Cheap Car Insurance for Low-Income Drivers in South Carolina

What is low-income car insurance in South Carolina?

South Carolina doesn’t have a state-run low-income car insurance program. Instead, finding low-income car insurance in South Carolina generally involves shopping around for the most affordable coverage and taking advantage of discounts that can reduce your insurance costs.

Purchasing only state-minimum liability coverage is one way to keep your car insurance policy affordable. But without full coverage, which typically includes liability coverage, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage, there’s no protection for your vehicle.

You’d have to pay out of pocket for repairs or replacement after an at-fault accident, theft, or flooding from a tropical storm.

Cheapest car insurance in South Carolina

The cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina is USAA, with an average monthly rate of $72 for liability insurance. This is significantly lower than South Carolina’s average of $159 per month for liability-only coverage.

Average car insurance rates in South Carolina are higher than the national average. Various factors may contribute to South Carolina’s elevated rates. These include its higher-than-average population density and severe weather risks, such as hurricanes and flooding.^{[1] [2]}

Accident rates also factor in. The South Carolina Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs recorded 638 traffic fatalities in 2025 and 682 in 2024.^[3]

South Carolina’s average liability-only insurance rates are typically higher in Summerville and North Charleston, and lower in Aiken and Hilton Head Island.

Compare average monthly liability-only car insurance quotes from various companies in South Carolina in the table below.

The below rates in South Carolina are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Quote: Liability Only
USAA	$72
Auto-Owners	$78
State Farm	$81
GEICO	$110
Progressive	$124
Travelers	$134
Safeco	$144
Allstate	$149
Direct Auto	$158
State Auto	$163
National General	$164
Root	$172
GAINSCO	$173
AssuranceAmerica	$187
The General	$187
Liberty Mutual	$189
Dairyland	$190
First Acceptance	$210
Hugo	$249
Bristol West	$255

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.

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with poor credit in South Carolina

While not all states allow this practice, auto insurers in South Carolina may look at your credit history when determining car insurance rates. Insurers generally view drivers with lower credit-based insurance scores as high-risk drivers, which is why drivers with poor credit may pay higher rates than those with a good credit history.

The table below highlights average monthly liability quotes for drivers with poor credit in South Carolina.

The below rates in South Carolina are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Liability Quote: Poor Credit
USAA	$89
Auto-Owners	$117
State Farm	$118
GEICO	$137
Progressive	$155
Travelers	$159
Safeco	$179
Allstate	$186
Direct Auto	$196
National General	$204
State Auto	$204
Root	$214
GAINSCO	$215
Liberty Mutual	$226
AssuranceAmerica	$232
The General	$232
Dairyland	$236
First Acceptance	$263
Hugo	$311
Bristol West	$317

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.

Car insurance options for low-income drivers in South Carolina

While South Carolina doesn’t have a low-cost auto insurance program, low-income drivers can still keep insurance costs manageable in the following ways:

• Purchase liability-only coverage. You can save money by buying only state-minimum liability coverage. USAA and Auto-Owners have the lowest average rates. Although liability insurance generally costs less per month than full-coverage car insurance, it doesn’t offer any protection for your car.

• Check for discounts. Many insurers in South Carolina offer various discounts for eligible drivers. These include discounts for safe driving, driving fewer miles each year, having anti-theft devices in your car, completing a defensive driving course, and bundling policies. Teen drivers may qualify for a good student discount, and service members and veterans may be eligible for military discounts.

• Compare non-standard auto insurers. Low-income drivers may want to consider non-standard car insurance companies. Insurify Car lets you pay for coverage one week at a time, and Root sets rates based on how you drive.

Minimum car insurance requirements in South Carolina

Drivers in South Carolina must carry at least state-minimum car insurance to drive legally. Here’s a breakdown of South Carolina’s car insurance requirements.^[4]

• Bodily injury liability: Pays for another driver’s medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering if you cause an accident.

• Property damage liability: Pays for damage you cause in a car accident to another person’s vehicle or property, such as a building or fence.

• Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: Covers your medical bills and damages if an uninsured driver hits you, or after a hit-and-run.

Buying minimum coverage keeps your monthly costs low, but it can leave you financially vulnerable. For example, liability-only coverage protects the other driver, but not your own vehicle.

Without a full-coverage policy, you’d have to pay for your car repairs out of pocket if you cause an accident or if flooding damages your vehicle.

Coverage	Minimum Requirement	What It Covers
Bodily injury liability	$25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident	The other driver’s medical expenses
Property damage liability	$25,000 per accident	The other driver’s vehicle repair costs and other property damage you cause
Uninsured motorist coverage	$25,000/$50,000/$25,000	Your injuries and damage from an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run

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What affects car insurance rates in South Carolina?

Various factors influence South Carolina car insurance rates, including:

• Severe weather: Hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding are common in South Carolina. Severe weather can damage vehicles and lead to numerous claims, contributing to higher auto insurance rates.

• Credit history: South Carolina allows car insurance companies to consider credit-based insurance scores when setting prices. Drivers with bad credit may pay more for car insurance than drivers with a solid credit history.

• Fatal crash rate: A state’s fatal crash rate may cause insurers to raise costs to compensate for the increased risk.

• Required uninsured motorist coverage: In South Carolina, about 12.3% of drivers are uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council. The state requires a minimum level of UM coverage, which contributes to higher auto insurance rates.

Other factors that can influence your car insurance rate include your vehicle make and model, driving history, marital status, your annual mileage, and whether you’ve had any speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or driving under the influence (DUI) convictions.^[5]

Low-income car insurance FAQs