurance worth it in South Carolina?

To figure out whether full-coverage car insurance is worth it for you, consider your vehicle’s age and value, whether you lease or finance your car, your personal finances, and your risk tolerance.

For example, if you own a new, high-value vehicle and don’t have enough money set aside to replace it after an accident, you might want full-coverage insurance. If you lease or finance your new vehicle, your lender will likely require collision and comprehensive coverage.

On the other hand, if you have an older vehicle that is fully paid off or isn’t worth much, it might make more financial sense to stick to liability-only coverage. Your deductible might be more than your car is worth.

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