Low-cost car insurance in South Carolina

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Drivers in South Carolina can find the cheapest average premium with Auto-Owners, at $1,715 per year. By comparison, the statewide average monthly cost is $197. Keep in mind that rates vary for each driver depending on factors like driving record, ZIP code, and vehicle type.

Since auto insurance laws differ by state, South Carolina requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability.

For broader protection, full coverage may be a smart option. It combines liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance, giving you coverage not only for other drivers but also for your own vehicle if it’s damaged in a crash, stolen, or affected by severe weather.

Here’s how different insurers stack up for drivers in South Carolina, depending on your situation.

Key Takeaways

Auto-Owners has the cheapest average premium in South Carolina, coming in at $1,715 per year – about $652 compared to the state average.
For drivers with an at-fault accident on their record, Auto-Owners offers the lowest rates, with annual costs averaging $2,295.
The 29631 ZIP code is the least expensive area in South Carolina for car insurance, with an average yearly premium of $1,944.

Low-cost car insurance companies in South Carolina

Among all insurers in South Carolina, Auto-Owners comes in lowest at $1,715 per year – $652 less than the statewide average. Keep in mind that your actual premium depends on factors like age, driving history, ZIP code, and the type of car you drive.

Comparing quotes from multiple companies is the best way to make sure you’re getting a competitive rate.

Below are the annual premiums from the cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina.

Company	Average annual rates
Auto-Owners	$1,715
Nationwide	$2,130
Southern Farm Bureau	$2,310
Travelers	$2,342
GEICO	$2,417
Progressive	$2,666
Allstate	$2,806
State Farm	$3,133
USAA*	$1,772

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

How we choose low-cost car insurance companies in South Carolina

170+

Carriers reviewed

78M+

Quotes analysed

34K+

ZIP codes examined

ZIP codes with the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina

Drivers in the 29631 ZIP code pay the lowest average annual premium in South Carolina, at $1,944. See which other areas of the state offer more affordable rates below.

ZIP code	City	Average annual rates
29631	Clemson	$1,944
29691	Walhalla	$1,945
29665	Newry	$1,946
29672	Seneca	$1,947
29678	Seneca	$1,949
29676	Salem	$1,956
29693	Westminster	$1,958
29630	Central	$1,959
29696	West Union	$1,962
29643	Fair Play	$1,973

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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.

Car insurance rates in South Carolina by city

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Low-cost car insurance in South Carolina by age

Teen drivers in South Carolina pay higher insurance rates than adult drivers because they are more likely to get into accidents and file claims. For example, our data shows that a 16-year-old driver pays $7,176 more than a 40-year-old driver in South Carolina.

The table below shows low-cost car insurance rates for drivers of different ages.

Age group	Full coverage annual premiums
Teens (16-19)	$7,503
Young Adults (20-24)	$3,809
Adults (25-60)	$2,377
Seniors (65-75)	$2,324

Low-cost car insurance in South Carolina by driver history

Your driving history is one of the main factors insurers look at when determining how much you pay for coverage.Your auto insurance premiums will increase if you’re responsible for an accident or pulled over for a violation. However, if you have a clean driving record, insurance companies see you as a low-risk driver, and you will likely get coverage for a lower price.

Low-cost car insurance after a speeding ticket in South Carolina

A single speeding ticket in South Carolina can push your rates up by 30%, or about $711. Along with the fine, that makes speeding a costly mistake. Here are a few insurers that still provide lower-priced coverage after a ticket.

Company	Average annual premium	New rate after accident	% Increase	$ Increase
Auto-Owners	$1,715	$2,400	40%	$685
Travelers	$2,342	$3,309	41%	$968
Nationwide	$2,130	$3,359	58%	$1,229
State Farm	$3,133	$3,371	8%	$237
Progressive	$2,666	$3,585	34%	$919
Allstate	$2,806	$3,641	30%	$834
USAA*	$1,772	$2,184	23%	$412

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

Low-cost car insurance after an accident in South Carolina

After an at-fault accident, premiums increase significantly, but some insurers still offer cheaper options. Auto-Owners has the lowest average rate at $2,295 per year.

If you’ve been in an accident, shopping around can help reduce costs. The table below highlights companies in South Carolina with the most affordable rates for drivers with an accident on their record.

Company	Average annual premium	New rate after accident	% Increase	$ Increase
Auto-Owners	$1,715	$2,295	34%	$580
Travelers	$2,342	$3,194	36%	$852
Nationwide	$2,130	$3,500	64%	$1,370
GEICO	$2,417	$3,509	45%	$1,091
State Farm	$3,133	$3,726	19%	$593
Progressive	$2,666	$4,572	71%	$1,906
Allstate	$2,806	$4,598	64%	$1,792
USAA*	$1,772	$2,657	50%	$885

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

Low-cost car insurance after a DUI in South Carolina

A DUI often places drivers in the high-risk driver category, resulting in much higher rates. Still, some companies in South Carolina keep their premiums lower than others. The table below shows the most affordable options available after a DUI.

Company	Average annual premium	New rate after accident	$ Increase	% Increase
Progressive	$2,666	$3,300	$634	24%
State Farm	$3,133	$3,371	$237	8%
Auto-Owners	$1,715	$3,394	$1,678	98%
Travelers	$2,342	$3,455	$1,113	48%
Allstate	$2,806	$3,838	$1,031	37%
Nationwide	$2,130	$4,339	$2,209	104%
GEICO	$2,417	$5,817	$3,400	141%
USAA*	$1,772	$3,287	$1,515	86%

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

Average cost of car insurance South Carolina

While full coverage is more expensive than minimum liability, the extra protection is worth it for most drivers. Liability-only policies cover damage you cause to others, but not your own car. Full coverage adds collision and comprehensive protection, covering accidents, theft, weather, and other risks.

In South Carolina, the average cost of full coverage is $146 less compared to the national average.

We recommend carrying at least 100/300/100 in coverage – $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 per accident, and $100,000 in property damage liability. These limits provide stronger protection in serious accidents that could otherwise exceed state minimums.

What is full coverage car insurance?

Full coverage refers to liability insurance plus both collision and comprehensive. Collision pays for damage to your vehicle after an accident, while comprehensive covers non-collision events like theft, fire, or hail damage.

If you lease or finance your vehicle in South Carolina, your lender may require collision and comprehensive insurance on top of the state’s liability minimums.

The bottom line on saving and staying protected

When it comes to car insurance, everyone is looking for ways to save. However, skimping on coverage to save a few dollars now could end up costing you more down the road.

Ensure you’re adequately protected and consider your specific needs before buying an auto insurance policy. Car insurance rates vary, so compare quotes from at least three different companies to find low-cost coverage in South Carolina.

Methodology

Insure.com gathered data from Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates in South Carolina. The rates are based on a sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female driving a Honda Accord LX with a good insurance score and no violations on record for a full coverage insurance policy with limits 100/300/100 and $500 comprehensive and collision deductibles.

We analyzed 53,409,632 insurance quotes from 170 insurance companies across 34,588 ZIP codes nationwide.

To determine car insurance rates for high-risk drivers with a history of traffic violations, we used a sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female driver who own a Honda Accord LX.

We also used sample profiles of drivers from different age groups: Teen drivers (Age 16-19), young drivers (Age 20-24), adult drivers (Age 25-60) and senior drivers (Age 65-75)

We determined the premiums for a high-risk driver with the following incidents applied

1 At-fault property damage accident over $2K
1 At-fault property damage accident under $2K
At-fault bodily injury accident
Poor credit
DUI/DWI first offense
Speeding 30+ over limit
Speeding ticket 1-10 MPH over limit
Speeding ticket 11-29 MPH over the limit

These are sample rates, and your exact rates may vary.

Shivani Gite

Contributing Writer

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.