Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Columbia, SC (June 2024)

Finding the most cost-effective or ideal insurance in Columbia, South Carolina, hinges on the specifics of your coverage and driver profile. For full coverage, American National P&C provides the most affordable rates.

Families with teen drivers will find Auto-Owners Insurance Co the cheapest. Exceptional customer service is provided by American Family, differing from Auto-Owners, which offers the best overall value, balancing cost with service. The right choice for you will vary based on personal preferences and coverage needs.

American National P&C offers the cheapest car insurance in Columbia.

• American National P&C: $341 per year
• American Family: $533 per year

Dairyland has the most expensive policy, with an annual premium of $2,752, a significant price difference of $2,411 over the cheapest option — underscoring the importance of comparing car insurance rates to ensure you’re getting a dependable deal.

In South Carolina, from Columbia to Charleston, state law sets the standard for the minimum car insurance coverage requirements. Here's what drivers need:

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

For instance, if you're at fault in an accident causing bodily injury, your minimum coverage will pay up to $25,000 for each injured person. But say the injuries total $35,000 per person; you'd be responsible for the remaining $10,000 per individual out of pocket.

American National P&C is the cheapest option in Columbia for cheapest full coverage car insurance.

• American National P&C: $599 per year
• Auto-Owners: $1,015 per year

The most expensive full coverage policy in Columbia is offered by Dairyland, at $5,171 annually. $4,572 higher than the cheapest option. Full coverage policies are costlier than minimum coverage due to the comprehensive protection they offer.

A comprehensive insurance plan in Columbia enhances protection beyond the basic requirements, offering $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage. This is also known as a 100/300/100 policy.

A full coverage policy also includes vital components like comprehensive and collision coverage:

• Collision Insurance: This covers any damage to your vehicle that occurs as a result of impacting another vehicle or object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.
• Comprehensive Insurance: This offers compensation for damage to your automobile due to non-collision events, such as theft or extreme weather conditions. It also covers being struck by an animal like a deer.

If you’re an owner of a new vehicle, purchasing a full coverage policy is a prudent decision to protect your financial investment in the asset. But if you're leasing or have a car loan, you are typically required to carry full coverage insurance.

The value of such extensive coverage may not justify the additional cost for older vehicles. Opting for more comprehensive coverage means higher premiums, but skimping on coverage could leave you inadequately insured. Tailor your car insurance coverage to your needs by balancing how much car insurance you need.

The cheapest car insurance company for drivers with a poor driving record in Columbia is impacted by the severity of the offense:

• Speeding ticket: American National P&C ($765 per year)
• At-fault accident: American National P&C ($765 per year)
• DUI: American National P&C ($858 per year)

Dairyland offers the most expensive rate for drivers with speeding tickets at $7,594 per year. Shop around to find the best rates.

In Columbia and similar cities, insurance rates typically escalate with the gravity of a driving infringement due to the higher risks associated with more serious offenses. For instance, drivers in Columbia with a speeding ticket might pay an average annual premium of $3,236, while those with a DUI offense can see rates soar to an average of $3,592.

Auto-Owners offers the most affordable full coverage car insurance for male and female teens in Columbia.

• Auto-Owners: $2,309 per year for female teens and $2,790 per year for male teens
• State Farm: $2,717 per year for female teens and $3,415 per year for male teens

These rates reflect a policy covering a combination of two parents and a teenage driver. Bristol West has the most expensive policy at $7,659 for female teens, demonstrating the importance of comparing options to find the cheapest car insurance for teens.

In Columbia and similar cities across the U.S., young drivers face significantly higher insurance costs, with the average individual teen policy at approximately $6,691 annually. By contrast, teens included in a family plan average a premium of about $4,091 — emphasizing the financial advantage of a joint policy. The disparity in rates is due to the heightened risk insurers attribute to inexperienced teen drivers, as well as the pooling of risk that a family policy offers.

It may also be challenging for a teenager to secure an individual policy due to strict underwriting criteria and their limited credit history. Thus, a family plan not only eases the approval process but also alleviates the financial burden for young motorists.

American National P&C is the cheapest option in Columbia for full coverage car insurance tailored to those with military backgrounds.

• American National P&C: $599 per year
• Auto-Owners: $1,015 per year

Although USAA is not the least expensive in this list, it remains a competitive option with an annual premium of $1,148. USAA caters to the unique needs of active-duty military members, potentially making it preferable over cheaper providers.

In Columbia, finding affordable car insurance requires a diligent comparison of rates, which can take upwards of 15 minutes per insurer. MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator streamlines this process. By inputting a few key details like age, driving history, credit score and coverage preferences, you can receive instant, tailored rate estimates, significantly cutting down the time investment for car insurance shopping.

Finding the right car insurance is about balancing factors like cost, coverage and customer service. MoneyGeek has analyzed various insurers in Columbia, employing distinct scoring systems to determine the best in each category. Here are the findings:

• Best overall: Auto-Owners (MoneyGeek score 83 out of 100)
• Best for service: American Family (MoneyGeek score 79 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Auto-Owners (MoneyGeek score 86 out of 100)

For people seeking the best balance between service quality and price, Auto-Owners is the premier choice for overall value. On the other hand, American Family is the top pick for customers prioritizing exceptional service, regardless of cost. Budget-conscious consumers will find that Auto-Owners, while affordable, doesn't compromise significantly on the service experience.

Auto-Owners is the best option in Columbia for car insurance. This reliable insurer ranks at the top for car insurance policyholders seeking quality coverage.

• Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 ($1,015 per year)
• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($1,098 per year)

Auto-Owners distinguishes itself primarily through its high satisfaction and affordability scores. These factors heavily influence its leading position in the MoneyGeek rankings, indicating a balance of quality service and economical pricing.

American Family offers the best car insurance for customer service in Columbia, focusing solely on general satisfaction, claims handling and coverages. This determination was made without considering rates.

• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($1,098 per year)
• Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 78 out of 100 ($1,015 per year)

American Family distinguishes itself primarily through its exceptional satisfaction and coverage scores, reaffirming the insurer's strong commitment to serving its customers effectively and providing substantial coverage options.

Auto-Owners is the best option for cheap car insurance in Columbia. Our evaluation of it places significant weight on affordability, while still factoring in the quality of claims handling and customer satisfaction to ensure consumers are getting the best value for their investment.

• Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 ($536 per year)
• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($533 per year)

These scores reflect the value for a minimum coverage policy. Auto-Owners distinguishes itself by not only offering a highly competitive annual premium but also by achieving the highest marks in claims satisfaction. This attention to client service during what can be a stressful time — filing a claim — augments its MoneyGeek score.

In Columbia, South Carolina, drivers face an average car insurance cost of $1,597. This figure is slightly less than the state’s average car insurance cost of $1,620. Compared with the nationwide average, South Carolina’s average cost of $1,620 falls short by $100, indicating that residents generally pay less for auto insurance in comparison to the overall average across the United States.

Numerous factors influence car insurance premiums, with location playing a significant role. Insurers consider the frequency of claims in an area, the likelihood of theft, vandalism and other location-dependent risk variables. Among the cities analyzed, North Charleston has the most expensive premium at $1,382, whereas Columbia offers the cheapest at $1,236. In more rural areas, where traffic density is lower, car insurance rates may be even further reduced.