Non-owner auto insurance in South Carolina: Which company has the cheapest rates?

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It costs an average of $435 per year for non-owner car insurance in South Carolina, which is $55 more than the U.S. average, according to a 2023 rate analysis from Insure.com.

In South Carolina, these policies are available from companies such as USAA, American Family and State Farm, in addition to many others.

“Non-owner policies provide the minimum coverage required by the state, as well as some optional add-ons, but there are specific requirements by the insurance carriers to provide this coverage in lieu of a traditional auto insurance policy,” says Patti Clement, senior vice president of private client services at HUB International, a leading personal insurance brokerage.

In addition to understanding the various requirements, it’s important to know what non-owner insurance is, which companies offer it and how much it costs in South Carolina.

How much does non-owner car insurance cost in South Carolina?

Insurers regard non-owner policyholders as less risky due to their limited access to a vehicle. So, it’s usually less expensive to buy a non-owner insurance policy than regular auto insurance.

On average in the United States, it costs drivers with a clean driving record plus a good credit score $1,682 a year for a 100/300/100 full coverage insurance policy. This includes $100,000 for injuries you might cause in an accident, up to $300,000 per accident, and an additional $100,000 for property damage. In South Carolina, it’s $1,894 a year.

Non-owner auto insurance costs $435 a year in South Carolina and $380 on average in the U.S. by comparison.

But there are various criteria to consider when comparing rates, such as where in South Carolina you live, which insurer you purchase from as well as your age and driving history.

Which insurer offers the cheapest non-owner insurance rates in South Carolina?

With an average annual cost of $120, Auto-Owners’ non-owner insurance policy is South Carolina’s most affordable.

At $1,025, Farmers Insurance charges the highest rate for non-owner insurance in the state.

The best way to find the lowest price is to compare quotes from several different insurers. We have listed South Carolina’s most affordable non-owner insurance policies below.

Cheapest non-owner insurance rates in South Carolina

Note that USAA only offers coverage to military members, veterans and their families.

How much is non-owner car insurance in South Carolina by age?

Age plays a vital role in pricing because young people who haven’t been driving for a long time are riskier; they are more likely to cause an accident. Therefore, older and more experienced drivers usually enjoy cheaper rates. On average, non-owner insurance costs $1,346 yearly for a 16-year-old and $448 for a 45-year-old in South Carolina.

Average non-owner car insurance rates in South Carolina by age and gender

Which South Carolina cities have the cheapest non-owner car insurance?

There’s a great deal of variation from city to city when it comes to rates. Insurers base rates on variables like how common theft, collisions and vandalism are in different cities in the United States.

Below are charts showing which cities in South Carolina have the lowest and highest non-owner car insurance rates.

The 20 South Carolina cities with the lowest non-owner auto insurance rates

The 20 South Carolina cities with the highest non-owner car insurance rates

How much is non-owner car insurance in South Carolina’s 10 biggest cities?

The largest cities in South Carolina sometimes have significantly different non-owner insurance rates. The non-owner insurance price in Summerville is the most expensive at $503, but Greenville has the least expensive rates among the largest cities in the state at $433.

Non-owner auto rates in South Carolina’s 10 largest cities

How non-owner insurance rates in South Carolina compare to rates in other states

From state to state, the rates for non-owner car insurance can also vary. South Carolina’s average non-owner insurance rate is $435, $380 above the national average. At $170 per year, South Dakota is the least expensive, followed by Idaho at an average of $190 per year. After that, it’s Iowa at $193 annually.

Non-owner auto insurance rates in the 10 most populous states

How to get non-owner car insurance in South Carolina

Your driver’s license number and a credit or debit card are all you need to get a non-owner insurance policy.

To purchase a policy, follow these steps:

1. Contact an auto insurance agent about the coverage
2. Supply your basic driving history
3. Review the information you receive on the insurers and rates
4. Choose the policy that best meets your needs
5. Put down a payment to begin coverage

Often, you’ll receive proof of insurance very quickly.

For a non-owner auto insurance policy, you’ll have to call an insurance company rather than go online for a quote.

“You must pick up the phone to request a non-owner insurance quote. Although the majority of the major auto insurance providers provide non-owner policies, none of them provide online non-owner insurance estimates,” says Bruce Mohr, senior investment advisor and credit consultant at Fair Credit, a consumer-credit service and consulting company.

Here are a few insurers with contact numbers to call for a non-owner insurance quote.

• State Farm: 800-782-8332
• Geico: 800-207-7847
• Progressive: 888-671-4405
• Allstate: 800-726-6033.
• USAA: 800-531-8722

Methodology

Insure.com in 2023 compiled non-owner insurance rates from Quadrant Information Services for a 40-year-old male with a good driving record looking for a state minimum, liability-only policy.