South Carolina car insurance

South Carolina drivers pay about $83 a month for minimum coverage and $195 a month for full coverage. Those prices are slightly above average for full coverage policies, and a little higher for those who only want the state minimum policy.

This article will walk you through how South Carolina car insurance laws work, what the requirements are, and how to shop for the best car insurance value for your individual circumstances.

Car insurance in South Carolina averages $83 a month for state-minimum coverage and $195 a month for full coverage in 2026. Full coverage adds comprehensive and collision protection for your own vehicle on top of the liability the state requires.

South Carolina requires every driver to carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability.¹

Additionally, South Carolina law requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage in at least the same amount, though you are free to purchase more.^1,2

Is state minimum coverage enough in South Carolina?

State-minimum limits are ok for very minor accidents and routine fender-benders. But they’re grossly inadequate to protect you if you’re involved in a major accident with injuries, or involving a late model car.

Here’s why: The average new car in America can cost several tens of thousands, and easily hit the property damage cap on a state minimum liability policy. If you’re the at-fault driver and you total a car worth more than $25,000, you can be held personally liable for the difference. 

This is why most drivers carry more than the state minimum requirement.

How does UM/UIM coverage work in South Carolina?

Uninsured motorist coverage kicks in if you are involved in an accident with a driver who has no insurance at all. South Carolina law requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage.

Under-insured motorist insurance, which is optional in South Carolina, pays benefits if you’re in an accident with a driver who has insurance, but the limits on their policy are insufficient to cover your damages. In that case, your under-insured motorist policy benefits kick in where the other driver’s policy leaves off—up to your own under-insured motorist policy limits.

Is South Carolina a no-fault or at-fault state?

South Carolina is an at-fault state. That means the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting injuries and property damage. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance covers the other party’s injuries and property damage, up to the policy limits.¹

As is normal for at-fault states, or tort states, there is no personal injury protection (PIP) requirement in South Carolina. Instead, you can purchase MedPay coverage, which pays for your medical bills, regardless of who’s at fault. It's cheap to add, so many South Carolina drivers keep it as a backup.

For a full coverage policy, GEICO has the lowest average premium in South Carolina, averaging $126 a month. USAA is a very close second at $127, and Nationwide and Travelers came in right behind at $129 and $133, respectively. The graph below shows average monthly premiums by company for the same driver and coverage.

Rates here run from $126 to $458 a month for the same driver and coverage. Luva pulls personalized rates from insurers doing business in South Carolina so you can see where your profile lands.

South Carolina companies set your rate based primarily on your driving record, age, location, personal credit history, vehicle, and coverage choices.³

The biggest factors include: 

• Driving record: Tickets, at-fault accidents, and a DUI will increase your premium, often for three to five years.

• Credit: This is one of the biggest factors driving premiums. Drivers with poor credit pay about $354 a month on average compared to $157 for drivers with excellent credit, all other things being equal.

• Location: Rates vary based on local traffic, theft, weather, and repair costs.

• Age and experience: Teen and young-adult drivers pay the most, but rates drop off rapidly as drivers move into their 20s.

• Vehicle: Some models cost more to repair or replace than others. This is priced into your insurance premiums.

Location

Rates vary by ZIP code based on local risk trends and data. In South Carolina, full coverage premiums are often higher in coastal areas because of hurricane and flooding risk.

Here’s a look at the average monthly premiums in popular South Carolina cities:

How do violations affect South Carolina car insurance rates?

Luva Research ranks South Carolina among the three worst states for driving overall, alongside Mississippi and Wyoming.⁴

A single violation increases South Carolina car insurance premiums sharply, and the higher premiums can stick with you for at least three years, so it pays to maintain a clean driving record. 

Compare quotes from several companies using the same coverage, because prices for the same driver vary widely. From there, a few adjustments can lower your premium further:

• Compare quotes on equal terms: Line up at least three companies using the same limits and deductibles so you compare price, not coverage. Luva gathers real quotes from multiple South Carolina companies on identical terms in one conversation.

• Raise your deductible, if you can absorb it: A higher comprehensive and collision deductible lowers your premium, but you pay that amount out of pocket after a claim.

• Keep continuous coverage: A lapse raises future rates and can trigger state penalties.

• Ask about discounts: Safe-driver, multi-policy, paid-in-full, and low-mileage discounts are common; not every company offers each one in South Carolina.

• Work on your credit: Improving your credit over time may reduce your premium with insurers that use credit-based insurance scoring.