7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Contributor to top media, including USA Today
A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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South Carolina is among the most expensive states in the country for car insurance, according to Insurify data. On average, Palmetto State drivers pay $267 per month for full-coverage car insurance and $164 for liability-only coverage, compared to the national averages of $213 and $104.
High rates of fatal crashes and insurance fraud likely contribute to South Carolina’s higher car insurance rates. If you’re looking for affordable car insurance in South Carolina, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from multiple companies.
Quick Facts
Liability-only insurance in South Carolina costs $164 per month, and full-coverage insurance costs $267 per month, on average.
USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm are the cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina.
South Carolina’s fatal crash rate in 2021 was the highest in the nation, according to an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety analysis of U.S. Department of Transportation data.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina
Some of the best car insurance companies in South Carolina offer consistently low rates for a wide range of drivers. But every driver has a unique situation, which means the right auto insurance company for you varies based on your needs.
For example, if you have a speeding ticket or an accident on your record, you might find the best rates with a different insurer than if you had a clean record. But no matter your circumstances, you can start by researching the insurers highlighted below.
Insurance Company
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Best for
USAA
4.5
$83
$51
Cheap rates
Progressive
3.9
$174
$109
Senior drivers
Hugo
3.3
$55
$48
On-demand coverage
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.
Our editorial team spent 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. 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.
We rate each company on a 1 to 5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
Third-party financial ratings: We use data from AM Best, S&P, Moody's, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 20,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also considered third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the United States, as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
Availability and reach: Insurify identified the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share to score availability and reach.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
880
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.
$51/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.
$83/mo
USAA offers car insurance policies to its members. Membership is open to military members, veterans, and their families. This company offers some of the lowest rates in the state, based on Insurify data. USAA also offers a suite of discounts and relatively high customer satisfaction ratings.
Pros
Many available discounts
Offers banking/investment products
Cons
Must be associated with the military to join
Limited customer service hours and few branches available
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
819
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.
$109/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.
$174/mo
Progressive has a robust network of in-person insurance agents to help you navigate the insurance process. It also offers some of the best rates for seniors in South Carolina. Although Progressive earned below-average marks in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, its relatively high IQ Score indicates you’ll likely have a positive experience.
Pros
Many discounts
Relatively low premiums for seniors
Cons
No anti-theft equipment discount
Below-average score in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S Auto Insurance Study
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
Not rated
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
NR
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.
$49/mo
Hugo offers on-demand auto insurance, which allows you the option to start or stop coverage at any time, paying for it only on days you need it. Depending on your driving frequency, this could lead to significant savings on your car insurance costs.
Pros
Option to activate your car insurance only when you need it
Perfect for people who drive infrequently
Cons
May not be cheaper if you need insurance coverage every day
Hugo gradually increases prices like other insurance companies
I was initially fond of Hugo. However, over the past year, they have increased their rates by almost $1 per day, which amounts to $30 per month. This increase happened despite no changes on my end, except for turning 35, an age I thought would result in a decrease in my rates.
Leo - March 4, 2024
Verified
Great Option for Liability Coverage
Excellent.
Britany - February 26, 2024
Verified
Excellent
So far, so good.
How to get the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina
Car insurance is an unavoidable cost, but there’s no need to overpay. Here are some strategies to help you lower your car insurance costs:
Raise your deductible. Carrying a higher deductible will generally lead to lower premiums because you’re assuming a greater portion of the up-front costs should you file a claim. Just make sure not to set your deductible so high you can’t afford to cover it.
Ask for a discount. Many insurance companies offer a suite of discount options, including those for safe drivers, students with good grades, and drivers who take an approved defensive driving course. You’ll never know what’s available for you if you don’t ask.
Improve your credit score. Drivers with a higher credit score pay less for car insurance. You can start building a better credit score by paying your bills on time and not applying for any new lines of credit.
Shop around. Shopping around can also help you find affordable premiums, so get quotes from at least three different insurance companies before making a decision.
Find Cheap Car Insurance in South Carolina
Liability rates start at $51 per month
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Cheapest liability-only car insurance in South Carolina: USAA
Often more affordable, liability coverage is designed to help you cover the cost of damage or injuries you cause in an accident. But liability-only car insurance doesn’t cover the cost of repairs for your own vehicle.[1]
In South Carolina, liability-only coverage costs an average of $164 per month.
This table provides you with a list of the most affordable liability-coverage offerings in the state.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, April 17 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in South Carolina: USAA
Full-coverage auto insurance goes beyond the minimum liability coverage to provide protection for your vehicle as well. This type of insurance is broken down into comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.
If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender or dealership will probably require you to carry full-coverage insurance. You may also benefit from this increased protection if you have a newer vehicle that would be more expensive to replace.
South Carolina drivers pay an average of $267 per month for full-coverage policies.
Here’s a look at some of the leading insurance companies in South Carolina offering full-coverage car insurance.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, April 17 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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.
Car insurance requirements in South Carolina
You must carry a minimum amount of car insurance to drive legally in South Carolina. Under the South Carolina tort law, you’ll need to carry at least the minimum coverage outlined below.[2]
Bodily injury liability
$25,000 per person
$50,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$25,000 per accident
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Mistakes happen. But if you have an incident on your record — including at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, driving under the influence, and other moving violations — you’ll face higher auto premiums.[3] Insurance companies use your driving record as a factor when estimating your likelihood of filing a future claim.
For example, drivers with a clean record could see average monthly premiums of $98 for a full-coverage policy from GEICO. But drivers with a speeding ticket or DUI pay much higher full-coverage rates from the insurer — $130 and $160, respectively.
Find Car Insurance in South Carolina
Liability policies start at $64/mo. for drivers with moving violations
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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA
A speeding ticket will cost you. Beyond the ticket itself, you’ll likely have to pay higher insurance premiums, particularly if you have multiple speeding tickets. Fortunately, the quotes you’ll receive for having a speeding ticket on your record are still more inexpensive than for other incidents.
South Carolina drivers with a ticket on their record pay an average of $247 per month for liability coverage and $402 per month for full coverage.
Here’s a look at the average monthly quotes offered by South Carolina insurers for drivers with a speeding ticket.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, April 17 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA
If you’ve had an at-fault car accident in the past, you can expect to pay more for car insurance than drivers with a clean record.
Liability-only policies cost an average of $248 per month for South Carolina drivers with an at-fault accident.
Below are some average monthly quotes from insurers in South Carolina for drivers with an at-fault accident.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, April 17 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA
Driving under the influence is a serious violation that comes with numerous legal and financial consequences, including higher car insurance costs. If you’re convicted of a DUI, you can expect to pay more for car insurance than drivers with clean records or other incidents.
South Carolina drivers with a DUI pay monthly averages of $281 for liability insurance and $458 for full-coverage insurance, according to Insurify data.
Explore other average monthly rates for drivers with a DUI in the table below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, April 17 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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.
Your driving history isn’t the only thing that affects your car insurance costs. Age can play a vital role as well — particularly if you’re a teen or a senior. In general, drivers pay more for car insurance until around age 25. But rates start to creep up again around age 70.
Senior drivers in South Carolina pay $127 per month for a liability-only policy, on average.
As a senior driver, shopping around can help you find the best rates for your age group, and you can see average rates from top insurers in the table below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, April 17 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA
Car insurance is notoriously high for young drivers because these less-experienced motorists are statistically more likely to get into serious accidents and file a claim.
Teen drivers in South Carolina pay an average of $298 per month for a liability-only policy and $486 per month for a full-coverage policy.
If you’re a teen looking to cut expenses, some ways to trim your car insurance costs include staying on your parents’ insurance, driving a safe vehicle, maintaining good grades, and raising your deductible.
Comparing quotes can also help you find a more affordable rate. You can see average monthly quotes from several South Carolina insurers below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, April 17 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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.
Find Car Insurance in South Carolina
Unlock discounts and savings when you compare rates with Insurify
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Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
South Carolina car insurance quotes by credit tier
You can improve your credit score by paying your bills on time and not applying for any new lines of credit. Reviewing your credit report to look for mistakes, using a secured credit card, and aiming to use 30% or less of your available credit on any account can also help you improve your credit and lower the cost you pay for insurance.
Rates by Credit Tier
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.
South Carolina car insurance FAQs
If you still have questions regarding how to find the best car insurance in South Carolina, the information presented here can help.
How much is car insurance in South Carolina?
South Carolina drivers pay an average monthly rate of $267 for full-coverage car insurance and $164 for minimum coverage. By comparison, the national average rate for full coverage is $213 per month, and liability-only coverage costs $104 per month.
What company has the cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina?
Insurify data shows that USAA is the cheapest insurer in South Carolina, with liability-only rates as low as $51 per month.
Palmetto State drivers can also find affordable coverage through the state’s second- and third-cheapest insurance companies, Auto-Owners and State Farm. They have monthly liability-only rates of $54 and $56, respectively.
What are the best car insurance companies in South Carolina?
Getting insurance through USAA can be a great idea for active members of the military. If you’re a senior or teen, you’ll want to look at Progressive, which offers competitive rates and has an IQ Score of 3.9 out of 5. If you don’t drive often, Hugo may be a good option. The company allows you to pay for coverage only on the days you need it and has positive customer reviews.
Can you get cheap car insurance with no deposit in South Carolina?
No. Your insurer will require some form of deposit or down payment up front before selling you a policy. This payment will typically be a percentage of your premium rather than a separate fee.
Do you need uninsured motorist coverage in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina law requires that you purchase uninsured motorist coverage, as well as liability coverage, in order to drive in the state.
Insurify Insights
How South Carolina Drivers Measure Up
While most drivers know that car insurance quotes are determined in part by your personal driving history, many may be unaware that rates are also impacted by the average risk of the drivers around you as well. Check out Insurify's latest analysis of driving records in South Carolina below:
Methodology
Drawing from an internal database of over 4 million car insurance applications, the research team at Insurify analyzes patterns in car ownership and driver behavior - including how South Carolina drivers measure up to their fellow motorists across the United States in areas including speeding, DUIs, and more. Insurify Insights publishes data-driven articles, trend analyses, and national rankings each week on all factors related to cars and those who drive them.
Honda Accord
Most Popular Car in South Carolina
#4
State with the Most Speeding Tickets Rank
#3
State with the Moving Violations Rank
#39
State with the Most DUIs Rank
#30
State with the most Suspended Licenses
While car accidents are a sadly unavoidable feature of time spent on the road, rates of accidents do vary from city to city and from state to state. South Carolina is the #1 state in the country for drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record.
Rank among states: #1
Percent of drivers in South Carolina with an accident: 12.6%
While driving while intoxicated is never acceptable, it’s a more common offense than many assume. South Carolina is the #39 state in the country for drivers with a prior drunk driving conviction.
Rank among states: #39
Percent of drivers in South Carolina with a DUI: 1%
Reckless driving refers to a specific traffic violation: when drivers willfully act dangerously in spite of the risks they’re imposing on both themselves and others. South Carolina is the #38 state in the country for drivers with a reckless driving offense on record.
Rank among states: #38
Percent of drivers in South Carolina with a reckless driving offense: 1%
The Insurify team classifies rude drivers as those who commit one or more of the following driving offenses: failure to yield or failure to stop, improper backing, passing where prohibited, tailgating, street racing, or hit-and-run. South Carolina is the #37 state in the country for drivers with a rude driving violation on record.
Rank among states: #37
Percent of drivers in South Carolina with a rude driving violation: 1.2%
Exceeding the speed limit can endanger others and have a serious impact on your insurance costs. South Carolina is the #4 state in the country for drivers with a speeding ticket on record.
Rank among states: #4
Percent of drivers in South Carolina with a speeding ticket: 12.3%
Failing to yield the right of way isn’t just frustrating for other drivers; it’s dangerous, too. South Carolina is the #9 state in the country for drivers with a failure to yield violation on record.
Rank among states: #9
Percent of drivers in South Carolina with a failure to yield violation: 0.2%
Insurify Insights
Insurify's team of data scientists and content specialists presents Insurify Insights, a series of automotive, home, and health studies focusing on the topics that impact us all. through expert analysis of over 4 million car insurance applications and an array of top data sources, the Insurify Insights team produces new data-driven articles, trend analyses, regional superlatives, and national rankings every week. See Insurify Insights as featured in Forbes, Fox News, USA Today, NPR, and more.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 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 50+ 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
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
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.
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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