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25 Years of insurance experience
78.5M Quotes reviewed
170 Insurance providers evaluated
34.5K ZIP codes analyzed

If you’re in South Carolina, your monthly cost for full coverage car insurance is $197, which adds up to $2,367 per year. For minimum coverage, expect to pay an average of $57 monthly, or $682 a year.

Insurance companies calculate your premiums based partly on where you live. They consider factors such as traffic and accident rates, the number of car thefts in your area, and how expensive it is to repair your vehicle.

If you live in a busy city with heavy traffic and high theft rates, you’ll likely pay more for car insurance than someone in a rural area with fewer cars on the road and lower accident risks.

Other than location, your age, driving history, credit score and ZIP code also influence your insurance rates.

Average annual cost
$2,367

Average per month cost
$197

Average cost for state minimum coverage
$918 / Year

Cheapest car insurance company
Auto-Owners

$1,715 / Year

Average cost for young drivers
$3,809 / Year

Average cost for Senior drivers
$2,324 / Year

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Average car insurance cost in South Carolina

If you live in South Carolina can expect to pay an average of $197 per month for full coverage car insurance – that’s $2,367 per year. If you opt for your state’s minimum required coverage, your insurance cost drops to $57 monthly or $682 annually. Just keep in mind that opting for minimum coverage means significantly less protection if you’re in an accident.

However, how much you actually pay for coverage can vary based on several factors, such as your age, driving history, credit score, ZIP code and the type of car you drive.

Cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina

Auto-Owners has the cheapest rates, at an average annual cost of $1,715 or $143 a month for a full coverage policy with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles.

Nationwide also stands out for its affordable premiums, with an average cost of $177 per month or $2,130 annually.

While these insurance companies have some of the lowest average rates in South Carolina, your actual premium may vary. It’s always a good idea to compare quotes to find the best deal on auto insurance.

Affordable car insurance providers in South Carolina

Graph
Table
Company nameAverage per month costAverage annual cost
Auto-Owners$143$1,715
Nationwide$177$2,130
Southern Farm Bureau$192$2,310
Travelers$195$2,342
GEICO$201$2,417
Progressive$222$2,666
Allstate$234$2,806
State Farm$261$3,133
USAA*$148$1,772
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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Data last refreshed in 2026
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Average cost of car insurance by coverage levels in South Carolina

Your car insurance cost largely comes down to the coverage limits you pick.

If you’re just looking to meet the state’s minimum requirements, you can expect to pay around $57 a month, or about $682 a year. It’s an affordable option, but remember that it only covers liability, so damages to your car won’t be covered.

For more complete protection, you may want to go with full coverage instead. Full coverage car insurance includes liability, collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage covers damage to your car from accidents, regardless of fault. Comprehensive coverage protects against non-collision damages, like theft, vandalism and weather events.

On average, drivers in South Carolina pay around $197 per month, or roughly $2,367 a year for full coverage. It’s a bit more expensive, but it can be worth the extra cost, especially if your car is new or financed.

Coverage limitsAverage annual cost
State minimum liability-only$682
Liability only$918
Full coverage$2,367
Non-owner state minimum liability$424
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Auto insurance premiums vary significantly from city to city, so drivers need to be sure they’re getting the best deal. Insure.com has done the research for you. Get more information on auto insurance rates by city below.

Our agents make it hassle-free to get the right quote.

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Average car insurance cost in South Carolina by city

Because car insurance rates vary by location, the city you live in also affects how much you pay. If you’re in cities like North Charleston, Summerville or Florence, you’ll likely see higher premiums because of high traffic and accident rates, and greater risk of theft or damage.

On the other hand, drivers in cities like Greenville or Rock Hill pay significantly low insurance rates, on average between $2,189 and $2,247 a year. Insurers typically charge lower premiums in these cities due to fewer accidents, lower population density, vehicle theft and vandalism rates.

CityAverage annual cost
Greenville$2,189
Rock Hill$2,247
Mount Pleasant$2,255
Columbia$2,409
Sumter$2,467
Goose Creek$2,478
Florence$2,508
Charleston$2,508
Summerville$2,512
North Charleston$2,594
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Average car insurance cost in South Carolina by age

Insurers consider age a key risk factor when determining car insurance rates. Our data shows that young drivers typically pay higher premiums due to their limited experience behind the wheel.

Generally, rates are highest for teens, begin to drop after age 25 and rise again once drivers reach their early 70s.

Let’s take a closer look at how much you might pay in South Carolina for a full coverage policy based on your age and gender.

Average car insurance cost in South Carolina for young drivers

If you’re a young driver, you can expect to pay above average premiums. Insurers see young drivers as high-risk, which means higher premiums until you gain more experience behind the wheel.

For instance, 20-year-old male drivers in South Carolina pay an average of $5,320 per year for car insurance, while females of the same age pay $4,549.

But by the time you turn 25, insurance premiums drop to $2,947 a year on average for male drivers and $2,800 for female drivers.

Age of driverAverage annual cost for Male driversAverage annual cost for Female drivers
20$5,320$4,549
21$4,095$3,654
22$3,815$3,451
23$3,520$3,219
24$3,331$3,071
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Average car insurance cost in South Carolina for adult drivers

On average, an adult male driver in South Carolina pays $2,414 a year for full coverage or $201 per month. Women pay $2,339 a year or $195 per month for the same coverage.

However, exact rates can vary widely from driver to driver, so it’s helpful to compare quotes to find the best price for your vehicle.

Age of driverAverage annual cost for Male driversAverage annual cost for Female drivers
25$2,947$2,800
30$2,551$2,466
35$2,477$2,395
40$2,403$2,330
45$2,368$2,291
50$2,239$2,202
55$2,173$2,126
60$2,158$2,105
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Average car insurance cost in South Carolina for senior drivers

If you’re a senior driver, your car insurance costs go up as you get older. At age 65, men pay about $2,199 per year, while women pay $2,136. But by age 70, average premiums rise to $2,311 for men and $2,234 annually for women. At 75, rates increase even further – $2,595 for male drivers and $2,467 for female drivers.

Insurers charge more because older drivers are seen as a higher risk due to slower reaction times and changes in vision. But you can still keep costs down by maintaining a clean driving record and taking advantage of senior discounts.

Age of driverAverage annual cost for Male driversAverage annual cost for Female drivers
65$2,199$2,136
70$2,311$2,234
75$2,595$2,467
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Minimum car insurance requirements in South Carolina

Whether you’re buying insurance for the first time or moving to a new state, understanding the required liability limits in South Carolina can help you avoid fines and make smarter choices about your coverage.

Drivers in South Carolina must carry at least the following minimum coverage limits to meet the state’s legal requirements:

  • Bodily injury per person: $25,000
  • Bodily injury per accident: $50,000
  • Property damage liability: $25,000

Cheapest cars to insure in South Carolina

Your car’s make and model can significantly impact its insurance costs. Vehicles that are expensive to repair or have higher theft or accident rates typically come with higher premiums. On the other hand, vehicles with high safety ratings and affordable repairs are more affordable to insure.

Subaru Crosstrek tops the list for cheapest car to insure in South Carolina at an average cost of $1,770 a year, followed closely by Acura RDX at $1,817 per year.

The table below outlines the vehicles with the lowest insurance costs.

Make ModelAverage annual premium
Subaru Crosstrek$1,770
Acura RDX$1,817
Subaru Outback$1,833
Honda CR-V$1,834
Mazda CX-5$1,835
Volkswagen Tiguan$1,856
Hyundai Venue$1,861
Mini Cooper Countryman JCW$1,870
Ford Maverick$1,877
Chevrolet TrailBlazer$1,879
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Most expensive cars to insure in South Carolina

BMW M8 Gran Coupe tops the list as the most expensive car to insure in South Carolina, at an average annual cost of $6,079. Below is a list of the most expensive vehicles to insure in South Carolina and their average annual premiums.

Make ModelAverage annual premium
BMW M8 Gran Coupe$6,079
BMW M8$5,552
BMW i7$5,376
Maserati Quattroporte$5,324
Porsche 911 Turbo$5,157
Audi RS7$5,109
Audi RS6$5,089
Audi S8$5,034
Audi e-tron GT$4,939
BMW M4$4,910
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Car insurance costs can vary significantly depending on where you live and your personal profile. The smartest way to get the right coverage at a good price is to shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurers. Taking the time to do a little research can end up saving you a lot on your premiums.

Methodology

Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Service to get 2025 car insurance data. Our team of data analysts and expert editors has analyzed 78,451,280 insurance quotes from 170 insurance companies across 34,588 ZIP codes to determine the average premiums. The insurance rates are based on a sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female drivers with a clean driving record and a good insurance score. Quotes premiums are for different coverage limits, including

  • Full coverage policy limits of $100,000 per person for bodily injury, $300,000 total for all bodily injuries per accident and $100,000 for property damage per accident.
  • State minimum limits
  • Liability-only policy with limits of $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident and $100,000 for property damage per accident.

We also collected average car insurance rates for drivers of different age groups:

  • Teen drivers aged 16-19
  • Young drivers aged 20-24
  • Adult drivers aged 25-60
  • Senior drivers aged 65-75

The quoted insurance rates are for comparison purposes, and your rates may vary.

78.5M

Quotes reviewed

170

No. of carriers analyzed

34.5K

ZIP codes analyzed

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Shivani Gite
Contributing Writer

 
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Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions.

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