Updated: May 20, 2024
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Insurance firms may charge higher rates based on your driving history. However, you can shop around and compare high-risk car insurance quotes to find good deals for your specific driver profile.
For high-risk drivers in South Carolina, State Farm provides the best balance of price and customer service. However, your particular circumstances may affect your actual rate.
Best & CheapestAuto InsuranceHigh-RiskBest Companies for High-Risk Drivers in 2023
Insurers consider high-risk drivers as more likely to submit an auto insurance claim. You may be deemed high risk if you have a record of at-fault accidents, tickets, violations, or a DUI conviction. Teenagers are also considered high-risk due to their inexperience on the road.
Car insurance policies for high-risk drivers are usually more expensive than policies for safer drivers. In South Carolina, if auto insurers deem you a high-risk customer, you should anticipate paying around 29% more than the average policyholder.
Auto insurers have different ways of defining high-risk drivers. Despite having a spotless driving record, factors like your credit score or the type of car you use can increase your rates. Likewise, prior infractions can raise your premiums even if you have a safe car and excellent credit.
The following groups are considered high-risk:
MoneyGeek’s study shows that State Farm offers South Carolina's high-risk drivers the most affordable auto insurance. This company sells insurance with an average annual premium of $1,210 to various high-risk driver profiles.
| State Farm | $1,210 |
| GEICO | $1,453 |
| Allstate | $1,642 |
| Travelers | $1,658 |
| Nationwide | $1,893 |
| Progressive | $2,073 |
In South Carolina, motorists convicted of a serious traffic offense or found operating a vehicle without proper coverage must have SR-22 insurance. Your insurer files an SR-22 form with the state, demonstrating you have auto insurance that satisfies the required minimums.
State Farm scored 92.5 out of 100, making it the best auto insurance provider in South Carolina for high-risk drivers, according to MoneyGeek's study. Its policies for high-risk drivers average $1,210 per year. MoneyGeek named GEICO second-best for high-risk drivers.
State Farm’s high-risk auto insurance in South Carolina costs about $1,210 a year. Drivers perceived as risky by this company pay around 10% more than those with clean records.
For most drivers, including those who pose a high risk, State Farm offers affordable rates. Additionally, it provides ridesharing insurance and discounts for students and safe drivers. However, the insurer does not offer standard coverages like gap insurance, better car replacement and accident forgiveness.
In South Carolina, GEICO charges high-risk drivers $1,453 annually for car insurance, which is 30% more expensive than the cost for drivers with spotless records.
All types of drivers can get affordable insurance from GEICO. It provides roadside assistance, accident forgiveness, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance. In addition, GEICO offers discounts if you use your seatbelt, have daytime running lights or install anti-lock brakes.
Although better service is frequently more expensive, you shouldn't have to forgo quality to stick to a budget. Looking for low-income auto insurance in South Carolina can be helpful. Even though the state does not have a government-sponsored program for low-income families and individuals to purchase auto insurance, people who rarely travel may find that purchasing basic coverage or pay-per-mile insurance are good options.
According to our analysis, State Farm offers the least expensive auto insurance in South Carolina for people with DUI charges, costing an average of $1,210 a year. USAA policies are another reasonably priced option for auto insurance if you have a DUI, but its policies are only available to current and retired military personnel.
| State Farm | $1,168 |
| Allstate | $1,572 |
| Travelers | $1,793 |
| Progressive | $1,894 |
| GEICO | $2,172 |
| Nationwide | $2,311 |
The time frame during which a DUI remains on your driving record is known as the look-back period. State-specific look-back periods vary, although they are often lengthy to allow for repeat offenders' sentencing. South Carolina has a 10-year look-back period.
Our study concludes that GEICO offers South Carolina the most affordable car insurance rates for teen drivers. On average, teens can purchase motor insurance from GEICO for $2,830 a year.
| GEICO | $2,830 |
| State Farm | $3,658 |
| Allstate | $4,091 |
| Nationwide | $5,022 |
| Progressive | $8,049 |
Auto insurance for young people and students is generally more expensive than for average consumers. Still, purchasing full coverage car insurance versus the minimum required is advisable so you have financial protection in the event of an accident. To find the best affordable auto insurance for teen and student drivers, shop around and compare prices.
Nationwide provides the cheapest auto insurance for drivers with bad credit in South Carolina, with premiums averaging $1,645 per year.
| Nationwide | 1,645 | 30% |
If you have bad credit, you can still purchase affordable car insurance. You can even save thousands of dollars a year by switching insurance companies. We’ve even researched the best car insurance for drivers with bad credit to get you started.
Insurance companies often determine premiums after considering a driver's history and profile. High-risk drivers thus frequently pay higher premiums.
In South Carolina, for instance, high-risk drivers pay $1,655 on average each year, compared to $1,169 for drivers with clean records, a $486 difference.
Low-Risk Driver
$1,169High-Risk Driver
$1,655This is 42% more expensive.
MoneyGeek’s South Carolina car insurance calculator can help you calculate the cost of a policy based on personal factors like age, driving history, kind of vehicle and level of coverage. You can use our tool to determine which factors have the biggest impact on your rates.
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Nov 20, 2024
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
The car insurance market is voluntary, meaning firms may decline to cover you if they believe you’re too problematic to insure. Your best course of action in this situation is to search for a residual market plan via the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office (AIPSO). This national, non-profit organization has helped high-risk drivers find insurance for 48 years.
You can find a residual market plan based on your location using the AIPSO state-by-state database. The residual market plan in South Carolina is the South Carolina Commercial Automobile Insurance Plan (SCCAIP).
The SCCAIP only accepts transactions from fully licensed agents of those commercial carrier subscribers who pay a membership fee. A legally licensed agent must submit an application for coverage if a consumer wants to be assigned through SCCAIP and has a valid South Carolina driver's license and a South Carolina-registered car. Consumers should speak to their agent or broker for more information.
Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. CT
southeast@aipso.com
Phone
(800) 301-6477
Fax
(800) 677-7247
Mailing Address
South Carolina Commercial Automobile Insurance Plan, P.O. Box 6530, Providence, RI 02940-6530
Getting car insurance can be difficult for high-risk drivers. MoneyGeek answered frequently asked questions about high-risk auto insurance in South Carolina to make the process easier.
The best auto insurance company for high-risk drivers in South Carolina is State Farm. It offers quality service and affordable pricing, with premiums costing an average of $1,210, only 10% higher than an average South Carolina policyholder pays.
Cost depends on the type of high-risk driver, for example:
If you have a record of at-fault accidents, several citations and violations, a DUI history or if you're young (and therefore inexperienced), insurance companies may view you as a high-risk customer.
You can apply for the South Carolina Commercial Automobile Insurance Plan (SCCAIP) if South Carolina insurers decline to cover you. You can contact this insurance provider at southeast@aipso.com or by calling its helpline at (800) 301-6477.
MoneyGeek calculated average rates using full coverage car insurance policies with 100/300/100 liability insurance, comprehensive and collision coverage and a $1,000 deductible. Minimum coverage car insurance policy rates were calculated based on each state’s minimum car insurance requirement.
To calculate rates for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek averaged the premiums insurance companies charge for three of the most common driving violations: speeding, at-fault accident and DUI.
To determine the best car insurance company for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek scored companies based on affordability, customer satisfaction and complaints — obtained from J.D. Power surveys and NAIC complaint scores — and financial strength ratings as calculated by AM Best. Affordability received the greatest weighting in our calculations.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
