Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (2024)

Myrtle Beach has a year-round population of about 38,000, according to U.S. Census data. But millions of vacationers visit this South Carolina beach town each year. A high volume of tourism traffic on the roads is probably a contributing factor in the city's car insurance costs.

In Myrtle Beach, full-coverage car insurance averages $190 per month, while liability averages $147. While the city's averages are lower than the South Carolina averages of $271 for full coverage and $164 for liability only, they're on par with or higher than national averages.

Drivers in the Grand Strand can find the cheapest car insurance by comparing quotes from multiple companies like USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm.

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, with average monthly quotes from top insurers.

Best overall car insurance in Myrtle Beach: Travelers

Best overall value car insurance in Myrtle Beach: Nationwide

Most affordable car insurance in Myrtle Beach: Safeco

Best car insurance in Myrtle Beach for military: USAA

Best car insurance in Myrtle Beach for high-risk drivers: Direct Auto

Best car insurance in Myrtle Beach for small-business owners: Progressive

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Myrtle Beach

Liability policies start at $40/mo.

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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:

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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 has different underwriting criteria for setting rates. 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 three to five years. 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 telematics 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 and underinsured 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, insurance professionals recommend purchasing 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.

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.

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.

Data shows that drivers with poor credit file more insurance claims and are considered higher risk than those with better credit. 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.

Is car insurance more expensive in Myrtle Beach?

The average monthly cost of car insurance in Myrtle Beach is $190 for full coverage, which is on par with the national average rate of $214. 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.

Myrtle Beach car insurance FAQs