Cheapest SR-22 insurance in South Carolina

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If you’ve been asked to file an SR-22, you might be worried about the impact on your car insurance costs. An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance but rather a certificate that proves you meet your state’s minimum car insurance requirements.

It’s often required after serious driving violations, such as a DUI, reckless driving or driving without insurance. Unfortunately, having an SR-22 on your record typically leads to higher premiums, making finding the most affordable options essential.

The cost of SR-22 insurance can vary significantly depending on your location, driving history, and insurance provider. To help you save money, we’ve researched the cheapest SR-22 insurance options in every state.

In South Carolina, Nationwide offers the most affordable SR-22 insurance policies at $1,269 per year and GEICO at $1,310 per year.

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly policy or just trying to navigate this complex process, this guide has the information you need to get back on the road without breaking the bank.

What’s an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a certificate of responsibility (CFR) that shows you’ve purchased the required minimum liability auto coverage required by your state. If you’re categorized as a higher-risk driver due to traffic violations, a DWI/DUI conviction, or other reasons, your state or a court order may require you to get an SR-22.

You might hear about “SR-22 insurance,” but an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy – it’s just a term sometimes used to refer to any insurance policy bought by someone who’s required to have an SR-22.

Key Takeaways

An SR-22 isn’t a separate insurance policy but a form your insurer files with the state to show you have the minimum coverage.
You might need an SR-22 in South Carolina due to DUI, reckless driving, or license suspension/revocation.
Filing an SR-22 isn’t expensive, but those with an SR-22 often pay higher premiums.

Do I need to buy SR-22 insurance in South Carolina?

As previously mentioned, SR-22 is not an insurance policy but a form your insurance company files with your state’s DMV. This form lets the state know that even though you have certain driving offenses on your record, you have at least the minimum required insurance for your situation. The typical filing cost isn’t much – usually around $25.

Examples of offenses that might require an SR-22:

DUI, DWI, or other serious moving violations
Reckless driving
Accidents resulting in suspension or revocation
Accumulation of too many driving violation points
Driving without insurance

If you have any of these on your record, you may need an SR-22. After purchasing an insurance plan that meets your state’s requirements, ask your insurer to file the SR-22 form with the DMV.

You typically must maintain an SR-22 for at least three years. If you don’t, you could risk license suspension.

Average SR-22 car insurance cost in South Carolina

The average cost of SR-22 car insurance in South Carolina is $1,998.

This is $983 higher than in New Hampshire, which has the cheapest SR-22 insurance.

However, it’s also $2,043 less expensive than in Michigan, the most expensive state for SR-22 insurance.

The cost of SR-22 insurance depends on several factors, such as why you need the SR-22, your driving history, and where you live.

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Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in South Carolina

Having an SR-22 usually raises your insurance rates, but not all companies charge the same rates. The companies below offer some of the cheapest rates in South Carolina.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Nationwide	$1,269	$106
GEICO	$1,310	$109
Travelers	$1,405	$117
State Farm	$1,718	$143
Auto-Owners	$1,756	$146
Progressive	$1,899	$158
Allstate	$2,254	$188
American Family	$2,369	$197
Farmers	$4,678	$390
USAA*	$1,326	$111

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

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Cheap SR-22 insurance in South Carolina by city

As mentioned earlier, where you live can also make a big difference in the cost of SR-22 insurance. Below, you’ll find the cheapest rates for SR-22 insurance for most cities in South Carolina.

City	Average annual premium
Seneca	$1,120
Westminster	$1,120
Myrtle Beach	$1,160
Anderson	$1,205
Spartanburg	$1,217
Tega Cay	$1,221
Hardeeville	$1,253
York	$1,262
Eastover	$1,392
Johnsonville	$1,431
Manning	$1,437

SR-22 insurance requirements in South Carolina

The South Carolina DMV requires all drivers to meet the following minimum requirements for car insurance coverage:

$25,000 for injury/death per person
$50,000 for injury/death per accident
$25,000 for damage to property per accident

These are just the minimum requirements. Experts advise drivers to get more than the minimum insurance. It may lead to a higher premium, but the extra coverage could be well worth it.

How much does SR-22 in South Carolina cost with a DUI?

Insurance companies differ in the premiums they charge for drivers with a DUI.

Note: In the table below, “filing only” refers to the cost of a policy, including the SR-22 filing fee, without factoring in the reason you need the SR-22.

Company	SR-22 with 1 DUI	SR-22 Filing only
State Farm	$1,855	$1,718
Travelers	$2,011	$1,405
Nationwide	$2,216	$1,269
Progressive	$2,278	$1,899
American Family	$2,687	$2,369
Allstate	$3,130	$2,254
GEICO	$3,150	$1,310
Auto-Owners	$3,204	$1,756
Farmers	$5,886	$4,678
USAA*	$2,462	$1,326

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

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in South Carolina

You may face sky-high insurance premiums if you need an SR-22 in South Carolina. However, there are ways to save on car insurance whether or not you require an SR-22.

First, shopping around is always a good idea. There can be an enormous difference in the rates you will get from different insurance companies. Some companies specialize in high-risk drivers and offer you better SR-22 rates.

Another way to get the cheapest insurance with an SR-22 is to improve your driving record. Sure, that might be easier said than done, but it can be worth putting in the time if you want a better rate. You can get a quick win by taking a defensive driving course. Ask your insurer if they offer any of these courses and if they can help you qualify for a discount.

You can also ask about safe driving programs. These usage-based programs track your driving habits and may reward you with lower premiums for safe driving.

There are a few ways someone required to get SR-22 insurance can find the most affordable policy while still meeting all the legal requirements.

Sebastian Hov, CEO of 18 Insurance, an insurance agency based in Sacramento, South Carolina, recommends the following:

Shopping around: Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.
Pay upfront: Paying your premium in full rather than in monthly installments can sometimes result in lower overall costs.
Opt for non-owner insurance: If you don’t own a vehicle but need to maintain SR-22 coverage, non-owner car insurance can be a cost-effective option as it is typically 5% to 15% cheaper than a standard policy. Keep reading for more information on non-owner insurance options.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance in South Carolina

Another term that’s sometimes used when talking about SR-22 is “non-owner SR-22 insurance.” This usually refers to liability insurance for people who don’t own a car but need to reinstate their license after it is suspended or revoked. This is often a requirement after a DUI, DWI, or several moving violations.

Non-owner insurance provides secondary coverage when driving cars you don’t own, such as a vehicle you borrow or rent.

If you find yourself regularly driving a borrowed or rented vehicle, you should probably apply for a non-owner insurance policy. These policies have certain benefits, like costing less than traditional insurance.

Who needs SR-22 insurance?

Remember that an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy. Instead, it’s a certificate that shows your state’s DMV that you have at least the minimum insurance coverage required.

For instance, if you have a DUI on your record, the state will require you to prove that you have enough insurance to be financially responsible.

Keep in mind that not all driving offenses require an SR-22. You will be notified if you require an SR-22. If you aren’t sure if you need one, ask your local DMV or an attorney who has experience with traffic laws.

How long do you need SR-22 insurance in South Carolina?

You typically need to maintain an SR-22 for three years.

In some cases, the time you need to maintain an SR-22 could be longer or shorter. The length of the SR-22 period will depend on your driving history and how serious the offense is.

The bottom line on SR-22 in South Carolina

The average SR-22 insurance rate in South Carolina is $1,998, while the average cost of car insurance in South Carolina is $1,811. This means SR-22 insurance in South Carolina costs $187 more per year.

Keep in mind that there are numerous factors that affect the auto insurance premiums.

What our expert says

Q: How can you save on SR-22 insurance?

Sebastian HovCEO, 18 Insurance.

“Shop around: Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.”

Resources and Methodology

Sources:

Shouse Law Group. “SR22 South Carolina.” Accessed December 2025.
Progressive Insurance. “What is an SR-22?” Accessed December 2025.

Methodology

Insure.com gathered rates from Quadrant Information Services for all states, including Washington, D.C. The rates are based on a sample driving profile of a 40-year-old male and female who drives a Honda Accord LX and opts for a full-coverage policy with coverage limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible across most ZIP codes. We analyzed 5,000,736 insurance quotes from 27 companies.

Bob Haegele

Contributing Researcher

Bob Haegele is a personal finance writer. He covers car insurance, health insurance and life insurance. While working in the corporate world he started a personal finance blog. He later left his corporate job and began freelance writing full-time. Since then, he has made it his mission to help people master their money. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, FinanceBuzz and others.