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Car Insurance in Columbia

Compare car insurance costs in Columbia, South Carolina

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Car Insurance in Columbia, SC

If you live in Columbia, South Carolina, you know it’s a busy city. With a population of around 135,000, it’s the second biggest city in the Palmetto State. That means driving in Columbia involves sharing the highways and byways with plenty of other folks. 

Whether you’re taking a Sunday drive through the historic streets of the Congaree Vista district or oohing and ahhing at one of the many scenic vistas in nearby Congaree National Park, you might not be thinking about what you need for adequate car coverage in Columbia. But you should—it’s also home to about a dozen universities, which means a lot of younger drivers.

It’s important to compare car insurance quotes in Columbia to know you’re getting the best deal. You might be surprised to learn that factors like your zip code, age, and even the type of car you drive can play significant roles in determining your monthly premiums. Here’s some more in-depth information.

How much is car insurance in Columbia, SC?

The cost of car insurance in Columbia will vary based on the level of coverage and individual factors like driving history. For a general reference, here are the average costs for the three most common types of coverage in Columbia, providing a snapshot of what you might expect to pay:

$86
State Minimum
$184
Full 50/100
$196
Full 100/300

Auto Insurance Cost Methodology
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What are the cheapest cars to insure in Columbia?

While analyzing insurance costs for every car make and model can be a challenge in Columbia, we’ve narrowed it down for you. If you're interested in new vehicles with lower premiums, here are the top 10 cheapest car makes and models to insure in the city:

RankMake and ModelAverage Monthly Premium
1Honda Cr-V$175
2Subaru Forester$176
3Dodge Grand Caravan$180
4Kia Sedona$180
5Toyota Rav4$184
6Kia Sol$185
7Honda Odyssey$185
8Toyota Corolla$186
9Ford F-150$186
10Toyota Tacoma$187
Avg. premiums are weighted by zip code population sizes. Data accurate as of August 1, 2024

How do claims and violations impact my total cost?

In Columbia, claims and violations can significantly raise your insurance premiums. From minor incidents like speeding tickets to more serious issues like a DUI or hit-and-run, every violation can impact your costs. Here's a breakdown of how different claims and violations affect insurance prices in Columbia, ranked by severity:

Violation or ClaimAverage Monthly CostPrice Difference
None$184+0%
Not at-fault Accident$197+7%
Driving with expired registration$238+29%
Speeding Ticket$241+31%
At-fault Accident$255+39%
DUI$282+53%
Driving with a suspended license$301+64%
Hit and Run$313+70%

What car insurance discounts can I get in Columbia?

Columbia drivers have access to a variety of insurance discounts that could help reduce costs. Whether you're bundling policies, signing up for automatic payments, or staying loyal to your provider, you can unlock savings. Below is a ranked list of the top discounts available in Columbia, from the biggest to the smallest savings:

Potential DiscountsAverage Monthly CostMonthly Savings
Multi-Policy Home$164+$20
Paid in Full$170+$14
Multi-Policy Renters$176+$8
Paperless$178+$6
Low Mileage$179+$5
Electronic Funds Transfer$181+$3
Renewal discount$183+$1
None$184+$0

Premiums are sourced from over 30,000 zip codes across 200 insurance companies. We estimate premiums based on public filings for policies seeking 50/100 in liability with $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage. Estimated rates are based on a 35-year-old single female with a good credit score and no history of accidents or violations driving a 2023 Toyota RAV4 LE. We partner with Quadrant Information Services to source our data and assume no unique benefits or discounts are applied for these rates (unless otherwise stated). Your own rates may be different.