Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina

The most affordable car insurance in South Carolina is from American National P&C at just $31 monthly or $375 annually for state minimum coverage. This rate is $534 less than the state's average cost. These figures are from Quadrant Information Services, reflecting the cheapest rates in South Carolina as of December 2024. Read our research methodology to learn how we found the cheapest South Carolina car insurance.

American National P&C is the cheapest car insurance company for most drivers in the Palmetto State, with an average monthly cost of $44. This rate is lower than the state average of $113. Other affordable options include South Carolina Farm Bureau, Auto-Owners Insurance Co, GEICO and Progressive.

We combined minimum and full coverage rates for a 40-year-old driver with good credit and no driving violations to calculate these averages.

American National P&C offers the cheapest car insurance for minimum and full coverage, making it a top choice for many drivers in the Palmetto State. However, your rate depends on personal factors. Below, we highlight affordable rates for different driving profiles.

Read More: Cheapest Car Insurance

Along with the cheapest rate offered by American National P&C, South Carolina Farm Bureau, Auto-Owners Insurance Co and Progressive offer cheap minimum liability coverage for drivers in the Palmetto State. Use the table below to explore rates for similar companies with the best minimum coverage rates and compare them to the monthly state average.

American National P&C is the cheapest provider for full coverage auto insurance in South Carolina, averaging $57 per month or $682 per year, which is $93 less than the state's average cost. Check the table below for other provider options.

In South Carolina, young adult drivers who are 25 years old fare best with American National P&C, offering the most affordable rates of $36 per month for minimum coverage.

We used minimum coverage for a 25-year-old driver with good credit and no driving violations to determine the cheapest provider.

For young drivers in South Carolina, American National P&C offers the cheapest rates for minimum coverage at $36 per month and full coverage at $68 per month. Progressive is a top choice for those with bad credit, offering monthly rates starting at $88. While premiums may vary based on your driving record, these companies are excellent starting points for finding affordable rates.

Read More: Cheapest Car Insurance for Young Drivers

Senior drivers in South Carolina can find affordable rates with American National P&C. Their average policy costs $35 per month for minimum coverage.

We used minimum coverage for a 65-year-old driver with good credit and no driving violations to determine the cheapest provider.

For senior drivers in the Palmetto State, American National P&C offers affordable minimum and full coverage. South Carolina Farm Bureau is a budget-friendly choice for those with bad credit, a DUI, an accident or a speeding ticket. Your quote may differ, but you can use the table below to guide your insurance shopping.

Read More: Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors

Drivers in the Palmetto State with a DUI, at-fault accident or speeding ticket are seen as high-risk drivers by insurers, leading to higher premiums. Average costs vary by offense, but below are the best rates for those with such records.

American National P&C offers the best rates for South Carolina drivers with DUIs, with a monthly premium of $46 and an annual cost of $551 for minimum coverage. Check the table below for a list of insurance providers and their average monthly premiums for drivers with DUIs.

We used a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a DUI on record to calculate these averages.

With rates averaging $41 per month ($489 per year), American National P&C is the cheapest company for drivers after an at-fault accident. Below, you can find other insurers offering affordable minimum coverage for drivers with accidents.

We used a 40-year-old driver with good credit and an at-fault accident on record to calculate these averages.

American National P&C offers the most affordable insurance for drivers with speeding tickets, with rates starting at $41 per month. Check the table below to compare other providers offering minimum coverage for drivers with a speeding ticket.

We used a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a speeding ticket on record to calculate these averages.

South Carolina Farm Bureau is the cheapest car insurance provider for drivers with poor credit scores, offering rates at $75 monthly and $900 annually for minimum coverage. Check the table below for more options from other providers.

These rates are based on a 40-year-old driver with bad credit and a clean driving record.

Your car insurance rates depend a lot on where you live. Rates change from city to city because of factors like the number of people there, flood risks and crime.

For example, American National P&C offers a monthly rate of $37 in Charleston, but the same company charges $36 in Columbia for minimum coverage. North Charleston's rate is $38. Check the table below to see the cheapest insurance in your city and its monthly cost.

The lowest rate reference is for a minimum coverage policy for 40-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.

For South Carolina residents, State Farm is the top pick for affordable bundle home and auto insurance. Check the table below for more budget-friendly bundling options.

Rates are for a 40-year-old driver with good credit and no driving violations.

In South Carolina, the monthly average cost for full coverage car insurance is $150, and for minimum coverage, it's $76. Understanding the average cost of car insurance in South Carolina helps you gauge if you're getting a fair deal on your auto insurance.

Car insurance costs vary across South Carolina. See the average rates for your city with our easy table.

South Carolina ranks as the 9th state where car insurance is expensive, with factors like high population density, frequent natural disasters and a higher-than-average vehicle theft rate driving up costs.

South Carolina law requires all drivers to carry car insurance policies meeting the state's minimum coverage limits. These limits include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. The state also mandates uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

If you finance or lease your car, you'll likely need to add comprehensive and collision insurance to the minimum liability coverages. While a minimum liability auto insurance policy is the most affordable option, it provides the least financial protection. Experts suggest opting for full coverage insurance with the highest deductible and liability limits you can comfortably afford.

Drivers with serious traffic violations, like speeding or DUI, may need to file for SR-22 insurance, which can raise your premium. In South Carolina, either you or your insurance provider can file the SR-22 form. It's valid for 3 years from your most recent offense.

In South Carolina, surety bonds are the most common alternative to traditional car insurance. These bonds serve as a promise to pay up to the state minimum coverage if you're at fault in an accident, satisfying the state's requirements.

Business owners can explore self-insurance as an alternative. This option requires demonstrating financial stability to cover potential claims, offering flexibility for those managing a fleet of vehicles.

MoneyGeek recommends that drivers get full coverage car insurance, which includes liability, collision and comprehensive coverage. For optimal protection, consider the following liability limits:

• $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
• $100,000 in property damage per accident

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car from non-collision events, like theft, vandalism or natural disasters. Collision coverage, on the other hand, helps pay for your car's repairs if you're in an accident on the road.

If your car is valuable, MoneyGeek suggests getting both comprehensive and collision insurance, even though it's not a legal requirement. Choose a deductible for these coverages that you're comfortable paying out of pocket. This way, you're only paying what you can afford before insurance covers the rest.

American National P&C offers the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina, with full coverage at $57 and minimum coverage at $31 per month. Cheaper isn't always better for car insurance, so it's smart to think about protection, not just price. Experts say buy the most coverage you can afford for safer travels.

MoneyGeek helps you find affordable car insurance in South Carolina. We answer common questions about state minimum coverage, ensuring you get the right protection for your needs. Get informed and make smart choices for your situation.

MoneyGeek obtained auto insurance rates from the South Carolina Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We examined 30,900 auto insurance quotes from 14 providers across 35 ZIP codes to determine the most affordable car insurance companies in South Carolina.

South Carolina Driver Profile

We used a driver profile with the following background information to identify the cheapest auto insurance companies in South Carolina:

• 40-year-old male
• 2012 Toyota Camry LE
• Clean driving record
• 12,000 miles driven annually

To find the cheapest option for various driver backgrounds, we adjusted this sample profile by age, driving record, credit score, car make and model and military service where specified.

Standard Coverage Levels in South Carolina

We compared South Carolina car insurance companies that offer minimum and full coverage policies. The minimum coverage liability limits in South Carolina are:

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

For full coverage policy rates, we used the following liability limits:

• $100,000 for bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
• $100,000 for property damage liability
• Comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Home and Auto Coverage Levels in South Carolina

MoneyGeek analyzed the rates of insurance companies for a full coverage auto insurance policy that includes the following coverage and limits:

• $100,000 in property damage liability
• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• Comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

We also analyzed rates for a homeowners insurance policy that includes the following limits and coverage:

• $250,000 dwelling coverage
• $25,000 other structures coverage
• $100,000 personal property coverage
• $25,000 loss of use coverage
• $100,000 personal liability coverage
• $1,000 medical payments coverage
• All-perils coverage with a $1,000 deductible