Compare Rates and Save on Auto Insurance

widget-location-pin

The cheapest full and minimum coverage auto insurance in Columbia is provided by American National P&C. It is also the best choice for military drivers and drivers with traffic violations, as well as those who prioritize cost and customer service. Auto-Owners Insurance Co provides the best auto insurance in the city for teenage drivers. The best insurer for you will depend on your preferences and driving history.

MoneyGeek Logo IconCheapest + BestCar InsuranceColumbia
2023

Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Columbia, SC

Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Columbia

Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis, the following companies provide the most affordable minimum coverage auto insurance in Columbia:

  • American National P&C: $288 per year
  • American Family: $389 per year

The cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina is also offered by American National P&C, which costs $251 annually as of October 2022. Out of the ten providers we ranked, Bristol West has the most expensive auto insurance at 1,728 per year.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

American National P&C

$288

$24

American National P&C

$325

$27

American National P&C

$329

$27

American Family

$389

$32

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$441

$37

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$458

$38

American Family

$490

$41

American National P&C

$513

$43

State Farm

$538

$45

American National P&C

$540

$45

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$542

$45

American Family

$544

$45

State Farm

$564

$47

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$564

$47

GEICO

$564

$47

GEICO

$585

$49

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$597

$50

American National P&C

$610

$51

State Farm

$652

$54

Allstate

$668

$56

Allstate

$753

$63

Allstate

$764

$64

Progressive

$767

$64

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$779

$65

GEICO

$781

$65

American Family

$813

$68

Progressive

$830

$69

Travelers

$870

$72

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$883

$74

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$888

$74

Travelers

$911

$76

Travelers

$950

$79

American Family

$969

$81

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$969

$81

Progressive

$984

$82

State Farm

$1,027

$86

GEICO

$1,047

$87

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,087

$91

GEICO

$1,090

$91

State Farm

$1,100

$92

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,149

$96

American Family

$1,186

$99

Allstate

$1,218

$101

State Farm

$1,314

$109

Allstate

$1,314

$110

Allstate

$1,367

$114

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,384

$115

GEICO

$1,426

$119

Travelers

$1,462

$122

Travelers

$1,467

$122

Progressive

$1,502

$125

Travelers

$1,639

$137

Progressive

$1,664

$139

Bristol West

$1,677

$140

Bristol West

$1,728

$144

Progressive

$2,018

$168

Bristol West

$2,349

$196

Dairyland

$2,604

$217

Dairyland

$2,880

$240

Bristol West

$2,967

$247

Bristol West

$3,116

$260

Dairyland

$3,332

$278

Bristol West

$4,121

$343

Dairyland

$4,507

$376

Dairyland

$5,057

$421

Dairyland

$5,866

$489

For minimum coverage insurance, the liability limits are set by state law. The following coverages for bodily injury, personal property damage and uninsured motorists coverage are required in South Carolina:

  • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $25,000 property damage liability per accident
  • $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person
  • $50,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident
  • $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage coverage

Liability-only coverage pays for damages to the other driver in an incident. As a result, if you cause a collision and have a bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, your insurance company will cover the first $25,000 of each victim's medical expenses, or $50,000 total, for each accident. You are liable for any additional costs.

Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Columbia

Drivers in Columbia can get full coverage car insurance at the cheapest rates from the following insurers:

  • American National P&C: $513 per year
  • American Family: $813 per year

American National P&C is also the most affordable full coverage auto insurer in South Carolina, with an average yearly cost of $513 as of October 202 . Of the ten insurers we ranked, Bristol West has the most expensive annual premium at $3,116 per year.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

American National P&C

$288

$24

American National P&C

$325

$27

American National P&C

$329

$27

American Family

$389

$32

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$441

$37

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$458

$38

American Family

$490

$41

American National P&C

$513

$43

State Farm

$538

$45

American National P&C

$540

$45

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$542

$45

American Family

$544

$45

State Farm

$564

$47

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$564

$47

GEICO

$564

$47

GEICO

$585

$49

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$597

$50

American National P&C

$610

$51

State Farm

$652

$54

Allstate

$668

$56

Allstate

$753

$63

Allstate

$764

$64

Progressive

$767

$64

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$779

$65

GEICO

$781

$65

American Family

$813

$68

Progressive

$830

$69

Travelers

$870

$72

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$883

$74

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$888

$74

Travelers

$911

$76

Travelers

$950

$79

American Family

$969

$81

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$969

$81

Progressive

$984

$82

State Farm

$1,027

$86

GEICO

$1,047

$87

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,087

$91

GEICO

$1,090

$91

State Farm

$1,100

$92

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,149

$96

American Family

$1,186

$99

Allstate

$1,218

$101

State Farm

$1,314

$109

Allstate

$1,314

$110

Allstate

$1,367

$114

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,384

$115

GEICO

$1,426

$119

Travelers

$1,462

$122

Travelers

$1,467

$122

Progressive

$1,502

$125

Travelers

$1,639

$137

Progressive

$1,664

$139

Bristol West

$1,677

$140

Bristol West

$1,728

$144

Progressive

$2,018

$168

Bristol West

$2,349

$196

Dairyland

$2,604

$217

Dairyland

$2,880

$240

Bristol West

$2,967

$247

Bristol West

$3,116

$260

Dairyland

$3,332

$278

Bristol West

$4,121

$343

Dairyland

$4,507

$376

Dairyland

$5,057

$421

Dairyland

$5,866

$489

Full coverage car insurance has higher liability limits and includes comprehensive and collision coverage.

  • Collision coverage: Partially covers the cost of damages to your vehicle if you get in an accident (collision with a roadblock or other car)
  • Comprehensive coverage: Assists in paying for costs associated with damage to your car caused by a break-in or a natural catastrophe

Customers with newer cars are recommended to obtain full coverage to protect their valuables. If your car is older, it might not be beneficial to pay more each year for extra coverage.

Loading...
  • coins2 icon

    Compare

    Compare minimum and full coverage policies.

  • find icon

    Find a match

    Get matched with an insurer in Columbia.

  • financialPlanning icon

    Save

    Save hundreds of dollars per year.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Columbia After a Driving Offense

Drivers with a history of driving violations (speeding tickets, at-fault accidents and DUIs) can find the cheapest rates for full coverage auto insurance in Columbia from these companies:

  • Speeding ticket: American National P&C ($652 per year)
  • At-fault accident: American National P&C ($652 per year)
  • DUI: American National P&C ($730 per year)

Bristol West charges the highest rates for drivers with violations; drivers with a speeding ticket, at-fault accident or DUI are charged $4,143, $4,473 and $3,986 per year, respectively. A traffic violation can significantly increase the cost of your annual premium — cheap policies for drivers with offenses still cost more than most policies for drivers with clean driving histories.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

American National P&C

$372

$31

American National P&C

$372

$31

American National P&C

$420

$35

American National P&C

$424

$35

American National P&C

$424

$35

American Family

$426

$36

American National P&C

$430

$36

American National P&C

$430

$36

American National P&C

$482

$40

American National P&C

$487

$41

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$493

$41

American Family

$506

$42

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$511

$43

American Family

$514

$43

American Family

$540

$45

GEICO

$564

$47

GEICO

$585

$49

State Farm

$598

$50

State Farm

$598

$50

American Family

$611

$51

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$617

$51

State Farm

$627

$52

State Farm

$627

$52

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$636

$53

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$636

$53

American Family

$650

$54

American National P&C

$652

$54

American National P&C

$652

$54

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$654

$54

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$658

$55

American Family

$661

$55

State Farm

$667

$56

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$682

$57

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$689

$57

American National P&C

$696

$58

American National P&C

$696

$58

State Farm

$701

$58

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$724

$60

State Farm

$730

$61

State Farm

$730

$61

American National P&C

$730

$61

American Family

$745

$62

American Family

$747

$62

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$764

$64

GEICO

$781

$65

American National P&C

$783

$65

American National P&C

$788

$66

American National P&C

$788

$66

State Farm

$818

$68

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$826

$69

GEICO

$832

$69

GEICO

$854

$71

American National P&C

$889

$74

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$895

$75

American Family

$910

$76

Allstate

$921

$77

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$952

$79

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$975

$81

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$979

$82

Allstate

$1,004

$84

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,008

$84

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,021

$85

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,044

$87

Allstate

$1,044

$87

GEICO

$1,047

$87

GEICO

$1,050

$88

American Family

$1,058

$88

Allstate

$1,060

$88

Progressive

$1,061

$88

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,068

$89

American Family

$1,088

$91

GEICO

$1,090

$91

American Family

$1,094

$91

Travelers

$1,100

$92

Progressive

$1,112

$93

Progressive

$1,118

$93

State Farm

$1,129

$94

State Farm

$1,129

$94

Travelers

$1,134

$94

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,138

$95

Allstate

$1,140

$95

Travelers

$1,147

$96

Allstate

$1,154

$96

Progressive

$1,159

$97

Travelers

$1,187

$99

Allstate

$1,195

$100

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,200

$100

State Farm

$1,210

$101

State Farm

$1,210

$101

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,216

$101

Travelers

$1,218

$101

Progressive

$1,219

$102

State Farm

$1,247

$104

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,255

$105

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,259

$105

Travelers

$1,271

$106

Progressive

$1,274

$106

Travelers

$1,278

$106

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,279

$107

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,283

$107

American Family

$1,304

$109

Travelers

$1,312

$109

American Family

$1,317

$110

State Farm

$1,335

$111

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,350

$112

Allstate

$1,358

$113

American Family

$1,372

$114

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,374

$115

Allstate

$1,378

$115

GEICO

$1,401

$117

Travelers

$1,416

$118

GEICO

$1,421

$118

GEICO

$1,426

$119

Progressive

$1,432

$119

State Farm

$1,454

$121

State Farm

$1,454

$121

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,540

$128

GEICO

$1,546

$129

Progressive

$1,547

$129

American Family

$1,576

$131

GEICO

$1,589

$132

State Farm

$1,613

$134

Progressive

$1,615

$135

GEICO

$1,617

$135

Allstate

$1,626

$136

American Family

$1,642

$137

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,655

$138

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,659

$138

Allstate

$1,737

$145

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,776

$148

Allstate

$1,776

$148

Allstate

$1,837

$153

Allstate

$1,900

$158

Travelers

$1,901

$158

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,925

$160

GEICO

$1,925

$160

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,926

$161

Allstate

$1,966

$164

Travelers

$1,972

$164

Travelers

$2,016

$168

Travelers

$2,021

$168

Allstate

$2,063

$172

Travelers

$2,093

$174

Travelers

$2,104

$175

Progressive

$2,163

$180

Progressive

$2,184

$182

Travelers

$2,184

$182

Progressive

$2,193

$183

Progressive

$2,227

$186

Bristol West

$2,235

$186

Bristol West

$2,238

$187

Allstate

$2,268

$189

Travelers

$2,317

$193

Bristol West

$2,333

$194

Travelers

$2,333

$194

Allstate

$2,338

$195

Bristol West

$2,348

$196

Progressive

$2,529

$211

Bristol West

$2,548

$212

Progressive

$2,573

$214

GEICO

$2,601

$217

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$2,609

$217

GEICO

$2,644

$220

Bristol West

$2,765

$230

Progressive

$2,895

$241

Bristol West

$2,922

$244

GEICO

$2,981

$248

Bristol West

$3,017

$251

Progressive

$3,038

$253

Bristol West

$3,246

$271

Progressive

$3,335

$278

Dairyland

$3,456

$288

Dairyland

$3,850

$321

Bristol West

$3,897

$325

Bristol West

$3,986

$332

Dairyland

$4,013

$334

Dairyland

$4,066

$339

Bristol West

$4,092

$341

Dairyland

$4,134

$344

Bristol West

$4,143

$345

Dairyland

$4,254

$355

Dairyland

$4,412

$368

Bristol West

$4,473

$373

Dairyland

$4,506

$376

Bristol West

$4,680

$390

Dairyland

$4,898

$408

Bristol West

$5,087

$424

Bristol West

$5,244

$437

Bristol West

$5,606

$467

Dairyland

$6,030

$502

Dairyland

$6,808

$567

Dairyland

$6,876

$573

Dairyland

$7,121

$593

Dairyland

$7,289

$607

Dairyland

$7,490

$624

Dairyland

$7,511

$626

Dairyland

$7,734

$644

Dairyland

$8,460

$705

Car insurance rates typically increase in proportion to the severity of the driving offense, with rates for speeding tickets costing less than for accidents and DUIs. Drivers in Columbia with speeding tickets or an at-fault accident will pay $389 and $660 more for car insurance than those with a clean driving history. Nevertheless, you can still find affordable auto insurance if you have a bad driving record by comparing rates from multiple companies.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Columbia for Teens and Their Families

The following companies offer the cheapest auto insurance for a 16-year-old teen driver added to a parent’s policy in Columbia:

  • Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $2,309 per year for female teens; $2,790 per year for male teens
  • State Farm: $2,717 per year for female teens
  • GEICO: $3,365 per year for male teens

Male teens often have higher rates than female teens since they are riskier to insure — but this isn't always the case. The most expensive rate is from Bristol West, charging $7,659 to add a female teen and $7,456 to add a male teen to a family’s policy. This difference highlights how important it is to compare quotes.

Company
Family Plan Annual Premium
Individual Plan Monthly Premium

State Farm

$1,047

$2,069

GEICO

$1,085

$3,103

State Farm

$1,146

$2,264

GEICO

$1,185

$3,388

State Farm

$1,200

$2,702

State Farm

$1,238

$2,447

GEICO

$1,248

$4,079

GEICO

$1,296

$3,706

Allstate

$1,348

$2,540

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,361

$3,163

Travelers

$1,386

$2,473

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,389

$3,317

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,470

$3,510

Allstate

$1,476

$2,960

Allstate

$1,480

$2,789

Allstate

$1,481

$2,734

Travelers

$1,496

$2,573

Allstate

$1,502

$2,830

Travelers

$1,503

$2,682

Travelers

$1,514

$2,898

GEICO

$1,519

$3,105

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,526

$4,013

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,540

$3,579

Travelers

$1,541

$2,749

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,563

$3,731

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,591

$4,229

Travelers

$1,635

$2,812

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,643

$3,818

State Farm

$1,677

$2,263

Travelers

$1,678

$3,133

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,679

$4,704

Travelers

$1,696

$3,290

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,702

$4,306

Allstate

$1,706

$3,125

Allstate

$1,720

$3,445

GEICO

$1,724

$3,522

Travelers

$1,742

$2,996

Allstate

$1,754

$3,237

Allstate

$1,781

$3,288

GEICO

$1,798

$4,230

State Farm

$1,837

$2,909

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,858

$4,699

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,870

$5,187

State Farm

$1,877

$2,532

GEICO

$1,878

$3,838

Allstate

$1,936

$3,637

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,941

$5,439

Travelers

$1,945

$3,632

Travelers

$1,951

$3,640

Travelers

$1,956

$4,191

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,959

$6,323

State Farm

$1,988

$3,136

Allstate

$2,012

$4,041

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$2,020

$5,735

State Farm

$2,071

$2,794

State Farm

$2,090

$3,710

State Farm

$2,090

$3,310

GEICO

$2,104

$4,491

Allstate

$2,125

$3,893

GEICO

$2,134

$4,300

Travelers

$2,212

$5,216

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$2,214

$6,285

State Farm

$2,225

$3,457

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$2,309

$7,641

Travelers

$2,313

$4,314

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$2,329

$7,456

Travelers

$2,333

$5,099

State Farm

$2,380

$4,215

Allstate

$2,382

$4,986

GEICO

$2,384

$5,087

GEICO

$2,413

$5,871

GEICO

$2,508

$5,794

GEICO

$2,514

$5,065

Allstate

$2,554

$4,798

State Farm

$2,591

$4,588

State Farm

$2,594

$4,030

Progressive

$2,647

$3,308

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$2,653

$8,492

Progressive

$2,660

$3,346

State Farm

$2,702

$4,785

State Farm

$2,717

$5,433

Travelers

$2,734

$6,479

Travelers

$2,734

$6,448

Progressive

$2,751

$4,588

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$2,790

$10,845

Allstate

$2,828

$5,209

Travelers

$2,866

$8,615

Progressive

$2,920

$3,672

Progressive

$2,946

$3,681

Allstate

$2,971

$5,472

State Farm

$2,977

$5,244

Progressive

$3,013

$4,214

Allstate

$3,026

$6,037

GEICO

$3,040

$6,877

Progressive

$3,078

$5,207

Progressive

$3,121

$3,925

Progressive

$3,126

$4,557

GEICO

$3,156

$6,743

Progressive

$3,264

$4,078

GEICO

$3,365

$7,979

Allstate

$3,381

$6,439

State Farm

$3,401

$5,992

State Farm

$3,415

$6,814

Travelers

$3,449

$8,173

GEICO

$3,499

$7,844

GEICO

$3,528

$7,979

Allstate

$3,559

$6,777

Progressive

$3,588

$15,021

Allstate

$3,625

$7,493

Travelers

$3,633

$11,180

GEICO

$3,671

$7,844

Progressive

$3,710

$7,488

Progressive

$3,887

$6,482

Progressive

$3,944

$16,581

Progressive

$4,000

$17,733

Progressive

$4,134

$8,497

Progressive

$4,176

$17,481

Progressive

$4,300

$7,273

Progressive

$4,350

$19,271

Bristol West

$4,464

$5,530

Progressive

$4,524

$19,020

Bristol West

$4,617

$5,719

Bristol West

$4,624

$5,884

Bristol West

$4,662

$5,775

Bristol West

$4,808

$5,750

Bristol West

$4,834

$6,304

Bristol West

$5,219

$6,242

Bristol West

$5,296

$7,257

Bristol West

$5,318

$6,870

Bristol West

$5,498

$6,576

Bristol West

$6,048

$10,347

Bristol West

$6,052

$10,109

Bristol West

$6,115

$9,270

Bristol West

$6,376

$9,774

Bristol West

$6,377

$10,910

Bristol West

$6,403

$8,351

Bristol West

$6,533

$10,914

Bristol West

$6,699

$9,179

Bristol West

$7,456

$17,008

Bristol West

$7,659

$17,361

Adding a teen to the family plan costs significantly less than purchasing an individual policy for a teen driver. For instance, a 16-year-old male in Columbia will pay $2,539 more per year for an individual policy compared to joining a family policy.

Families can save money by taking the time to find the cheapest auto insurance for teenagers.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Columbia for Military Drivers

The cheapest full coverage auto insurance in Columbia, SC for active and former military members and their families is from:

  • American National P&C: $513 per year
  • American Family: $813 per year

American National P&C is also the most affordable at $288 per year for minimum coverage policies.

USAA, an insurer that exclusively serves the military population nationwide, charges about $882 for full coverage — the third cheapest in Columbia.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

American National P&C

$288

$24

American National P&C

$325

$27

American National P&C

$329

$27

American Family

$389

$32

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$441

$37

USAA

$446

$37

USAA

$456

$38

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$458

$38

American Family

$490

$41

American National P&C

$513

$43

USAA

$521

$43

State Farm

$538

$45

American National P&C

$540

$45

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$542

$45

American Family

$544

$45

State Farm

$564

$47

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$564

$47

GEICO

$564

$47

GEICO

$585

$49

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$597

$50

American National P&C

$610

$51

State Farm

$652

$54

Allstate

$668

$56

Allstate

$753

$63

Allstate

$764

$64

Progressive

$767

$64

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$779

$65

GEICO

$781

$65

American Family

$813

$68

Progressive

$830

$69

USAA

$865

$72

Travelers

$870

$72

USAA

$882

$74

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$883

$74

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$888

$74

Travelers

$911

$76

Travelers

$950

$79

American Family

$969

$81

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$969

$81

Progressive

$984

$82

USAA

$1,020

$85

State Farm

$1,027

$86

GEICO

$1,047

$87

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,087

$91

GEICO

$1,090

$91

State Farm

$1,100

$92

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$1,149

$96

American Family

$1,186

$99

Allstate

$1,218

$101

State Farm

$1,314

$109

Allstate

$1,314

$110

Allstate

$1,367

$114

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$1,384

$115

GEICO

$1,426

$119

Travelers

$1,462

$122

Travelers

$1,467

$122

Progressive

$1,502

$125

Travelers

$1,639

$137

Progressive

$1,664

$139

Bristol West

$1,677

$140

Bristol West

$1,728

$144

Progressive

$2,018

$168

Bristol West

$2,349

$196

Dairyland

$2,604

$217

Dairyland

$2,880

$240

Bristol West

$2,967

$247

Bristol West

$3,116

$260

Dairyland

$3,332

$278

Bristol West

$4,121

$343

Dairyland

$4,507

$376

Dairyland

$5,057

$421

Dairyland

$5,866

$489

How to Compare Cheap Columbia Car Insurance Quotes Online

Obtaining car insurance quotes online from insurers can be time-consuming — it can take 15 minutes or more to provide all the personal information required for a single quote. Fortunately, you can use MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator to quickly estimate the cost of your car insurance by providing your age, vehicle type, coverage level and driving record.

Auto Insurance Calculator

See how the Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates vary with the options chosen.

South Carolina
Female
30-65
Clean

Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates

Click the section of the wheel in your price range to see options.

low end

on average

high end

Click an insurer below to visit their review page or continue to your personalized quote.

GEICO

Best Car Insurance in Columbia: Summary

The best auto insurance may differ based on your needs and preferences. In Columbia, the best car insurance providers are:

  • Best overall: American National P&C (MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100)
  • Best for service: American National P&C (MoneyGeek score of 67 out of 100)
  • Best cheap: American National P&C (MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100)

MoneyGeek’s total scores were calculated weighing the most relevant factors (customer service, cost, etc.) for each category. Companies that succeed across many areas, like American National P&C, offer excellent service while remaining reasonably priced. It also offers the best auto insurance in South Carolina.

USAA is another great option if you have a military background, receiving a MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100.

Best Overall for Car Insurance in Columbia

When service, affordability and other factors are considered, MoneyGeek found that the following companies provide Columbia's best auto insurance overall:

  • American National P&C: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 ($513 per year)
  • Auto-Owners Insurance Co: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($883 per year)

Out of ten insurers we ranked in Columbia, American National P&C received the highest overall score for its exceptional customer service and affordability.

If you have military experience, USAA is also strongly recommended. It earned a MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 for its reasonable prices, with annual rates for full coverage averaging $882.

How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

American National Insurance Company

pros

Has the most affordable rates at $513 per year

Has a high customer satisfaction rating

Provides gap insurance and added coverage endorsement (ACE) insurance

cons

Has a relatively low claims management score

Offers few discounts

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Due to its high customer service ratings and affordable coverage, American National P&C was ranked as the best auto insurance in Columbia. Its full coverage insurance policies are the cheapest at $513 per year.

American National P&C offers added coverage endorsement (ACE) insurance and gap insurance in addition to regular coverage options, like roadside assistance. ACE insurance comes in handy when you need to fix damaged auto parts. Gap insurance, which should be combined with comprehensive and collision coverage, pays the difference between the balance on your loan and the car's cash value if it is stolen or totaled.

Best Car Insurance in Columbia for Customer Service

The best auto insurance companies for customer service in South Carolina, irrespective of cost, are:

  • American National P&C: MoneyGeek score of 67 out of 100 ($513 per year)
  • Auto-Owners Insurance Co: MoneyGeek score of 66 out of 100 ($883 per year)

American National P&C excels at customer satisfaction, earning a perfect MoneyGeek score in this category. In addition to offering exceptional service, this company has the most affordable rates in Columbia.

How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

American National Insurance Company

pros

Has the most affordable rates in Columbia at $513 per year

Offers exceptional customer service

Offers spare parts coverage and gap insurance

cons

Has a weak claims management score

Offers few discounts

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

American National P&C offers affordable insurance without compromising customer service. This company received the highest score for customer satisfaction and affordability among the nine insurers we ranked.

Coverages available through this insurer include spare parts coverage and gap insurance. With spare parts coverage, American National P&C will provide up to $1,000 to help you replace your damaged spare parts. Furthermore, gap insurance covers the cost between what you owe on your car and its current value if it’s totaled in an accident.

American National P&C offers the most reasonable premiums, averaging $513 per year for full coverage, but the company has a poor claims management rating. Other insurers do not provide the specific early signing discount that American National P&C does. However, this insurer does not offer usual discounts like those for going paperless or paying in full.

Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies in Columbia

Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis of cost and service for car insurance that satisfies South Carolina's minimum coverage requirements, the following companies are the best in Columbia:

  • American National P&C: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 ($288 per year)
  • Auto-Owners Insurance Co: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($441 per year)

Minimum coverage policies may cost less, but they offer limited coverage. It does not safeguard you against liability costs and does not pay for damages to your car following an accident.

How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

American National Insurance Company

pros

Has the cheapest rates for a minimum coverage policy at $288 per year

Has a high customer satisfaction rating

Offers multiple-car, early-signing and bundling discounts

cons

Does not offer usual discounts for going paperless or paying in full

Has a poor claims management rating

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

American National P&C earned a high MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 due to its affordability and customer satisfaction ratings. It offers the least expensive auto insurance in Columbia for minimum coverage while providing additional discounts that further reduce cost.

Unlike other insurers, this insurer offers excellent early-signing discounts. Policyholders can obtain this discount by resigning before your current policy expires. You can easily get an estimate, submit a claim or make a payment through American National P&C’s website.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Columbia

The average yearly cost of auto insurance in Columbia is $1,236, marginally less than the average cost of car insurance in South Carolina at $1,245 as of October 2022. Car insurance in the state costs $21 less than the national average cost of car insurance — $1,265.

These rates are for full coverage insurance with $100,000 bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident and $100,000 property damage liability per accident.

South Carolina has lower average auto insurance costs than the nation as a whole. However, keep in mind that location is only one aspect that affects insurance costs.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a senior content director at MoneyGeek with over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, conducting original research and creating content that can be personalized for every buyer. He has been quoted on insurance topics in several publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Mark earned a master’s degree in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his economics and insurance knowledge to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.