South Carolina car insurance costs about $1,559 per year for full coverage and $790 for minimum coverage, based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and no driving violations. Rates vary depending on your unique profile.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in South Carolina
Updated: August 19, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Car insurance costs range from $660 to $3,528 per year depending on your chosen coverage, driving profile and location.
South Carolina ranks 36th for minimum coverage and 35th for full coverage affordability among the 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Find the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina by deciding on coverage beforehand, researching costs and companies, and comparing multiple quotes.
Average Car Insurance Cost In South Carolina
| Full Coverage | $130 | $1,559 |
| Minimum Coverage | $66 | $790 |
*Rates are based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean record driving a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Minimum coverage means basic liability required by state law. Full coverage includes 100/300/100 liability limits plus comprehensive and collision with $1,000 deductibles.
Average South Carolina Car Insurance Cost by Category
Car insurance varies widely depending on your unique characteristics, location and car. Here are average rates for common categories of drivers so you can see how pricing can vary.
| Young Drivers | $154 | $294 |
| Adult Drivers | $65 | $128 |
| Senior Drivers | $94 | $170 |
| Drivers With An Accident | $94 | $186 |
| Drivers With A DUI | $98 | $195 |
| Drivers With A Speeding Ticket | $81 | $161 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | $140 | $292 |
| Drivers With Low Income | $81 | $168 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | $73 | $145 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | $55 | $109 |
*We modified rates based on the same 40-year-old driver profile with these changes: young drivers (16 to 25), adults (26 to 64), seniors (65+), low income (fair credit), bad credit (poor credit), newer cars (2025 Toyota Camry LE), older cars (2007 Toyota Camry LE). Driving violation profiles include only that specific violation.
FIND THE BEST CHEAP PROVIDER FOR YOUR PROFILE
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Personalized Average South Carolina Car Insurance Costs
General driver categories give you a starting point, but your rates will be different. Use our table below to find personalized costs based on your specific profile.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Coverage Level:100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded.
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Age Group:Adult Drivers
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Gender:Female
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Credit Alignment:Below Fair
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Driving Record:At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
| 100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded. | 311 | 3734 |
*Rates for the age groups are based on the following assumptions: young drivers (16 to 25), adults (26 to 64), seniors (65+).
Average South Carolina Car Insurance Cost by City
Your location in South Carolina plays a big role in your car insurance costs. Full coverage rates range from $610 per year in Walhalla to $2,110 in Ladson. Below you can compare both full and minimum coverage rates for your city and all other residential areas in the state.
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City:Alachua
*Rates are for a 40-year-old driver with good credit and no driving violations who is insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Minimum coverage represents the minimum required liability coverage in the state while full coverage is representative of a 100/300/100 liability policy with a $1,000 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage.
Is South Carolina Car Insurance Expensive?
South Carolina ranks 35th in affordability for full coverage and 36th overall for minimum coverage policies, placing it as one of the costlier states for car insurance in our 2025 study. However, this is only an overall statistic comparing average rates for the entirety of states and affordability rankings for your city compared to the rest of the United States will vary widely.
Why Is Car Insurance More Expensive In South Carolina?
Below we'll explore the reasons for South Carolina's high car insurance rates:
Impaired and Reckless Driving
Impaired driving is a major contributor to traffic accidents in South Carolina, particularly in areas with vibrant nightlife and numerous bars and restaurants. Speeding, impaired driving and lack of seat belt use are contributing factors to traffic fatalities. A portion of traffic fatalities involve unrestrained occupants, and many are related to speeding.
Hurricane and Severe Weather Damage
South Carolina ranks as the second-highest state for car accident death rates per population, with over 1,100 reported fatal car accidents and nearly 1,200 deaths in the last year. On average, there's one auto accident every few minutes, one accident involving injury regularly throughout the day and one fatal collision every several hours. For a state with just over five million residents, these are concerning statistics.
Coastal Flooding and Storm Surge
South Carolina's 200 miles of coastline makes it particularly susceptible to floods, hurricanes, wind and hail events. The state experienced historic flooding in 2015 leading to over $2 million in damages. Standard auto insurance policies don't cover flood damage, making comprehensive coverage important for coastal residents.
Hurricane and Severe Weather Damage
South Carolina faces hurricane and severe weather risks, with Hurricane Helene in 2024 bringing destructive winds, flooding and extensive damage to homes and cars. The state has experienced 42 recorded hurricanes since 1857, and car insurance rates have increased 31% in 2024 due to weather-related claims. Hurricane damage is fueling the increase, with rates projected to rise to 38% by year-end.
High Traffic Fatality Rates
Popular tourist destinations like Myrtle Beach and Charleston experience traffic surges during peak seasons. Myrtle Beach's roads become dangerous due to high traffic volume during tourist seasons, with congested intersections and poorly marked lanes contributing to driver confusion. Charleston, as a major tourist destination, often sees an influx of visitors that worsens traffic problems.
Car Theft and Crime Issues
Charleston has one of the highest rates of motor car theft in the nation, with your chance of getting your car stolen being one in 318. The car theft rate represents increases from previous years. Property crimes, including motor car theft, create higher insurance costs for residents.
Car Theft and Crime Issues
Interstate 95 cuts through South Carolina for 198 miles and is one of the most dangerous highways in the state. In recent years, I-95 was the site of dozens of fatal collisions and serious injury crashes, with thousands of total accidents. Interstate highways like I-26, I-77, I-85 and I-95 face congestion, particularly around urban centers and during peak travel times.
Car Theft and Crime Issues
South Carolina's infrastructure struggles to keep pace with rapid development, leading to outdated road designs that can't efficiently handle the growing number of cars. The state's mix of urban and rural areas creates varying traffic conditions, with major cities like Charleston, Columbia and Greenville facing heavy traffic congestion during rush hours.
How To Lower Car Insurance Costs In South Carolina
Below is our guide to lowering your car insurance costs and saving money.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs beforehand
Deciding on your coverage needs is important so you're not oversold on too much coverage. Consider your financial situation, driving habits, car details and risk tolerance when making this decision.
- 2
Research costs and discounts
To save money for your profile, know the average costs for your preferred coverage level. Research car insurance discounts you may qualify for and look into the best home and auto insurance bundles for the most balanced perspective.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
Cost isn't everything. Consider add-on coverage options and customer experiences with different providers to help narrow down which companies you'd like to compare quotes from. Use resources like industry studies, review forums and public forums like Reddit.
- 4
Compare quotes through multiple means
Compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal possible. Use different methods of getting quotes, such as comparison sites and independent agents, since pricing varies widely by method.
Cost of Car Insurance in South Carolina: Bottom Line
South Carolina car insurance costs are among the more expensive in the United States, making it important to take advantage of savings strategies. Decide on your coverage needs beforehand, do thorough research and compare quotes from the right insurers.
Cost of Car Insurance in South Carolina: FAQ
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about South Carolina car insurance costs:
How much is South Carolina car insurance per month?
Per month, South Carolina car insurance costs $66 for minimum coverage and $130 for full coverage policies. However, rates can range anywhere from $55 to $294 monthly depending on your unique driver profile and coverage choice.
What factors affect South Carolina car insurance costs?
Primary factors include driving history, age and location. Drivers with accidents, violations or those who are young face higher rates, while urban areas cost more than rural ones. Car type, coverage amounts, credit score and annual mileage also impact premiums, along with factors like gender and marital status in some states.
Why is South Carolina car insurance so expensive?
South Carolina faces hurricane risks and experiences dangerous interstate highways, particularly I-95 with fatal collisions. The state ranks second nationally for car accident death rates and faces high car theft in Charleston. Tourist traffic congestion in areas like Myrtle Beach and Charleston contributes to elevated accident rates during peak seasons.
How expensive is South Carolina car insurance?
South Carolina ranks 36th in affordability for minimum coverage and 35th overall for full coverage, making them one of the most expensive places to get auto insurance in the U.S.
How We Determined South Carolina Car Insurance Costs
We used the following profile and modifications of this profile to determine South Carolina auto insurance costs across all available zip codes and cities in the state:
- 40-years-old
- Clean driving record
- Good credit
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
Minimum coverage was defined as a state's minimum liability coverage and full coverage is a policy with 100/300/100 liability limits and a $1,000 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
sources
- FOX Carolina . "Experts look out for increasing car, home insurance rates in South Carolina ." Accessed August 27, 2025.
- South Carolina Emergency Management Division . "2024 News Releases ." Accessed August 27, 2025.
- U.S. News & World Report . "South Carolina Homeowners Insurance ." Accessed August 27, 2025.