Find the Best Car Insurance Quotes & Options in South Carolina
Car insurance premiums in South Carolina average about $1,210 per year. Compared to the national average of $1,311 per year, drivers in South Carolina can save a good bit of money on car insurance. There are still other ways to save even more on your car insurance, though, such as adding qualifying discounts to your policy.
An independent insurance agent in South Carolina can help you find the right kind of car insurance for you. But up first, here's an extensive breakdown of car insurance in South Carolina.
Best Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina
Car insurance companies can vary widely in terms of service, policy options, and more. That's why we've made things simpler for you by compiling a list of only the best. Check out some of our top picks for the best car insurance companies in South Carolina, broken down by category.
- Best South Carolina Car Insurance Company Overall: USAA
- Best South Carolina Car Insurance Company for Minimum Liability: Travelers
- Best South Carolina Car Insurance Company for Full Coverage: Auto-Owners
- Best South Carolina Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers: Travelers
- Best South Carolina Car Insurance Company for Accident History: Auto-Owners
A South Carolina independent insurance agent can help you decide if any of these companies have the car insurance policy option you need most.
Best South Carolina Car Insurance Company Overall: USAA
Our pick for the best South Carolina car insurance company overall goes to USAA. The carrier offers all the types of auto insurance you need most, and the insurance company scored 890 out of 1,000 points in J.D. Power's 2021 US Auto Insurance Study. USAA also makes coverage affordable, with average annual premiums of $1,506.
Originally founded in 1922, USAA has been around for more than a century. USAA was originally created by a group of Army officers who decided to insure each other’s vehicles and has since expanded to servicing millions of customers across the country with a variety of coverage solutions.
In recent years, USAA’s net worth surpassed $35 billion. The carrier has more than 13 million members (i.e., policyholders) and 35,000 employees. Since its founding, USAA has also paid out $2.4 billion in returns to its customers. USAA has consistently received high ratings from major agencies, such as Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s. AM Best rates the insurance company an "A++," the highest available.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Car Insurance Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Car Insurance Policy |
| $126 | $1,506 |
Best South Carolina Car Insurance Company for Minimum Liability: Travelers
Our top pick for the best South Carolina car insurance company for minimum liability coverage goes to Travelers. The insurance company allows add-ons like rental car coverage, gap insurance, etc., but it also provides minimum liability-only policies for drivers. The average minimum coverage auto insurance from Travelers costs just $487 per year.
Originally founded in 1853, Travelers is one of the oldest insurance companies in the country. The insurance company has about 30,000 employees. Travelers sells insurance mainly through a network of independent insurance agents. The carrier's independent agent network is about 13,500 agents strong and extends through the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Travelers’ longstanding history and wide reach led to the carrier's reputation as a reliable, stable company. AM Best, the leading global credit rating agency monitoring the insurance industry, gives Travelers the highest possible rating of "A++," indicating that it's one of the top insurance companies around today.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Minimum Liability Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Minimum Liability Policy |
| $41 | $487 |
Best South Carolina Car Insurance Company for Full Coverage: Auto-Owners
Our pick for the best South Carolina car insurance company for full coverage goes to Auto-Owners. This carrier allows drivers in South Carolina to get the fullest picture of protection for their vehicles at an affordable rate. Full coverage auto insurance from Auto-Owners averages just $1,304 per year.
First founded in 1916, Auto-Owners has been around for more than a century. The carrier is a Fortune 500 company and is known for its quality customer service. Auto-Owners has earned a reputation as a longstanding carrier with no signs of slowing down in the future.
Auto-Owners has been placed in the $2 billion or greater financial size category by AM Best. They have nearly 4,000 employees. The carrier also has been highly rated in terms of financial strength by AM Best, with a rating of "A++," the highest available.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Policy |
| $109 | $1,304 |
Best South Carolina Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers: Travelers
Our top choice for the best South Carolina car insurance company for young drivers and students goes to Travelers. Travelers makes coverage affordable for families with young drivers listed on their policies. Coverage for drivers aged 16 to 19 from Travelers costs less than the state's average.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Young Drivers | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Young Drivers |
| $119 | $1,423 |
Best South Carolina Car Insurance Company for Accident History: Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners also claims our top spot for the best South Carolina car insurance company for drivers with at-fault accidents and other violations on their record. Auto-Owners offers accident forgiveness coverage, which is ideal for drivers with poor records. The average costs of monthly car insurance from Auto-Owners are just $102 for drivers with at least one violation on record.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Drivers with Poor Records | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Drivers with Poor Records |
| $102 | $1,224 |
South Carolina Car Insurance Requirements
South Carolina requires all drivers to have car insurance. Each state in the country has its own specific minimum coverage requirements. Before drivers in South Carolina can legally hit the road, they must be able to provide proof of at least having the following:
- Bodily injury liability: In South Carolina, this coverage is required in amounts of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Coverage pays the costs of medical treatment for another driver and their passengers after an accident you're at fault for.
- Property damage liability: In South Carolina, this coverage is required in the amount of $25,000 per accident. Coverage pays the costs of repairs to a third party's personal property, like a vehicle, fences, etc., if you damage it with your car.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: In South Carolina, this coverage is required in the amount of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This coverage can pay for the cost of repairs to your vehicle as well as for medical treatment for you and your passengers if the other driver doesn't carry any or enough of their own coverage.
- Uninsured motorist property damage coverage: In South Carolina, this coverage is required in the amount of $25,000. This coverage can pay for the cost of repairs to your personal property like fences, etc., if another at-fault driver doesn't carry any or enough of their own coverage.
Optional car insurance coverages in South Carolina include:
- Medical payments: Pays for the treatment of your own injuries or injuries to your passengers after an accident you're at fault for.
- Rental car reimbursement: Pays for the costs of a rental car after a covered accident.
- Gap coverage: Pays the difference between what your vehicle is worth and what you owe on your remaining vehicle loan after a collision.
- Comprehensive: Pays for costs caused by threats other than collision, including incidents with large animals, windshield breaks, and more.
- Collision: Pays for damage to your own vehicle after an accident you're at fault for.
- Roadside assistance: Pays for the costs of towing and other services if your car breaks down on the side of the road.
A South Carolina independent insurance agent will help you build a car insurance policy with each type of coverage that works best for you.
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Average Cost of Car Insurance in South Carolina
Car insurance in South Carolina costs $1,210 per year on average. Drivers in South Carolina save more than $100 per year on average when compared to the US overall. Depending on the insurance company selected, which coverages are added to your policy, etc., car insurance costs can vary. Minimum, liability-only car insurance costs about $489 per year in South Carolina, while a "full coverage" policy costs about $1,304 annually.
Average South Carolina Car Insurance Costs By City
Factors like local crime rates, car values, traffic rates, risk of inclement weather, etc., all impact car insurance rates right down to each city. In South Carolina, resident drivers in the city of Greer pay the lowest car insurance rates, on average, for the whole state, at just $990 per year. Folks in North Myrtle Beach pay about $1,363 for car insurance each year, the highest rate in the state.
Finding Car Insurance Discounts in South Carolina
You can bring down the costs of your car insurance policy by scoring one or even several discounts. Depending on the options available to you, your savings might be significant. Though discounts vary by insurance company, here are several common car insurance discounts you can expect to find in South Carolina:
- Anti-theft devices: Offered to customers whose vehicles are equipped with anti-theft devices that increase its security, such as an alarm.
- Military discounts: Offered to active or even retired military members.
- Paperless billing: Offered to customers who sign up for paperless billing statements.
- Safe driver discounts: Offered to drivers with a clean track record with no accidents or traffic violations over the past few years.
- Student driver discounts: Offered to customers with households that have a student driver.
- Other discounts: Offered to customers belonging to a certain organization like a union, group, the government, or teachers.
Your South Carolina independent insurance agent can help you find any discounts you can earn on car insurance.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance Quote in South Carolina
A South Carolina independent insurance agent can make it much easier to find the best car insurance quote in the state. These agents shop and compare policies from multiple different car insurance companies in South Carolina for you. They'll present you with only the best options for affordable, quality coverage.
How to File a Car Insurance Claim in South Carolina
Filing a car insurance claim in South Carolina can fortunately be broken down into a step-by-step process. Follow these steps if you ever find yourself needing to file a car insurance claim in South Carolina:
- File a police report: After a car accident, make sure to file a police report ASAP, even from the scene if possible.
- Tend to any injuries: Ensure that any injured parties get the medical attention they need right away.
- Call your independent insurance agent: Your South Carolina independent insurance agent can call your car insurance company for you and file the claim, then provide you with a claim number to keep track of it.
- Get a rental vehicle: You'll want to arrange for a rental vehicle from your insurance company if you have this coverage and are in need of a temporary ride while yours is being repaired.
- Schedule a visit with an adjuster: You'll probably need to schedule a visit from an insurance adjuster from your carrier to evaluate your vehicle's damage in person.
A South Carolina independent insurance agent can file auto insurance claims for you and assist you with many, if not all, of these steps.
National average time spent commuting 26.9 Min
National average car thefts per 1,000 2.3 Year
National average car insurance cost $1,311 Year
| City | Commute time (min) | Auto theft rate per 1,000 Vehicles | Annual insurance cost |
| Aiken | 23.2 | 3.17 | $1,131 |
| Anderson | 18.8 | 4.58 | $1,101 |
| Charleston | 22.8 | 3.59 | $1,205 |
| Columbia | 15.8 | 6.69 | $1,094 |
| Georgetown | 24.5 | 3.32 | $1,324 |
| Greenville | 19.5 | 3.11 | $1,176 |
| Greenwood | 21.1 | 0.94 | $1,116 |
| Greer | 23.7 | 2.34 | $990 |
| Mount Pleasant | 23.3 | 1.1 | $1,362 |
| Myrtle Beach | 17.5 | 6.54 | $1,235 |
| North Charleston | 24 | 8.37 | $1,086 |
| North Myrtle Beach | 21.5 | 5.73 | $1,363 |
| Rock Hill | 24.6 | 2.47 | $1,086 |
| Summerville | 29.6 | 1.99 | $1,206 |
Popular Questions about South Carolina Car Insurance
South Carolina car insurance costs an average of $1,210 per year, or $100.83 per month.
South Carolina car insurance is actually cheaper than the national average. Compared to the overall US average of $1,311 annually, drivers in South Carolina save more than $100 per year. South Carolina overall actually ranks as #31 in the nation for car insurance rates.
It depends on which coverages you add to your policy, but drivers in South Carolina must carry, at minimum, bodily injury liability and property damage liability, along with uninsured motorist coverage and uninsured motorist property damage coverage. You may want to add additional protections to your car insurance, such as collision coverage.
Drivers in South Carolina are required to carry at least the following:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
- Uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured motorist property damage coverage: $25,000
Driving without car insurance in South Carolina is punishable by state fines. Drivers without insurance must pay a fine of $550 per year. If the driver fails to do so, they can be charged with a misdemeanor.
South Carolina is actually an "at-fault" state. This means that the party responsible for an accident is the one responsible for paying for the damage, medical treatment, etc.
No, comprehensive car insurance is not required by state law in South Carolina. However, you may want to consider adding this coverage to your policy. Comprehensive coverage can help reimburse you for threats to your vehicle other than collision, such as theft and vandalism.
You'll need the names and DOBs for all drivers on the auto insurance policy before getting a car insurance quote in South Carolina. You'll also need all policy members' driver's license numbers. You'll also need to provide everyone's vehicle's year, make, and model for those you want listed on the policy. You're also likely to need each vehicle's identification number.
Follow these five simple steps if you ever need to file a car insurance claim in South Carolina: file a police report immediately after the accident, get injured parties the medical attention they need right away, call your independent insurance agent, who can handle the claims process for you, schedule a rental vehicle with your carrier, and, finally, schedule a visit from an insurance adjuster to evaluate the damage to your vehicle.
Do You Know What Your Car Insurance Covers in South Carolina?
https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/south-carolina/#average-car-insurance-cost-in-south-carolina
https://www.thezebra.com/auto-insurance/south-carolina-car-insurance/
https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/best-car-insurance-south-carolina/
https://www.valuepenguin.com/auto-insurance/south-carolina/penalties-driving-without-insurance