South Carolina car insurance averages $1,559 per year for full coverage and $790 for minimum coverage, calculated for a 40-year-old driver with strong credit and a spotless record. South Carolina ranks 35th for full coverage and 36th for minimum coverage affordability, offering rates 7% and 15% above national benchmarks respectively.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in South Carolina
Updated: October 28, 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 |
The jump from basic liability to full protection adds $769 yearly, about $64 monthly. Premium variations occur based on individual risk factors, coverage preferences and personal details.
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Average South Carolina Car Insurance Cost by Category
Young drivers and credit-impaired drivers pay nearly identical steep rates in South Carolina - $294 and $292 monthly respectively for full coverage. Driver demographics influence South Carolina car insurance pricing significantly.
This unusual parity suggests insurers view both risk factors similarly in South Carolina's market. Adult drivers pay a more moderate $128 monthly baseline, while older vehicle owners benefit from reduced rates at $109 monthly due to lower claim payouts.
| 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 |
South Carolina's rate structure reflects regional risk assessment, where inexperience and credit issues create equivalent premium impacts across driver categories.
FIND THE BEST CHEAP PROVIDER FOR YOUR PROFILE
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Average South Carolina Car Insurance Cost by Company
American National stands out with competitive rates in South Carolina at $62 monthly for full coverage, while American Family commands premium pricing at $113 monthly. South Carolina drivers see significant rate differences between insurance companies, with full coverage ranging from $62 to $113 monthly across established providers.
Smart shoppers can save over $609 annually by selecting the right insurer in South Carolina's diverse market.
| American National | $34 | $62 |
| Farm Bureau | $45 | $88 |
| American Family | $50 | $113 |
| Auto Owners | $54 | $96 |
| Geico | $58 | $112 |
Average South Carolina Car Insurance Cost by City
Full coverage costs range from $100 monthly in mountain town Walhalla to $176 in coastal Ladson, creating a $76 monthly difference across South Carolina. The Lowcountry's hurricane risks and Charleston area growth patterns influence these regional variations.
Coastal communities see higher rates due to weather exposure and population density. Compare rates for your city:
Data filtered by:
Alachua
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. This is an overall statistic comparing average rates across 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?
Here are 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
Here's our guide to lowering your car insurance costs and saving money:
- 1Decide on coverage needs beforehand
Decide on your coverage needs so you're not oversold on too much coverage. Consider your financial situation, driving habits, car details and risk tolerance when making this decision.
- 2Research 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.
- 3Look into company reputations and coverage options
Cost isn't everything. Consider add-on coverage options and customer experiences with different providers to narrow down which companies you'd like to compare quotes from. Use resources like industry studies, review forums and public forums like Reddit.
- 4Compare quotes through multiple means
Compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal. 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, so 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
We answer common 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
South Carolina drivers pay above-average car insurance rates due to hurricane risks, high fatal accident rates and dangerous interstate highways. We designed our research to capture real-world costs across South Carolina's diverse geography, from coastal areas vulnerable to hurricanes to inland mountain towns with lower rates.
Our research approach: We collected quotes across all available ZIP codes and cities in South Carolina, analyzing both minimum coverage (state-required liability limits) and full coverage (100/300/100 liability limits with $1,000 deductibles for comprehensive and collision).
Why this profile matters for South Carolina drivers: We used a 40-year-old driver (representing the median age in South Carolina's driver population) with a clean driving record (no accidents or violations that increase rates), good credit (what most approved drivers have) and a 2012 Toyota Camry LE (a common mid-range sedan balancing value and repair costs). This profile represents a stable South Carolina driver without the rate increases from violations or credit issues that affect many residents, giving you a baseline to compare against your own situation.
Why location matters in South Carolina: The $76 monthly difference between mountain town Walhalla and coastal Ladson reflects hurricane risks and population density. Coastal communities in the Lowcountry face higher rates due to weather exposure, while inland areas see more moderate premiums. Tourist destinations like Myrtle Beach and Charleston experience traffic surges during peak seasons, contributing to higher accident rates and insurance costs.
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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
sources
- FOX Carolina . "Experts look out for increasing car, home insurance rates in South Carolina ." Accessed November 25, 2025.
- South Carolina Emergency Management Division . "2024 News Releases ." Accessed November 25, 2025.
- U.S. News & World Report . "South Carolina Homeowners Insurance ." Accessed November 25, 2025.
