Updated: May 20, 2024
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State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance for DUI in South Carolina for full coverage and minimum coverage policies. State Farm is also the best insurer overall in terms of affordability and quality service for both full coverage and minimum coverage car insurance after a DUI.
BestAuto InsuranceAfter a DUIBest Companies for DUI Insurance in 2023
Receiving a DUI conviction in South Carolina can have several implications. Your license may get suspended and your insurance company may decide not to renew your policy. However, depending on the company, your car insurance policy may be renewed but you will have to pay significantly higher rates of up to 57% more than what you would pay without a DUI.
Car insurance with a DUI costs more because insurance companies categorize DUI offenders as high risk since they are more likely to get into crashes. Apart from higher premiums, you also risk penalties such as fines and jail time if you get a DUI conviction in South Carolina.
Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
State Farm and Progressive have the cheapest rates for car insurance after a DUI nationally but the most affordable option in your state may vary. State Farm is the cheapest option in South Carolina for full coverage or minimum coverage car insurance after a DUI.
If you are looking for affordable full coverage car insurance after a DUI, the cheapest companies in South Carolina are:
| 1 | State Farm | $1,137 |
| 2 | Allstate | $1,594 |
| 3 | USAA | $1,618 |
| 4 | Progressive | $1,753 |
| 5 | Travelers | $1,821 |
In South Carolina, the cheapest providers for minimum coverage car insurance with a DUI are:
USAA is the second cheapest option for minimum coverage in South Carolina at $845 per year but you need to have a military background to qualify for this policy.
| State Farm | $625 |
| USAA | $845 |
| Allstate | $908 |
| Progressive | $984 |
| Travelers | $1,093 |
| GEICO | $1,160 |
| Nationwide | $1,267 |
Minimum coverage policies are usually the most affordable and they provide enough coverage to meet the minimum car insurance requirements set by the state. However, for some drivers, minimum coverage may not be enough, so it is important to figure out how much car insurance you need to accurately select your policy type.
To rank the best car insurance companies in South Carolina, MoneyGeek used a comprehensive scoring system that incorporates affordability, customer satisfaction, claims and financial stability ratings. Based on our analysis, State Farm is the best company for both full coverage and minimum coverage car insurance for DUI offenders in South Carolina.
In South Carolina, State Farm and Allstate are the best car insurance companies for DUI offenders looking for full coverage car insurance. These providers offer the best balance of cost and quality service for drivers with a DUI.
A full coverage policy from State Farm costs an average of $1,055 per year without a DUI but if you have a DUI you will pay higher rates at an average of $1,137 per year, a difference of 7%.
State Farm rates highly for customer satisfaction, financial stability and discounts. It is also one of the most affordable options for DUI offenders. State Farm offers various add-on coverages including rideshare insurance. You can also get multiple discounts on your premiums including anti-theft system and defensive driving discounts.
Full coverage car insurance from Allstate with a DUI costs $1,594 per year, 42% more than the average cost for full coverage without a DUI which is $1,120 per year.
Allstate is moderately priced for most drivers and has high stability and customer satisfaction ratings. Allstate offers optional coverages like new car replacement and custom parts coverage. Allstate also has multiple discounts including early signing and responsible payment discounts.
State Farm and Allstate are also the best companies in South Carolina for car insurance after a DUI for a minimum coverage policy. While you will pay lower premiums for minimum coverage, this type of policy offers limited protection compared to full coverage.
State Farm’s minimum coverage for South Carolina drivers with a DUI costs an average of $625 per year, 8% more than the cost of minimum coverage without a DUI at $574 per year.
State Farm rates highly for discounts, complaints and financial stability. This provider offers rideshare insurance as an optional coverage and other standard add-ons. You can get multiple discounts on your premiums including anti-theft system and pay-in-full discounts.
A minimum coverage policy from Allstate in South Carolina costs an average of $604 but if you have a DUI, you will pay 50% more at $908 per year.
Allstate is moderately priced for most drivers and has high complaints and financial stability ratings. You can choose from a variety of optional coverages including custom parts and media storage coverage. Allstate also offers multiple discounts including early signing for renewing your policy early.
The cost of full coverage car insurance in South Carolina increases by up to 57% from $1,108 per year without a DUI to $1,750 per year with a DUI. Insurance companies charge more for drivers with a DUI because they consider them at a higher risk of getting into an accident and filing a claim.
You can see how rates of full coverage car insurance vary before and after a DUI in South Carolina.
How long does a DUI affect the cost of your car insurance?
When you get a DUI violation in South Carolina it stays on your driving record for a specified period known as the lookback period. South Carolina has a 10-year lookback period, meaning a DUI will stay on your driving record for ten years. States usually enact long lookback periods to enable them to identify and prosecute repeat DUI offenders.
Full Coverage
$1,108
Full Coverage
$1,750This is 58% more expensive.
Having a DUI violation on your driving record will cause your car insurance premiums to increase significantly in South Carolina. You may pay as much as 57% more than a driver without a DUI.
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Rates updated:
Nov 20, 2024
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DUIs are a serious offense in South Carolina and you stand to face more penalties other than high car insurance premiums. Some of the implications of a DUI violation may include the following:
It can be challenging to get car insurance after a DUI offense as some insurers refuse to insure customers with DUIs. This is a legal practice because insurance companies are private businesses and are under no obligation to cover high-risk drivers. Since the DUI will remain on your driving record for 10 years in South Carolina, this can also make it difficult to get affordable car insurance.
If you have a DUI violation, the best way to get affordable rates is to shop around and compare rates from different providers. This will help you find car insurance companies with the best rates for DUI offenders.
If you have a DUI violation, you will be required to file an SR-22 in South Carolina. SR-22 insurance is a form filed by your insurance provider as proof that you have insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements. SR-22 insurance is similar to traditional car insurance, but rates are higher because of the violation.
A DUI is considered a serious offense in South Carolina and you stand to incur multiple penalties and fines that may include having your license suspended and in some cases jail time. MoneyGeek broke down South Carolina DUI laws to help you understand the legal implications of a DUI in the state.
Driving with a BAC at or above 0.08% is considered a DUI
BAC is Blood Alcohol Concentration and refers to the level of alcohol in your blood. Driving with a BAC level higher than 0.08% in South Carolina is a DUI offense. Even if you are below this threshold, you can still get arrested if your driving appears reckless or impaired.
Driving with a BAC of 0.16% will result in increased penalties.
6-month administrative license suspension on first offense
Your driving license will be suspended for six months for a first DUI offense. For your second offense, the suspension period will increase to one year.
Limited driving privileges
If your driving license is suspended for a first offense DUI, you can apply for a 6-month provisional driving license provided you meet all requirements set by the South Carolina DMV.
Ignition interlocks are mandatory for repeat offenders and BAC higher than 0.15%
Repeat DUI offenders and those with a BAC higher than 0.15% are required to have ignition interlocks.
Open container laws
South Carolina law prohibits having an open alcohol container in a moving vehicle. Those who violate this law are subject to a fine of up to $100 or imprisonment for up to 30 days.
To help you find the best car insurance after a DUI in South Carolina, MoneyGeek answered the most frequently asked questions:
Your insurance provider is not legally obligated to cover you after a DUI, so they may choose to drop you or renew your policy. If your insurer chooses to offer coverage you will pay higher rates after a DUI.
Car insurance premiums in South Carolina increase by almost 58% from $1,108 per year without a DUI to $1,750 per year with a DUI.
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance after DUI in South Carolina for full coverage and minimum coverage policies. State Farm is also the best insurer overall for full coverage and minimum coverage car insurance after a DUI in South Carolina
In South Carolina, a DUI violation will affect your car insurance rates for 10 years. This is the state’s lookback period or the length of time the DUI will remain on your driving record.
You can get car insurance with a DUI by shopping around and comparing quotes to find insurance companies offering the best rates for DUI offenders.
To determine the top companies for individuals with DUIs in South Carolina, MoneyGeek analyzed each company’s financial stability, customer satisfaction, claims and affordability based on data and information obtained from state insurance departments and Quadrant Information Services. The rates above are based on a 40-year-old male with and without a DUI driving a 2010 Toyota Camry LE with 12K annual mileage.
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.
