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American National P&C offers the cheapest insurance for full and minimum coverage, young drivers, seniors, military members and those with tickets. Auto-Owners Insurance Co is the most affordable insurer for teens.

Those who seek quality service at a reasonable price should consider the top-rated car insurance companies in South Carolina.

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2023

Cheapest Car Insurance South Carolina (April 2023)

Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in South Carolina (April 2023)

The cheapest car insurance companies for a minimum coverage policy in South Carolina are:

  • American National P&C: $280 per year
  • Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $443 per year

Dairyland offers the most expensive option, at $2,233 annually. South Carolina minimum coverage only includes bodily injury liability, property damage liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

American National P&C

$280

$23

American National P&C

$317

$26

American National P&C

$320

$27

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$443

$37

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$461

$38

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$461

$38

American National P&C

$501

$42

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$507

$42

A minimum coverage policy covers damages or injuries to others but not damages to your own car. To avoid paying for damages to your car, you'll want a full coverage policy with comprehensive and collision insurance.

Insurance Rates

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Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in South Carolina (April 2023)

MoneyGeek found the following companies have the cheapest full coverage rates in South Carolina:

  • American National P&C: $501 per year
  • Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $937 per year

Dairyland offers the most expensive, at around $4,197 per year. On average, adding comprehensive and collision coverage to a policy costs around $221.

A full coverage policy offers financial protection from both on-road and off-road incidents.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

American National P&C

$280

$23

American National P&C

$317

$26

American National P&C

$320

$27

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$443

$37

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$461

$38

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$461

$38

American National P&C

$501

$42

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$507

$42

The amount of car insurance you need will significantly affect your rate. MoneyGeek's sample full coverage policy provides $100,000 in liability protection per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 in property damage liability.

If you're looking for extra savings on car insurance, you can choose lower liability limits, drop comprehensive and collision insurance or raise your deductible. However, this can leave you underinsured in case of an accident and result in high out-of-pocket costs.

How to Compare Cheap South Carolina Car Insurance Quotes Online

Although many insurers offer quotes online, getting one can take as long as 15 minutes. You also have to cross-compare multiple website offers to find the best deal.

MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator can help you get a general idea of what different car insurance companies charge without having to provide any personal information. It's a good tool to start with when shopping for the cheapest car insurance.

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Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina for Teens and Their Families (April 2023)

The companies offering the most affordable car insurance for teens in South Carolina are:

  • Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $2,558 per year for male teens and $2,119 per year for female teens
  • State Farm: $2,729 per year for male teens and $2,178 per year for female teens

Teens pay a diminishing car insurance premium as they age, giving 19-year-old drivers the most discount among this age group. South Carolina's cheapest car insurer for 19-year-old males is Auto-Owners Insurance Co ($1,800 per year).

Bristol West offers the most expensive option, at $6,141 for male teens and $6,316 for female teens. Families can save around $2,539 by adding teenagers to their existing auto insurance policy instead of buying a separate policy.

Company
Family Plan Annual Premium
Individual Plan Annual Premium

State Farm

$768

$1,186

State Farm

$838

$1,294

GEICO

$853

$1,411

State Farm

$902

$1,392

GEICO

$931

$1,540

State Farm

$992

$1,530

GEICO

$1,018

$1,683

Travelers

$1,094

$1,370

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

On average, car insurance rates for male teens tend to be significantly more expensive than for female teens. This rate difference is not as notable when drivers reach their 20s and beyond.

Many insurers offer discounts to young drivers. For example, Allstate offers good student and distant student discounts, which are common across insurers.

Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina for Young Adults (April 2023)

Our ranking shows that the companies offering the cheapest car insurance for drivers in their 20s in South Carolina are:

  • American National P&C: $593 per year
  • South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,201 per year

Dairyland offers the most expensive full coverage policy, at about $4,792 yearly. On average, younger drivers pay $92 more than middle-aged drivers with American National P&C.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

American National P&C

$280

$23

American National P&C

$317

$26

American National P&C

$320

$27

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$443

$37

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$461

$38

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$461

$38

American National P&C

$501

$42

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$507

$42

Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina for Seniors (April 2023)

We looked at the cost of auto insurance in South Carolina for seniors and found that the cheapest options come from:

  • American National P&C: $524 per year
  • South Carolina Farm Bureau: $850 per year

Dairyland offers the highest-priced full coverage policy, costing around $3,679 per year. For full coverage from American National P&C, senior drivers pay $23 more than middle-aged drivers. Note that car insurance rates tend to rise as drivers approach their 70s and 80s.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

American National P&C

$280

$23

American National P&C

$317

$26

American National P&C

$320

$27

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$443

$37

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$461

$38

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$461

$38

American National P&C

$501

$42

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$507

$42

Seniors can save on car insurance by taking advantage of discounts and comparing rates since insurers consider factors in addition to age when calculating premiums.

Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina After a Ticket, Accident or DUI (April 2023)

American National P&C offers the most affordable full coverage insurance after getting a ticket, being in an accident or being charged with a DUI.

CHEAPEST CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES AFTER A DRIVING INCIDENT

Cheapest after a ticket: American National P&C ($631 per year)
Cheapest after an accident: American National P&C ($631 per year)
Cheapest after a DUI: American National P&C ($706 per year)

Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina After a Ticket

The most affordable car insurance companies in South Carolina for drivers with a speeding ticket are:

  • American National P&C: $631 per year
  • Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $1,029 per year

Dairyland provides full coverage at around $6,305 annually — the most expensive option. Drivers with violations will likely pay approximately $453 more annually for car insurance with American National P&C than those with clean records.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

American National P&C

$361

$30

American National P&C

$411

$34

American National P&C

$416

$35

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$495

$41

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$514

$43

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$523

$44

GEICO

$533

$44

American Family

$534

$44

Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina After an Accident

The following car insurance companies are the cheapest for drivers with an at-fault accident in South Carolina:

  • American National P&C: $631 per year
  • American Family: $1,124 per year

Dairyland’s full coverage policy is the priciest, at approximately $6,898. On average, drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record pay $722 more for car insurance with American National P&C than those who have no accidents.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

American National P&C

$361

$30

American National P&C

$411

$34

American National P&C

$416

$35

American Family

$523

$44

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$583

$49

American National P&C

$631

$53

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$638

$53

State Farm

$640

$53

Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina After a DUI

The companies offering the cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in South Carolina are:

  • American National P&C: $706 per year
  • American Family: $964 per year

Dairyland’s full coverage policy costs around $5,559 per year, making it the most expensive option. Persons with a DUI tend to pay $618 more for car insurance than those with a clean record.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

American National P&C

$406

$34

American Family

$440

$37

American National P&C

$466

$39

American National P&C

$471

$39

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$553

$46

American Family

$559

$47

State Farm

$577

$48

State Farm

$603

$50

Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina for Drivers With Poor Credit (April 2023)

If your credit score is below 580, you can save the most on car insurance from the following companies in South Carolina:

  • American National P&C: $1,682 per year
  • South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,740 per year

A full coverage policy from Dairyland may cost around $5,498 and is the most expensive option. Drivers with poor credit pay $1,102 more on average for car insurance than those with credit scores above 750.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

American National P&C

$1,992

$166

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$2,175

$181

Allstate

$2,182

$182

Travelers

$2,418

$201

State Farm

$2,483

$207

Progressive

$2,749

$229

GEICO

$3,107

$259

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$3,486

$290

Persons with poor credit ratings have a higher-than-average likelihood of filing a claim. To address this, some insurers charge drivers with poor credit scores higher rates. This practice is illegal in some states but not in South Carolina.

Improving your score over time might help you save in the long run. However, if you want immediate savings, look into companies offering discounts for bundling your insurance policies or installing car safety features, such as automatic emergency braking.

Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina for Sports Cars (April 2023)

Sports car drivers in South Carolina will find the cheapest car insurance from:

  • American Family: $901 per year
  • Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $939 per year

Dairyland’s full coverage policy is the most expensive, at $3,974. A sports car driver generally pays $239 more than a Toyota Camry driver.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

American National P&C

$280

$23

American National P&C

$317

$26

American National P&C

$320

$27

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$443

$37

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$461

$38

Auto-Owners Insurance Co

$461

$38

South Carolina Farm Bureau

$507

$42

American Family

$509

$42

MoneyGeek used a Ford Mustang as its sample sports car, but insurance costs can vary depending on what you drive. The car model may not always be a factor that affects price, but premiums for luxury, electric and sports cars may sometimes be higher in some states.

Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina for Military Drivers (April 2023)

MoneyGeek found that the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina for active duty or military veterans is American National P&C, at around $501 per year.

USAA, the financial services company that caters exclusively to the military community nationwide, costs approximately $993.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
American National P&C
  • $501 per year

American National P&C offers rental car and/or travel reimbursement, roadside assistance and gap insurance to its policyholders. It also provides antique/classic car insurance and spare parts coverage.

Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina by City

The cost of car insurance in South Carolina varies by location. Columbia is the cheapest city for car insurance, at around $560 per year with American National P&C. Charleston is among the cheapest at $576 with the same insurer.

City
Cheapest Company
Annual Premium

Charleston

American National P&C

$576

Columbia

American National P&C

$560

North Charleston

American National P&C

$585

Car Insurance in South Carolina: What You Need to Know

Most states require you to carry bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance. You’ll also need uninsured motorist coverage in South Carolina.

South Carolina Car Insurance Requirements

In South Carolina, you are only required to purchase a minimum amount of auto insurance. A minimum liability policy includes bodily injury, property damage and uninsured motorist coverage.

Buying the minimum insurance coverage might be a cost-saving option, but it offers less protection. MoneyGeek recommends getting as much liability coverage as you can afford to cover as many costs as possible in case of an accident.

Insurance companies may also require you to secure an SR-22 form, which may mean additional coverage.

  • male icon

    Bodily Injury Liability

    It pays for the cost of injuries to other people caused by your car. The minimum amount required is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This amount may leave you liable for any damages beyond those limits.

  • accident2 icon

    Property Damage Liability

    It pays for the cost of repairing or replacing other people's property that you've damaged in an accident. The minimum amount required is $25,000 per accident. This amount may not be enough to cover all costs associated with a car accident, especially if multiple vehicles are involved, and extensive damage is sustained.

  • carInsurance icon

    Uninsured Motorist Coverage

    It pays for your medical bills if you are injured in an accident with an uninsured driver. It also covers you if a hit-and-run driver hits you or your car. The minimum amount required is $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 property damage coverage. The minimum amount may not cover any other costs associated with an accident, like lost wages or funeral costs.

MoneyGeek suggests purchasing $100,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident and $100,000 in property damage insurance per accident.

If you finance your car purchase, you will likely have to buy comprehensive and collision insurance. Comprehensive insurance covers damages to your car from accidents, theft or vandalism. Collision insurance covers the cost of repairs for collisions with other vehicles or objects, such as trees and poles.

MoneyGeek recommends that drivers with expensive cars buy comprehensive and collision insurance for added security.

Car Insurance Alternatives in South Carolina

You can drive legally without insurance in South Carolina. However, you may have to provide proof of financial responsibility to the DMV: This includes a surety bond or real estate bond with two real estate owners if the combined equity is a minimum of $150,000 and a Certificate of Deposit from the treasurer’s office of cash or securities worth $35,000.

FAQs About Car Insurance in South Carolina

MoneyGeek answers common questions to help you choose a plan that meets your needs.

Expert Advice on Finding Cheap Car Insurance in South Carolina

To help you find credible and accurate insight on car insurance in South Carolina, MoneyGeek received expert advice from trusted professionals. The perspectives and opinions expressed are those of the individual contributor.

  1. What are the key factors drivers in South Carolina should look for when searching for the best auto insurance coverage?
  2. What steps can drivers in South Carolina take to find affordable car insurance?
  3. How do regulations and rules in South Carolina impact insurance pricing and how consumers might shop for coverage?
Robert Hartwig
Robert Hartwig

Clinical Associate Professor, Finance Department and Director, Center for Risk and Uncertainty Management; Darla Moore School of Business; University of South Carolina

Paul D. Smith
Paul D. Smith

Assistant Professor of Business and Entrepreneurship at Newberry College

Frank Tian Xie
Frank Tian Xie

John M. Olin Palmetto Chair Professor in Business and Professor of Marketing at The University of South Carolina, Aiken

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.