Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (2023)
The best car insurance in Myrtle Beach will depend on your coverage needs, but Nationwide provides the cheapest quotes for full-coverage car insurance.
Lindsay Frankel is a content writer specializing in personal finance and auto insurance topics. Her work has been featured in publications such as LendingTree, The Balance, Coverage.com, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, and FinanceBuzz.
Courtney Mikulski is a Senior Editor at Insurify with more than three years editing and producing personal finance content. She's experienced with insurance, credit cards, consumer lending, and banking products. Courtney works to provide easy-to-understand and actionable advice to readers looking for their next insurance provider. Her previous work with Bankrate, Reviews.com, and The Simple Dollar, helped readers make smarter financial decisions. When Courtney isn't working, you can find her hanging out with her cat or on a bike ride with her husband. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
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The best car insurance in Myrtle Beach will depend on your individual coverage needs. To help narrow your choices, Insurify evaluated the average monthly premium across insurance companies in Myrtle Beach, as well as indicators of financial strength and customer satisfaction, available coverage options, digital tools, and more.
While the average cost of car insurance in Myrtle Beach is $238 a month, you can find cheaper rates with research.
Quick Facts
Liability-only car insurance costs an average of $202 a month in Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach’s average car insurance cost is 8% lower than the state average of $259 a month.
Safeco has the cheapest liability-only rates in the city.
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Best car insurance companies in Myrtle Beach
The best auto insurance for you will depend on your coverage needs and the factors affecting your premium, such as your driving history, age, gender, and more.[1] But Insurify’s roundup of the best car insurance companies in Myrtle Beach provides a starting point for your quote comparison.
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.
Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.
Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.
Best overall car insurance in Myrtle Beach: Travelers
Travelers offers affordable coverage, with some of the lowest rates for liability-only insurance, and has an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 4.3 out of 5. This is reflective of the insurer’s A++ financial strength rating with A.M. Best and various discounts and coverage options.
However, Travelers has some issues with customer satisfaction, including a lower-than-average J.D. Power rating in the Southeast and a high complaint index with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).[2]
Pros
A.M. Best rating of A++ (Superior)
Gap insurance and new-car replacement coverage available
Cons
Poor J.D. Power ranking for the Southeast
High NAIC complaint index
Best overall value car insurance in Myrtle Beach: Nationwide
Nationwide balances a 4.1 IQ Score with relatively cheap premiums, earning it the title of best value car insurer in Myrtle Beach. Nationwide also offers SR-22 insurance and is ranked above average for the Southeast by J.D. Power.[2] The company has an A+ financial strength rating with A.M. Best.
However, Nationwide has an higher-than-average NAIC complaint index for auto insurance in 2022 and is ranked below-average for claims satisfaction.[3] The company also doesn’t offer rideshare coverage but does offer various optional coverages, including roadside assistance.
Pros
Plenty of additional coverage options available
A.M. Best rating of A+ (Superior)
Cons
Ranked below-average for claims satisfaction
More complaints with the NAIC than expected in 2022
Most affordable car insurance in Myrtle Beach: Safeco
Safeco offers the cheapest monthly premium for liability-only coverage, though Nationwide offers lower average rates for full coverage. Safeco also offers numerous discounts, including a telematics program that can save you up to 30%. The company has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating with A.M. Best and fewer complaints with the NAIC than expected for its size.
Safeco also offers many coverage options, including roadside assistance, new-car replacement coverage, and rental reimbursement. A diminishing deductible is standard with every policy.
Pros
Low NAIC complaint index
Claims-free cash back and diminishing deductible come standard
Cons
Below-average J.D. Power ranking for the Southeast[2]
USAA earned the highest IQ Score of all the companies Insurify evaluated, with a score of 4.5. The company also received the highest customer satisfaction score with J.D. Power for the Southeast region and has an A++ financial strength rating from A.M. Best.[2] USAA would be the pick for best overall if not for the fact that the company only offers coverage to military members and their families.
USAA also offers several discounts that’ll appeal to military members, including a 15% on-base discount, and it even offers pay-as-you-go auto insurance for low-mileage drivers. The company also has a low NAIC complaint index for 2022 and a highly rated mobile app. However, the company offers few coverage options and doesn’t offer rideshare insurance in South Carolina.
Pros
Highest J.D. Power score in the Southeast
Low NAIC complaint index
Cons
Only available to military members and their families
Doesn’t offer rideshare insurance in South Carolina
Best car insurance in Myrtle Beach for high-risk drivers: Direct Auto
High-risk drivers in Myrtle Beach may not have options for their coverage at an affordable price. However, Direct Auto is a solid option if you have a spotty driving history. It advertises affordable insurance, regardless of your driving history, and has plenty of resources for drivers to learn more about high-risk car insurance.
While third-party ratings for Direct Auto are sparse, it has 3 out of 4 stars on Trustpilot. Plus, it offers good student, affinity organization, prior coverage, and driver education course discounts.
Pros
Plenty of discounts available
Offers SR-22 insurance
Cons
Higher premiums than other insurers
Limited customer satisfaction ratings
Best car insurance in Myrtle Beach for small-business owners: Progressive
Small-business owners who want commercial or hired and nonowner auto coverage for business purposes can get a policy with Progressive and save on their personal auto policy. What’s more, Progressive offers relatively low average premiums and has a 4.1 IQ Score. The company also has an A+ financial strength rating with A.M. Best.
Progressive has a low NAIC complaint index for car insurance in 2022, but the company has below-average rankings in two J.D. Power studies.[2][3] But Progressive offers some of the most extensive coverage options in the industry and is the top commercial insurer, making the company ideal for small-business owners.
Pros
Save on your personal policy when you add a commercial policy
How to shop for the best car insurance in Myrtle Beach
Understanding how to find the best Myrtle Beach car insurance company can help you buy the coverage you need at the price that fits your budget.
Follow these tips when you compare quotes and companies during your shopping:
Identify companies that meet your coverage needs
Narrow down your options to companies in South Carolina that offer the optional coverages you’re looking for, such as a rideshare endorsement or roadside assistance.
Compare third-party ratings and reviews
Look at financial strength ratings, customer satisfaction ratings, and customer service reviews on third-party websites. Consider the IQ Score for each company, which takes into account more than 15 different criteria.
Compare quotes
Since premiums are based on your driving history, age, and other factors, it’s important to get a personalized quote with each company. You can collect quotes individually from insurance company websites, or you can use an online quote tool to collect multiple quotes for your convenience.
Consider discounts
Ask your insurance agent which discounts you may be eligible for before making your choice. Certain discounts, such as a multi-policy discount, may offer significant savings.
Consider digital tools
Evaluate whether each company provides live chat support, offers a well-rated mobile app, and supports automatic payments before making your decision. Make sure you’ll have the tools you need to manage your insurance account.
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Myrtle Beach
Every car insurance company sets premiums a little differently. That means some insurers will be better for younger drivers, while others may offer cheap rates to drivers with speeding tickets, for example.
“The best way to save money on car insurance is to shop around and compare prices from different insurance companies,” says Jesse Cunningham, licensed insurance agent and owner of Bauple. The following tips may also help you save:[4]
Raise your deductible. A higher deductible for full-coverage insurance means lower premiums. Just make sure you have enough stashed away in an emergency fund to cover your deductible when you file a claim.
Maintain a good driving record. Some auto insurance companies offer discounts for drivers who don’t file a claim or don’t have a violation for a certain period. Keeping a clean driving record will also prevent your rates from rising significantly at your policy renewal.
Consider bundling. Bundling your car insurance with your home or renters insurance can often earn you a significant discount. If you need another type of policy, consider going through the same company you use for auto insurance.
Consider telematics programs. Some companies offer mileage-based or usage-based programs that reward you with discounts for driving safely or infrequently. If you’re a good driver, consider these savings opportunities when choosing a company.
Ask about other discounts. You might earn a discount for paying in full, signing up for paperless communications, or being a member of certain organizations. Ask your insurance agent what you’re eligible for.
Drop unnecessary coverage. While it’s generally not a good idea to forgo full-coverage auto insurance, you may decide to drop the coverage if your car is older and not worth more than your annual premium would cost.
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Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Myrtle Beach
South Carolina law requires you to carry liability auto insurance and uninsured motorist coverage with the following minimum limits:[5]
$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability
$50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability
$25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Liability insurance pays for the other party’s medical bills and repairing or replacing their damaged property in an accident that you cause. Uninsured motorist coverage pays for your medical expenses and property damage if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run or an uninsured driver causes an accident.
It might make sense to only purchase liability coverage if your car isn’t worth more than your full-coverage auto insurance premium would cost for the year. But be aware that you won’t get any reimbursement toward replacing your vehicle if you’re in an at-fault accident, or even if your car sustains damages in a storm.[6] In most cases, it makes sense to purchase full-coverage insurance.
Full-coverage car insurance includes collision coverage, which helps repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another car or object, and comprehensive coverage, which covers theft and damage from non-collision events, like a fire or flood.[6] It’s a good idea to have if your car is valuable or if you couldn’t afford to replace it in the event of an accident.
Here’s a look at the cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina by policy type. As you can see, each company charges more for full coverage than for liability-only insurance. However, some companies charge higher average rates for liability insurance than others charge for full-coverage.
For example, the average premium for liability-only insurance from AssuranceAmerica is more than double the average premium for full coverage from Nationwide.
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.
Myrtle Beach car insurance rates by driving history
Auto insurance companies look at your driving history to assess the risk to insure you. If you have speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or a driving under the influence conviction, insurers will see that as a sign that you’re not staying safe on the road. They’ll set your premiums higher to account for the higher risk you’ll file a claim.[7]
Drivers with a clean record will pay the lowest premiums. However, some car insurance companies are more lenient with high-risk drivers than others. Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for full-coverage car insurance in Myrtle Beach based on driving and accident history. DUIs have the greatest effect on rates, while speeding tickets are the most benign.
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.
Myrtle Beach car insurance quotes by credit tier
In South Carolina, it’s legal for insurance companies to use your credit-based insurance score, which is based on information in your credit report, in underwriting your policy and determining your premiums.[8] “A higher credit score can lead to lower premiums, while a lower credit score may result in higher premiums,” says Cunningham.
Insurance companies argue that people with poor credit scores account for a larger share of paid claims. As a result, policyholders with excellent or good credit tend to pay the lowest rates, while drivers with bad credit may pay higher premiums.
Myrtle Beach car insurance rates by driver age
Car insurance companies consider your age when setting your premiums because it correlates to your driving experience. Teen drivers tend to have less experience on the road, and research shows they’re more likely to crash than any other age group.[9] That’s why teen drivers typically pay the most for car insurance than other age groups. Rates decrease as you age, typically bottoming out in your 60s.
Here’s a look at how age can affect car insurance rates in Myrtle Beach. Drivers in their 50s and 60s pay the lowest average rates, while insurers begin raising rates for drivers in their 70s and 80s. Teens get dinged with the highest premiums — the average monthly cost for teens is more than triple the average monthly cost for drivers in their 60s.
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 Myrtle Beach?
The average monthly cost of car insurance in Myrtle Beach is $274 for full coverage, which is about 8% more expensive than the national average rate of $253. Car insurance rates vary by state due to different regulations, but cities within a state can also have dramatic differences in average premium.
“Insurance rates can vary by city because different cities have different levels of risk for accidents, theft, and vandalism,” says Cunningham. “For instance, cities with higher crime rates or more traffic congestion tend to have higher insurance rates compared to smaller, safer towns.”
While car insurance in Myrtle Beach may seem expensive, busier urban areas have even higher rates. For example, average monthly car insurance premiums in New York are more than double the average monthly rate in Myrtle Beach. Here’s a look at how Myrtle Beach premiums compare to other cities in South Carolina, along with popular cities across the nation.
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.
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.
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about car insurance in the city.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Myrtle Beach?
The best way to find cheap car insurance in Myrtle Beach is to compare multiple quotes. You can start with Nationwide, Travelers, and Safeco, which offer the cheapest full-coverage premiums in the city. If you’re looking for the cheapest liability-only insurance, Safeco offers the lowest average premiums.
What are the best car insurance companies in Myrtle Beach?
The best car insurance company in Myrtle Beach is State Farm. That’s based on the company’s IQ Score, J.D. Power rankings, financial strength ratings from independent rating agencies like A.M. Best, NAIC complaint index, and more.
USAA beats State Farm in most categories but is only available to military members and their families. GEICO and Travelers are also highly rated companies in Myrtle Beach, though Travelers has some issues with customer satisfaction. Both Travelers and Nationwide are good options for people seeking the best value.
Is car insurance expensive in Myrtle Beach?
Car insurance in Myrtle Beach is about 8% more expensive than the national average. Furthermore, many companies offer full-coverage insurance in Myrtle Beach for much less than the national average premium. Comparing quotes from top companies is a great way to find affordable car insurance in Myrtle Beach.
Would insurance pay for a beached car in Myrtle Beach?
Usually not. Most full-coverage car insurance policies won’t pay for damage sustained during off-road driving. If you take your car off-road and get water damage as a result, your car insurance likely won’t cover the repairs. However, if your car gets stuck in the mud or sand and you have roadside assistance, the coverage may pay to winch your vehicle, depending on the policy. Ask your insurance agent for details.
Is Myrtle Beach within a no-fault state?
No. South Carolina isn’t a no-fault state. South Carolina uses a tort liability system, which means that the driver who causes the crash is responsible for paying for the other party’s losses.[10]
Lindsay Frankel is a content writer specializing in personal finance and auto insurance topics. Her work has been featured in publications such as LendingTree, The Balance, Coverage.com, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, and FinanceBuzz.
Courtney Mikulski is a Senior Editor at Insurify with more than three years editing and producing personal finance content. She's experienced with insurance, credit cards, consumer lending, and banking products. Courtney works to provide easy-to-understand and actionable advice to readers looking for their next insurance provider. Her previous work with Bankrate, Reviews.com, and The Simple Dollar, helped readers make smarter financial decisions. When Courtney isn't working, you can find her hanging out with her cat or on a bike ride with her husband. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
