Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina

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Updated: April 30, 2026

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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) and full coverage ($64/month), plus adults, seniors and every violation category, making it the most complete single-provider sweep in this dataset. South Carolina Farm Bureau, a regional insurer, leads standalone young drivers ($137/month) and the age-16 family policy ($329/month). Farmers charges $304/month for full coverage, $240/month above American National, the largest absolute provider gap in this dataset and a clear signal to compare rates before defaulting to Farmers.

Cheapest in South Carolina by coverage type

Cheapest by city

Cheapest by driver age

Cheapest by driving record and credit score

MoneyGeek analyzed 11 car insurance providers in South Carolina using Quadrant Information Services data. Rates reflect a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and a clean driving record. South Carolina is an at-fault state with minimum liability limits of 25/50/25 and required uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage at matching limits. MoneyGeek's full coverage benchmark is 100/300/100 liability plus comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. American National and South Carolina Farm Bureau are regional carriers. Farmers at $304/month is an extraordinary outlier, the largest gap from cheapest full coverage in this batch. Gender is a rating factor in South Carolina.

Data updated April 2026.

Cheapest Minimum and Full Coverage Car Insurance in South Carolina

American National leads both minimum coverage ($34/month) and full coverage ($64/month) in South Carolina, offering the best car insurance in South Carolina when comparing 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 dataset. Comparing American National to the second-cheapest full coverage provider, South Carolina Farm Bureau at $82/month, saves $18/month ($216/year).

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.

American National
$34
Farm Bureau
$44
American Family
$52
Auto-Owners
$53
GEICO
$55
American National
$64
Farm Bureau
$82
American Family
$117
Auto-Owners
$95
GEICO
$108

Cheapest Car Insurance by Age in South Carolina

South Carolina Farm Bureau leads for young adult drivers at $137 a month, $19 a month below American National at $156 a month. American National is the cheapest for seniors at $86 a month. South Carolina's age-based pricing has two unusual characteristics: Farm Bureau leads at age 16 with no gender differentiation at that age, then American National takes over from age 17 through 25. The gender gap also widens rather than narrows by age 25, with girls at $128 a month and boys at $149 a month, a $21 a month difference that runs counter to the pattern seen in car insurance rates by age nationally.

Teen rates drop sharply from age 16 to 25. A 16-year-old on a family policy with Farm Bureau costs $329 a month for either gender, but by age 25 with American National, the family premium drops to $128 a month for girls and $149 a month for boys, reductions of $201 a month ($2,412 a year) and $180 a month ($2,160 a year) respectively.

Open the dropdowns below to see full rate breakdowns for all ages 16 to 25 and for the top senior options.

Teen Drivers (16, Female, Family Policy)
Farm Bureau
$329
Teen Drivers (16, Male, Family Policy)
Farm Bureau
$329
Seniors (65+)
American National
$86

Cheapest Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in South Carolina

American National has the best rates for high-risk car insurance in South Carolina across 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.

Profile
Cheapest Provider
Monthly Rate

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

Cheapest Car Insurance by City in 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 $13/month ($156/year). Charleston ($69/month) and inland Columbia ($69/month) carry identical rates with American National, reflecting the provider's statewide pricing consistency rather than a coastal surcharge.

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. Drivers in the state's largest metro area can review the best cheap car insurance in Charleston, SC. You can also compare car insurance rates across cities in the state.

City
Cheapest Provider
Monthly Full Coverage Rates

Charleston

American National

$69

Columbia

American National

$69

Goose Creek

American National

$72

Greenville

American National

$61

Hilton Head Island

American National

$61

How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina

  1. 1
    Compare American National Against Other South Carolina Providers

    American National offers full coverage at $64/month, compared to Farmers at $304/month, a difference of $240/month. This is the most consequential rate gap among the 11 providers MoneyGeek analyzed in South Carolina. Always get an American National quote before finalizing any coverage decision.

  2. 2
    Use South Carolina Farm Bureau for Young Drivers and Bad Credit

    South Carolina Farm Bureau leads among providers for young drivers at $137/month and for drivers with bad credit at $198/month, even though it does not rank in the top five for standard adult coverage. Families using American National for adult policies should request a separate South Carolina Farm Bureau quote for teen drivers.

  3. 3
    Match Coverage to Coastal and Hurricane Risk in South Carolina

    Coastal South Carolina drivers should carry comprehensive coverage, which applies to hurricane wind damage and other non-collision losses. MoneyGeek's full coverage benchmark is 100/300/100 liability plus comprehensive and collision with a $1,000 deductible, and how much car insurance you need depends on whether your vehicle's value and loan status justify the gap between minimum and full coverage costs.

  4. 4
    Enroll in Telematics Programs Offered by South Carolina Carriers

    American National and South Carolina Farm Bureau both offer usage-based insurance programs that can reduce premiums for safe drivers. Contact each carrier directly to confirm South Carolina-specific discount ranges and enrollment requirements.

  5. 5
    Bundle Home and Auto Insurance to Reduce Premiums on Both Policies

    Bundling home and auto insurance with the same provider typically reduces premiums on both policies. Confirm bundling availability and discount amounts directly with your South Carolina insurer, as savings vary by carrier.

  6. 6
    Complete an SCDMV-Approved Defensive Driving Course

    Completing a defensive driving course approved by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles can qualify drivers for a premium discount. Contact the SCDMV directly to confirm currently approved courses and verify discount eligibility with your insurer.

  7. 7
    Re-Shop Coverage When Traffic Violations Age Off Your Record

    Most traffic violations age off driving records after three years in South Carolina. American National applies modest violation surcharges and remains competitive after incidents, but re-shopping at the three-year mark confirms whether that pricing advantage still applies to your policy.

  8. 8
    Consider Non-Owner Car Insurance if You Do Not Own a Vehicle

    Non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage when driving borrowed or rented vehicles in South Carolina. This coverage satisfies state minimum liability requirements of 25/50/25 without requiring a standard auto policy tied to a specific vehicle.

MoneyGeek analyzed 11 car insurance providers in South Carolina using Quadrant Information Services data. Rates reflect a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and a clean driving record. South Carolina is an at-fault state with minimum liability limits of 25/50/25 and required uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage at matching limits. MoneyGeek's full coverage benchmark is 100/300/100 liability plus comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. American National and South Carolina Farm Bureau are regional carriers. Farmers at $304/month is an extraordinary outlier, the largest gap from cheapest full coverage in this batch. Gender is a rating factor in South Carolina.

Data updated April 2026.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

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Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers. 

He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships. 

His insights — on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance — have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR among others. 

Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

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