AutoQuote Hub

South Carolina Car Insurance Quotes & Average Rates

Full coverage car insurance in South Carolina is estimated at $2,217 a year, or $185 a month, for a 35-year-old driver with a clean record. A state-minimum liability policy comes in near $785 a year. South Carolina is an at-fault state, and drivers must carry 25/50/25 liability limits. Below you will find estimated rates for 34 South Carolina cities, a breakdown by age and driving record, and the coverage the state actually requires.

Advertisement

Car insurance calculator — South Carolina

Estimated from state average premiums and your rating factors. Not a quote.

Your estimated premium
$185/ month
$2,217 per year · carriers in South Carolina typically quote $1,574 $3,060
See real quotes for my ZIP

We may be paid a referral fee when you request quotes through partner links on this page. It never changes what you pay. Estimates are modelled, not quoted — see our methodology.

Cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina

InsurerEst. annualEst. monthlyvs. averageNotes
USAA$1,685$140-24%Military members and families only
Geico$1,818$152-18%Usually cheapest for clean records
State Farm$1,951$163-12%Strong for young and student drivers
Progressive$2,106$176-5%Competitive after a ticket or accident
Travelers$2,150$179-3%Good multi-policy discounts
Nationwide$2,217$1850%Mid-market, wide availability
Allstate$2,527$211+14%Higher base rate, heavy discount stacking
Farmers$2,683$224+21%Agent-led, priced above market

Modelled estimates for a 35-year-old with a clean record and full coverage in South Carolina. USAA tends to sit lowest, but the ranking flips constantly by ZIP and driver profile — which is exactly why quoting three carriers is worth the ten minutes.

South Carolina car insurance rates by age

Driver ageFull coverage / yrMinimum / yrFull coverage / mo
16 years old$5,989$2,121$499
18 years old$5,052$1,789$421
20 years old$4,183$1,481$349
22 years old$3,474$1,231$290
25 years old$2,651$939$221
30 years old$2,286$810$190
40 years old$2,149$761$179
50 years old$2,057$729$171
60 years old$2,034$720$170
65 years old$2,126$753$177
70 years old$2,331$826$194
75 years old$2,720$963$227

Estimated premiums by age in South Carolina, clean record, sedan.

How violations change your South Carolina premium

Driving recordEst. annualIncrease
Clean record$2,217
1 speeding ticket$2,727+23%
1 at-fault accident$3,259+47%
DUI / DWI$4,190+89%

What a violation costs a 35-year-old in South Carolina. Surcharges normally stay on the policy for three to five years.

A DUI in South Carolina usually also triggers an SR-22 filing requirement, which most standard carriers will not write.

Advertisement

South Carolina minimum insurance requirements

Required coverage in South CarolinaMinimum limit
Bodily injury liability, per person$25,000
Bodily injury liability, per accident$50,000
Property damage liability$25,000
Uninsured motorist 25/50/25Required
Insurance systemAt-fault (tort)

Limits are set by statute and change from time to time. Confirm the current figures with the South Carolina Department of Insurance before you buy.

Coverage levels in South Carolina

Coverage levelEst. annualEst. monthly
State minimum liability$785$65
Full coverage (100/300/100 + comp & collision)$2,217$185
Full coverage, high limits + low deductible$2,638$220

Coverage level comparison for South Carolina.

Car insurance rates in South Carolina cities

Estimated annual full-coverage premium for a 35-year-old with a clean record, across the 34 South Carolina cities we price.

Frequently asked questions

How much is car insurance in South Carolina?
Full coverage in South Carolina is estimated at $2,217 a year, or $185 a month, for a 35-year-old with a clean record. A state-minimum policy is estimated at $785 a year.
What car insurance is required in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 property damage, plus uninsured motorist 25/50/25.
Is South Carolina a no-fault state?
No. South Carolina is an at-fault (tort) state, so the driver responsible for a crash — through their liability insurance — pays for the other party's injuries and property damage.
Which South Carolina city has the cheapest car insurance?
Of the 34 South Carolina cities we price, Seven Oaks carries the lowest estimate at $2,072 a year, while Columbia is highest at $2,328. Urban density is the main driver of the gap.
How can I get cheaper car insurance in South Carolina?
Re-quote at every renewal rather than letting the policy roll, raise your deductible to $1,000 if you can absorb it, bundle with home or renters cover, and ask specifically about low-mileage, defensive-driving and telematics discounts. The spread between the cheapest and most expensive carrier on an identical risk is routinely close to 2x.
Advertisement