Comparing auto insurance in South Carolina is most useful when you account for state rules, local claims patterns, and the coverage options that protect your own vehicle as well as other drivers.
South Carolina auto insurance pricing can vary materially by location. The South Carolina Department of Insurance says claim frequency and geographic territory are important rating factors, and that comprehensive coverage can cover losses from flood and severe weather. The Department’s 2025 Coastal Property Report recorded 17,027 personal-auto claims related to Helene and about $107.9 million in paid personal-auto losses, illustrating how a major storm can generate substantial vehicle claims in the state.
Car insurance rates in South Carolina vary by ZIP code or rating territory, driving record, age, prior coverage, vehicle use and annual mileage, vehicle, claims history, coverage choices, deductibles, and insurer. That is why the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina for one driver may not be the most affordable option for another. Compare South Carolina car insurance quotes using the same coverage limits and deductibles so the prices are meaningfully comparable.
25/50/25 + UM 25/50/25
$25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $25,000 property damage liability per accident, and uninsured motorist coverage equal to the same minimum 25/50/25 limits
At Fault
Offer/Rejection Rule
South Carolina does not require PIP as part of the state minimum auto insurance package. State-required coverage is liability plus uninsured motorist coverage. South Carolina DOI consumer materials describe Medical Payments and PIP as separate coverages rather than mandatory minimum coverage.
Required
South Carolina requires uninsured motorist coverage equal to the minimum liability limits of 25/50/25. The South Carolina Department of Insurance says uninsured motorist property damage typically has a $200 deductible. Underinsured motorist coverage is separate: insurers must offer UIM coverage, but drivers are not required to buy it.
Recent rate data estimates South Carolina annual auto insurance premiums at about $2,288 for full coverage and $649 for minimum coverage.
| Driver Profile | Estimated Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean record, age 35, full coverage | ~$2,288/yr (~$191/mo) |
| Clean record, age 35, minimum required coverage | ~$649/yr (~$54/mo) |
NerdWallet August 2026 South Carolina annual rate analysis for a 35-year-old driver; approximately $191 per month for full coverage and $54 per month for minimum required coverage.
Source: NerdWallet 2026
Average premiums are estimates, not quotes. Actual South Carolina car insurance rates vary by ZIP code or rating territory, driving record, age, prior insurance, vehicle use and mileage, vehicle make and model, claims history, credit-based insurance score where used, coverage limits, deductibles, discounts, and carrier.
South Carolina minimum coverage focuses on required protection such as $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $25,000 property damage liability per accident, and uninsured motorist coverage equal to the same minimum 25/50/25 limits. Minimum coverage may satisfy state rules, but it usually does not repair or replace your own vehicle after many losses.
Some drivers need a financial-responsibility filing or high-risk auto insurance after serious violations, coverage lapses, or license-related issues. The form name, filing trigger, and required duration vary by state.
South Carolina uses SR-22 certificates in some uninsured-driving and financial-responsibility situations. SCDMV says a driver found guilty of driving uninsured while owning the vehicle must have an insurer file a Certificate of Insurance, also called an SR-22, for three years starting with the date of suspension. An SR-22 is a proof-of-insurance filing, not a separate type of policy.
South Carolina SCDMV and DOI guidance reviewed for this page refers to SR-22 certificates, not FR-44. Do not publish FR-44 as a standard South Carolina requirement.
High-risk insurance may cost more, but comparing quotes can help you review available options.
Adding a teen driver to your South Carolina auto insurance policy typically increases premiums because newer drivers have less experience. Good student, driver training, safe driving, and household policy discounts may help reduce the cost when available.
Compare quotes when adding a teen driver because companies can rate household drivers and vehicles differently.
Insurance partners may offer various discounts to South Carolina drivers, including:
South Carolina drivers shopping for affordable auto insurance should ask about discounts that the South Carolina Department of Insurance specifically highlights, including multi-vehicle, driver-education, good-student, vehicle safety-device, anti-theft, low-mileage, good-driver or renewal, and auto/home package discounts. Availability and eligibility vary by insurer.
Ask about available discounts when comparing quotes.
| Rank | Carrier | Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Farm Group | 25.53% |
| 2 | Progressive Group | 22.90% |
| 3 | Allstate Insurance Group | 11.56% |
| 4 | United Services Automobile Association Group | 10.11% |
| 5 | Berkshire Hathaway Group | 8.85% |
| 6 | Travelers Group | 3.35% |
| 7 | Auto-Owners Group | 2.47% |
| 8 | Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Group | 2.41% |
| 9 | Liberty Mutual Group | 2.33% |
| 10 | Nationwide Corporation Group | 2.28% |
Source: National Association of Insurance Commissioners 2024
Carrier rankings are based on NAIC 2024 South Carolina total private passenger auto group-level direct written premium market share. NAIC still lists the 2024 Property/Casualty Market Share Report as its latest free annual market-share publication reviewed for this update. These are insurance groups, not necessarily consumer-facing brand names, quality rankings, or recommendations for the best South Carolina car insurance.
Find auto insurance in these major South Carolina cities:
NerdWallet’s August 2026 analysis estimates the average cost of car insurance in South Carolina at $2,288 per year, or about $191 per month, for full coverage and $649 per year, or about $54 per month, for minimum required coverage. The analysis uses 35-year-old drivers for state averages. Your actual rate can be higher or lower based on your ZIP code, driving history, vehicle, coverage, deductibles, prior insurance, credit-based insurance score where used, and carrier.
The cheapest car insurance in South Carolina is not the same company for every driver. Compare quotes from multiple insurers using the same liability limits, optional coverages, and deductibles, then check available discounts. Minimum coverage usually costs less than broader coverage, but choosing only the state minimum can leave you with more out-of-pocket risk after a serious accident.
There is no single best South Carolina auto insurance company for every driver. The right option depends on the coverage you need, your driver and vehicle profile, the price offered to you, available discounts, and how you value claims service and other policy features. Compare several insurers on equivalent coverage rather than choosing on price or market share alone.
Start with your South Carolina ZIP code and compare quotes using the same driver information, coverage limits, deductibles, and vehicle details. Comparing equivalent coverage makes it easier to see which insurer is actually offering the more affordable rate for your profile instead of comparing policies that protect you differently.
South Carolina requires at least 25/50/25 liability coverage: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability per accident. South Carolina also requires uninsured motorist coverage equal to the same minimum 25/50/25 limits.
Yes. South Carolina law requires drivers to carry liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage to drive legally. The minimum required limits are 25/50/25 for liability and matching 25/50/25 uninsured motorist coverage.
PIP is not part of South Carolina’s required minimum auto insurance coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is required at 25/50/25 minimum limits. Underinsured motorist coverage must be offered by insurers but is optional for the driver to purchase.
No. South Carolina insurers are required to offer underinsured motorist coverage, but drivers are not required to buy it. UIM can help when an at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to cover your covered injuries or property damage.
By NAIC 2024 group-level direct written premium market share for total private passenger auto insurance in South Carolina, the five largest groups were State Farm, Progressive, Allstate, United Services Automobile Association (USAA), and Berkshire Hathaway. Market share measures premium volume; it does not identify the cheapest or best insurer for an individual driver.
South Carolina is not uniformly expensive for every driver. NerdWallet’s August 2026 benchmark puts South Carolina full coverage at $2,288 per year versus $2,356 nationally, while minimum coverage is $649 versus $646 nationally. If your own premium is much higher, South Carolina DOI says factors such as claim frequency, geographic territory, driving record, age, prior coverage, vehicle use, vehicle type, and claims history can affect your rate.
South Carolina may require an SR-22 certificate in some uninsured-driving and financial-responsibility cases. SCDMV says an owner convicted of driving uninsured must have an insurer file an SR-22 for three years from the date of suspension. The SR-22 is proof that required insurance is in place, not a separate insurance policy.
Same-day coverage may be available from some insurance providers if you complete the application, payment, and any required underwriting steps. Effective dates and availability vary by insurer, so confirm the policy start date before driving.
Compare South Carolina auto insurance quotes periodically, maintain a safe driving record and continuous coverage, and ask insurers about discounts. South Carolina DOI highlights multi-vehicle, driver-education, good-student, safety-device, anti-theft, low-mileage, good-driver or renewal, and auto/home package discounts, although eligibility varies by company.
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Coverage availability, pricing, and requirements vary by state and individual circumstances. The information on this page is for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Check current state insurance department or DMV requirements before buying minimum-only coverage.
