South Carolina Car Insurance

South Carolina not only requires liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage (as almost all states do) and uninsured motorist coverage (as many do), it demands its drivers buy uninsured motorist property damage as well.

That $25,000 would repair or replace your car if you get hit by someone without insurance -- but it won't fix your car if you are at fault. Only collision coverage does that.

Bring your insurance card. South Carolina requires an insurance company name and policy number at time of registration. If your policy is canceled, you must turn in your driver's license and registration or find new coverage. You'll pay a$200 reinstatement fee, plus $5 for every day you failed to have car insurance..

Register as an uninsured motorist: South Carolina allows a driver to pay a $550 annual fee to register as an uninsured motorist. The driver is still liable for any damage he causes, and the fee doesn't buy any kind of coverage. We think this is a really, really bad option.

Save your driver's license: South Carolina reduces your total driver's license points by half after one year, though a record of the violation stays on your motor vehicle record for three years. You can also reduce your points total by four by taking a defensive driving course. License suspensions start at 12 points; a 25-mph over the speed limit ticket is six points; a broken taillight is two.

No glass deductible: But only if you have comprehensive coverage.

White lightning alert: You can lose your South Carolina driver's license for hauling moonshine.