Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina 2026

South Carolina ranks 35th most affordable of 50 states at $130/month for full coverage, 7% above the national average. American National leads minimum coverage ($34/month), full coverage ($64/month), adults, seniors, and every violation category, the most complete single-provider sweep in this batch. South Carolina Farm Bureau (a regional insurer) leads standalone young drivers ($137/month) and the age-16 family policy ($329/month). The non-obvious warning: Farmers charges $304/month for full coverage, $240/month above American National, the largest absolute provider gap in this batch and a clear signal to shop before defaulting to Farmers.

Cheapest in South Carolina by coverage type

• Full coverage: American National, $64
• Minimum coverage: American National, $34

Cheapest by city

• Columbia: American National, $69
• Charleston: American National, $69
• North Charleston: American National, $73

Cheapest by driver age

• Teen drivers (16) on a family policy: Farm Bureau, $329 (female and male)
• Seniors (65+): American National, $86

Cheapest by driving record and credit score

• Speeding ticket: American National, $81
• At-fault accident: American National, $81
• DUI: American National, $91
• Texting while driving: American National, $73
• Bad credit: Farm Bureau, $198

American National leads both minimum coverage ($34/month) and full coverage ($64/month) in South Carolina. It offers the best car insurance in South Carolina when looking at premiums. Choosing American National over Farmers (the most expensive provider at $304/month) saves $240/month ($2,880/year), the largest single-state provider gap in this batch. Comparing American National to the second-cheapest full coverage provider (South Carolina Farm Bureau at $82/month) saves $18/month. 

South Carolina's minimum coverage requirement is 25/50/25 liability in an at-fault state with no personal injury protection (PIP), plus required uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage at matching 25/50/25 limits. Every minimum policy in South Carolina includes protection if you're hit by an uninsured driver, a mandatory layer not present in all states.

The average cost of car insurance in South Carolina is about $130/month for full coverage, which is due to high hurricane and severe weather exposure in coastal areas, a relatively high uninsured driver rate and elevated litigation costs. American National has low rates for this market ($64/month full coverage).

The gap between South Carolina's average minimum coverage ($66/month) and full coverage ($130/month) is $64/month ($768/year). For American National, the gap narrows to just $30/month ($34 minimum vs. $64 full coverage). South Carolina's location in a hurricane zone makes comprehensive coverage especially relevant for wind damage and flood-adjacent perils. MoneyGeek's full coverage benchmark is 100/300/100 liability plus comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. To determine the right coverage level for your situation, ask yourself how much car insurance do I need? You can also use the car insurance calculator for South Carolina.

American National leads all 10 South Carolina cities analyzed. The city range spans $60/month (Spartanburg) to $73/month (North Charleston), a difference of just $13/month ($156/year). The coastal premium expected in Charleston ($69/month) is the same as inland Columbia ($69/month), reflecting American National's statewide pricing consistency.

Despite being adjacent municipalities, North Charleston ($73/month) costs $4/month more than Charleston ($69/month) with the same provider. This likely reflects North Charleston's industrial character and higher uninsured driver concentration relative to historic Charleston. For drivers in the state's largest metro area, look for the best cheap car insurance Charleston SC. You can compare car insurance rates across cities in the state.

South Carolina Farm Bureau leads for young drivers at $137/month, $19/month below American National ($156/month). Farm Bureau's young-driver edge is notable: the insurer does not appear in the adult top five, yet leads the most expensive driver profile. Families who use American National for adult coverage should get a separate Farm Bureau quote for their teen to capture this advantage. 

Farm Bureau also leads the age-16 family policy at a flat $329/month for both genders, with no gender differentiation at age 16. American National takes over at age 17 and holds through age 25 when comparing car insurance rates by age. The gender gap widens rather than narrows at age 25 (female $128/month vs. male $149/month, a $21/month difference), an unusual data point, as gender gaps narrow as drivers age.

American National offers the cheapest car insurance for seniors at $86/month, $22/month above its adult rate of $64/month. South Carolina Farm Bureau at $92/month ranks second. The spread from first to fifth (American Family at $154/month) is $68/month, the widest senior top-five spread in this batch, making American National the essential choice for drivers 65 and older.

American National has the best rates for high-risk car insurance in South Carolina: speeding ($81/month), at-fault accident ($81/month), DUI ($91/month), and texting while driving ($73/month). South Carolina Farm Bureau leads bad credit at $198/month, the one category American National does not top (it falls to fourth at $234/month). For any violation, American National remains the first quote to get. 

Most violations affect rates for three years; DUI violations affect rates longer. South Carolina requires SR-22 filing after certain violations.

American National at $81/month leads after a speeding ticket, a $17/month surcharge above its clean-record rate of $64/month. The spread from first to fifth (Travelers at $159/month) is $78/month, making American National the clear choice for drivers with a speeding violation.

American National at $81/month leads after an at-fault accident, the same rate as its speeding ticket rate, both $17/month above its clean-record rate. The spread from first to fifth (American Family at $161/month) is $80/month.

American National at $91/month leads after a DUI, only $27/month above its clean-record rate. South Carolina Farm Bureau at $95/month ranks second. The spread from first to fifth (Progressive at $177/month) is $86/month. DUI violations require SR-22 filing in South Carolina.

American National at $73/month has the most affordable premiums after a texting while driving violation, only $9/month above its clean-record rate. The spread from first to fifth (American Family at $162/month) is $89/month, the widest texting top-five spread in this batch.

South Carolina Farm Bureau at $198/month leads for drivers with poor credit, the one category American National does not lead ($234/month, 4th place). The spread from first to fifth (Nationwide at $245/month) is $47/month. You can also get low income car insurance in South Carolina.