Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive in South Carolina? (2026)
The average annual cost of car insurance in South Carolina is $2,493 — 47% higher than the national average.
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Writer: Carley ClarkInsurance Writer
Writer: Carley ClarkInsurance Writer
Qualifications:
5+ years experience in personal finance writing
Personal finance blogger
Carley Clark is a freelance financial writer based in Michigan. Carley learned how to translate complex financial data into actionable information even before she became a freelance writer – she was a revenue auditor for a Michigan-based casino.
She’s been a freelance writer since 2020, and her work has appeared in well-known brands including CNN Underscored, GOBankingRates, and FinanceBuzz. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Spring Arbor University. She’s been an Insurify contributor since August 2025.
When she’s not writing content that helps readers make informed insurance decisions, she enjoys reading, playing video games, and going for walks with her dog.
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Editor: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Copy Editor
Editor: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
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Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
Updated
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Quick Facts
In 2025, the cost of car insurance in South Carolina dropped as insurers tried to attract new customers.
Rates increased slightly in the first half of 2026, but Insurify data projects them to steady through the end of the year.
South Carolina’s accident rates are one of the biggest drivers of its car insurance costs.
4 reasons why car insurance is so expensive in South Carolina
Car insurance in South Carolina costs more than the national average for a few reasons.
Severe weather and natural disasters
Extreme weather in recent years has increased the severity of comprehensive coverage claims in South Carolina — up 99% compared to 2019, according to a state insurance rate review committee. Hurricane Helene was a major contributor, affecting 33 South Carolina counties. The storm dropped 15 inches of rain in Greenville, Oconee, and Pickens counties and caused record-breaking flooding.
South Carolina’s subtropical climate and low-lying topography also put some areas in the state at risk for inland and riverine flooding. In November 2024, a non-tropical storm brought between 12 and 15 inches of rain to Orangeburg County, causing failures of bridges, dams, and roads along the Edisto River.[1]
Dense urban traffic and high accident rates
South Carolina has a higher population density than the national average — especially in cities like North Charleston and Summerville — according to U.S. Census Bureau data. More drivers on the road contribute to higher accident rates and climbing insurance costs.
In 2024, South Carolina had the third-highest accident fatality rate in the U.S., about 40% higher than the national average, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The state also ranked in the top 10 for bodily injury claim frequency in 2022, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
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Drunk driving
Along with high accident rates, South Carolina tied with Texas for the second-highest percentage of alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2024. That same year, 40% of crash fatalities in South Carolina involved alcohol, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.
South Carolina also has some of the highest alcohol-related crash fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in the country.
In 2023, driving under the influence (DUI) collisions killed one person in South Carolina about every 21 hours, according to South Carolina Department of Public Safety data. More high-risk drivers on the road means higher auto insurance rates.
Inflation
Car parts, vehicles, and medical expenses have become increasingly expensive in recent years, driving up claim costs. Vehicle parts rose 23% between 2020 and 2023. The cost of new and used vehicles also climbed by 52% between 2020 and 2022, and collision claim severity rose by 45% from 2019 as a result of inflation, according to a state insurance rate review committee.
To offset higher claims costs, insurers raised premiums from 2021 through 2024. But after those higher premiums helped insurance companies catch up financially, many insurers began lowering rates in 2025 to attract customers, according to Insurify’s American Driver Report.
How South Carolina car insurance rates have changed
Rising claims costs caused rates to increase between 2021 and 2024. As insurers stabilized financially, they started cutting rates in 2025 to attract new customers. The graph below shows how the average car insurance premium in South Carolina has changed over the past five years.
Average Annual Cost of Full-Coverage Car Insurance
State | 2024-09 | 2024-10 | 2024-11 | 2024-12 | 2025-01 | 2025-02 | 2025-03 | 2025-04 | 2025-05 | 2025-06 | 2025-07 | 2025-08 | 2025-09 | 2025-10 | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 | 2026-06 | 2026-07 | 2026-08 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 3,439 | 3,480 | 3,502 | 3,473 | 3,411 | 3,350 | 3,339 | 3,313 | 3,278 | 3,249 | 3,219 | 3,152 | 3,122 | 3,089 | 3,061 | 3,063 | 3,039 | 3,035 | 3,052 | 3,062 | 3,059 | 3,073 | 3,074 | 3,072 |
| United States | 2,387 | 2,374 | 2,370 | 2,361 | 2,351 | 2,367 | 2,368 | 2,367 | 2,356 | 2,342 | 2,318 | 2,285 | 2,258 | 2,228 | 2,215 | 2,221 | 2,222 | 2,224 | 2,233 | 2,238 | 2,237 | 2,238 | 2,239 | 2,241 |
South Carolina cities with the most expensive car insurance
South Carolina insurers group drivers by territory and set rates based on an area’s claims history. Cities with higher population density, congestion, auto theft, and weather risks tend to have more claims, so they pay more than the state average.[2]
For example, Charleston and Summerville have higher average rates than less populated Hilton Head Island or Aiken.
The table below compares the average monthly quotes for the five most expensive cities in South Carolina.
The below rates in South Carolina are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT.
City | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Lancaster | $231 |
| Columbia | $232 |
| Florence | $237 |
| Summerville | $239 |
| Charleston | $240 |
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.
Here’s a closer look at what factors affect car insurance rates in these cities:
Charleston sits on the Atlantic coast, exposing vehicles to tropical storms and flooding.
Florence had the 39th-highest per-capita auto theft rate in the first half of 2025, according to National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) data.
Lancaster ranked No. 17 out of South Carolina’s 46 counties for total collisions in 2023, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Summerville has 2,584 people per square mile compared to the state average of 170, according to U.S. census data.
Columbia ranked No. 113 for congestion in the U.S. in 2025, with the average driver losing 25 hours to congestion yearlong, according to INRIX.
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How to lower your car insurance rate in South Carolina
Although car insurance in South Carolina costs more than the national average, the following strategies can help you lower your rate:
Compare car insurance rates. Shopping around for quotes from at least three companies can help you find the best rates and coverage.[3] You can also use the South Carolina Department of Insurance’s (DOI) Insurance Locator tool to learn more about different local insurance companies.
Choose your next vehicle carefully. Car thieves are more likely to target sporty or expensive vehicles, which is worth considering since South Carolina ranked No. 17 in auto thefts per capita in 2025, according to NICB data. These cars also tend to be more expensive to repair and replace, so they can cost more to insure.
Weigh what coverage level you need. Carrying only the state-required limits for property damage and bodily injury liability coverage can lower your premiums. But higher limits and full coverage offer added financial protection. For the 31% of South Carolinians who finance or lease their vehicles, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision coverage. And gap insurance is also worth considering when financing.
Enroll in driver’s education. South Carolina insurers give a 10% discount for completing driver training. This discount is especially beneficial for young drivers getting their driver’s license, since they pay an average of $285 per month for liability coverage in South Carolina.
Why car insurance is so expensive in South Carolina FAQs
South Carolina ties with Georgia for having the sixth-highest car insurance costs in the country, Insurify data shows. The information below can help you find the best car insurance in South Carolina for a reasonable price.
How much is car insurance in South Carolina?
Auto insurance in South Carolina averages $159 per month for minimum coverage and $256 per month for full coverage. Your rate may vary depending on your driving record, vehicle, coverage level, and add-ons like medical payments coverage.
What’s the best way to get cheap car insurance in South Carolina?
Comparing quotes, bundling policies, keeping a clean driving record, and maintaining a good credit history can all help lower your rates. If you can afford to replace your vehicle out of pocket, you might also consider carrying only state-minimum coverage to save money.
How does the cost of car insurance in South Carolina compare to other states?
The cost of car insurance is much higher in South Carolina compared to other states. In fact, the average annual cost of coverage in the state is 47% higher than the national average, according to Insurify data.
How does a deductible affect the cost of car insurance in South Carolina?
A higher deductible lowers your premium but increases your out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim, such as for theft or vandalism. South Carolina’s mandatory uninsured motorist coverage, which protects you against uninsured drivers and hit-and-runs, carries a fixed $200 deductible.
Sources
- South Carolina Emergency Management Division. "Floods."
- South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance."
- South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Tips on Saving Money."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 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 500+ 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
- 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.
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Writer: Carley ClarkInsurance Writer
Writer: Carley ClarkInsurance Writer
Qualifications:
5+ years experience in personal finance writing
Personal finance blogger
Carley Clark is a freelance financial writer based in Michigan. Carley learned how to translate complex financial data into actionable information even before she became a freelance writer – she was a revenue auditor for a Michigan-based casino.
She’s been a freelance writer since 2020, and her work has appeared in well-known brands including CNN Underscored, GOBankingRates, and FinanceBuzz. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Spring Arbor University. She’s been an Insurify contributor since August 2025.
When she’s not writing content that helps readers make informed insurance decisions, she enjoys reading, playing video games, and going for walks with her dog.
Editor: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Copy Editor
Editor: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.