American National offers South Carolina's most affordable car insurance, with monthly rates of $34 for minimum coverage and $62 for full coverage. This saves drivers $53 monthly (52%) compared to state averages. Get quotes from Farm Bureau, Auto-Owners, American Family and GEICO too.
Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina
Updated: August 18, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
American National, Farm Bureau and Auto Owners are the cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina, with savings up to 52% below average rates.
Car insurance costs in South Carolina start at $28 monthly for minimum coverage and $53 for full coverage policies on average.
To get the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina, research costs and top companies, use discounts and compare multiple provider quotes.
Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina?
| American National | $34 | $62 | -52% |
| Farm Bureau | $45 | $88 | -35% |
| Auto Owners | $54 | $96 | -26% |
| American Family | $50 | $113 | -20% |
| Geico | $58 | $112 | -16% |
*These rates are for a 40-year-old with good credit, a clean driving record and a 2012 Toyota Camry across all ZIP codes in the state.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEST CHEAP CAR INSURANCE IN SOUTH CAROLINA
We've created additional guides below to help you in your search for the best and cheapest car insurance in South Carolina:
Best Car Insurance Rates by Category in South Carolina
American National leads with the cheapest rates in South Carolina, winning first place in eight out of our 10 driver categories based on different profiles. Farm Bureau stands out for specific groups, offering the lowest rates in two categories. Find your specific rates in the table:
| Young Drivers | Farm Bureau | $81 |
| Adult Drivers | American National | $34 |
| Senior Drivers | American National | $52 |
| Drivers With An Accident | American National | $44 |
| Drivers With A DUI | American National | $50 |
| Drivers With A Speeding Ticket | American National | $44 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | Farm Bureau | $89 |
| Drivers With Low Income | American National | $45 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | American National | $41 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | American National | $32 |
*Rates for the categories above are based on a profile of a 40-year-old with good credit, a clean driving record and a 2012 Toyota Camry across all ZIP codes in the state. Young drivers refer to 16 to 25-year-olds, adults 26 to 64-year-olds and seniors 65+ years of age.
Compare the Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina for You
The tables above show overall winners, but your cheapest option depends on your specific situation. For example, Farm Bureau offers the lowest rates at $181 monthly for adult drivers with poor credit and an accident record who want 100/300/100 full coverage. Filter the table to match your exact situation:
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
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)
| Farm Bureau | $181 | $2,177 | -44% |
| American National | $220 | $2,636 | -33% |
| Travelers | $236 | $2,830 | -28% |
| Geico | $253 | $3,034 | -22% |
| Auto Owners | $282 | $3,386 | -13% |
*Young drivers refer to 16 to 25-year-olds, adults 26 to 64-year-olds and seniors 65+ years of age.
Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina by City
Where you live in South Carolina affects your insurance costs based on local crime, accidents and traffic density. American National offers rates as low as $28 in Long Creek but charges $44 in Ladson. Here are the cheapest providers for every South Carolina city:
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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City:Abbeville
| Abbeville | American National | $30 | -51% |
*The lowest rate referenced is for a minimum coverage policy for a 40-year-old with good credit and no driving violations.
How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina
Finding the lowest-priced insurance company won't guarantee you'll get the best deal on car insurance in South Carolina. Below are proven ways to save the most on auto insurance.
- 1
Compare Multiple Insurance Providers
Get quotes from several insurance companies through different channels like independent agents, direct from providers and comparison websites. Your rates can vary significantly depending on how you shop, so try multiple approaches to find the best deal.
- 2
Determine Your Coverage Needs
Review the coverage you need before shopping to avoid paying for unnecessary add-ons while ensuring you have enough protection. Consider your car's value, your assets and your state's requirements when choosing coverage levels.
- 3
Consider Lower Coverage Levels
Reducing your coverage amount can lower your premium costs if budget is a concern. Think about your financial situation, driving habits and where you live before making this choice.
- 4
Research Costs and Discounts
Look into average auto insurance costs for drivers like you to understand typical rates. Check for discounts and compare home and auto insurance bundle prices to maximize your savings.
- 5
Look Into Alternative Insurance Options
Consider pay-per-mile car insurance if you don't drive much, or try telematics programs that track driving habits for potential savings. Check if your car manufacturer offers special insurance programs with lower rates.
- 6
Work on Your Risk Profile
Build a better credit score and maintain safe driving habits to qualify for lower insurance rates. Insurance companies often offer better prices to drivers they consider lower risk.
- 7
Choose a Cost-Effective Vehicle
If you're buying a car, pick a cheaper car to insure to save on coverage costs. Older, reliable vehicles typically cost less to insure and repair.
Risks of Getting the Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina
South Carolina requires drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of 25/50/25. This means you need $25,000 for injuries to one person, $50,000 total for injuries in one accident and $25,000 for property damage coverage. But minimum coverage leaves you exposed to major financial risks:
Vehicle damage if you're at fault won't be covered
Without collision coverage, you'll pay all repair costs if you cause an accident. In South Carolina, average property damage claims hit $4,800 in 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute. That money comes straight from your pocket with minimum coverage. Add collision coverage to protect against expensive repairs.
Weather risks make damage to your car more likely and aren't covered
South Carolina gets hit with severe weather that damages cars regularly. Tropical storms and hurricanes caused billions in property damage in 2023. Basic coverage won't pay for weather damage. Add comprehensive coverage to protect against flooding, fallen trees and hail damage that frequently hit South Carolina.
Bodily injury damage is more likely to exceed minimum limits
South Carolina's minimum bodily injury coverage of $25,000 per person often isn't enough for serious accidents. Average injury claims now reach $22,734. With rising medical costs, consider increasing coverage to 50/100/50 for better financial protection against lawsuits.
Not having uninsured motorist coverage opens you up to unexpected costs
South Carolina has an uninsured driver problem, with 10.1% of drivers lacking insurance according to the Insurance Information Institute. If an uninsured driver hits you, you'll face steep out-of-pocket costs without uninsured motorist coverage. Legal action against uninsured drivers rarely recovers damages. Add uninsured motorist coverage to protect yourself financially in these situations.
Vehicle theft damage is more likely and uncovered
Car theft is a real problem in South Carolina, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Without comprehensive coverage, you get nothing if your car's stolen or damaged during a theft. The average stolen car claim tops $9,000, so adding comprehensive coverage is worth it in high-risk areas.
Cheap Car Insurance in South Carolina: Bottom Line
American National offers the lowest car insurance rates in South Carolina for most drivers and coverage types, according to our analysis. While the cheapest option is tempting, don't make price your only factor. Get as much coverage as you can afford to protect your finances when accidents happen.
Cheap Car Insurance in South Carolina: FAQ
Below, we answer common questions about affordable car insurance to help you find the best coverage options.
What are the cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina?
American National provides the most budget-friendly car insurance in South Carolina, averaging $414 for minimum coverage and $749 for full coverage annually. Farm Bureau, Auto Owners, American Family and GEICO also offer competitive rates.
Who has the cheapest car insurance rates for young drivers in South Carolina?
Farm Bureau provides the most affordable rates for young drivers in South Carolina, with monthly premiums starting at $81 for minimum coverage.
Who offers the cheapest car insurance rates for seniors in South Carolina?
Senior drivers in South Carolina can find the most competitive rates with American National, offering policies for those 65 and older at an average of $52 per month for minimum coverage.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina for bad credit?
Farm Bureau provides the most affordable rates for bad-credit drivers in South Carolina, with monthly premiums averaging $89 for minimum coverage and $212 for full coverage.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina with an accident?
American National offers the most affordable car insurance rates for South Carolina drivers with an accident history, starting at $44 per month for minimum coverage.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina with a DUI?
American National provides the cheapest car insurance after a DUI in South Carolina, with rates of $50 monthly for minimum coverage and $89 monthly for full coverage.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina for those with a speeding ticket?
South Carolina drivers with a speeding ticket can find the lowest insurance rates with American National, charging $44 monthly for minimum coverage and $79 for full coverage.
Should you buy the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina?
While getting cheap insurance is tempting, make sure you have enough coverage to protect against major financial losses. American National offers the most affordable rates and reliable coverage in South Carolina.
How We Found the Most Affordable Car Insurance in South Carolina
MoneyGeek collected auto insurance data from the South Carolina Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed quotes from 12 major insurers and reviewed more than 200 million rate comparisons across every residential ZIP code in South Carolina.
South Carolina Driver Profile
Our analysis started with a standard driver profile to find the cheapest rates:
- 40-year-old male
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
- Clean driving record
- 12,000 miles driven annually
- Good credit
- Valid license
- Currently insured
- No claims history
We adjusted this sample profile, as specified, to find the cheapest option for various driver backgrounds.
Standard Coverage Levels in South Carolina
We compared car insurance companies in South Carolina that offer minimum and full coverage policies. We set the limits of the minimum coverage car insurance policy to the minimum amount required by law in South Carolina.
The minimum coverage liability limits in South Carolina are:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
For full coverage policy rates, we used the following liability limits:
- $100,000 for bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 for property damage liability
- Comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
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.
sources
- Insurance Information Institute . "Facts + Statistics: Auto Insurance ." Accessed August 20, 2025.
- Insurance Information Institute . "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured Motorists ." Accessed August 20, 2025.
- National Centers for Environmental Information . "Climate at a Glance ." Accessed August 20, 2025.
- National Insurance Crime Bureau . "Vehicle Thefts Surge Nationwide in 2023 ." Accessed August 20, 2025.