American National offers the cheapest minimum coverage for most low-income drivers with good credit in South Carolina, regardless of driving history. South Carolina Farm Bureau has the lowest rate for those with poor credit.
Cheapest Low-Income Car Insurance in South Carolina
Updated: February 7, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Low-income drivers can find affordable car insurance coverage, although there is no state-sponsored program in South Carolina.
For budget-friendly insurance, American National, South Carolina Farm Bureau, Progressive and Auto-Owners are the top choices.
We recommend that low-income drivers look for available discounts and utilize different tools to compare providers in order to get the best price.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies for Low-Income Drivers in South Carolina
| American National | Young Drivers | $37 |
| American National | Adults | $33 |
| South Carolina Farm Bureau | Seniors | $37 |
| American National | Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $42 |
| American National | Drivers With a DUI | $48 |
| American National | Drivers With an Accident | $42 |
| South Carolina Farm Bureau | Bad Credit | $75 |
*All rates in this table, except for adults, are based on a modified profile of a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean record insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry. The age ranges are 22 to 29 for young drivers, 30 to 59 for adults and 60+ for seniors.
Compare Cheap Low-Income Car Insurance Providers
Use the table below to find the most affordable insurance provider for your driving profile.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Range:30-59
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Driving Record:Clean
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Credit Score:Good
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Coverage Level:State Minimum Liability Only
| American National | $33 | $391 |
| South Carolina Farm Bureau | $40 | $483 |
| Progressive | $48 | $581 |
| Auto-Owners | $49 | $593 |
| GEICO | $54 | $644 |
Cheapest Car Insurance for Families With Low Income in South Carolina
In South Carolina, Auto-Owners offers the cheapest monthly rates for low-income families: $80 for married couples adding a teen to their policy, $123 for single parents adding a teen and $53 for adding a spouse to your policy.
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Family Type:Married Couple with Teen
| Auto-Owners | $961 | $80 |
| State Farm | $1,208 | $101 |
| Allstate | $1,234 | $103 |
| Travelers | $1,308 | $109 |
| GEICO | $1,356 | $113 |
| Progressive | $1,697 | $141 |
| Bristol West | $3,183 | $265 |
*Rates for couples and single parents with teens apply to a 16-year-old driver. Those for a married couple without children are based on a 40-year-old male with good credit and a clean driving record.
Tips to Save On Car Insurance for Low-Income Drivers
Here are some ways to lower your premiums:
- 1
Choose minimum coverage
Having minimum coverage ensures legal compliance at a low cost. However, you may find yourself on the hook for damage costs and legal fees if you are in an at-fault accident.
- 2
Compare quotes
We recommend that you explore provider websites, independent brokers, agents and online tools to compare different providers. The more quotes and information you collect, the better prepared you will be to make the correct decision.
- 3
Look for discounts
Insurers often offer a wide selection of discounts that are available to save on car insurance premiums. If you are a student, military member or if you pay online, you may be eligible for a discount from your provider. Many companies also offer telematics programs that offer savings for practicing safe driving habits.
- 4
Increase your deductible
If you can raise your deductible, usually you will be able to pay a lower rate for car insurance, although it can come back to bite you if you have to file a claim.
- 5
Consider pay-per-mile insurance
Pay-per-mile insurance is ideal for drivers who don’t drive much, allowing you to save by only paying for the miles that you have driven. There is a low base rate as well.
- 6
Bundle your policies
Bundling home and auto insurance is often offered as a discount by many providers in South Carolina. Depending on the provider, Palmetto State residents can save almost $800 annually by bundling their policies together.
- 7
Get a cheaper car to insure
Insurers take into account a vehicle's make, model and year when determining rates for car insurance. So, choosing a cheaper car to insure, like an older, reliable vehicle, can save you hundreds annually.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina residents must meet these minimum car insurance requirements:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability per accident
If you're leasing or financing a car, you'll need a liability coverage split of 100/300/100, along with comprehensive and collision protection.
WHY MINIMUM COVERAGE MAY NOT BE RIGHT FOR YOU
If you're in an at-fault accident and you have minimum coverage, it will only cover the other driver's expenses, leaving you to pay for your car's damage and any legal fees. It's often a better choice to have higher coverage if you can afford it.
Cheap Low-Income Car Insurance in South Carolina: Bottom Line
American National offers the most affordable car insurance for low-income drivers in South Carolina. High-risk drivers can find the cheapest options with American National for driving violations and South Carolina Farm Bureau for bad credit. To get the best deal, compare multiple providers through various methods.
Low-Income Auto Insurance in South Carolina: FAQ
Low-income drivers often struggle to find affordable car insurance. Here are answers to common questions on saving money.
What is the cheapest car insurance for low-income drivers in South Carolina?
Minimum coverage is usually the most affordable option for low-income drivers, as long as they're not in a lease or finance agreement. American National offers the cheapest monthly minimum and full coverage rates in South Carolina at $33 and $58, respectively.
Does South Carolina have a state-supported low-income car insurance program?
South Carolina has no state-supported program to assist low-income drivers with car insurance.
Does your income affect the cost of car insurance in South Carolina?
Income doesn't directly influence car insurance rates in South Carolina. Insurers consider factors like driving history, vehicle type and coverage levels instead.
How We Chose the Cheapest Car Insurance for Low-Income Drivers
Study Overview
MoneyGeek evaluated South Carolina auto insurance rates using data from the South Carolina Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services.
Data Acquisition, Depth and Analysis
MoneyGeek analyzed 328,384 quotes from 14 companies across 370 ZIP codes to determine the average cost of car insurance for drivers with low income in South Carolina.
Sample Driver Profile
We used a sample driver profile with the following attributes to determine average car insurance rates for low-income drivers in South Carolina:
- 40-year-old male
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
- Clean driving record
- 12,000 miles driven annually
To determine rates for specific driver profiles, we adjusted factors such as age, family status, driving history and credit standing.
Our study defines seniors as 60 or older, young drivers as 22 to 29 and adults as 30 to 59. Married couples with a child include 40-year-old male and female drivers with a 16-year-old teen. Single parents with children are 40-year-old male or female drivers with a 16-year-old teen.
Coverage Levels and Deductibles
Our data shows rates for minimum coverage, which follows the requirements set by South Carolina law and offers affordable options for low-income drivers.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.