Average Cost of Car Insurance in South Carolina

The average cost of car insurance for full coverage in South Carolina is $1,418 per year, or $118 per month. As we go through each demographic, you’ll see that prices do fluctuate dramatically based on specific data. Your location, age, gender, and coverage level will significantly impact what you spend on car insurance in the state. Let’s dig deeper into the demographics.

By City

Where you live will impact the price of your car insurance. Different ZIP codes have different base rates because some areas are more prone to accidents and theft than others. Insurance companies keep track of this data and charge more in areas with a high probability of claims.

By Age

Your age is one of the most significant factors that exist for insurance prices. Younger individuals will pay more than older people when all other factors remain the same. Teen drivers pay the most since they don’t have a track record of responsible driving and are considered a high-risk category. The good news is that insurance gets dramatically more affordable once drivers hit their 20s and even more so in their 30s.

By Gender

Gender plays a role in insurance costs. On average, men pay more for insurance than women because, statistically, they are more likely to get into an at-fault accident than women.

By Coverage Level

While you are required to carry minimum liability coverage in South Carolina, it’s a good idea to buy more than the minimum. Those who opt for full coverage will spend more than those who choose to get only the legal requirement of minimum liability. However, full coverage and higher limits will protect you from lawsuits in the event of a serious accident.

By Violation

You will pay more for auto insurance when you have an accident or get a ticket in South Carolina. Those with an incident on their record are more likely to cause accidents and make claims, which is why their rates are higher.

By Company

Different companies offer different rates, which is why you want to shop around for the best pricing possible.

The following companies have some of the cheapest rates for auto insurance in South Carolina.

There are several things that you can do to help you save on car insurance. The first thing is to shop around for the best rate. Make sure that each quote has the exact same coverage options.

If your rate is still too high after shopping around, consider adjusting your deductible. The deductible is how much you pay for repairs to your vehicle for a collision or comprehensive claim. The higher your deductible is, the lower your monthly insurance payments will be. However, make sure you can afford a higher deductible before changing your coverage.

Finally, ask your insurance agent about car insurance discounts that you might be eligible for. Popular discounts for teens are a good student discount and a driving class discount. Seniors may also qualify for a discount with a refresher course on driver safety. Most carriers also offer discounts for bundling home insurance with auto and driving fewer than 7,000 miles per year.

South Carolina law requires every driver to have minimum car insurance coverage. This requirement would equate to a liability-only policy. The required minimum coverage is:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person
• $50,000 bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 in property damage per accident¹

South Carolina is a fault state, meaning that the person who caused the accident is financially responsible for the costs of medical care and property repair caused by the accident. While minimum liability coverage will cover most minor accidents, drivers may face a lawsuit for a more significant accident if they don’t have the insurance coverage to meet the cost of the damages.

South Carolina uses SR-22s when there is a need to show financial responsibility. The state may require the SR-22 after a serious ticket or accident, such as a DUI. The driver will need to file an SR-22 with the Department of Motor Vehicles to demonstrate that they hold at least the minimum liability insurance coverage for their vehicle.

Shopping around for insurance can be overwhelming since many factors go into a quote. However, you can simplify things by getting apples-to-apples quotes from different carriers. Be sure to ask for all the discounts you are eligible for, and do your best to maintain a clean driving record to keep rates as low as possible.

AutoInsurance.com seeks to help consumers find the best insurance policy for the best rates possible. It uses demographic data to show the price difference based on each demographic detail. All rates quoted in this article use South Carolina data as the basis of the quote. Doing this helps you find the best rate possible for your specific needs.