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

A full coverage car insurance policy costs around $2,367 a year or $197 per month for South Carolina drivers. However, if you choose to get the state’s minimum liability coverage, you’ll pay $682 a year.

Where you live plays a big role in what you pay for car insurance. Insurers factor in local accident rates, repair and medical costs, theft trends, and even weather risks when setting premiums. If you’re in a crowded city with high traffic or crime rates, you’ll typically pay more, whereas quieter rural areas usually come with lower premiums. But location isn’t everything – your age, driving history, credit score, ZIP code and even the type of car you drive also play a role in determining your final premium.

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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Data last refreshed in 2025
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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.

Car insurance rates in South Carolina by city

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Average car insurance cost in South Carolina by city

Car insurance rates can vary widely depending on where you live, even within South Carolina.

Cities like North Charleston, Summerville, or Florence tend to have higher premiums due to heavier traffic, more frequent accidents, and a greater risk of theft or damage.

On the other hand, car insurance is generally more affordable in cities like Greenville or Rock Hill, with average annual premiums between $2,189 and $2,247.

This is largely because these cities have fewer accidents, less traffic, and lower rates of vehicle theft or vandalism.

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

Age is one of the most important factors insurers consider when pricing car insurance. Young drivers usually pay more because insurers see them as higher risk due to their limited experience behind the wheel.

Premiums are typically most expensive for teens, begin to decrease after age 25, and then rise again as drivers enter their 70s.

Here’s a breakdown of what you might pay for full coverage in South Carolina, based on age and gender.

Average car insurance cost in South Carolina for young drivers

If you’re a younger driver, expect to pay higher premiums on your car insurance.

Insurers consider young drivers risky because of the increased risk that comes with limited driving experience.

For instance, a 20-year-old male driver in South Carolina pays an average of $5,320 annually for car insurance, compared to $4,549 for a female driver of the same age.

By age 25, car insurance premiums typically decrease to $2,947 per year for male drivers and $2,800 for female drivers. While still slightly above average, it’s a substantial drop from what drivers pay in their early 20s.

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

An adult driver aged 25-60 in South Carolina pays $2,414 annually for full coverage, or around $201 each month. Women in the same age group pay $2,339 per year or $195 per month.

Since rates vary based on driving profile, comparing quotes is the best way to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your coverage.

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

Car insurance premiums tend to rise for older drivers. At age 65, men typically pay $2,199 annually, while women pay $2,136.

By 70, average rates go up to $2,311 for men and $2,234 for women. At age 75, costs increase further, reaching $2,595 for men and $2,467 for women each year. Insurers often raise rates for older drivers due to age-related risks like slower response times and declining vision.

However, you can still lower your premium by keeping 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 your first insurance policy or just moved to South Carolina, it’s important to understand the state’s car insurance requirements.

To stay on the right side of the law, drivers in South Carolina must carry at least the following minimum liability coverage:

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

Cheapest cars to insure in South Carolina

The type of car you drive plays a significant role in determining your insurance premium. Vehicles with high repair expenses, theft rates or a history of accidents usually cost more to insure. On the other hand, those with high safety ratings, lower repair costs and fewer insurance claims tend to have more affordable rates.

Subaru Crosstrek is one of the cheapest cars to insure in South Carolina, with an average premium of $1,770 per year. Acura RDX has an average annual cost of $1,817.

The table below shows the cars with the lowest average insurance rates.

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 2023 car insurance data. Our team of data analysts and expert editors has analyzed 56,838,240 insurance quotes from 136 insurance companies across 34,523 ZIP codes to determine the average premiums. The insurance rates are based on a sample profile of a 40-year-old male driver 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:

  • Young drivers aged 20-24
  • Adult drivers aged 25-26
  • 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

How much is car insurance in other states

Alaska$2,215/Year
Alabama$2,107/Year
Arkansas$2,723/Year
Arizona$2,333/Year
California$3,010/Year
Colorado$3,222/Year
Connecticut$2,726/Year
Delaware$3,097/Year
Florida$3,852/Year
Georgia$2,739/Year
Hawaii$1,721/Year
Iowa$2,228/Year
Idaho$1,791/Year
Illinois$1,901/Year
Indiana$1,856/Year
Kansas$2,410/Year
Kentucky$2,976/Year
Louisiana$4,180/Year
Massachusetts$2,430/Year
Maryland$2,273/Year
Maine$1,701/Year
Michigan$3,146/Year
Minnesota$2,561/Year
Missouri$2,410/Year
Mississippi$2,455/Year
Montana$2,541/Year
North Carolina$2,587/Year
North Dakota$2,079/Year
Nebraska$2,387/Year
New Hampshire$1,650/Year
New Jersey$2,736/Year
New Mexico$2,486/Year
Nevada$3,284/Year
New York$2,898/Year
Ohio$1,739/Year
Oklahoma$2,705/Year
Oregon$1,927/Year
Pennsylvania$2,428/Year
Rhode Island$2,706/Year
South Dakota$2,635/Year
Tennessee$2,214/Year
Texas$2,631/Year
Utah$2,250/Year
Virginia$1,837/Year
Vermont$1,504/Year
Washington$2,175/Year
Wisconsin$2,026/Year
West Virginia$2,557/Year
Wyoming$1,984/Year
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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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