Aiken Car Insurance
(Find the right car insurance policy for you.)
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Christina is a freelance writer and licensed insurance agent. She has worked in many facets of the insurance industry, from entry-level assistant to account manager/sales rep to vice president of operations.
Aiken, SC was founded in 1835 and named after William Aiken, the president of the South Carolina Railroad. Almost two centuries later, Aiken is home to 30,778 residents, of whom a majority (88.3%) spend about 21 minutes commuting by car to their jobs. If you’re one of those Aiken individuals that rely on their personal automobile to get to work, you’ll want to be sure you have great car insurance coverage. It’s easy to do when you work with an Aiken independent insurance agent.
Aiken, SC Car Insurance Costs
The average Aiken insurance premium, which is a bit lower than the national average, is only an estimate of your final rates.
- Aiken, SC average annual premium: $1,131
- South Carolina average annual premium: $1,210
- National average annual premium: $1,311
There are a few different factors that will influence the final price for your Aiken car insurance policy:
- Driver’s age and motor vehicle record
- Vehicle’s make and model
- Age, condition and mileage of the car
- The deductible amount you pick
- The type of coverage and benefit amounts you select
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Common Car Insurance Discounts
The majority of American auto insurers offer their customers discounts that can lower the insurance premium. Typical car insurance discounts include:
- Safe driving
- Accident-free
- New customer
- Low mileage
- Safety features (e.g., air bags, car alarms)
- Military or veteran
- Senior
- Good student
- Professional organization membership
- Bundling or combining of auto insurance with other policies through the same insurer
South Carolina Car Insurance Requirements
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) legally requires minimum liability amounts for every passenger vehicle on the roadways. Minimum liability insurance will cover property damage or physical injury caused to another person because of your negligence. Each state has its own car insurance rules and its own minimum liability insurance amount requirements. South Carolina motorists must carry the following coverage:
- Bodily injury liability: This coverage is required. It pays for injury/death to others resulting from an accident you are legally responsible for causing.
- Property damage liability: This coverage is required. It pays for damage to other people's property from an accident you’re legally responsible for causing.
- Minimum liability limits (25/50/25):
- $25,000 liability coverage for the injury or death of one person
- $50,000 liability coverage for the injury or death of more than one person
- $25,000 liability coverage for damage to another person’s property
The Palmetto State has fines for failure to have the minimum car insurance coverage. Drivers who don’t follow the law will have to pay $5 for every day their vehicle isn't insured, up to $200. If they don’t get the right insurance set up within 20 business days, then they could face suspension of their driving privileges, vehicle registration, and license plate, plus have to pay up to a $500 reinstatement fee.
South Carolinians aren’t required to get personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured motorist coverage. But uninsured motorist benefits are usually worth considering since there’s always a good chance that another driver could “run into” you.
South Carolina Uninsured Motorists
- South Carolina uninsured motorists: 9.4%
- National uninsured motorists: 13%
- Average vehicle repair cost in South Carolina: $1,952
Uninsured motorist coverage can give you peace of mind knowing that if an at-fault driver doesn’t have liability insurance or the money to make things right, you’ll still get money to make repairs or cover your medical bills.
Other Auto Insurance Options
Besides the state’s legally required liability insurance, you can buy other types of Aiken car insurance for your vehicle like any of these:
- Additional liability: You can opt for higher liability insurance benefit amounts, which will give you more protection. That way you don’t have to personally pay for damage you caused that exceeds your basic policy amounts.
- Collision coverage: This will pay for repairs on your vehicle or replacement of your vehicle if there’s a total loss.
- Comprehensive coverage: This typically covers a list of specific risks that could harm your car, including theft, vandalism, fire and other hazards. It’s best to read through the car insurance policy you have to know which dangers your insurance company will handle.
- Medical payments coverage: Should you suffer physical injuries in a car crash, this benefit will reimburse you for bills caused by medical treatment and/or hospitalization, subject to your policy limitations.
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Car Thefts in Aiken, SC
The rate for Aiken car thefts is quite a bit lower than in other areas of the state or country.
- Aiken, SC thefts per 1,000 vehicles: 1.87
- South Carolina thefts per 1,000 vehicles: 2.881
- National thefts per 1,000 vehicles: 2.28
No matter where you live there are plenty of common-sense steps you can take to prevent having your car stolen. It’s important to keep your car locked and parked in a secure, well-lit area. You may also want to buy anti-theft devices and GPS trackers for your vehicle. If none of these measures work and a car thief still strikes, then you can rely on your comprehensive auto policy to replace the stolen vehicle.
How to Find Car Insurance in Aiken, SC
A local insurance agent can provide you with several comparable Aiken auto insurance quotes from reliable insurers.
Contact an independent insurance agent to get your car insured and on the road today.