- The average cost of car insurance for a 65-year-old driver in South Carolina is $1,878 per year for a full coverage policy.
- According to CarInsurance.com’s research, a 70-year-old driver in South Carolina pays 5% more for full coverage than more for full coverage than a 65-year-old driver.
- Finding the cheapest car insurance for seniors over 70 becomes more important as rates increases significantly. For instance, a 75-year-old driver in South Carolina pays 16% more more a full coverage policy than a 65-year-old driver.
- Reviewing and comparing car insurance quotes every six months or at renewal can help you find the most affordable rates.
For drivers, car insurance rates start to increase around age 65, according to CarInsurance.com data. That’s not surprising. Older drivers have higher crash deaths than drivers between the ages of 35 and 54, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC data also shows that 20 older adults are killed every day in car crashes.
But that doesn’t mean seniors can’t find good deals on car insurance. Our guide will help you find the cheapest rates for seniors in South Carolina and learn other ways to save on auto insurance premiums.
Cheapest car insurance companies for seniors in South Carolina
Here are the most affordable full coverage car insurance rates in South Carolina for drivers of different ages:
- Overall cheapest car insurance for seniors over 60: Auto-Owners, $129 per month.
- Cheapest for seniors at age 65: Auto-Owners, $118 per month.
- Cheapest for seniors at age 70: Auto-Owners, $128 per month.
- Cheapest for seniors at age 75: Auto-Owners, $141 per month.
Compare cheap car insurance quotes for senior drivers in South Carolina
Below, find the cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina from major insurers for three coverage levels: state minimum, liability-only with limits of 50/100/50 and full coverage with 100/300/100 limits.
Select your age and type of coverage below to see the average annual and monthly rates.
- Full coverage: 100/300/100 liability with $500 comprehensive/collision deductible
- Liability only: 50/100/50 liability only
- State minimum: State minimum coverage
State minimum car insurance refers to the least amount of coverage that a driver is legally required to have in a particular state. This typically includes liability insurance, which covers bodily injury and property damage to others if you are at fault in an accident. Each state sets its own minimum requirements for coverage limits.
Liability car insurance with limits of 50/100/50 means:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury per accident
- $50,000 per accident for property damage
A liability policy covers expenses for injuries and damages you cause to others in an accident, but not your own injuries or vehicle damage.
Full coverage insurance with limits of 100/300/100 includes higher liability limits:
- $100,000 per person for bodily injury
- $300,000 per accident for bodily injury to multiple people
- $100,000 per accident for property damage
It also typically includes:
- Collision coverage: Pays for damages to your car from a collision.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers damages to your car from non-collision events (e.g., theft, fire, vandalism).
Full coverage ensures you are covered for a wide range of incidents, both for your liability to others and for your own vehicle’s damage.
Why do car insurance rates increase for senior drivers in South Carolina?
As drivers age, car insurance typically becomes more expensive. This is largely because statistics reveal that seniors, on average, are more involved in accidents than younger drivers, excluding teenagers, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Although older drivers typically have many years of experience on the road, they often face age-related challenges such as hearing or vision loss, slower reflexes, medication side effects and other health issues that can complicate driving.
According to the CDC, drivers aged over 70 have higher crash death rates per 1,000 crashes compared to those aged 35-54. NHTSA data also shows that in 2020, senior drivers 65 and older were involved in 13% of fatal accidents, marking a 26% increase since 2011.
In addition, older drivers are more likely to need medical treatment even after a minor accident, and steep hospital expenses contribute to an overall increase in insurance rates.
“Unfortunately, as we move past middle age, the odds of being more severely injured or dying in a car crash increase significantly,” says Carole Walker, executive director at Rocky Mountain Insurance Association.
“Statistically, older drivers have a higher risk of causing a crash, but an even bigger factor adding to higher car insurance bills are common health problems that make them more prone to being hurt and incurring medical bills – even in low-speed or less serious crashes,” she says.
This leads to higher car insurance costs. CarInsurance.com’s data show that premiums rise for most senior drivers starting in their mid-60s and keep increasing. In South Carolina, a full coverage policy costs an average of $1,878 for a 65-year-old driver, while a 70-year-old driver pays $1,972.
CarInsurance.com found that 70-year-old drivers pay 5% more for full coverage than 65-year-old drivers in South Carolina, and 75-year-old drivers pay 16% more for a full coverage policy.
The table below shows the annual average rate increase for senior drivers by age in South Carolina for different coverage levels:
| Age | State minimum | Liability only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | $689 | $904 | $1,878 |
| 70 | $734 | $943 | $1,972 |
| 75 | $842 | $1,091 | $2,230 |
Coverage types:
- Full coverage: 100/300/100 liability with $500 comp/coll deductible
- Liability only: 50/100/50 liability only
- State minimum: State minimum coverage only
Find out how much insurance costs for seniors
Speak with a friendly agent and get your quote in minutes!
Cheapest car insurance for seniors with tickets in South Carolina
A speeding ticket or other moving violation will increase your insurance rates regardless of age. Insurers rely on statistics, which indicate that drivers with a ticket are more likely to be involved in an accident that could lead to a claim.
The rate hike will differ between insurance companies, but South Carolina drivers can expect a 30% increase in their premiums after receiving a speeding ticket for driving 1-29 mph over the limit.
Seniors with a speeding ticket or minor moving violation should expect to pay more for coverage. According to our analysis, the best insurance companies for seniors with tickets are mentioned below.
| Company | Annual rates with 1 speeding ticket | Monthly rates with 1 speeding ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $1,797 | $150 |
| State Farm | $2,070 | $173 |
| Progressive | $2,306 | $192 |
| Travelers | $2,776 | $231 |
| Allstate | $3,188 | $266 |
| USAA* | $1,689 | $141 |
Compare senior car insurance rates in neighboring states
Cheapest car insurance for seniors with DUIs in South Carolina
A DUI is a serious offense and your insurance rates will skyrocket once it appears on your driving record. Typically, your insurance premium will double after a DUI. According to our data, in some states, the increase can be as high as 53% after your first DUI. If you get a second DUI, the insurance rates could increase by 121%.
After a DUI, finding affordable or any coverage can be difficult, but based on our data, these insurers are the best options for seniors with a DUI in South Carolina:
| Company | Annual rates with DUI first offense | Monthly rates with DUI first offense |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $2,070 | $173 |
| Progressive | $2,122 | $177 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,830 | $236 |
| Travelers | $2,905 | $242 |
| Allstate | $3,371 | $281 |
| GEICO | $4,813 | $401 |
| USAA* | $2,529 | $211 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors after an accident in South Carolina
Much like a ticket or DUI, having an accident on your driving record will raise your insurance rates. While the increase varies by insurer, our data show that drivers can expect their premium to jump by 52% after one at-fault accident with property damage exceeding $2,000.
The increase will typically stay in place for three to five years, so it’s important to find the most affordable insurance company. Our data shows that the following insurers offer the cheapest car insurance for seniors after an accident in South Carolina.
| Company | Annual rates with 1 at-fault accident | Monthly rates with 1 at-fault accident |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $1,900 | $158 |
| State Farm | $2,293 | $191 |
| Travelers | $2,683 | $224 |
| GEICO | $2,851 | $238 |
| Progressive | $3,105 | $259 |
| Allstate | $4,074 | $340 |
| USAA* | $2,235 | $186 |
How can seniors save on car insurance in South Carolina?
Auto insurance for seniors can be expensive, but there are ways to save. The following are easy ways to reduce your premiums:
- Shop around: Shopping regularly for car insurance – every six months or yearly around renewal time – can ensure you have the best price.
- Raise your deductible: Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can save you a bit of money every month – but make sure you have the necessary funds to cover the higher deductible.
- Ask about discounts: Discounts – bundling with homeowners insurance, loyalty discounts and discounts for years of being licensed – are a great way to save on your car insurance. More on discounts below.
Editor’s Tip:Take a senior driving course: With an approved defensive driving course, seniors can save up to 4% on their car insurance in South Carolina. The American Automobile Association(AAA) and AARP offer defensive driving courses for senior drivers in South Carolina.
Car insurance discounts for senior drivers in South Carolina
Seniors can take advantage of these car insurance discounts to reduce their insurance costs.
| Discount type | Potential annual savings |
|---|---|
| Air bags | 1% |
| Anti-theft device | 1% |
| Daily commute | 6% |
| Days advanced purchase | 7% |
| Days per week driven | 4% |
| Defensive driver | 4% |
| Education | 3% |
| Electronic funds transfer | 4% |
| Homeowner | 5% |
| Lower annual mileage | 6% |
| Loyalty – years renewal with company | 11% |
| Marital status | 8% |
| Multi policy | 9% |
| Paperless/electronic documents | 3% |
| Payment type | 11% |
| Primary use | 9% |
| Profession | 9% |
| Safety devices | 4% |
| Telematics | 8% |
| Years insured | 15% |
| Years licensed | 27% |
Choosing the cheapest and best car insurance for seniors in South Carolina
Senior drivers, except teen drivers, shell out higher premiums than younger adult drivers. If you are looking for an affordable policy, carefully evaluate your needs and decide the amount of coverage to purchase. While shopping for insurance, consider the price, customer service and the discounts they offer.
Find the best auto insurance companies online to see which carrier provides affordable rates and easy-to-use websites or apps.
FAQ: Cheap car insurance for seniors in South Carolina
Who has the cheapest state minimum auto insurance for seniors in South Carolina?
Based on our data, $482 offers the lowest state minimum auto insurance rates for seniors in South Carolina, at $482 yearly. Progressive and GEICO also provide affordable rates on state minimum coverage for seniors in South Carolina.
Which companies offer the cheapest liability car insurance for seniors in South Carolina?
According to CarInsurance.com, Auto-Owners offers the cheapest liability car insurance for seniors in South Carolina at $675 per year. Progressive and Southern Farm Bureau also offer inexpensive rates.
Does State Farm offer a senior discount in South Carolina?
State Farm doesn’t offer a specific senior discount in South Carolina, but it provides several discounts that seniors can use to reduce their insurance rates. These include discounts for completing a defensive driving course, safe driving, being a long-term customer, bundling policies and vehicle advanced safety features.
Bottom line
Auto-Owners is the cheapest for senior drivers in South Carolina. To find the best car insurance rates, seniors should shop around and compare quotes online from various insurers. They can also qualify for discounts by taking defensive driving courses or bundling their car insurance with other types of coverage.
Check out how to shop for car insurance for seniors
Resources & Methodology
Additional Resources
There are several resources available for older drivers who want to stay safe behind the wheel and save on their insurance premiums:
- American Automobile Association: AAA helps senior drivers to continue driving for as long and safely as possible.
- AARP (American Association of Retired Persons): AARP’s smart driver program helps senior drivers to learn proven driving techniques and save money on car insurance.
- National Institute on Aging: The NIA provides tips to senior drivers about health and driving and offers free publications to aging seniors to answer health-related queries.
- Fitness-to-Drive Screening Measure Online: This web-based tool helps family members identify at-risk drivers.
- Eldercare Locator: Helps senior drivers maintain their independence, and provides information about highway safety for aging drivers and services.
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. “Older Adult Drivers.” Accessed February 2026.
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Fatality Facts 2021 Older People.” Accessed February 2026.
- National Safety Council. “Motor Vehicle: Age Group Comparisons.” Accessed February 2026.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration “U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).” Accessed February 2026.
Behind the rates: How we analyzed cheapest costs for seniors in South Carolina
CarInsurance.com gathered car insurance rates for senior drivers from Quadrant Information Services. The rates are for a full coverage policy with limits 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible based on sample profiles of 65, 70 & 75 year old male and female drivers with clean driving records. We have compared 53,409,632 car insurance quotes across 34,588 ZIP codes from 170 national and regional car insurance companies.
To determine car insurance rates for senior drivers with a history of traffic violations, CarInsurance.com used a sample profile of a 65-year-old driver who owns a Honda Accord LX. We have compared 50,73,544 insurance quotes from 138 companies across 1,468 ZIP codes.
Car insurance rates are calculated by evaluating the sample profile of a 65-year-old male and female driver with the following incidents applied
- One at-fault property damage accident over $2K
- One at-fault property damage accident under $2K
- At-fault bodily injury accidents
- DUI/DWI first offense.
- Speeding ticket (1-10 MPH over the limit,11-29 MPH over the limit & 30+ over limit)
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparison purposes.
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Still have a question? Ask our experts
Get advice from an experienced insurance professional. Our experts will help you navigate your insurance questions with clarity and confidence.
Browse all FAQs
