In a Nutshell
The average cost of car insurance in South Carolina varies based on individual factors like age, credit, driving history, vehicle and coverage. We’ve crunched the data on minimum-coverage rates for several different driver profiles and found some of the lowest-cost insurers for those in the Palmetto State.Note from our editor: Maybe you’re searching for car insurance for the first time or want to do some insurance shopping to help lower your monthly premium? This article can serve as a starting point for your car insurance research. There are a lot of factors when it comes to the cost of car insurance, so while you may not see the exact premiums we’ve researched, they can give you an idea of some of the insurers offering the cheapest rates in your state.
Whether you’re soaking up some history at Fort Sumter or hitting the links with friends, South Carolina has a lot to offer its locals. But wherever you drive in the Palmetto State, you’ll need insurance.
We looked at estimated car insurance rates from companies in South Carolina and calculated average cost — zeroing-in on insurers offering the cheapest estimated rates on basic coverage for several driver needs and profiles.
To evenly compare and get a baseline view of insurers’ rates, we based our calculations on a relatively neutral driver profile — no accidents, tickets or claims, for example (see our full methodology). Your rates may be higher or lower given your driving history and other factors that affect car insurance, like your age, vehicle type and coverage options.
Read on to learn about South Carolina’s average car insurance rates and our findings for the cheapest options for basic coverage.
- Cost of car insurance in South Carolina
- 5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina
- Cheapest state-minimum car insurance in South Carolina
- Cheapest car insurance for good credit in South Carolina
- Cheapest car insurance for poor credit in South Carolina
- Cheapest car insurance for drivers with multiple claims in South Carolina
- Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in South Carolina
- South Carolina auto insurance requirements
- Is usage-based insurance available in South Carolina?
- FAQs about cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina
- Methodology
Cost of car insurance in South Carolina
Average monthly premiums for car insurance in South Carolina, on minimum coverage, range from just under $80 up to a little over $150, depending on the driver profile.
Average monthly auto insurance premiums in South Carolina
| Driver or coverage | Avg. monthly cost |
|---|---|
| State-minimum car insurance in South Carolina | $76.47 |
| Drivers with poor credit in South Carolina | $135.52 |
| Drivers with multiple claims in South Carolina | $153.35 |
| Young drivers in South Carolina | $145.46 |
5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina
These are the five insurers we found to be the cheapest for minimum coverage based on a specific South Carolina driver profile. In general, we found American National offered the cheapest rates for various driver needs.
As detailed in our methodology, our South Carolina driver has a credit score between 680 and 719, a car valued at $20,000 to $30,000, no coverage gaps or tickets, and is 36 to 45 years old, unless otherwise noted. Your rates could be different. If the above doesn’t apply to you, read on — we’ve also calculated the cheapest minimum-coverage rates for a variety of driver needs.
1. American National P&C
American National P&C offers car insurance through a network of local agents. Standout additional coverage options include roadside assistance, gap insurance and replacement parts coverage. Plus, customers involved in an accident with other cars insured by American National P&C can get discounted deductibles.
2. National Grange Mutual
National Grange Mutual, or NGM, is the flagship insurance carrier for Main Street America Insurance. In addition to standard car insurance, customers can choose from additional coverage options, including new vehicle replacement, emergency roadside assistance, road trip interruption and gap coverage. NGM offers ways to save premiums, including discounts for good students and bundling your policies.
3. Auto-Owners Insurance
Auto Owners was founded in 1916 and offers various insurance products, including car insurance. Auto Owners isn’t available in all states, and prospective customers must contact a local agent to get a quote. Auto Owners offers insurance for many types of vehicles, and you could save money on your premium by bundling. Read reviews of Auto Owners to learn more.
4. Geico
Geico offers a wide range of coverage options and many opportunities to save money for safe driving habits, safety equipment and customer loyalty. Its mobile app allows users to manage their policies, pay bills, request roadside assistance and more. Read reviews of Geico to learn more.
5. USAA
USAA is available to military members and their families. USAA auto insurance is available nationwide with various discount opportunities, including unique savings for deployed military members. The USAA app allows members to manage their policy from their mobile devices. USAA offers standard and optional coverage options. Read reviews of USAA to learn more.
Cheapest state-minimum car insurance in South Carolina
South Carolina drivers must carry at least 25/50/25 liability insurance. This is known as state-minimum insurance and is usually the least expensive kind of car insurance you can buy.
These five companies offer the cheapest car insurance for drivers looking for state-minimum coverage only.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina for state-minimum coverage
| 1 | American National P&C | $21.17 |
| 2 | National Grange Mutual | $53.33 |
| 3 | Auto-Owners Insurance | $53.54 |
| 4 | Geico | $53.97 |
| 5 | USAA | $60.93 |
Cheapest car insurance for good credit in South Carolina
One of the things that can affect the price of your premium is your credit. In general, the better your credit, the lower your monthly cost will be.
The following five insurance companies offer some of the lowest basic-coverage rates for drivers with good credit.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina for those with good credit
| 1 | American National P&C | $14.33 |
| 2 | Auto-Owners Insurance | $36.06 |
| 3 | National Grange Mutual | $42.28 |
| 4 | Geico | $47.45 |
| 5 | USAA | $51.51 |
Cheapest car insurance for poor credit in South Carolina
Unfortunately, a lower credit score often translates into a higher monthly car insurance payment. Luckily, other factors also play a role in determining your costs, like your driving record and mileage.
Just like for those with good credit, we found American National offers the lowest basic-coverage rates for drivers with less-than-stellar credit, too. But the rates are much higher than for those considered to have good credit.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina for those with poor credit
| 1 | American National P&C | $64.58 |
| 2 | Geico | $84.73 |
| 3 | Progressive | $88.73 |
| 4 | Travelers | $101.04 |
| 5 | USAA | $111.77 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with multiple claims in South Carolina
Like your credit, your driving history also factors into the cost of your car insurance. In general, the more claims you have on your record, the more expensive your car insurance will be.
Here are the five cheapest car insurance companies for South Carolina drivers with multiple claims, looking at rates for minimum coverage.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina for multiple claims
| 1 | American National P&C | $37.33 |
| 2 | National Grange Mutual | $87.33 |
| 3 | Geico | $90.94 |
| 4 | Auto-Owners Insurance | $93.90 |
| 5 | Travelers | $101.25 |
Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in South Carolina
Finally, your age can affect how much your car insurance costs, with younger drivers typically paying more for car insurance than older drivers. As you get older and build up a history of safe driving, your rates may decrease.
Here are the five cheapest car insurance companies based on rates for minimum coverage for drivers in South Carolina ages 18 to 21.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina for young drivers
| 1 | American National P&C | $41.50 |
| 2 | Geico | $91.31 |
| 3 | Travelers | $101.17 |
| 4 | Progressive | $117.26 |
| 5 | Auto-Owners Insurance | $120.42 |
South Carolina auto insurance requirements
South Carolina requires liability insurance for bodily injury and liability insurance for property damage. Drivers must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is not required. If you have a car loan, your lender will likely require additional coverage.
Is usage-based insurance available in South Carolina?
Usage-based insurance is a type of vehicle insurance that allows customers to pay premiums based on their driving behavior. South Carolina drivers may be able to use UBI, also called telematics, to save money on their car insurance by demonstrating safe driving habits.
FAQs about the cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina
According to our study, average monthly premiums for basic car insurance coverage in South Carolina can range from just under $80 up to a little over $150, depending on the driver profile.
Overall, we found that American National provides the most-affordable minimum-coverage car insurance for various driver needs in South Carolina.
Many insurance companies offer discounts for paying your auto insurance upfront for the year rather than breaking it into monthly payments. That discount depends on your insurance provider, though, so it’s best to check with them to find out more about their specific policy.
Methodology
This article’s estimated rates are the lowest for minimum coverage based on the profile of a driver age 36 to 45 living in South Carolina. Unless otherwise noted, the rates displayed assume a single driver on the insurance policy with no tickets on their driving record and no claims or coverage lapses. The vehicle used in this estimate is valued between $20,000 and $30,000 and has annual mileage of 12,000 to 15,000. Estimated rates for insurance for good credit apply to scores of 720 or higher. Estimated rates for insurance for poor credit apply to scores from 350 to 579. Estimated rates for young drivers include those age 18 to 21. Estimated rates for those with multiple claims are calculated based on two claims.
Note that the rates are provided every six months by Quadrant Information Services. Quadrant Information Services doesn’t include all insurance companies in its rate data. These are estimated rates meant only to provide a frame of reference and comparison. Your rates may vary depending on various factors, such as age, vehicle driving habits and history.
The average monthly premium for state-minimum car insurance includes a South Carolina-mandated 25/50/25 insurance policy.