Auto-Owners offers the cheapest non-owner car insurance for South Carolina drivers with clean records at just $27 monthly — nearly half the $56 state average for minimum coverage. See the table below for other affordable options.
Cheapest Non-Owner Car Insurance in South Carolina
Updated: January 31, 2025
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Best Cheap Non-Owner Car Insurance in South Carolina: Key Takeaways
Auto-Owners offers the cheapest non-owner SR-22 car insurance in South Carolina at an average monthly cost of $38.
Non-owner insurance covers you when driving a vehicle that isn't yours, as long as you meet the state's minimum coverage requirements.
Consider non-owner insurance if you often borrow or rent cars or need to reinstate your license without a traditional policy.
Cheapest Non-Owner Car Insurance in South Carolina
| Auto-Owners | $319 | $27 |
| GEICO | $489 | $41 |
| State Farm | $563 | $47 |
| Progressive | $739 | $62 |
| Travelers | $746 | $62 |
| Bristol West | $1,455 | $121 |
Cheapest Non-Owner SR-22 Car Insurance in South Carolina
Auto-Owners is the most affordable option for an SR-22 non-owner policy in South Carolina at $38 monthly — far less than the state average rate of $85 for minimum coverage. The table below compares other SR-22 providers.
| Auto-Owners | $460 | $38 |
| State Farm | $641 | $53 |
| GEICO | $678 | $57 |
| Travelers | $944 | $79 |
| Progressive | $1,242 | $104 |
| Bristol West | $2,140 | $178 |
How Much Is Non-Owner Car Insurance in South Carolina?
South Carolina's average monthly non-owner car insurance cost is $56, higher than the national average of $43. The state average for SR-22 insurance is $85 per month, compared to $48 nationally. Your premium may vary based on your driving history and other personal factors.
Non-Owner Car Insurance Cost Comparison: National vs. State
National Average Cost
Monthly Premium
$43
South Carolina Average Cost
Monthly Premium
$56On average, non-owner car insurance in South Carolina is:$13 more
This is 30% more expensive.
South Carolina Non-Owner Car Insurance: Buyer's Guide
Our guide helps drivers determine if non-owner insurance is right for them. It explains what the insurance covers, how it differs from regular policies, its cost and who benefits most.
What Is Non-Owner Car Insurance?
Non-owner insurance is for people who don’t own a car but drive often. It covers you if you're at fault in an accident. Below, we compare non-owner policies with standard plans to highlight the differences.
Policy Coverage | Standard Policy | Non-Owner |
|---|---|---|
✔ | ✔ | |
Medical payments | ✔ | ✔ |
Personal injury protection | ✔ | ✔ |
Uninsured/underinsured motorist | ✔ | ✔ |
✔ | ✔ | |
Collision | ✔ | |
Comprehensive | ✔ |
Does South Carolina Allow Non-Owner Car Insurance?
South Carolina residents can get non-owner insurance, which is necessary for those who drive but don’t own a car. Affordable plans are available to meet the state’s SR-22 filing requirement.
SOUTH CAROLINA MINIMUM INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
South Carolina's minimum coverage requirements apply to non-owner car insurance. The limits are:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability per accident
- $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
More coverage can provide greater peace of mind on the road. Assess how much coverage you need before buying a policy.
Should You Get Non-Owner Car Insurance in South Carolina?
Non-owner car insurance suits those who often drive but don’t own a car. It’s affordable protection that covers you when renting or borrowing a vehicle. It can meet state minimum requirements, keeping you legal without high costs.
AVOID ONE-DAY CAR INSURANCE
Beware of "one-day insurance" offers in South Carolina, as they may be fraudulent. For safer temporary coverage, consider purchasing insurance through a car rental company, especially for short-term needs like a move or road trip.
Who Should Consider Non-Owner Car Insurance?
The following types of drivers should consider a non-owner car insurance policy:
Car borrowers
Car borrowers may need non-owner insurance to cover damage they cause while driving a vehicle they don't own, ensuring financial protection in case of accidents.
Occasional renters
Non-owner car insurance provides minimum coverage that can be more affordable than rental company policies, especially for frequent renters.
Drivers between cars
Non-owner insurance allows drivers between cars to maintain continuous coverage, preventing higher premiums due to a lapse when they purchase a new vehicle.
License reinstatement-seekers
Drivers reinstating a suspended license may need proof of insurance. Non-owner insurance fulfills this requirement even if they don't own a car.
WHAT IS SR-22 INSURANCE?
An SR-22 is a form your insurance company sends to the DMV to prove you have minimum coverage. It’s required if you have had a DUI or were caught driving without insurance to maintain or regain your driving privileges.
Cheap Non-Owner Car Insurance in South Carolina: Bottom Line
South Carolina drivers can get non-owner car insurance, even with SR-22 needs. The most affordable option is Auto-Owners, followed by GEICO and State Farm. To find the best deal, compare quotes from multiple providers.
Non-Owner Car Insurance in South Carolina: FAQ
Find answers to common questions about non-owner car insurance in South Carolina below.
Which company offers the cheapest non-owner car insurance in South Carolina?
Auto-Owners offers the cheapest non-owner car insurance in South Carolina at $27 monthly and SR-22 at $38.
How much does non-owners car insurance cost in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, non-owner car insurance typically costs about $675 annually or $56 monthly. The cost is higher for those requiring SR-22 certification, averaging around $1,017 annually or $85 monthly.
South Carolina Non-Owner Car Insurance Ratings: Our Review Methodology
MoneyGeek compiled South Carolina auto insurance rates by collecting data from the South Carolina Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We examined 240 car insurance quotes from five providers to identify the state's best and most affordable options.
Coverage Levels
We compared non-owner car insurance rates from companies in South Carolina using minimum coverage policies. The state-required minimum coverage includes:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability per accident
- $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
Drivers and Cars in South Carolina
To find the best and most affordable companies for non-owner car insurance in South Carolina, we used a sample driver profile with the following characteristics:
- 40-year-old male
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
- Clean driving record
- Good credit history
- 12,000 miles driven annually
Learn more about MoneyGeek's car insurance methodology.
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.