Auto Insurance
Best & CheapestAuto InsuranceHigh-RiskBest Cheap Car Insurance Companies for High-Risk Drivers in South Carolina
Compare Rates and Save on Car Insurance
By , Content Director
Updated: Nov 18, 2023
Insurance firms may charge higher rates based on your driving history. However, you can shop around and compare high-risk car insurance quotes to find good deals for your specific driver profile.
For high-risk drivers in South Carolina, State Farm provides the best balance of price and customer service. However, your particular circumstances may affect your actual rate.
Best & CheapestAuto InsuranceHigh-RiskBest Companies for High-Risk Drivers in 2023
Cheapest for High-Risk Drivers - Allstate
Best for High-Risk Drivers - State Farm
Cheapest After a DUI - State Farm
Cheapest for Teen Drivers - Allstate
Cheapest for Bad Credit - Nationwide
Insurers consider high-risk drivers as more likely to submit an auto insurance claim. You may be deemed high risk if you have a record of at-fault accidents, tickets, violations, or a DUI conviction. Teenagers are also considered high-risk due to their inexperience on the road.
Car insurance policies for high-risk drivers are usually more expensive than policies for safer drivers. In South Carolina, if auto insurers deem you a high-risk customer, you should anticipate paying around 29% more than the average policyholder.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A HIGH-RISK DRIVER?
Auto insurers have different ways of defining high-risk drivers. Despite having a spotless driving record, factors like your credit score or the type of car you use can increase your rates. Likewise, prior infractions can raise your premiums even if you have a safe car and excellent credit.
The following groups are considered high-risk:
- Drivers with a history of traffic violations or at-fault accidents
- Drivers with a DUI conviction
- Drivers caught driving with a suspended or revoked license
- Young drivers with a lack of driving experience
- Drivers who drive sports cars or participate in drag racing
- Drivers with bad credit or lapses in insurance coverage
Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina for High-Risk Drivers
MoneyGeek’s study shows that State Farm offers South Carolina's high-risk drivers the most affordable auto insurance. This company sells insurance with an average annual premium of $1,210 to various high-risk driver profiles.
SR-22 INSURANCE
In South Carolina, motorists convicted of a serious traffic offense or found operating a vehicle without proper coverage must have SR-22 insurance. Your insurer files an SR-22 form with the state, demonstrating you have auto insurance that satisfies the required minimums.
Best Car Insurance in South Carolina for High-Risk Drivers
State Farm scored 92.5 out of 100, making it the best auto insurance provider in South Carolina for high-risk drivers, according to MoneyGeek's study. Its policies for high-risk drivers average $1,210 per year. MoneyGeek named GEICO second-best for high-risk drivers.
1
State FarmBest for High-Risk Drivers
Score:96
State Farm’s high-risk auto insurance in South Carolina costs about $1,210 a year. Drivers perceived as risky by this company pay around 10% more than those with clean records.
More About State Farm
For most drivers, including those who pose a high risk, State Farm offers affordable rates. Additionally, it provides ridesharing insurance and discounts for students and safe drivers. However, the insurer does not offer standard coverages like gap insurance, better car replacement and accident forgiveness.
2
GEICO
Score:51
In South Carolina, GEICO charges high-risk drivers $1,453 annually for car insurance, which is 30% more expensive than the cost for drivers with spotless records.
More About GEICO
All types of drivers can get affordable insurance from GEICO. It provides roadside assistance, accident forgiveness, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance. In addition, GEICO offers discounts if you use your seatbelt, have daytime running lights or install anti-lock brakes.
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
Although better service is frequently more expensive, you shouldn't have to forgo quality to stick to a budget. Looking for low-income auto insurance in South Carolina can be helpful. Even though the state does not have a government-sponsored program for low-income families and individuals to purchase auto insurance, people who rarely travel may find that purchasing basic coverage or pay-per-mile insurance are good options.
Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina for Drivers With a DUI
According to our analysis, State Farm offers the least expensive auto insurance in South Carolina for people with DUI charges, costing an average of $1,210 a year. USAA policies are another reasonably priced option for auto insurance if you have a DUI, but its policies are only available to current and retired military personnel.
LOOK-BACK PERIODS
The time frame during which a DUI remains on your driving record is known as the look-back period. State-specific look-back periods vary, although they are often lengthy to allow for repeat offenders' sentencing. South Carolina has a 10-year look-back period.
Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina for Teenage Drivers
Our study concludes that GEICO offers South Carolina the most affordable car insurance rates for teen drivers. On average, teens can purchase motor insurance from GEICO for $2,830 a year.
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
Auto insurance for young people and students is generally more expensive than for average consumers. Still, purchasing full coverage car insurance versus the minimum required is advisable so you have financial protection in the event of an accident. To find the best affordable auto insurance for teen and student drivers, shop around and compare prices.
Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina for Drivers With Bad Credit
Nationwide provides the cheapest auto insurance for drivers with bad credit in South Carolina, with premiums averaging $1,645 per year.
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
If you have bad credit, you can still purchase affordable car insurance. You can even save thousands of dollars a year by switching insurance companies. We’ve even researched the best car insurance for drivers with bad credit to get you started.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost for High-Risk Drivers in South Carolina?
Insurance companies often determine premiums after considering a driver's history and profile. High-risk drivers thus frequently pay higher premiums.
In South Carolina, for instance, high-risk drivers pay $1,655 on average each year, compared to $1,169 for drivers with clean records, a $486 difference.
Annual Car Insurance Cost in SC for Low-Risk vs. High-Risk Drivers
Annual Premium
Low-Risk Driver
$1,169Annual Premium
High-Risk Driver
$1,655In South Carolina, high-risk drivers pay:$486 more
This is 42% more expensive.
MoneyGeek’s South Carolina car insurance calculator can help you calculate the cost of a policy based on personal factors like age, driving history, kind of vehicle and level of coverage. You can use our tool to determine which factors have the biggest impact on your rates.
Auto Insurance Calculator
See how the Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates vary with the options chosen.
South Carolina
Female
30-65
Clean
Compact
2020
Excellent
State Min
None
Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates
Click the section of the wheel in your price range to see options.
low end
on average
high end
Click an insurer below to visit their review page or continue to your personalized quote.
Can You Still Get Car Insurance in South Carolina if Insurers Refuse to Insure You?
The car insurance market is voluntary, meaning firms may decline to cover you if they believe you’re too problematic to insure. Your best course of action in this situation is to search for a residual market plan via the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office (AIPSO). This national, non-profit organization has helped high-risk drivers find insurance for 48 years.
South Carolina Automobile Insurance Plan
You can find a residual market plan based on your location using the AIPSO state-by-state database. The residual market plan in South Carolina is the South Carolina Commercial Automobile Insurance Plan (SCCAIP).
The SCCAIP only accepts transactions from fully licensed agents of those commercial carrier subscribers who pay a membership fee. A legally licensed agent must submit an application for coverage if a consumer wants to be assigned through SCCAIP and has a valid South Carolina driver's license and a South Carolina-registered car. Consumers should speak to their agent or broker for more information.
Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. CT
Email
southeast@aipso.com
Phone
(800) 301-6477
Fax
(800) 677-7247
Mailing Address
South Carolina Commercial Automobile Insurance Plan, P.O. Box 6530, Providence, RI 02940-6530
Auto Insurance
Compare Auto Insurance Rates
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your auto insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting car insurance can be difficult for high-risk drivers. MoneyGeek answered frequently asked questions about high-risk auto insurance in South Carolina to make the process easier.
Methodology
MoneyGeek calculated average rates using full coverage car insurance policies with 100/300/100 liability insurance, comprehensive and collision coverage and a $1,000 deductible. Minimum coverage car insurance policy rates were calculated based on each state’s minimum car insurance requirement.
To calculate rates for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek averaged the premiums insurance companies charge for three of the most common driving violations: speeding, at-fault accident and DUI.
To determine the best car insurance company for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek scored companies based on affordability, customer satisfaction and complaints — obtained from J.D. Power surveys and NAIC complaint scores — and financial strength ratings as calculated by AM Best. Affordability received the greatest weighting in our calculations.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
sources
- Responsibility.org. "State Law: DUI Look-Back Periods." Accessed September 14, 2022.