Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in South Carolina (2023)

Like most states, South Carolina requires a minimum amount of auto insurance for its drivers.^[1] If you’re a high-risk driver — because of a past DUI, for example — you may face challenges in securing affordable insurance.

Shopping around for coverage options from different insurers can help you find the best deal for your coverage needs and financial situation. Your premiums will vary depending on your high-risk status, driving history, age, credit history, and more. Here’s what you need to know about finding car insurance for high-risk drivers in the Palmetto State.

Factors that determine high-risk status in South Carolina

Though South Carolina doesn’t have an exact definition for who qualifies as a “high-risk” driver, the state uses a point system that indicates a driver’s relative risk. If you commit a traffic violation, you’ll have points assigned to your driving record.

The points you receive correlate to how auto insurers assess and view your risk levels. If you get too many points, you can even face license suspension. DUIs don’t count toward the point system and require an automatic license suspension.^[2]

In addition to your traffic violations and points, insurers may also look at your:^[3]

• Credit score: Auto insurers view drivers with higher credit scores as less likely to file a claim than drivers with poor credit.

• Age and driving experience: Younger, less experienced drivers are generally considered riskier than those who have driven for longer. Teenagers and drivers younger than 25 pay the highest rates by age group.

• Vehicle type and usage: You may pose a higher risk for insurers if you use your car often or regularly commute very long distances. Car insurance companies may also associate certain types of vehicles — like sports cars — with riskier driving behavior.

• Past insurance claims: Drivers that have filed many claims against their past insurance policies are more likely to do it again.

• Location: If you’re in a place with high rates of vandalism or theft, it can make you a higher risk for insurers and usually equates to higher premiums.

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Best South Carolina auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers by violation

The cost of car insurance varies widely, and the exact premium you pay depends on your driving record and the specific violations you’ve committed, as well as how much coverage you choose to purchase.

“The minimum required liability coverage limits are the same [for high-risk drivers] as for all South Carolina drivers, but there are some unique filing requirements for certain situations,” says Michael Wise, acting director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance.

While there are no extra requirements for higher-risk drivers, you may be required to file an SR-22 form with the state to prove you hold the proper amount of insurance if your license was suspended following a DUI conviction. Beyond that requirement and any criminal penalties, most high-risk drivers will face increased car insurance costs.

Best car insurance for South Carolina high-risk drivers with an at-fault accident

If you have an at-fault accident on your record, you’ll likely see an increase to your insurance premiums. Car insurance companies see past accidents and the subsequent claims payout as an indicator of potential accidents in the future.

Average quotes start as low as $79 per month for liability coverage and $121 for full coverage from USAA. You can also find quality, affordable coverage from State Farm, GEICO, and Travelers.

Best car insurance rates for high-risk drivers in South Carolina with a DUI

DUIs can increase your premiums significantly. If you have a DUI on your record, you can expect to pay increased premiums for liability-only and full-coverage policies in South Carolina. Liability coverage ranges from $128 to $545 per month, while full coverage ranges between $187 and $878 per month.

Best auto insurance for South Carolina high-risk drivers with speeding tickets

Speeding tickets can also increase your risk and premiums as a driver — especially if you have multiple — but this violation tends to affect your premiums less than an accident or DUI.

You can find the cheapest average monthly rates from USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm.

Cheapest South Carolina car insurance companies for high-risk drivers with poor credit

Insurers often use your credit score to determine your likelihood of filing a claim. Lower scores typically indicate a greater risk, resulting in auto insurers charging a higher premium.

If you have a poor credit score, you can find monthly average car insurance rates between $66 and $287 in South Carolina.

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How to find affordable car insurance for high-risk drivers in South Carolina

Comparing insurance companies is one of the best ways to find affordable insurance as a higher-risk driver, as insurance premiums vary widely among insurers.

You can also consider doing the following to earn savings:

• Take advantage of discounts. Many insurance companies offer discounts for having low mileage, taking a defensive driving course, bundling your policies, and more.

• Consider a higher deductible. In the event of a claim, higher-deductible policies require less money from the insurer. For this reason, setting an increased deductible typically comes with a lower premium.

• Reduce your coverage. If you have an older car, you might consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage to lower your premium quite a bit.

• Increase your credit score. Better credit scores usually qualify drivers for better insurance rates. Reducing your debts and paying your bills on time can help.

How to improve your driving record and lower your car insurance rates in South Carolina

Improving your driving record can lower your perceived risk of having an accident and reduce your insurance premiums. To do this, you might consider seeking legal help. Sometimes, an attorney can help you get a charge dismissed or removed from your record.

You should also commit to driving cautiously and, if possible, minimally. You could even take public transit more often to help reduce your chances of having an accident and adding points to your record. Finally, you can also take a defensive driving course to reduce the points on your record. However, these courses don’t actually remove any violations you’ve committed.

“Point reduction alone does not automatically reduce a consumer’s insurance premium since the violation, itself, is still a part of the consumer’s driving record,” Wise says. “Some carriers will offer a discount upon completion of approved defensive driving classes, but the violations are still counted for insurance rating purposes for a specified number of years, depending on the carrier and the type of violation.”

South Carolina high-risk drivers insurance FAQs