Getting Car Insurance in South Carolina After a DUI (2024)


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Updated: December 5, 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.

Key Takeaways

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In South Carolina, the two cheapest providers for full coverage car insurance after a DUI are State Farm, with an annual cost of $1,137, and Allstate, at $1,594 per year.

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In South Carolina, State Farm and Allstate offer the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance for drivers with a DUI, costing $625 and $908 per year, respectively.

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For South Carolina drivers with a DUI, State Farm offers the best full coverage car insurance at $1,137 per year, standing out for its remarkable affordability and top-tier customer satisfaction.

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.

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Insurance Rates

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina After a DUI

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.

Cheapest Companies for Full Coverage in South Carolina After a DUI

If you are looking for affordable full coverage car insurance after a DUI, the cheapest companies in South Carolina are:

  • State Farm: $1,137 per year
  • Allstate: $1,594 per year
Cheapest Car Insurance for Full Coverage After a DUI
1State Farm$1,137
2Allstate$1,594
3USAA$1,618
4Progressive$1,753
5Travelers$1,821

Cheapest Companies for Minimum Coverage in South Carolina After a DUI

In South Carolina, the cheapest providers for minimum coverage car insurance with a DUI are:

  • State Farm: $625 per year
  • Allstate: $908 per year

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.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Minimum Coverage After a DUI
State Farm$625
USAA$845
Allstate$908
Progressive$984
Travelers$1,093
GEICO$1,160
Nationwide$1,267
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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.

Top Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina After a DUI

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.

Best Companies for Full Coverage in South Carolina After a DUI

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.


1
State FarmBest full coverage after a DUI
Score:4.5

5/5

Affordability

5/5

Financial Stability

4/5

User Satisfaction

4.5/5

Claims

Geek Quick Take
Geek Quick Take

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%.

More About State Farm

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.

2
Allstate
Score:4

2.9/5

Affordability

4.5/5

Financial Stability

4/5

User Satisfaction

5/5

Claims

Geek Quick Take
Geek Quick Take

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.

More About Allstate

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.

Best Companies for Minimum Coverage in South Carolina After a DUI

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.


1
State FarmBest minimum coverage after a DUI
Score:4

5/5

Stability

4/5

Satisfaction

5/5

Claims

4/5

Affordability

Geek Quick Take
Geek Quick Take

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.

More About State Farm

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.

2
Allstate
Score:4

5/5

Stability

4/5

Satisfaction

5/5

Claims

3/5

Affordability

Geek Quick Take
Geek Quick Take

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.

More About Allstate

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.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in South Carolina After a DUI?

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?

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Average Cost

Full Coverage

$1,108
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Average Cost with DUI

Full Coverage

$1,750
Full coverage policy premiums after a DUI cost::$642 more

This 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.

You can use MoneyGeek’s auto insurance calculator below to get a personalized car insurance estimate based on your profile.

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Rates updated:

Dec 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:

  • Fines, court and attorney fees: DUI convictions usually require a court hearing and payment of a fine. You will also incur attorney fees for the court proceedings if you hire a lawyer for your defense.
  • Towing and impound fees: After a DUI arrest, your car will be towed and impounded so you will need to pay towing and impound charges to get your car released.
  • Drug education and treatment: In some cases, you may be required to attend an alcohol or drug education program for a specified length of time following your DUI.
  • DMV reinstatement fee: The DMV usually charges a reinstatement fee if your license is suspended and needs to be reinstated after a DUI.

Getting Car Insurance in South Carolina After a DUI

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.

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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.

South Carolina DUI Laws

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.

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    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.

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    Driving with a BAC of 0.16% will result in increased penalties.

    • First offense: a fine of $1,000, imprisonment between 30 and 90 days or public service.
    • Second offense: a fine between $3,500 and $6,500 and imprisonment between 90 days and three years.
    • Third offense: Fine between $7,500 and $10,000 and imprisonment between six months and five years.
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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

To help you find the best car insurance after a DUI in South Carolina, MoneyGeek answered the most frequently asked questions:

Will my insurer continue to cover me if I get a DUI in South Carolina?

How much do car insurance premiums increase in South Carolina after a DUI?

What is the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina after a DUI?

How long will having a DUI affect my car insurance rates?

How do I get car insurance if I have a DUI?

Methodology

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


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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.


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