Updated: December 1, 2024
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
American National P&C offers the cheapest minimum coverage auto insurance in South Carolina. Auto-Owners and South Carolina Farm Bureau have the most affordable rates for certain types of drivers.
If you seek quality service at a reasonable price, you should explore the top-rated car insurance companies in South Carolina.
CheapestCar InsuranceSouth CarolinaTable of Contents
Why Trust MoneyGeek? Our South Carolina car insurance rates are based on an analysis of data and information from the South Carolina Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services.
These rates reflect the cheapest car insurance quotes in South Carolina as of 2024.
The cheapest car insurance companies for a minimum coverage policy in South Carolina are:
Dairyland offers the most expensive option at an average of $2,361 per year.
South Carolina minimum coverage only includes bodily injury liability, property damage liability and uninsured motorist coverage.
| American National P&C | $375 | $31 |
| South Carolina Farm Bureau | $483 | $40 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $545 | $45 |
| Progressive | $581 | $48 |
| GEICO | $644 | $54 |
| American Family | $663 | $55 |
| Allstate | $707 | $59 |
| Travelers | $799 | $67 |
| State Farm | $889 | $74 |
| Bristol West | $1,957 | $163 |
| Dairyland | $2,361 | $197 |
A minimum coverage policy covers damages or injuries to others but not damages to your car. To avoid paying for damages to your car, you need a full coverage policy with comprehensive and collision insurance.
Find the Best Car Insurance in South Carolina for You
Your insurance requirements and preferences will affect your rates. The table above displays rates for minimum car insurance in South Carolina.
Learn more about how much car insurance you need.
MoneyGeek considered both service and price when ranking the best car insurance in South Carolina.
MoneyGeek looked at different driver profiles and other factors to see how the cost of car insurance in South Carolina varies.
The following companies have the cheapest full coverage rates in South Carolina:
Dairyland offers the most expensive full coverage policy in South Carolina, at around $4,591 per year.
Adding comprehensive and collision coverage to an American National policy costs around $307 more than its minimum coverage policy. A full coverage policy offers financial protection from both on-road and off-road incidents.
| American National P&C | $682 | $57 |
| South Carolina Farm Bureau | $890 | $74 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,023 | $85 |
| GEICO | $1,244 | $104 |
| Travelers | $1,347 | $112 |
| Allstate | $1,479 | $123 |
| Progressive | $1,495 | $125 |
| American Family | $1,548 | $129 |
| State Farm | $1,769 | $147 |
| Bristol West | $3,700 | $308 |
| Dairyland | $4,591 | $383 |
The amount of car insurance you need will significantly affect your rate. MoneyGeek's sample full coverage policy provides $100,000 in bodily injury liability 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 for collision, comprehensive or both. However, this can leave you underinsured in case of an accident and result in high out-of-pocket costs.
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 providing any personal information. It's a good tool to start with when shopping for the cheapest car insurance.
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Dec 06, 2024
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Auto-Owners offers the cheapest options for teens, while American National P&C is the most affordable for both young adults and seniors.
Cheapest for teens: Auto-Owners Insurance Co
Cheapest for young adults: American National P&C
Cheapest for seniors: American National P&C
The companies offering the most affordable car insurance for teens in South Carolina are:
Teens pay a diminishing car insurance premium as they age, giving 19-year-old drivers the lowest rate among this age group. South Carolina's cheapest car insurer for 19-year-old males is Auto-Owners ($1,800 per year).
Bristol West offers the most expensive option for 16-year-olds, 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 one. If a teen is under 18, in most cases, they must have a parent or guardian co-sign the policy to legally get auto insurance.
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $2,119 | $2,554 |
| State Farm | $2,178 | $3,014 |
| Travelers | $2,422 | $4,764 |
| Allstate | $2,753 | $2,897 |
| GEICO | $3,114 | $3,554 |
| Progressive | $3,320 | $9,757 |
| Bristol West | $6,316 | $11,006 |
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.
The companies offering the cheapest car insurance for drivers in their 20s in South Carolina are:
Dairyland offers the most expensive full coverage policy, at about $5,194 yearly. On average, younger drivers in South Carolina pay $375 more for car insurance than middle-aged drivers.
| American National P&C | $813 | $68 |
| South Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,127 | $94 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,298 | $108 |
| Travelers | $1,614 | $134 |
| Allstate | $1,655 | $138 |
| GEICO | $1,723 | $144 |
| American Family | $1,776 | $148 |
| Progressive | $1,794 | $149 |
| State Farm | $2,121 | $177 |
| Bristol West | $4,778 | $398 |
| Dairyland | $5,194 | $433 |
The cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina for senior drivers are:
Dairyland offers the most expensive full coverage policy, costing around $3,965 per year.
For full coverage car insurance, senior drivers in South Carolina pay approximately $98 less than middle-aged drivers. Note that car insurance rates tend to rise as drivers approach their 70s and 80s, as accident frequency increases within these age groups.
| American National P&C | $713 | $59 |
| South Carolina Farm Bureau | $798 | $66 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,043 | $87 |
| GEICO | $1,285 | $107 |
| Progressive | $1,340 | $112 |
| American Family | $1,423 | $119 |
| Travelers | $1,440 | $120 |
| Allstate | $1,594 | $133 |
| State Farm | $1,641 | $137 |
| Bristol West | $3,453 | $288 |
| Dairyland | $3,965 | $330 |
Seniors can save on car insurance by taking advantage of discounts and comparing rates, as insurers consider factors other than age when calculating premiums.
American National P&C offers the most affordable full coverage insurance after getting a speeding ticket, being in an at-fault accident or being charged with a DUI. South Carolina Farm Bureau is the cheapest insurer for drivers with poor credit, while Auto-Owners Insurance Co has the most affordable rates for those with sports cars.
Cheapest after a ticket: American National P&C ($866 per year)
Cheapest after an accident: American National P&C ($866 per year)
Cheapest after a DUI: American National P&C ($972 per year)
Cheapest for poor credit: South Carolina Farm Bureau ($1,634 per year)
Cheapest for sports cars: Auto-Owners Insurance Co ($1,022 per year)
For drivers in South Carolina with a speeding ticket, the following auto insurance providers offer the cheapest full coverage policies:
At $6,759 per year, Dairyland is the most expensive provider for drivers with a speeding ticket. In South Carolina, car insurance rates increase by about $498 after getting a ticket.
| American National P&C | $866 | $72 |
| South Carolina Farm Bureau | $981 | $82 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,121 | $93 |
| GEICO | $1,337 | $111 |
| American Family | $1,628 | $136 |
| Travelers | $1,860 | $155 |
| State Farm | $1,948 | $162 |
| Allstate | $1,950 | $163 |
| Progressive | $1,983 | $165 |
| Bristol West | $4,819 | $402 |
| Dairyland | $6,759 | $563 |
The following car insurance companies are the cheapest for drivers with an at-fault accident in South Carolina:
Dairyland’s full coverage policy is the priciest at approximately $7,389 per year. On average, drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record pay $803 more for car insurance than those without accidents.
| American National P&C | $866 | $72 |
| South Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,121 | $93 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,433 | $119 |
| American Family | $1,579 | $132 |
| Travelers | $1,928 | $161 |
| GEICO | $1,930 | $161 |
| State Farm | $2,153 | $179 |
| Allstate | $2,445 | $204 |
| Progressive | $2,553 | $213 |
| Bristol West | $5,197 | $433 |
| Dairyland | $7,389 | $616 |
The companies offering the cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in South Carolina are:
Dairyland's full coverage policy costs around $5,958 per year, making it the most expensive option. Drivers with a DUI tend to pay $689 more for car insurance than those with a clean record.
| American National P&C | $972 | $81 |
| South Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,047 | $87 |
| American Family | $1,355 | $113 |
| Progressive | $1,892 | $158 |
| State Farm | $1,948 | $162 |
| Allstate | $2,075 | $173 |
| Travelers | $2,122 | $177 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $2,150 | $179 |
| GEICO | $3,189 | $266 |
| Bristol West | $4,640 | $387 |
| Dairyland | $5,958 | $497 |
If your credit score is below 580, you can save the most on car insurance from the following companies in South Carolina:
The most expensive option is a full coverage policy from Dairyland, which costs around $5,961 per year. On average, drivers with poor credit pay $1,341 more for car insurance than those with credit scores above 750.
| South Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,634 | $136 |
| American National P&C | $2,289 | $191 |
| Travelers | $2,345 | $195 |
| Allstate | $2,528 | $211 |
| Progressive | $2,564 | $214 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $2,910 | $242 |
| GEICO | $2,936 | $245 |
| American Family | $3,337 | $278 |
| State Farm | $3,437 | $286 |
| Bristol West | $4,601 | $383 |
| Dairyland | $5,961 | $497 |
Persons with poor credit ratings have a higher-than-average likelihood of filing a claim. To address this, some insurers charge higher rates to drivers with poor credit-based insurance scores. 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 for having car safety features, such as automatic emergency braking.
Sports car drivers in South Carolina will find the cheapest car insurance from:
Dairyland's full coverage policy is the most expensive at an average of $4,337 per year. A sports car driver generally pays $289 more for car insurance than a Toyota Camry driver.
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,022 | $85 |
| American Family | $1,273 | $106 |
| Travelers | $1,296 | $108 |
| GEICO | $1,466 | $122 |
| Allstate | $1,689 | $141 |
| Progressive | $1,763 | $147 |
| State Farm | $2,047 | $171 |
| Bristol West | $3,884 | $324 |
| Dairyland | $4,337 | $361 |
MoneyGeek used a Ford Mustang as its sample sports car in this study, but costs may differ depending on your particular car model. Sports, electric and luxury cars are generally more expensive to insure; otherwise, the model may not be a significant factor. However, this may not be true for all states.
American National P&C is the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina for active-duty military or veterans, costing around $682 per year.
USAA is another option, catering exclusively to the military community nationwide. Its average annual premium is $1,038. While not the cheapest, USAA offers special coverage benefits and discounts for military personnel.
Military community members could also get a quote from GEICO. It has coverages and discounts specifically for you, with premiums going down as much as 15%.
Annual premium: $682
American National P&C does not offer a military discount, yet it is still the cheapest in South Carolina.
The cost of car insurance in South Carolina varies by location. Columbia is the cheapest city for car insurance at around $765 per year for an American National P&C policy. Charleston is among the cheapest at $777 per year with the same insurer.
| Charleston | American National P&C | $777 |
| Columbia | American National P&C | $765 |
| North Charleston | American National P&C | $793 |
Most states require you to carry bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance. You’ll also need uninsured motorist coverage in South Carolina.
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 at-fault accident.
Insurance companies may also require you to secure an SR-22 form, which may mean additional coverage.
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.
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 cover all costs associated with a car accident, especially if multiple vehicles are involved and extensive damage is sustained.
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 or lease your car, you will likely have to buy comprehensive and collision insurance. Comprehensive insurance covers damages from non-collision incidents, such as theft, vandalism, fire and severe weather events, including flooding. Collision insurance covers the cost of repairs for collisions with other vehicles or objects, such as trees and poles. It also covers rollovers and pothole damage.
MoneyGeek recommends that drivers with expensive cars buy comprehensive and collision insurance for added security.
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.
MoneyGeek answers common questions to help you choose a car insurance policy that meets your needs.
American National P&C is known for offering the most affordable car insurance for many drivers. If you're a teenager, Auto-Owners provides the best rates. On average, drivers in South Carolina pay $1,795 each year for full coverage.
Opting for the least expensive car insurance doesn't always guarantee the best service. MoneyGeek suggests finding a plan that balances affordability with quality customer service. We recommend Auto-Owners as the best provider in South Carolina for its cost-effectiveness and customer satisfaction.
In South Carolina, an SR-22 form might be necessary if your license is suspended due to serious offenses like DUI or driving without insurance. This form proves you have the required auto insurance and is usually needed for a minimum of three years, which can affect your insurance premiums.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick 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 knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
