bestauto insuranceColumbiaCompare the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Columbia, SC
On average, car insurance in Columbia costs $1,144 per year, 0.4% more than the state average. GEICO is the cheapest widely available car insurance carrier, at roughly $856 per year. MoneyGeek analyzed car insurance costs by driving history and coverage amount. We also evaluated insurers that balance quality and affordable coverage that suits your profile in Columbia.
REVIEW AUTO INSURANCE RATES
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your auto insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 1/4/2023
Edited By |
Morgan Hull
Written By |
Mark Fitzpatrick
In Columbia, GEICO offers the most affordable policies, on average, for drivers seeking full coverage or state minimum insurance, along with policies for drivers with a speeding ticket on their records.
For military families, USAA offers the cheapest coverage, on average. MoneyGeek rated GEICO as the best overall company in the city for its affordability and service quality.
bestauto insuranceColumbiaThe Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Columbia
Methodology
MoneyGeek acquired rates and information from J.D. Power, AM Best and the NAIC to rate insurers in Columbia.
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Columbia
MoneyGeek researched options for drivers seeking the most affordable full coverage policies in Columbia. On average, the cheapest providers are:
- GEICO: $856 per year
- State Farm: $1,038 per year
Drivers who have a military background, along with their families, qualify for coverage from USAA. This provider is the cheapest company in Columbia, with an average cost of $852 per year.
GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in Columbia for all other drivers, on average, with policies approximately 73% less expensive than comparable coverage from Progressive — the most expensive company in the city. Full coverage policies include comprehensive and collision insurance, with costs determined by the amount of liability insurance you select.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Columbia
Full Coverage 100/300/100
- Company100/300/100per year
- 1.$852
- 2.$856
- 3.$1,038
- 4.$1,065
- 5.$1,134
For this guide, MoneyGeek collected average rates for a 40-year-old male driver in Columbia purchasing a full coverage policy, in accordance with our methodology.
Although full coverage costs more than state minimum insurance, a full coverage policy can certainly be more valuable. These policies include comprehensive and collision insurance to protect you against accident-related costs.
- Comprehensive coverage: covers the cost of vehicle repairs or replacement if your vehicle is damaged in any incident, including theft or fire
- Collision coverage: pays for the repair or replacement of your vehicle following a collision with another car or object
If you have an older car, consider a minimum coverage policy. Full coverage for an old vehicle may cost more than the value of the car itself.
Compare Car Insurance Rates in Columbia
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your car insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Columbia for Minimum Coverage
Drivers who are looking for the cheapest auto insurance options in Columbia can benefit from minimum coverage policies. MoneyGeek found that the following companies offer the most affordable state minimum policies, on average:
- GEICO: $462 per year
- State Farm: $551 per year
If you have a military background, you may qualify for state minimum coverage offered by USAA. This provider, the cheapest company in the city, features an average annual cost of $438.
In Columbia, GEICO offers the most affordable minimum coverage policies, at an average of $344 less than the policies offered by Nationwide — the most expensive company in the city.
Although a minimum coverage policy costs less, it does not include comprehensive and collision insurance and also has low levels of liability coverage. With state minimum coverage, you risk being underinsured following an accident.
The following table offers insight into how different levels of liability coverage affect rates.
Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Columbia
State Minimum
- CompanyState Minimumper year
- 1.$438
- 2.$462
- 3.$551
- 4.$568
- 5.$690
In South Carolina, all drivers are required by law to have an auto insurance policy with at least 25/50/25 in liability limits and uninsured motorist coverage. A policy that meets state minimums is the cheapest available auto insurance option in the city.
Although a minimum coverage policy will help you save money on insurance costs, you would have to cover more costs yourself following an accident. For example, if in case of an accident where the other party’s medical bills cost $70,000, the insurance company will only cover up to $25,000, leaving you to pay the remaining $45,000 out of pocket.
South Carolina Minimum Liability Requirements
- ItemDescription
- Bodily Injury and Property Damage$25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. A more protective level is 100/300/100.
- Uninsured Motorist$25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident. The minimum coverage may not be enough if you're in a serious accident.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Columbia if You Have Driving Violations
Having driving violations like a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident or a DUI on your record will likely significantly raise your car insurance costs. MoneyGeek researched the cheapest car insurance companies based on the following violations:
- Cheapest after a speeding ticket: GEICO, $856 per year
- Cheapest after an at-fault accident: State Farm, $1,237 per year
- Cheapest after a DUI: State Farm, $1,118 per year
If you have a poor driving record, you can find cheaper rates by improving your record over time. Make sure to shop around and compare rates from different companies to find the best deal.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Columbia With a Violation
Speeding Ticket
- CompanySpeeding Ticketper year
- 1.$856
- 2.$1,044
- 3.$1,118
- 4.$1,430
- 5.$1,470
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Columbia
Columbia$1,144
SC$1,139
U.S.$1,424
The average cost of car insurance in Columbia is $1,144 per year. That’s 0.4% higher than the state average of $1,139 per year and 19.7% less than the national annual average of $1,424.
Personalized Quotes to Get You the Cheapest Car Insurance in Columbia
In Columbia, you may need to compare auto insurance rates from multiple insurers frequently if you want to get the cheapest coverage, discounts and other special offers. Car insurance rates in Columbia vary depending on the driver’s age, marital status, driving experience, ZIP code and credit score, among other factors. Depending on how you rank across these factors, you may pay more or less for your car insurance coverage.
Compare Car Insurance Rates in Columbia
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your car insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
The Best Car Insurance Companies in Columbia
Based on average prices, customer satisfaction scores and claims ratings, MoneyGeek found that the following are the top auto insurance companies in Columbia, South Carolina:
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100
USAA received the highest MoneyGeek score of 98 out of 100. However, the insurer was not included in our rankings as policies are only offered to current and former military members and their families.
1
GEICO
Score:94
GEICO received a perfect score for financial stability and high scores for customer satisfaction, claims and affordability. The insurer offers mechanical breakdown coverage as a unique add-on coverage. For a 40-year-old driver in Columbia, a full coverage GEICO policy costs $856 per year, on average.
More About GEICO
To supplement your standard policy, GEICO offers four alternative coverage choices in Columbia. For example, mechanical breakdown insurance can help cover the cost of components and systems at a cost less than a dealer's extended warranty.
GEICO also provides roadside assistance, which may aid with flat tire repairs, towing and lockout services. Its rental car reimbursement coverage, on the other hand, will pay for a rental car if your vehicle is rendered undrivable for more than 24 hours as a result of a covered accident.
Read MoneyGeek's GEICO auto Insurance Review2
State Farm
Score:88
MoneyGeek gave State Farm excellent scores in affordability and customer satisfaction. It costs an average of $1,038 per year in Columbia and offers unique add-on coverage for roadside assistance.
More About State Farm
Its constant high ratings across the board make it one of Columbia's finest full coverage auto insurance providers. Policies include roadside assistance, which includes up to one hour of mechanical service at the breakdown spot, as well as a rental car and/or travel compensation.
Rideshare insurance, a special add-on coverage from State Farm, guarantees that your own auto policy's emergency roadside assistance and rental car refund coverage remain in effect while working for a rideshare company.
Read MoneyGeek's State Farm auto Insurance Review3
Travelers
Score:68
4
Allstate
Score:61
5
Nationwide
Score:46
6
Progressive
Score:23
Average Cost of Car Insurance by Postal Code
Car insurance rates in Columbia vary across different ZIP codes. Neighborhoods where accidents, theft and similar incidents are common may have higher rates than others.
MoneyGeek analyzed average rates between three ZIP codes and found that 29223 has an average cost of $1,133 per year, whereas 29229 and 29210 have $1,134 and $1,164, respectively. That is a difference of $31 between the cheapest and most expensive neighborhoods.
- Zip CodeState Minimumper year
- 29223$1,133
- 29229$1,134
- 29210$1,164
Factors That Impact Insurance Costs in Columbia
In addition to individual driver needs and history, location-specific factors like the percentage of uninsured motorists and the rate of fatal accidents also contribute to car insurance rates in Columbia. How Columbia ranks compared to the 300 most populous cities in the United States can have a significant impact on premium costs.
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