Best car insurance in South Carolina (2024)

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Jessica OlivoFreelance contributorJessica Olivo is a writer living in Connecticut. She specializes in web and blog content in a variety of topics such as parenting, business, and culture, as well as serialized and short fiction.After working in publishing and book publicity for many years, she transitioned to freelance writing full time.&Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

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The cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina is American National, at an average of $57 per month or $683 per year for full-coverage. We found that American National is the only company in South Carolina with an average rate under $1,000 a year.

Ready to shop car insurance?

American National has the cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina, but you may  also be able to find cheap full-coverage from USAA, Auto-Owners, GEICO, and State Farm. Before you get car insurance, make sure to compare quotes to find your best rate.

Company

Average monthly cost

Average annual cost

American National

$57

$683

USAA

$87

$1,043

Auto-Owners Insurance

$96

$1,151

GEICO

$97

$1,167

State Farm

$108

$1,292

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina

American National

4.5

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

American National logo

American National’s best feature is its very cheap rates. American National offers gap insurance, which is a big plus for some drivers, but doesn’t have as many endorsements as competitors.

Pros

  • Lower-than-average rates

  • Offers gap insurance

  • Available in all 50 states

Cons

  • Few discounts

  • Minimal coverage options

The cheapest car insurance in South Carolina comes from American National. On average, American National costs $57 per month or $683 a year. That’s $1,335 cheaper than the statewide average in South Carolina.

American National not only has the cheapest rates for drivers with clean records, but it also tends to have great prices for drivers with a past accident or driving violation.

USAA

5

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

USAA logo

USAA is one of the most reliably cheap car insurance companies in the country. It also has a long-standing reputation for great customer service. Unlike other providers, USAA is only offered to drivers who are affiliated with the military.

Pros

  • Offers coverage in every state and the District of Columbia

  • Usually has some of the cheapest car insurance rates of any company

  • Drivers can use discounts to lower their rates

  • Consistently high customer satisfaction

Cons

  • Limited options for adding extra coverage

  • Only available to members of the military, veterans, and their families

USAA has some of the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina, but only for drivers who are active or retired members of the military or a part of a military family. The average cost of car insurance from USAA in South Carolina is $87 per month ($1,043 per year), or $975 cheaper than the statewide average.

Auto-Owners

3.9

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

Auto-Owners logo

Auto-Owners tends to be a cheap option for most drivers. Available in 26 states spread out across the country, Auto-Owners brings together affordable coverage and highly-rated customer service.

Pros

  • Cheap car insurance rates for many drivers

  • Offers lots of add-ons, like gap coverage and diminished value protection

  • Receives fewer complaints from policyholders than competitors

Cons

  • No longer has a usage-based insurance discount

Auto-Owners is another option for cheap car insurance in South Carolina, at an average rate of $96 per month. That’s $1,151 per year, or $867 cheaper than the South Carolina average.

GEICO

4.7

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

GEICO logo

GEICO is nationally available and often has some of the cheapest rates. GEICO gets fewer service complaints than average, even though claims satisfaction can be mixed. Drivers can also customize their car insurance from GEICO with a few useful add-ons.

Pros

  • Available in every state and the District of Columbia

  • Usually has some of the cheapest rates

  • Gets fewer complaints than expected for its service

  • Allows drivers to add different types of useful coverages to a basic policy

Cons

  • Mixed reputation for claims satisfaction

GEICO also offers cheap car insurance for South Carolina drivers. On average, car insurance from GEICO costs drivers in the Palmetto State $97 per month, or $1,167 per year. That’s $851 cheaper than the statewide average.

State Farm

4.8

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

State Farm logo

As the country’s biggest car insurance company, State Farm makes it easy for drivers to get coverage, make claims, and stay in contact. Also, State Farm is one of the cheapest insurers for most drivers, and tends to have great customer service.

Pros

  • Coverage available in nearly every state (along with in-person offices)

  • Cheap car insurance, including for some high-risk drivers

  • Consistently high customer service ratings

  • Some discounts, especially for good drivers

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer as many coverage options as some competitors

At an average of $108 per month ($1,292 a year), State Farm also has cheap car insurance in South Carolina. While it’s over $100 a month, State Farm still costs $726 less than the average rate for full coverage in South Carolina.

Best car insurance companies in South Carolina

The best auto insurance company in South Carolina is USAA, according to third-party customer service ratings. USAA received the highest score in the region on J.D. Power’s 2022 Auto Insurance Survey, which measures how policyholders feel about their insurance company’s customer service, billing, claims, and price.

Auto-Owners has the second-highest score in South Carolina, so it’s the best company for South Carolinians who aren’t affiliated with the military and can’t qualify for USAA coverage.

Rank

Company

Score

1

USAA

886

2

Auto-Owners Insurance

871

3

Alfa

862

4

State Farm

855

5

Nationwide

850

Cheapest car insurance companies by age in South Carolina

Young drivers pay the most for car insurance because they are more likely to file a claim in the years they are gaining experience on the road. Fortunately, with age and practice come lower rates and most drivers will see their rates drop by age 25.

American National is the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina for newly licensed drivers.

Age

Cheapest company

Average cost

18

American National

$1,682

21

American National

$1,077

25

American National

$750

30

American National

$714

35

American National

$688

45

American National

$646

55

American National

$590

60

American National

$597

65

American National

$623

70

American National

$704

16

GEICO

$3,567

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Choosing the right car insurance company in South Carolina

Cost is always an important factor when choosing a car insurance company. But before you go with your cheapest quote, consider all the coverage you’re getting and get a feel for a company’s customer service ratings. That will help you pick a policy that is not only affordable, but also provides the best overall value. Policygenius can help you see your options, so you know you’re choosing the right policy.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in South Carolina

Since drivers with accidents and violations on their record are more likely to file a claim in the future, insurance companies consider them a bigger risk to insure, and they’ll pay more for car insurance.

American National tends to have the best rates for high-risk drivers in South Carolina.

Violation

American National

USAA

Auto-Owners Insurance

GEICO

State Farm

At-fault accident

$968

$1,575

$1,632

$1,732

$1,528

Suspended license

$1,145

$1,922

$1,368

$2,268

$1,386

Open container

$968

$1,613

$1,368

$2,268

$1,386

Expired registration

$842

$1,352

$1,163

$1,175

$1,386

Driving without lights

$842

$1,352

$1,163

$1,175

$1,386

Running a red light

$842

$1,352

$1,163

$1,175

$1,386

Following too closely

$842

$1,352

$1,163

$1,175

$1,386

Hit and run

$1,145

$2,068

$2,430

$2,910

$1,386

Not-at-fault accident

$731

$1,099

$1,368

$1,175

$1,309

Passing a school bus

$943

$1,613

$1,163

$1,175

$1,386

Reckless driving

$1,145

$1,613

$2,430

$2,268

$1,386

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in South Carolina

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

American National

$1,062

State Farm

$1,386

USAA

$1,996

Auto-Owners Insurance

$2,430

GEICO

$2,910

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in South Carolina

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

American National

$943

GEICO

$1,175

USAA

$1,352

State Farm

$1,386

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,708

→ Read more about SR-22 insurance in South Carolina

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in South Carolina

Having bad credit is likely to cost you when it comes to car insurance. Anything you can do to raise your credit score before shopping for a new policy will help you get a cheaper rate.

USAA or American National have the lowest average rates for drivers with bad credit.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

USAA

$1,671

American National

$2,463

Travelers

$2,524

GEICO

$2,585

State Farm

$2,611

Car insurance costs in South Carolina cities

Location plays a factor in how much you pay for auto insurance. Crime rates, traffic patterns, past accidents and claims and even the cost of car repairs in your city will all affect what you’ll pay for car insurance coverage. Here’s what drivers pay in the 10 biggest cities in South Carolina:

  • Charleston: $2,143

  • Columbia: $2,147

  • North Charleston: $2,235

  • Mount Pleasant: $1,907

  • Rock Hill: $2,000

  • Greenville: $1,904

  • Summerville: $2,176

  • Goose Creek: $2,127

  • Hilton Head Island: $1,746

  • Sumter: $2,082

Ready to shop car insurance?

Buying car insurance in South Carolina

South Carolina requires drivers to have at least a minimum amount of car insurance, although most drivers need well over those minimum amounts in order to be fully protected. The coverage levels required by law are:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000

  • Property damage liability coverage: $25,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Coverage must equal liability limits ($25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

How to get cheap car insurance in South Carolina

Car insurance can be expensive, but there are some go-to tips for making sure you’re getting your most affordable rates.

  • Shop around. Not all insurance companies will charge the same amount even for the same coverage, so compare quotes before you buy

  • Look for discounts. Insurance companies offer lots of opportunities to save. These include safe driver discounts, good student discounts, and military discounts

  • Bundle policies. Get your auto and home insurance from the same company and save on both.

Find car insurance in your city:

Frequently asked questions

Does South Carolina require car insurance?

Drivers in South Carolina are required by law to have at least 25/50/25 levels of liability insurance, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

How much is car insurance per month in South Carolina?

Drivers in South Carolina pay an average of $168 per month for car insurance, which breaks down to $2,018 per year.

What happens if you don't have car insurance in South Carolina?

Uninsured motorists in South Carolina will be charged a $550 fee. Depending on the situation, they may also be expected to pay additional fines, reinstatement fees, or even serve time in jail.

Who has the cheapest rates in South Carolina?

American National has the cheapest average rate in South Carolina — by a lot. At $683 for a full coverage policy, they are well below the next closest competitor. Of course, low premiums sometimes come at a price, so do your homework and make sure you’re getting the coverage you need and the service you deserve.

Authors

Jessica Olivo is a writer living in Connecticut. She specializes in web and blog content in a variety of topics such as parenting, business, and culture, as well as serialized and short fiction.

After working in publishing and book publicity for many years, she transitioned to freelance writing full time.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

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