Auto-Owners is the best overall car insurance company in South Carolina, earning a MoneyGeek score of 4.65 out of 5 for its strong customer service, affordable rates and comprehensive coverage options. Since insurance needs vary by individual, we also recommend considering Travelers, Farm Bureau, Progressive and American National.
Best Car Insurance in South Carolina
Updated: August 24, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Best overall car insurance provider in South Carolina is Auto-Owners, ranking first in customer experience.
Travelers offers the best rates for drivers with bad credit in South Carolina, while Farm Bureau provides optimal coverage for those with a DUI history.
To secure the best car insurance rates in South Carolina, decide on coverage needs first, research provider options and compare plenty of quotes before making a choice.
Best Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina
| Auto-Owners | 4.65 | $75 | 1 | 5 |
| Travelers | 4.44 | $96 | 2 | 4 |
| Farm Bureau | 4.34 | $66 | 4 | 7 |
| Progressive | 4.33 | $101 | 3 | 2 |
| American National | 4.29 | $48 | 11 | 6 |
*Scores above are for a 40-year-old male driver with a clean driving record and good credit who is insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Rates refer to an overall average of minimum and full coverage rates for this profile.
Best Car Insurance in South Carolina by Driver Profile
Auto-Owners leads South Carolina's car insurance market, offering the lowest rates in eight out of 10 driver categories. Travelers provides the best rates for drivers with bad credit, while Farm Bureau offers the cheapest coverage for DUI situations.
| Young Drivers | Auto-Owners | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Adult Drivers | Auto-Owners | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Senior Drivers | Auto-Owners | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Drivers With an Accident | Auto-Owners | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Drivers With a DUI | Farm Bureau | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Drivers With A Speeding Ticket | Auto-Owners | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | Travelers | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Drivers With Low Income | Auto-Owners | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | Auto-Owners | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | Auto-Owners | 3 | 1 | 5 |
*We modified the categories above based on a male driver, 40 years of age, with good credit and also a clean driving record, who is insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Young drivers reflect ages 16 to 25, adult drivers ages 26 to 64 and seniors 65 and older.
Personalized Best South Carolina Car Insurance Recommendations
Our general recommendations provide a starting point, but your specific profile might need different coverage options. Compare these top five South Carolina insurance providers to find coverage that matches your unique needs.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:Adult Drivers
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Gender:Female
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Coverage Level:100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded.
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Credit Alignment:Below Fair
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Driving Record:At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
| Travelers | 4.53 | $236 | 2 | 4 |
| Farm Bureau | 4.46 | $181 | 4 | 7 |
| Auto-Owners | 4.40 | $282 | 1 | 5 |
| American National | 4.13 | $220 | 11 | 6 |
| Geico | 4.10 | $253 | 7 | 6 |
*Rates refer to an overall average of minimum and full coverage rates for this profile.
Best South Carolina Car Insurance Reviews
See detailed service breakdowns for our top-rated insurers below.
Auto-Owners
Best Customer Experience in South Carolina
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ of 5
4.7/5Affordability
5/5Customer Experience
3.4/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Full Coverage Cost
$96For 100/300/100 liability and $1,000 deductible comprehensive and collision coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAverage Monthly Minimum Coverage Cost
$54For minimum state coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAgent Service Score
4.6/5Aggregated across all captive and independent agentsMost Unique Coverage Add-on
True Blue Auto Coverage
Travelers
Best Coverage Options in South Carolina
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ of 5
4.5/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
3.9/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Full Coverage Cost
$122For 100/300/100 liability and $1,000 deductible comprehensive and collision coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAverage Monthly Minimum Coverage Cost
$70For minimum state coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAgent Service Score
4.2/5Aggregated across all captive and independent agentsMost Unique Coverage Add-on
IntelliDrive Plus Program
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in South Carolina
Finding the right car insurance in South Carolina can be challenging. Our guide helps you choose coverage that fits your needs and budget.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs before you buy
You might overpay if you don't know what coverage you need. Consider your driving habits, location and finances when deciding on auto insurance while meeting South Carolina required minimums.
- 2
Research average costs and discounts you may qualify for
Start by researching average car insurance costs in South Carolina to understand prices. Look at home and auto insurance bundles, telematics programs and good student discounts. Taking a defensive driving program can also lead to premium reductions.
- 3
Look through provider customer experiences and coverage options thoroughly
Insurance providers are different in more ways than rates. Research customer reviews so you can understand claims handling and service quality.
- 4
Consider non-standard coverage options
Look into specialized options like non-owner car insurance and pay-per-mile policies that might better suit your situation. If you need an SR-22 in South Carolina, remember that this will affect your provider options and rates.
- 5
Compare plenty of quotes through multiple means
Shopping around helps you get the cheapest option possible.
- 6
Reassess annually
Insurance rates constantly change due to market conditions and personal factors. Review your coverage and compare rates annually to ensure you maintain the best value for your needs.
Best South Carolina Auto Insurance: Bottom Line
The best auto insurance depends on location, coverage type, driver profile and driving history. Auto-Owners is the top-rated company overall, while Travelers and Farm Bureau are also good options for drivers in South Carolina.
Best Auto Insurance in South Carolina: FAQ
Finding the right car insurance depends on your individual needs, so we've gathered answers to common questions about choosing the best coverage for you.
What is the best car insurance company in South Carolina?
Auto-Owners is South Carolina's premier car insurance provider, delivering an overall MoneyGeek score of 4.7 out of 5 and full coverage at an average monthly rate of $96.
What is the best car insurance company for minimum coverage in South Carolina?
American National ranks highest for minimum coverage in South Carolina with an average rate as low as $414 per year.
What is the best car insurance in South Carolina for young drivers?
Auto-Owners ranks as the top choice for young adults in South Carolina, providing excellent customer service and competitive rates around $113 per month for minimum coverage.
What is the best car insurance for South Carolina drivers who value customer service?
Auto-Owners leads customer experience in South Carolina with a 5 out of 5 rating. The company excels in its buying process, agent service, policy management tools and general claims satisfaction.
What is the best car insurance in South Carolina if you have driving offenses?
Farm Bureau leads the market for South Carolina drivers with violations, offering monthly rates of $54 for minimum coverage and $102 for full coverage policies.
How We Rated the Best Car Insurance in South Carolina
We researched more than 70 companies, from national to small local providers across all U.S. residential ZIP codes in South Carolina. We also checked the internet for customer reviews, discounts and coverage details to give you a complete picture of each provider's services. All companies had enough customer reviews and coverage information to make our list.
Here's how we score each company:
- Affordability (60% of score): We look at quotes for different driver profiles and compare rates within South Carolina. Our main rating uses a 40-year-old male with good credit, no driving violations, no claims history and a valid license. We also check other combinations to ensure you find the right fit for your situation.
- Customer experience (30% of score): We used sources like Google reviews, J.D. Power, AM Best and Reddit to see what customers think about each company. We focused on South Carolina-specific feedback to get an accurate score.
- Coverage options (10% of score): This score considers the number of coverage options a company offers, what makes it unique and what benefits it includes.
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.