- According to recent data, Auto-Owners offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in South Carolina at $123 per month.
- South Carolina drivers with a clean driving record pay 32% less for car insurance than drivers with a DUI.
- In South Carolina, the city of Salem has the most affordable car insurance rates at $1,708 annually.
- Comparing price quotes from multiple insurers can help you save up to 26% per year on your car insurance policy in South Carolina.
You can find the cheapest full-coverage car insurance in South Carolina for $123 a month from Auto-Owners. It saves you $44 compared to the state average car insurance cost of $167 monthly.
Shopping for car insurance in South Carolina can be a hassle, but CarInsurance.com is here to help. We have analyzed quotes from top car insurance companies, such as Geico, Progressive and State Farm so you can see who offers the best deals.
“Drivers looking to get the cheapest insurance premiums in South Carolina should maintain continuous coverage and avoid any lapse. When it comes to shopping for a new insurance company, discounts may be applied if the drivers have maintained continuous coverage, which will help lower the annual premium,” says Lauren Mckenzie, senior insurance agent, A Plus Insurance.
Which company offers the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina?
Auto-Owners offers the cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina for a full coverage policy with an average premium of $123 per month or around $1,475 per year, based on CarInsurance.com’s rate analysis.
A full coverage policy includes liability insurance, which is required by law in most states and optional coverage such as comprehensive and collision insurance, which typically have a deductible.
The below table shows the cheapest quotes in South Carolina by different insurance carriers for a full coverage policy.
Cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina per month
| Company | Full coverage monthly rates |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $123 |
| Progressive | $151 |
| Travelers | $162 |
| GEICO | $171 |
| State Farm | $176 |
| Southern Farm Bureau | $183 |
| Allstate | $195 |
| Sentry Insurance | $307 |
| USAA* | $121 |
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Who pays the lowest auto insurance premiums in South Carolina?
The cost of car insurance can vary greatly depending on your age, location, driving record, credit score, driving habits and vehicle type. However, some insurers may offer you more affordable rates than others based on your situation.
- Married drivers pay 10% less than single drivers.
- South Carolina drivers with clean records pay 32% less than drivers who have a DUI on their record.
- South Carolina drivers in their 20s pay 55% lower rates for insurance than a 16-year-old in South Carolina.
- Adding a teen to your policy will cost you 68% less than having the teen purchase their own auto insurance policy.
- Drivers who are licensed for three or more years pay 27% less on their insurance premiums.
- Drivers insured for three or more years can save up to 16% on their insurance costs.
TipIf you no longer drive regularly or work remotely, you may want to re-evaluate your insurance policy. Drivers with a daily commute of less than 15 miles can save up to 5% for this state more on their premiums.
Cheapest South Carolina companies for different coverage levels
Full coverage car insurance provides comprehensive protection for your vehicle. It typically includes liability coverage, collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, which safeguards against many incidents beyond accidents, such as theft or natural disasters.
There are cheaper options, such as liability-only and state minimum policies. These types of insurance only provide coverage for the other party in an at-fault accident up to the limits of the policy.
Not all insurers offer the same coverage limits at the same price point. For instance:
- Auto-Owners is the cheapest for a state minimum policy.
- Auto-Owners has the cheapest rates for a liability-only policy (50/100/50).
- Auto-Owners offers the cheapest car insurance for a full coverage policy (100/300/100) in South Carolina.
The numbers above (100/300/100) represent up to $100,000 for medical bills per person, with a $300,000 cap per accident and up to $100,000 to repair other drivers’ cars and property that you damage.
Cheapest companies for state minimum coverage in South Carolina
South Carolina requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of car insurance, known as the state’s minimum coverage requirements. It means that your policy must include at least:
| Minimum coverage | Minimum limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum bodily injury liability | $25,000/$50,000 |
| Minimum property damage liability | $25,000 |
Read more about the minimum liability car insurance requirements by state
Below are the average annual rates from major insurance companies in South Carolina, ranked from cheapest to the most expensive for the state minimum coverage.
| Company | State minimum annual rates |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $415 |
| GEICO | $512 |
| Progressive | $560 |
| Allstate | $619 |
| State Farm | $621 |
| Southern Farm Bureau | $686 |
| Travelers | $712 |
| Sentry Insurance | $1,999 |
| USAA* | $444 |
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Cheapest insurance providers for liability-only coverage in South Carolina
Liability-only coverage will financially protect you up to the specific policy limits for any damage, injuries or deaths resulting from an accident for which you’re responsible.
Here are the average annual rates for liability insurance coverage from major carriers in South Carolina, ranked in the order of the cheapest to the most expensive. The coverage limits for these rates are $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for bodily injury per accident and $50,000 for property damage.
| Company | Liability only annual rates |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $566 |
| Progressive | $748 |
| GEICO | $779 |
| Allstate | $803 |
| State Farm | $863 |
| Southern Farm Bureau | $915 |
| Travelers | $984 |
| Sentry Insurance | $2,516 |
| USAA* | $611 |
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina for full coverage
Full coverage car insurance provides comprehensive protection for your vehicle. It typically includes liability coverage, collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, which safeguards against many incidents beyond accidents, such as theft or natural disasters.
When it comes to car insurance, it’s important to have coverage that fits your income, assets and risk profile. If you’re financing your vehicle, your lender will likely require you to purchase a full coverage auto insurance policy.
The table below lists major insurance providers in South Carolina based on the average annual cost for a full coverage policy with limits of $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury, $100,000 property damage and $500 comprehensive/collision deductibles.
| Company | Full coverage annual rates |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $1,475 |
| Progressive | $1,816 |
| Travelers | $1,949 |
| GEICO | $2,054 |
| State Farm | $2,106 |
| Southern Farm Bureau | $2,202 |
| Allstate | $2,336 |
| Sentry Insurance | $3,681 |
| USAA* | $1,451 |
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Learn more about who has the cheapest full coverage auto insurance
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Cheapest car insurance in South Carolina, by driving history
Your driving history affects how much you pay for insurance in South Carolina because insurance companies use it to assess the risk associated with insuring a driver.
Traffic violations such as speeding tickets, DUIs and at-fault accidents demonstrate risky behavior on the road. Insurance companies view these violations as indicators of higher risk and may charge you higher premiums.
A driver with a history of traffic violations pays $654 more annually in South Carolina than an individual with a clean driving record.
Cheap car insurance in South Carolina after a speeding ticket
If you have a speeding ticket on your South Carolina driving record and you are looking for cheap car insurance, State Farm offers the cheapest full-coverage auto insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket, with an average rate of $1,559 per year.
| Company | Rates before speeding | After speeding (1-29 mph over limit) | % difference | $ difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,451 | $1,559 | 7% | $108 |
| Nationwide | $1,152 | $1,659 | 44% | $507 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,293 | $1,691 | 31% | $398 |
| Travelers | $1,405 | $1,931 | 37% | $526 |
| Progressive | $1,651 | $2,078 | 26% | $427 |
| Allstate | $1,973 | $2,559 | 30% | $586 |
| American Family | $2,344 | $2,772 | 18% | $428 |
| Farmers | $4,271 | $5,583 | 31% | $1,312 |
| USAA* | $1,288 | $1,588 | 23% | $300 |
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Cheapest car insurance in South Carolina after a DUI conviction
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance to South Carolina drivers with a DUI conviction at $1,559 per year and Progressive has the second-cheapest insurance premiums at $1,969 a year, based on recent data.
Drivers with clean driving records can expect to pay an average of 32% less than those with a history of DUI.
| Company | Rates before DUI | Rates after a DUI | % difference | $ difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,451 | $1,559 | 7% | $108 |
| Progressive | $1,651 | $1,969 | 19% | $318 |
| Travelers | $1,405 | $2,011 | 43% | $605 |
| Nationwide | $1,152 | $2,201 | 91% | $1,048 |
| American Family | $2,344 | $2,662 | 14% | $318 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,293 | $2,676 | 107% | $1,383 |
| Allstate | $1,973 | $2,690 | 36% | $718 |
| GEICO | $1,285 | $3,125 | 143% | $1,840 |
| Farmers | $4,271 | $5,379 | 26% | $1,109 |
| USAA* | $1,288 | $2,388 | 85% | $1,099 |
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Cheap car insurance rates after an at-fault accident in South Carolina
State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with a history of at-fault accidents with an annual premium of $1,721.
Nationwide is the second most affordable option, providing full-coverage car insurance with an average annual premium of $1,745.
If you’re found at fault in an accident, it can significantly raise your insurance premiums. Insurance companies view at-fault incidents as a sign of higher risk, leading to higher costs for coverage.
| Company | Rates before accident | Rates after accident | % difference | $ difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,451 | $1,721 | 19% | $269 |
| Nationwide | $1,152 | $1,745 | 51% | $593 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,293 | $1,808 | 40% | $515 |
| Travelers | $1,405 | $1,869 | 33% | $464 |
| GEICO | $1,285 | $1,875 | 46% | $591 |
| Progressive | $1,651 | $2,657 | 61% | $1,006 |
| American Family | $2,344 | $3,147 | 34% | $803 |
| Allstate | $1,973 | $3,234 | 64% | $1,262 |
| Farmers | $4,271 | $5,960 | 40% | $1,689 |
| USAA* | $1,288 | $1,914 | 49% | $625 |
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Check out the most affordable insurance options in your neighboring state
South Carolina cities with the lowest auto insurance rates
Where you live significantly impacts your car insurance cost. Insurance companies consider the number and cost of claims in your area to determine the risk of insuring vehicles. Areas with higher accident risks or theft rates tend to have higher premiums to compensate for the increased risk.
Salem is the city with the lowest premiums in South Carolina at an annual auto insurance rate of $1,708.
Insurance providers rely on statistical data regarding thefts, collisions and vandalism to analyze the likelihood of such incidents occurring in a particular area. Besides driving history, your car model and age play a significant role in determining your insurance premiums.
Find below a list of South Carolina cities with the lowest car insurance rates.
| City | Full coverage annual rates |
|---|---|
| Salem | $1,708 |
| Newry | $1,721 |
| Walhalla | $1,728 |
| Westminster | $1,739 |
| West Union | $1,743 |
| Seneca | $1,744 |
| Tamassee | $1,746 |
| Sunset | $1,753 |
| Mount Carmel | $1,755 |
| Long Creek | $1,758 |
Explore the top 10 factors that influence car insurance rates
How much can you save on auto insurance in South Carolina?
Shopping around for car insurance quotes in South Carolina can help drivers save 26% annually on full coverage policies.
How much money you save depends on factors specific to you but compare quotes and ensure you’re getting exactly what you need at a good price.
Car insurance discounts in South Carolina: Save on premiums
South Carolina drivers can lower their car insurance costs by taking advantage of discounts. Insurance companies give discounts to drivers who drive safely, have safety features in their cars and bundle insurance policies.
Compare prices and coverage from different insurance companies to get the best deal and discounts for your specific needs.
Below, find common auto insurance discounts available in South Carolina.
| Discount type | % difference | $ difference |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 1% | $13 |
| Anti-theft device | 1% | $24 |
| Daily commute | 7% | $111 |
| Days advanced purchase | 7% | $194 |
| Days per week driven | 5% | $85 |
| Education | 3% | $65 |
| Electronic funds transfer | 4% | $72 |
| Homeowner | 5% | $146 |
| Lower annual mileage | 6% | $114 |
| Loyalty – years renewal with company | 11% | $240 |
| Marital status | 10% | $288 |
| Multi policy | 9% | $185 |
| Paperless/electornic documents | 3% | $65 |
| Payment type | 11% | $315 |
| Primary use | 9% | $159 |
| Profession | 9% | $208 |
| Safety devices | 4% | $89 |
| Telematics | 8% | $151 |
| Years insured | 15% | $413 |
| Years licensed | 26% | $802 |
The bottom line on cheap auto insurance in South Carolina
Based on our findings, Auto-Owners provides the cheapest rates for a full coverage policy in South Carolina if you have a good driving record.
It’s important to find the cheapest auto insurance and ensure you have the right amount of protection for your needs.
To get affordable car insurance in South Carolina, figure out the coverage you require, compare quotes from different companies, look for discounts and keep a good driving record.
Resources &Methodology
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to field rates in 2023 from all the major insurers in nearly every ZIP code of South Carolina for three different coverage levels:
- Full coverage policy with limits 100/300/100, including comprehensive and collision coverage and a $500 deductible.
- Liability-only with limits 50/100/50.
- State-minimum car insurance limits of 25/50/25.
The rates are based on the sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female driving a Honda Accord LX with a clean driving record and a good credit score. We have compared 53,409,632 car insurance quotes from 75 company groups across 34,588 ZIP Codes.
Violations:
Car insurance rates are calculated by evaluating the sample profile of a 40-year-old driver for a full coverage policy with limits 100/300/100, including comprehensive and collision coverage, and a $500 deductible, with the following incidents applied: clean record, at-fault accident, DUI conviction and speeding ticket.
Discounts:
Car insurance discount rates are for a full coverage policy with limits of 100/300/50 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible based on the sample profile of a 40-year-old male driver. To gather the data, our data experts compared 2,677,890 insurance quotes across various ZIP Codes.
The rates are for comparison purposes only and your exact rates may vary.
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