Car insurance in South Carolina costs between $78 and $255 per month on average, depending on your coverage level. Drivers with the state minimum liability coverage pay roughly $78 to $160 per month, while those with full coverage pay approximately $190 to $255 per month. South Carolina’s full coverage rates are about 9% above the national average, placing it among the more expensive states for auto insurance.
South Carolina is an at-fault state that also mandates Uninsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on every policy, making it one of the few states where both fault-based liability and UM/UIM protection are simultaneously required. The state’s coastal geography, hurricane exposure, and elevated pedestrian accident rates in cities like Columbia and Charleston all contribute to premiums that run above the national average.
South Carolina car insurance rates peaked sharply in 2024, then declined approximately 11% in 2025 and are stabilising in 2026. This makes right now a good time to compare quotes. The cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina include American National, SC Farm Bureau, USAA, and Auto-Owners Insurance.
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| Coverage Level | Average Monthly Range | Average Annual Range |
|---|---|---|
| Liability Only (State Minimum) | $78 – $160/month | $936 – $1,920/year |
| Full Coverage (Standard Driver) | $190 – $255/month | $2,280 – $3,060/year |
| Full Coverage (Teen Driver, 16–19) | $350 – $620+/month | $4,200 – $7,440+/year |
Source: insurify.com
Note: Rates are based on averages and may not reflect your specific profile.
| Coverage Type | Minimum Required |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability (per person) | $25,000 |
| Bodily Injury Liability (per accident) | $50,000 |
| Property Damage Liability (per accident) | $25,000 |
| Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (per person) | $25,000 ← MANDATORY (not optional) |
| Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (per accident) | $50,000 ← MANDATORY (not optional) |
| Uninsured Motorist Property Damage | $25,000 ← MANDATORY (not optional) |
Yes. South Carolina is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who causes an accident is responsible for the other party’s medical bills, lost wages, and property damage through their liability insurance. There is no Personal Injury Protection (PIP) requirement as there is in no-fault states.
South Carolina is unique in that it simultaneously operates as an at-fault state and mandates Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury and Property Damage coverage on every policy. This mandatory UM/UIM requirement exists because an estimated 10 to 12 percent of South Carolina drivers are uninsured. If you are hit by one of these uninsured drivers, their liability coverage will not cover your costs, your mandatory UM/UIM coverage is what protects you. This combination of at-fault rules and mandatory UM/UIM is one reason South Carolina’s premiums are above the national average.
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| Company | Liability Only (Monthly Range) | Full Coverage (Monthly Range) |
|---|---|---|
| American National | $34 – $50/month | $61 – $100/month |
| USAA (military only) | $40 – $73/month | $90 – $130/month |
| SC Farm Bureau | $39 – $65/month | $90 – $135/month |
| Auto-Owners Insurance | $45 – $75/month | $100 – $145/month |
| GEICO | $54 – $85/month | $115 – $165/month |
| State Farm | $55 – $88/month | $120 – $170/month |
| Travelers | $60 – $95/month | $125 – $180/month |
| Progressive | $70 – $105/month | $140 – $200/month |
| Allstate | $85 – $130/month | $165 – $240/month |
Source: insurify.com
Note: Rates are based on averages and may not reflect your specific profile.
South Carolina Farm Bureau is consistently one of the cheapest insurers in the state for several driver profiles, including teens and drivers with DUI convictions. Farm Bureau does not offer online quotes, you will need to contact a local agent, but the potential savings make it worth the extra step. Farm Bureau’s full coverage for a DUI driver averages approximately $194 per month, which is $134 per month less than the state average for that profile.
| Age Group | Monthly Range (Full Coverage) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 16–19 (Teen) | $350 – $620+/month | Farm Bureau cheapest for teens; adding to parent's policy is far cheaper |
| 20–24 | $230 – $380/month | Rates drop significantly after age 25 |
| 25–34 | $190 – $280/month | Near state average |
| 35–49 | $150 – $230/month | Lowest rates for most standard drivers |
| 50–64 | $140 – $210/month | Mature driver discounts widely available |
| 65+ | $155 – $230/month | Rates begin rising again after age 70 |
Note: Rates are based on averages and may not reflect your specific profile.
| Driving Record / Factor | Avg Monthly Rate (Full Coverage) | vs. Clean Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $190 – $255/month | Baseline |
| 1 speeding ticket | $230 – $310/month | +23% average increase |
| At-fault accident | $245 – $340/month | +25–40% increase; American National cheapest at $82/mo |
| DUI conviction | $310 – $450+/month | +60–100%; SR-22 required; Farm Bureau cheapest at $194/mo |
| Poor credit | $280 – $420+/month | Farm Bureau cheapest for bad credit at $89/mo full coverage |
Source: insurify.com
Note: Rates are based on averages and may not reflect your specific profile.
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Yes. South Carolina allows auto insurers to use credit-based insurance scores as a rating factor. Drivers with poor credit pay significantly more than those with good credit for the same coverage. Based on 2026 data, Farm Bureau is the most competitive insurer for poor-credit drivers in South Carolina at approximately $89 per month for full coverage. If your credit score has improved since you last compared insurance quotes, re-shopping can unlock meaningful savings.
Where you live in South Carolina has a significant impact on your premium. Charleston and Myrtle Beach are the most expensive areas, driven primarily by hurricane and storm exposure, elevated comprehensive claim frequency, and high tourist traffic. Rock Hill, Spartanburg, and Hilton Head Island offer some of the most affordable rates for major South Carolina cities.
| City | Avg Monthly Rate (Full Coverage) | vs. SC State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $205 – $280/month | Highest in state, coastal hurricane risk, high traffic |
| Myrtle Beach | $195 – $265/month | Above average, hurricane exposure + tourism traffic |
| Columbia | $195 – $255/month | Above average, state capital; high pedestrian accident rate |
| North Charleston | $190 – $250/month | Above average, higher theft and accident rates |
| Greenville | $180 – $230/month | Near average, highest accident rate in state |
| Rock Hill | $170 – $215/month | Below average |
| Spartanburg | $165 – $210/month | Below average |
| Hilton Head | $155 – $200/month | Lower rates despite coastal location, lower population density |
Source: insurify.com
Note: Rates are based on averages and may not reflect your specific profile.
South Carolina’s Atlantic coastline makes it one of the most weather-exposed states in the Southeast for auto insurance purposes. Several weather-related factors drive premiums above the national average, particularly in the coastal corridor:
If you live in a coastal area, particularly Charleston, Myrtle Beach, or Hilton Head, comprehensive coverage is not just recommended, it is essential. The frequency of weather-related claims in these areas means that the risk of a total or major loss without comprehensive coverage is meaningful. Comprehensive coverage in coastal SC areas typically adds $40 to $80 per month to your premium above inland rates.
An SR-22 is not a type of insurance, it is a certificate filed by your insurer with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) confirming you carry at least the state minimum required coverage. South Carolina requires SR-22 filing after:
The SR-22 filing fee is typically $50 to $65. South Carolina requires the SR-22 to be maintained on file for three years following the qualifying violation. If your policy lapses at any point during this period, your insurer must notify the state, and your license will be re-suspended. USAA is the cheapest SR-22 insurer in South Carolina at approximately $81 per month for liability coverage, but USAA is only available to military members, veterans, and qualifying family members. Farm Bureau is the most competitive option for most SC drivers needing SR-22 coverage.
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South Carolina car insurance rates peaked sharply in 2024, then fell approximately 11% in 2025 and are projected to stabilise with a slight 0.2% decrease in 2026. If you purchased or renewed your policy in 2023 or 2024 without comparing, you may be paying peak-year prices. Annual re-shopping is the most reliable way to capture the lower rates now available in the market.
South Carolina Farm Bureau does not offer online quotes, which means most price-comparison tools skip them entirely. For drivers with a DUI conviction or teen drivers on a family policy, Farm Bureau is consistently the cheapest insurer in the state, sometimes by $100 or more per month. The extra step of calling a local agent is worth it for high-risk profiles.
For Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head drivers, skipping comprehensive coverage to save money is a high-risk decision. South Carolina’s hurricane exposure, hail frequency, and flood risk make comprehensive claims far more likely than in inland states. The monthly cost of adding comprehensive to your policy — typically $40 to $80 per month in coastal areas, is generally worth the protection.
Most South Carolina insurers offer discounts for safe driving, bundling home and auto, multi-vehicle policies, good student status, defensive driving courses, paperless billing, and anti-theft devices. Stacking multiple discounts can reduce your premium by 15 to 25 percent. State Farm’s Drive Safe & Save and Progressive’s Snapshot are both available in South Carolina for safe, low-mileage drivers.
South Carolina allows credit-based insurance scoring. Drivers with poor credit can pay $200 or more per month more than drivers with good credit for the same full coverage policy. If your credit has improved since you last compared insurance quotes, re-shopping can produce meaningful savings. Farm Bureau is the most competitive option for poor-credit SC drivers.
Increasing your collision and comprehensive deductible from $500 to $1,000 can reduce your full-coverage premium by 10 to 15 percent. However, given South Carolina’s elevated weather risk for coastal residents, only raise your deductible to a level you can comfortably pay out of pocket in the event of storm damage or a collision.
Yes. South Carolina is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who causes an accident is responsible for covering the other party’s medical bills and property damage through their liability insurance. There is no Personal Injury Protection (PIP) requirement. South Carolina is unique in also mandating Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury and Property Damage coverage on every auto policy, protecting you if you are hit by an uninsured driver. This combination of at-fault rules and mandatory UM/UIM is unusual and is one reason SC premiums run above the national average.
South Carolina drivers pay between $78 and $160 per month for minimum liability coverage and between $190 and $255 per month for full coverage, based on 2026 data. Charleston and Myrtle Beach have the highest rates due to coastal hurricane exposure, while Rock Hill and Spartanburg are among the most affordable major cities. South Carolina’s full coverage rates are approximately 9% above the national average.
Yes. Unlike most states where Uninsured Motorist coverage is optional, South Carolina mandates Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident on every auto policy, as well as Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage of $25,000. This mandatory UM/UIM protection means that if you are hit by an uninsured driver, estimated at 10 to 12 percent of SC drivers, your own policy will cover your costs.
American National is the cheapest insurer in South Carolina for minimum coverage, with rates starting around $34 per month. USAA has competitive rates but is available only to military members, veterans, and qualifying family members. SC Farm Bureau is consistently among the cheapest options, especially for DUI drivers (approximately $194 per month for full coverage) and teen drivers, but does not offer online quotes. For online comparison, GEICO and Auto-Owners are among the most affordable national carriers in South Carolina.
A DUI or DUAC conviction in South Carolina typically increases full-coverage rates by 60 to 100 percent. Based on 2026 data, the average full-coverage rate after a DUI is approximately $310 to $450 per month, compared to $190 to $255 per month for a clean-record driver. You will need to file an SR-22 certificate with the SC DMV for three years. SC Farm Bureau is the most affordable option for DUI drivers in South Carolina at approximately $194 per month for full coverage. Farm Bureau requires contacting a local agent, it does not offer online quotes.
South Carolina uses an electronic verification system that notifies the DMV when coverage lapses. Driving without insurance results in immediate suspension of your vehicle registration, a fine of $5 per day (up to $200) for each day uninsured, and a $200 reinstatement fee to restore your registration. Your license plates may be confiscated. If you cause an accident while uninsured, you are personally liable for all damages. An SR-22 certificate may be required to reinstate your driving privileges after certain violations.
South Carolina’s above-average rates are driven by several factors: mandatory Uninsured Motorist coverage on every policy adds to the base cost; the state’s Atlantic coastline creates elevated hurricane, hail, and flood risk that raises comprehensive claims; cities like Columbia rank among the most dangerous for pedestrian accidents nationally; Greenville has the highest accident rate in the state; and South Carolina’s litigation environment for auto injury claims is more expensive than the national average. Full coverage rates peaked sharply in 2024 but fell approximately 11% in 2025, drivers who compare quotes now can benefit from these lower rates.
SR-22 is required in South Carolina after serious violations including DUI or DUAC conviction, reckless driving, driving without insurance, or license suspension. The SR-22 is a certificate filed by your insurer with the SC DMV proving you carry minimum required coverage, it is not a separate insurance policy. The filing fee is typically $50 to $65. You must maintain SR-22 on file for three years without any policy lapse. If your coverage lapses, your license will be re-suspended and the three-year clock restarts.
Explore state-by-state car insurance trends to understand where drivers pay less on average.
Lauren Lewthwaite Lauren Lewthwaite has been freelance writing for almost five years writing content that ranges from health to insurance and everything in between. Lauren is also a trained translator in French and English and is a dog-mom to an adorable Australian Shepherd.
