Cheapest Auto Insurance in South Carolina (2024)

USAA offers the lowest car insurance rates in the state, with monthly premiums as low as $50 for minimum-coverage policies.

7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content

Contributor to top media, including USA Today

A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.

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7+ years in content creation and management

5+ years in insurance and personal finance content

Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.

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30+ years in financial services

Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego

Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.

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7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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Updated May 16, 2024

Save up to $717 by comparing quotes from the top 100+ insurance companies

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Cheapest recent rates in South Carolina

A Summerville, South Carolina driver just saved on coverage for their RAM 1500 with this quote from Progressive.

We just helped a driver in Fort Mill, South Carolina cover their Toyota Camry with this quote from Hugo.

GEICO's average rate for South Carolina drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

A Mc Cormick, South Carolina driver just saved on coverage for their Buick Lacrosse with this quote from Bristol West.

We just helped a driver in Hollywood, South Carolina cover their Lincoln Town CAR with this quote from Safeco.

AssuranceAmerica helped a Ford Windstar driver in Anderson, South Carolina save on car insurance with this quote.

A Piedmont, South Carolina driver just saved on coverage for their BMW 5-Series with this quote from Direct Auto.

We just helped a driver in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina cover their Chevrolet Trax with this quote from National General.

GAINSCO helped a KIA Sorento driver in Greenwood, South Carolina save on car insurance with this quote.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from South Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on May 16, 2024

We just helped a driver in Latta, South Carolina cover their Dodge Avenger with this quote from Progressive.

A Lexington, South Carolina driver just saved on coverage for their Lexus GX with this quote from Safeco.

Allstate's average rate for South Carolina drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

We just helped a driver in Gaffney, South Carolina cover their Ford Escape with this quote from National General.

A Greer, South Carolina driver just saved on coverage for their Chevrolet Tahoe with this quote from Direct Auto.

Dairyland helped a Honda Odyssey driver in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina save on car insurance with this quote.

We just helped a driver in Union, South Carolina cover their Toyota Corolla with this quote from The General.

A Seneca, South Carolina driver just saved on coverage for their Ford Fusion with this quote from GAINSCO.

AssuranceAmerica helped a Chevrolet Equinox driver in Lexington, South Carolina save on car insurance with this quote.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from South Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on May 16, 2024

South Carolina is among the most expensive states in the country for car insurance, according to Insurify data. On average, Palmetto State drivers pay $276 per month for full-coverage car insurance and $164 for liability-only coverage, compared to the national averages of $215 and $104.

High rates of fatal crashes and insurance fraud likely contribute to South Carolina’s higher car insurance rates. If you’re looking for affordable car insurance in South Carolina, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from multiple companies.

Liability-only insurance in South Carolina costs $164 per month, and full-coverage insurance costs $276 per month, on average.

USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm are the cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina.

South Carolina’s fatal crash rate in 2021 was the highest in the nation, according to an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety analysis of U.S. Department of Transportation data.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina

Some of the best car insurance companies in South Carolina offer consistently low rates for a wide range of drivers. But every driver has a unique situation, which means the right auto insurance company for you varies based on your needs.

For example, if you have a speeding ticket or an accident on your record, you might find the best rates with a different insurer than if you had a clean record. But no matter your circumstances, you can start by researching the insurers highlighted below.

Our editorial team spent 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.

We rate each company on a 1 to 5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

Best insurer for cheap rates: USAA

Cheap RatesUSAA

USAA offers car insurance policies to its members. Membership is open to military members, veterans, and their families. This company offers some of the lowest rates in the state, based on Insurify data. USAA also offers a suite of discounts and relatively high customer satisfaction ratings.

Many available discounts

Offers banking/investment products

Must be associated with the military to join

Limited customer service hours and few branches available

Simply the Best

Compliance with Florida Law

Frustration

Best insurer for senior drivers: Progressive

Senior DriversProgressive

Progressive has a robust network of in-person insurance agents to help you navigate the insurance process. It also offers some of the best rates for seniors in South Carolina. Although Progressive earned below-average marks in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, its relatively high IQ Score indicates you’ll likely have a positive experience.

Many discounts

Relatively low premiums for seniors

No anti-theft equipment discount

Below-average score in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S Auto Insurance Study

Too intrusive. They send way too many emails and other unrelated content to the customer. There's too much unnecessary dialogue.

Good

No

Best insurer for on-demand coverage: Hugo

on-demand coverageHugo

Hugo offers on-demand auto insurance, which allows you the option to start or stop coverage at any time, paying for it only on days you need it. Depending on your driving frequency, this could lead to significant savings on your car insurance costs.

Option to activate your car insurance only when you need it

Perfect for people who drive infrequently

May not be cheaper if you need insurance coverage every day

Available in only 13 states

Average

Great

Bad Business

How to get the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina

Car insurance is an unavoidable cost, but there’s no need to overpay. Here are some strategies to help you lower your car insurance costs:

Raise your deductible. Carrying a higher deductible will generally lead to lower premiums because you’re assuming a greater portion of the up-front costs should you file a claim. Just make sure not to set your deductible so high you can’t afford to cover it.

Ask for a discount. Many insurance companies offer a suite of discount options, including those for safe drivers, students with good grades, and drivers who take an approved defensive driving course. You’ll never know what’s available for you if you don’t ask.

Improve your credit score. Drivers with a higher credit score pay less for car insurance. You can start building a better credit score by paying your bills on time and not applying for any new lines of credit.

Shop around. Shopping around can also help you find affordable premiums, so get quotes from at least three different insurance companies before making a decision.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in South Carolina

Liability rates start at $50 per month

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in South Carolina: USAA

Often more affordable, liability coverage is designed to help you cover the cost of damage or injuries you cause in an accident. But liability-only car insurance doesn’t cover the cost of repairs for your own vehicle.[1]

In South Carolina, liability-only coverage costs an average of $164 per month.

This table provides you with a list of the most affordable liability-coverage offerings in the state.

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in South Carolina: USAA

Full-coverage auto insurance goes beyond the minimum liability coverage to provide protection for your vehicle as well. This type of insurance is broken down into comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.

If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender or dealership will probably require you to carry full-coverage insurance. You may also benefit from this increased protection if you have a newer vehicle that would be more expensive to replace.

South Carolina drivers pay an average of $276 per month for full-coverage policies.

Here’s a look at some of the leading insurance companies in South Carolina offering full-coverage car insurance.

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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Estimate your South Carolina car insurance costs

*Estimate based on a market average of rates provided to other users like you.

I’m a good driver

I’m a homeowner

I’m married

I have multiple cars

Car insurance requirements in South Carolina

You must carry a minimum amount of car insurance to drive legally in South Carolina. Under the South Carolina tort law, you’ll need to carry at least the minimum coverage outlined below.[2]

$25,000 per person

$50,000 per accident

$25,000 per accident

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Mistakes happen. But if you have an incident on your record — including at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, driving under the influence, and other moving violations — you’ll face higher auto premiums.[3] Insurance companies use your driving record as a factor when estimating your likelihood of filing a future claim.

For example, drivers with a clean record could see average monthly premiums of $100 for a full-coverage policy from GEICO. But drivers with a speeding ticket or DUI pay much higher full-coverage rates from the insurer — $134 and $171, respectively.

Find Car Insurance in South Carolina

Liability policies start at $64/mo. for drivers with moving violations

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA

A speeding ticket will cost you. Beyond the ticket itself, you’ll likely have to pay higher insurance premiums, particularly if you have multiple speeding tickets. Fortunately, the quotes you’ll receive for having a speeding ticket on your record are still more inexpensive than for other incidents.

South Carolina drivers with a ticket on their record pay an average of $248 per month for liability coverage and $417 per month for full coverage.

Here’s a look at the average monthly quotes offered by South Carolina insurers for drivers with a speeding ticket.

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA

If you’ve had an at-fault car accident in the past, you can expect to pay more for car insurance than drivers with a clean record.

Liability-only policies cost an average of $251 per month for South Carolina drivers with an at-fault accident.

Below are some average monthly quotes from insurers in South Carolina for drivers with an at-fault accident.

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA

Driving under the influence is a serious violation that comes with numerous legal and financial consequences, including higher car insurance costs. If you’re convicted of a DUI, you can expect to pay more for car insurance than drivers with clean records or other incidents.

South Carolina drivers with a DUI pay monthly averages of $284 for liability insurance and $478 for full-coverage insurance, according to Insurify data.

Explore other average monthly rates for drivers with a DUI in the table below.

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Learn More: DWI vs. DUI: What’s the Difference?

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA

Your driving history isn’t the only thing that affects your car insurance costs. Age can play a vital role as well — particularly if you’re a teen or a senior. In general, drivers pay more for car insurance until around age 25. But rates start to creep up again around age 70.

Senior drivers in South Carolina pay $128 per month for a liability-only policy, on average.

As a senior driver, shopping around can help you find the best rates for your age group, and you can see average rates from top insurers in the table below.

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA

Car insurance is notoriously high for young drivers because these less-experienced motorists are statistically more likely to get into serious accidents and file a claim.

Teen drivers in South Carolina pay an average of $297 per month for a liability-only policy and $499 per month for a full-coverage policy.

If you’re a teen looking to cut expenses, some ways to trim your car insurance costs include staying on your parents’ insurance, driving a safe vehicle, maintaining good grades, and raising your deductible.

Comparing quotes can also help you find a more affordable rate. You can see average monthly quotes from several South Carolina insurers below.

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Find Car Insurance in South Carolina

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South Carolina car insurance quotes by credit tier

South Carolina allows insurance companies to consider your credit history when determining your premiums. Drivers with excellent or good credit scores pay lower rates than drivers with poor credit scores.

You can improve your credit score by paying your bills on time and not applying for any new lines of credit. Reviewing your credit report to look for mistakes, using a secured credit card, and aiming to use 30% or less of your available credit on any account can also help you improve your credit and lower the cost you pay for insurance.

South Carolina car insurance FAQs

If you still have questions regarding how to find the best car insurance in South Carolina, the information presented here can help.

How much is car insurance in South Carolina?

South Carolina drivers pay an average monthly rate of $276 for full-coverage car insurance and $164 for minimum coverage. By comparison, the national average rate for full coverage is $215 per month, and liability-only coverage costs $104 per month.

What company has the cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina?

Insurify data shows that USAA is the cheapest insurer in South Carolina, with liability-only rates as low as $50 per month.

Palmetto State drivers can also find affordable coverage through the state’s second- and third-cheapest insurance companies, Auto-Owners and State Farm. They have monthly liability-only rates of $54 and $56, respectively.

What are the best car insurance companies in South Carolina?

The top insurers in South Carolina are as varied as the users who need them.

Getting insurance through USAA can be a great idea for active members of the military. If you’re a senior or teen, you’ll want to look at Progressive, which offers competitive rates and has an IQ Score of 4.2 out of 5. If you don’t drive often, Hugo may be a good option. The company allows you to pay for coverage only on the days you need it and has positive customer reviews.

Can you get cheap car insurance with no deposit in South Carolina?

No. Your insurer will require some form of deposit or down payment up front before selling you a policy. This payment will typically be a percentage of your premium rather than a separate fee.

Do you need uninsured motorist coverage in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina law requires that you purchase uninsured motorist coverage, as well as liability coverage, in order to drive in the state.

How South Carolina Drivers Measure Up

While most drivers know that car insurance quotes are determined in part by your personal driving history, many may be unaware that rates are also impacted by the average risk of the drivers around you as well. Check out Insurify's latest analysis of driving records in South Carolina below:

Drawing from an internal database of over 4 million car insurance applications, the research team at Insurify analyzes patterns in car ownership and driver behavior - including how South Carolina drivers measure up to their fellow motorists across the United States in areas including speeding, DUIs, and more. Insurify Insights publishes data-driven articles, trend analyses, and national rankings each week on all factors related to cars and those who drive them.

Most Popular Car in South Carolina

State with the Most Speeding Tickets Rank

State with the Moving Violations Rank

State with the Most DUIs Rank

State with the most Suspended Licenses

While car accidents are a sadly unavoidable feature of time spent on the road, rates of accidents do vary from city to city and from state to state. South Carolina is the #1 state in the country for drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record.

While driving while intoxicated is never acceptable, it’s a more common offense than many assume. South Carolina is the #39 state in the country for drivers with a prior drunk driving conviction.

Reckless driving refers to a specific traffic violation: when drivers willfully act dangerously in spite of the risks they’re imposing on both themselves and others. South Carolina is the #38 state in the country for drivers with a reckless driving offense on record.

The Insurify team classifies rude drivers as those who commit one or more of the following driving offenses: failure to yield or failure to stop, improper backing, passing where prohibited, tailgating, street racing, or hit-and-run. South Carolina is the #37 state in the country for drivers with a rude driving violation on record.

Exceeding the speed limit can endanger others and have a serious impact on your insurance costs. South Carolina is the #4 state in the country for drivers with a speeding ticket on record.

Failing to yield the right of way isn’t just frustrating for other drivers; it’s dangerous, too. South Carolina is the #9 state in the country for drivers with a failure to yield violation on record.

Insurify's team of data scientists and content specialists presents Insurify Insights, a series of automotive, home, and health studies focusing on the topics that impact us all. through expert analysis of over 4 million car insurance applications and an array of top data sources, the Insurify Insights team produces new data-driven articles, trend analyses, regional superlatives, and national rankings every week. See Insurify Insights as featured in Forbes, Fox News, USA Today, NPR, and more.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

7+ years in content creation and management

5+ years in insurance and personal finance content

Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Featured in

30+ years in financial services

Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego

Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.

Read Editorial Guidelines

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

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