Car Insurance in South Carolina

Compare South Carolina car insurance quotes with EverQuote and get your own personalized recommendations

Updated May 21st, 2024

South Carolina Car Insurance Quotes

Auto insurance in South Carolina averages $172 per month, which is below the national average of $189 per month. As a coastal state, South Carolina experiences a large number of tropical storms and hurricanes each year, affecting insurance premiums.

Read on to learn more about properly insuring your car in South Carolina.

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South Carolina Car Insurance Laws

If you're driving Carolina back roads with the radio up and windows down, insurance may be the last thing on your mind. Still, in South Carolina, it's illegal to drive a motor vehicle without proper proof of mandatory insurance. South Carolina car insurance law mandates that all drivers carry up-to-date liability auto insurance, including coverage for property damage and uninsured drivers.

South Carolina’s car insurance minimums are:

$25,000 per person for bodily injury
$50,000 per accident for bodily injury
$25,000 per person for property

In South Carolina, insurers are legally required to offer you underinsured driver insurance, but you are not required to accept this additional coverage.

Cheapest Insurance in South Carolina

A variety of factors influence the cost of car insurance, including the driver's personal information, car model, coverage type, and available discounts. EverQuote takes these into account when calculating the price of car coverage to determine the most accurate premiums.

We partner with insurance experts to analyze millions of data points and get you the best car insurance in South Carolina.

Rank	Insurance company	Average monthly premium
1	Nationwide	$106
2	USAA	$115
3	SGeico	$123
4	Travelers	$128
5	Auto Owners	$129
Avg. monthly premiums are weighted by zip code population sizes

Proof of Insurance

“ Uninsured drivers are looking at a suspension of their license and registration until they provide proof of coverage ”

Failure to provide proof of insurance in South Carolina can result in fines, suspended licenses, or even jail time. If convicted, uninsured drivers are looking at a suspension of their license and registration until they provide proof of coverage and a $600 uninsured motorist fee. If you buy a new car, you have a 30-day grace period to add it to your existing policy. Additionally, if you live in coastal areas like Myrtle Beach, Beaufort, or Charleston, you may want to check into additional coverage in the event of flooding or hurricanes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the quickest way to reduce my insurance premium in South Carolina?

The quickest and easiest way to reduce your insurance premium is to take advantage of discounts related to your account setup. Depending on the insurance provider, setting up Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), signing up for Paperless billing, and paying your policy in-full can reduce your cost by 4% to 9% instantly.

What is the most common insurance discount in South Carolina?

The most common insurance discount is signing up for Paperless billing. We have seen discounts range from 3% up to 11% depending on the policy. It is important to note that not all carriers offer this discount and those that do might have rules of when it can be applied (usually around the start of your policy term).

How much will I save switching insurance providers in South Carolina?

How much you can save by switching carriers can vary widely by location, time of year, and your driving record. While some carriers offer a median discount of 6 - 7% for policy renewals, recent research suggests that you can save anywhere between 10 - 20% by switching to a new carrier. The best way to secure the highest savings on your policy is by shopping often and connecting with a licensed agent.