How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in South Carolina?
South Carolina offers a blend of scenic beauty, historical charm, and diverse roadways. From coastal highways to rural country roads, the state’s landscapes vary widely, providing drivers with a range of experiences. SC state law requires that all drivers in the state have car insurance.
So, how much should you expect to pay for local car insurance in South Carolina on average?
- State Minimum Liability: You can expect to pay $90 a month or $1,083 a year.
- Full Coverage: You can expect to pay $281 a month or $3,376 a year.
InsuranceQuotes cost rates are pulled from our real-time auto insurance database from recent quotes in your city – Rates are based on a used car driver who is single, middle aged & has a clean driving record. Read on to learn about the cheapest local rates filtered by insurance providers, new cars, vehicle types and age.
Drivers in SC should compare multiple car insurance coverage options that may be cheaper than the average rates – we will breakdown costs throughout this guide. Knowing average auto insurance costs beforehand is helpful when using InsuranceQuotes to compare free local and national provider quotes so you can know what to expect when searching for a new policy.
Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina?
- In South Carolina the cheapest auto insurance providers on average are State Farm, Allstate and Travelers insurance.
- State minimum liability car insurance starts at $72 a month or $859 a year.
- Full coverage car insurance would cost around $203 a month or $2,440 a year.
Here is a breakdown of average costs from the cheapest local insurance providers in the state from our data set of used-car drivers who are single, middle aged and have a clean driving record:
| Insurance Providers: | Minimum Liability: | Monthly: | Full Coverage: | Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm: | $859 | $72 | $2,440 | $203 |
| Allstate: | $980 | $82 | $3,534 | $295 |
| Travelers: | $1,131 | $94 | $2,471 | $206 |
| Progressive: | $1,205 | $100 | $4,605 | $384 |
| GEICO: | $1,242 | $104 | $3,831 | $319 |
| Average Cost: | $1,083 | $90 | $3,376 | $281 |
Average Car Insurance Premium Rates by City
When comparing local car insurance premiums in South Carolina, the city you live in will affect overall rates. Drivers living in more popular urban city areas often pay more than those who live in more rural areas with less traffic and potential for accidents. Use the table below to search for your city and see how much on average you should be paying locally for minimum and full coverage policies:
| South Carolina City: | Minimum Liability: | Monthly: | Full Coverage: | Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville | $921 | $77 | $3,112 | $259 |
| Adams Run | $1,260 | $105 | $3,927 | $327 |
| Aiken | $947 | $79 | $2,972 | $248 |
| Alcolu | $1,059 | $88 | $3,615 | $301 |
| Allendale | $1,307 | $109 | $4,314 | $360 |
| Anderson | $998 | $83 | $3,102 | $259 |
| Andrews | $1,116 | $93 | $3,736 | $311 |
| Arcadia | $1,047 | $87 | $3,158 | $263 |
| Arcadia Lakes | $1,191 | $99 | $3,382 | $282 |
| Arial | $999 | $83 | $2,958 | $246 |
| Awendaw | $1,144 | $95 | $3,349 | $279 |
| Aynor | $1,153 | $96 | $3,561 | $297 |
| Ballentine | $1,241 | $103 | $3,541 | $295 |
| Bamberg | $1,045 | $87 | $3,652 | $304 |
| Barnwell | $1,030 | $86 | $3,583 | $299 |
Popular South Carolina City Car Insurance Cost Guides:
Auto Insurance Rates by Age
Insurance providers in South Carolina use age as a significant factor that influences your auto rates and quotes you receive. Younger drivers tend to face higher annual premiums compared to mature, more experienced drivers.
Statistics show that younger drivers, particularly teenagers and individuals in their early twenties, are more likely to be involved in accidents due to their limited driving experience and potential risky behavior on the road. Drivers older than 25 will see a significant drop in their auto policy costs as they are moved into the middle aged cost group for coverage.
* Full Coverage Average Costs:
- 17 – 25 years: $6,693 yearly – $558 monthly
- 25 – 54 years: $3,290 yearly – $276 monthly
- 55+ years: $3,396 yearly – $283 monthly
* State Minimum Liability Average Costs:
- 17 – 25 years: $2,223 yearly – $185 monthly
- 25 – 54 years: $1,095 yearly – $91 monthly
- 55+ years: $1,233 yearly – $103 monthly
Here is a breakdown of the average costs for car insurance based on age in South Carolina:
| Age: | Minimum Liability: | Monthly: | Full Coverage: | Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | $3,366 | $281 | $9,685 | $807 |
| 18 | $2,906 | $242 | $8,644 | $720 |
| 20 | $1,998 | $167 | $6,189 | $516 |
| 22 | $1,530 | $127 | $4,763 | $397 |
| 24 | $1,317 | $110 | $4,184 | $349 |
| 29 | $1,128 | $94 | $3,597 | $300 |
| 34 | $1,070 | $89 | $3,377 | $281 |
| 39 | $1,062 | $88 | $3,336 | $278 |
| 44 | $1,049 | $87 | $3,260 | $272 |
| 49 | $1,046 | $87 | $3,236 | $270 |
| 54 | $995 | $83 | $3,042 | $254 |
| 64 | $999 | $83 | $2,976 | $248 |
| 74 | $1,300 | $108 | $3,671 | $306 |
| 76 | $1,401 | $117 | $3,895 | $325 |
Does Vehicle Type Affect Coverage Costs?
The type of vehicle you drive in South Carolina will affect the overall costs of car insurance.
To determine how much you can expect to pay for your insurance based on vehicle type we averaged multiple cost quotes in SC and pulled data for vehicles such as a Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Bolt, BMW 4 Series, Honda CRV and Nissan Titan.
We pulled data from South Carolina insurance policy cost records across multiple providers. Our table displays the average costs associated with vehicle types for state minimum vs. full coverage policies of a driver who is single, middle aged, has a clean driving record, for a used vehicle:
| Vehicle Type: | Minimum Liability: | Monthly: | Full Coverage: | Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car (4door): | $1,625 | $135 | $4,294 | $358 |
| Hybrid Electric: | $1,598 | $133 | $4,721 | $393 |
| Luxury Coupe: | $1,520 | $127 | $5,939 | $495 |
| SUV: | $1,430 | $119 | $3,613 | $301 |
| Truck: | $1,708 | $142 | $4,785 | $399 |
How Much is Insurance for a New Car in South Carolina?
New car drivers can often expect to pay more to insure their vehicles since they cost more to repair and have higher rates of theft. However, coverage is sometimes cheaper than older models of the same vehicle because of enhanced security features on newer models that lower your annual premiums.
We pulled insurance cost rates data for newer 2022-2023 vehicles below to give you an idea of the difference in coverage price for newer cars vs. used vehicles in South Carolina:
| Vehicle Type: | Minimum Liability: | Monthly: | Full Coverage: | Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car (4door): | $1,384 | $115 | $4,676 | $390 |
| Hybrid Electric: | $1,536 | $128 | $4,897 | $408 |
| Luxury Coupe: | $1,519 | $127 | $6,987 | $582 |
| SUV: | $1,319 | $110 | $3,899 | $325 |
| Truck: | $1,619 | $135 | $5,587 | $466 |
How Much Do Insurance Rates Increase with Driving Record Violations?
Driving violations can have a significant impact on your car insurance costs in South Carolina, as they indicate a higher level of risk to insurance providers. When you receive a driving violation, such as a speeding ticket or a DUI, your insurance company may consider you a higher-risk driver, which can lead to an increase in your insurance premiums.
Here is a breakdown of full coverage car insurance cost increases with driving violations:
- Clean Driving Record: Average annual premium cost of $2,771
- Speeding Tickets: 17% increase of an extra $471 a year at $3,242
- At-Fault Accident: 45% increase of an extra $1,236 a year at $4,007
- DUI/DWI: 47% increase of an extra $1,309 a year at $4,080
| Driving Violation: | Minimum Liability: | Monthly: | Full Coverage: | Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Record: | $806 | $67 | $2,771 | $231 |
| 1 Speeding Violation: | $954 | $79 | $3,242 | $270 |
| 1 At-Fault Accident: | $1,208 | $101 | $4,007 | $334 |
| 1 DUI Violation: | $1,265 | $105 | $4,080 | $340 |
How Driving Violations Affect Insurance Premiums:
Here’s how different types of driving violations can affect your car insurance costs in South Carolina:
- Speeding Tickets: Minor speeding tickets may result in a slight increase in your premiums. However, multiple speeding tickets or more severe speeding violations could lead to larger premium hikes.
- DUI/DWI: A DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) conviction can have a significant impact on your insurance rates. Your premiums are likely to increase substantially, and some insurance companies might even choose to cancel your policy due to the increased risk.
- Reckless Driving: Being convicted of reckless driving can lead to higher insurance premiums. Reckless driving is considered a serious offense, as it demonstrates a disregard for traffic laws and safety.
- At-Fault Accidents: If you are at fault in an accident, especially if it results in significant property damage or injuries, your insurance rates are likely to increase. At-fault accidents indicate a higher risk of future claims.
- Traffic Violations: Other traffic violations such as running red lights, stop signs, or not using a seatbelt can also impact your insurance rates, although the degree of impact may vary.
Insurance companies use your driving record to assess the risk you pose as a policyholder. The more violations you accumulate, the higher the likelihood that your insurance rates will increase. In some cases, multiple violations could result in your insurance company deciding not to renew your policy.
If you currently have driving record violations, you can inquire about defensive driving courses that may be available in South Carolina, completing a DD course can sometimes help reduce your overall rates.
How Much Auto Insurance Coverage Do I Need?
In South Carolina, as in most states, you are required to have a minimum amount of car insurance coverage to legally operate a vehicle. The required minimum car insurance coverage in South Carolina includes:
- Liability Insurance: You must have liability insurance that covers at least:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability coverage per accident
These minimum limits help cover costs related to injuries and property damage for others involved in an accident for which you are at fault.
Many drivers opt for higher coverage limits to ensure they are adequately protected in case of an accident. Additionally, you might want to consider optional coverages such as uninsured – underinsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage for more comprehensive protection.
When deciding how much car insurance you need in South Carolina, it’s advisable to assess your assets, budget, driving habits, and overall financial situation.
- $25,000 per person to cover injuries
- $50,000 maximum for injuries in a single accident
- $25,000 for all property damage in a single accident
Keep in mind that South Carolina is unlike many other states when it comes to auto insurance. In most states, your vehicle registration is suspended if you don’t have insurance, but in South Carolina, if you don’t have insurance, the state can suspend your driver’s license as well.
Finding Auto Insurance Resources in South Carolina
If you’re looking for help finding auto insurance resources, the best place to start is with the South Carolina Department of Insurance. The department provides information on how to find insurance companies, how to keep your rates down and how to select coverage.
The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles also has resources to help you find auto insurance. The DMV will let you know what can happen if you drive without insurance and what you need to do after an accident. You can also find information about Form FR-50, which is the form needed to obtain a copy of the accident report if you are involved in an accident.
Tips on the Auto Insurance Tort System Used in South Carolina
South Carolina, along with 37 other states, uses the tort system for auto insurance. This is important for you to understand if you come from one of the 12 states that use a no-fault system. In the tort system, the driver who is at fault in an accident is responsible for paying for the victim’s expenses.
Under the tort system, if you cause an accident, you are responsible for paying:
- The medical bills for the victim or victims
- The costs to repair or replace any damaged property (this can include the victim’s car as well as any other property you might damage, such as a building or fence)
- Compensation for pain and suffering the victim or victims might experience
- Any lost wages of a victim
The lost wages, medical bills and property damage that you might be responsible for can add up to much more than the minimum coverage required by the state. If it does, the victims can sue you for more money to cover their expenses. This is why it’s always a good idea to have more insurance than the minimum.
Moving to South Carolina: Drivers License Information
If you are moving to the state permanently, you can keep using your old license for 90 days but then you need to get a South Carolina license. In addition, you will need to transfer your vehicle registration to South Carolina within 45 days.
When you apply for a driver’s license, the form you sign includes a certification that you have liability insurance.
When you register a vehicle or renew your registration, you have to provide the name of your insurance company, which the state will verify. So, be sure to update your address with your insurance company before changing your registration.
Members of the military assigned to the state temporarily, and students in the state temporarily, don’t have to obtain a state driver’s license.
