Farm Bureau offers the cheapest minimum coverage at $86 per month for drivers with poor credit, with GEICO at $93 and American National at $97. South Carolina allows credit-based insurance scoring and gender rating, but credit can't be the sole reason to deny coverage. Insurers must comply with South Carolina's anti-discrimination laws, but credit scores still affect premiums. South Carolina's 30/60/25 minimum coverage requirements help keep baseline costs manageable for budget-conscious drivers.
Cheapest Low-Income Car Insurance in South Carolina
Updated: March 18, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
South Carolina doesn't offer a low-income car insurance program. Drivers denied by voluntary insurers may qualify for SCAIP. Read more.
Farm Bureau offers the lowest rates at $86 per month, followed by GEICO at $93 and American National at $97. Read more.
Building credit from poor to good can reduce premiums by up to 50%, saving $468 annually. Read more.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies for Low-Income Drivers in South Carolina
Data filtered by:
Poor
| Farm Bureau | $86 | $1,030 |
| Geico | $93 | $1,114 |
| American National | $97 | $1,159 |
| Travelers | $115 | $1,383 |
| Auto Owners | $122 | $1,470 |
| Progressive | $126 | $1,517 |
| Nationwide | $127 | $1,522 |
| Allstate | $140 | $1,681 |
| Farmers | $147 | $1,760 |
| American Family | $235 | $2,816 |
| State Farm | $320 | $3,842 |
Improving credit from poor to good cuts premiums nearly in half. With good credit, State Farm charges $41 per month versus Farm Bureau's $86 per month for poor credit, saving you $540 annually.
Cheapest Car Insurance for Families With Low Income in South Carolina
Farm Bureau offers South Carolina's most affordable rates for families at $2,435 annually for married couples with a 16-year-old driver. Auto-Owners ($2,851) and GEICO ($3,061) provide alternatives.
| Farm Bureau | $2,435 |
| Auto Owners | $2,851 |
| Geico | $3,061 |
| American National | $3,092 |
| American Family | $3,141 |
| Progressive | $3,492 |
| Travelers | $4,094 |
| State Farm | $4,442 |
| Allstate | $4,821 |
| Nationwide | $5,740 |
| Farmers | $8,234 |
*Rates for married couples with a 16-year-old teen driver are based on 50-year-old male and female drivers with clean driving records.
How to Lower Family Premiums
- Stack discounts: Good student discounts can cut 10% to 15% off your premium, and keeping your teen on your policy costs less than buying them a separate one. A defensive driving course adds even more savings.
- Wait it out: Your rates will drop 20% to 30% when your teen turns 18, then another 15% to 25% at 21 if they keep a clean record.
- Skip comp and collision on older cars: If your teen's car is worth less than $3,000, liability-only coverage makes more financial sense. You'll save $800 to $1,200 a year.
Does South Carolina Offer Low-Income Car Insurance?
No, South Carolina doesn't offer a state-sponsored low-income car insurance program. Farm Bureau, GEICO and American National offer the most affordable rates for drivers with poor credit.
Drivers denied coverage by multiple insurers may qualify for the South Carolina Automobile Insurance Plan (SCAIP), which allows high-risk drivers to meet legal requirements.
What Is the South Carolina Automobile Insurance Plan Association (SCAIP)?
The South Carolina Automobile Insurance Plan (SCAIP) assigns drivers who can't get coverage to participating insurers at state-approved rates. Coverage runs 25% to 50% higher than regular car insurance but guarantees you meet South Carolina's legal requirements. You may qualify if at least one insurer has denied you coverage. Contact a licensed insurance agent to apply with proof of denial.
Our high-risk car insurance in South Carolina guide provides complete SCAIP details.
How to Save on Car Insurance for Low-Income Drivers in South Carolina
Low-income South Carolina drivers can reduce car insurance costs through smart coverage choices and discounts.
- 1Check if you qualify for voluntary coverage
Get quotes from at least three insurers before applying to SCAIP. Assigned risk coverage runs 25% to 50% higher than standard coverage. Many drivers who believe they can't get standard coverage actually qualify with Farm Bureau, GEICO or American National.
- 2Build credit to get savings
South Carolina allows credit-based insurance scoring. Improving credit from poor to good saves up to 50% on premiums. State Farm charges $41 monthly with good credit versus $86 for poor credit, a $540 annual savings. Pay bills on time, reduce credit card balances and dispute errors to improve your score.
- 3Ask about discounts
South Carolina insurers offer discounts for students, military members and members of certain professional organizations. Ask about good student discounts, military discounts and employer group rates when you compare quotes.
Low-Income Car Insurance in South Carolina: FAQ
What is the cheapest car insurance for low-income drivers in South Carolina?
Farm Bureau, GEICO and American National provide the most competitive rates for drivers with limited budgets. Minimum coverage is the most affordable option for South Carolina drivers who own their vehicles outright, though financing or leasing requires full coverage.
Does South Carolina have a state-supported low-income car insurance program?
No, South Carolina doesn't offer a state-supported low-income car insurance program. Drivers who can't get coverage elsewhere may qualify for the South Carolina Automobile Insurance Plan (SCAIP), an assigned risk plan that guarantees access to required coverage.
Does your income affect the cost of car insurance in South Carolina?
Income doesn't directly affect car insurance costs in South Carolina. But insurers can use credit-based insurance scores when setting premiums, and credit scores often correlate with financial circumstances.
Is minimum coverage enough for low-income drivers?
South Carolina's 30/60/25 minimum liability coverage meets legal requirements but covers only others' expenses when you cause an accident. It doesn't protect your vehicle or cover your medical costs.
Minimum coverage is a reasonable choice if your vehicle is worth under $3,000, you own it outright and have an emergency fund for car replacement. Consider upgrading to 50/100/50 or 100/300/100 liability if you have assets to protect, drive a newer vehicle or can afford an extra $10 to $25 a month.
How We Chose the Cheapest Car Insurance for Low-Income Drivers
MoneyGeek analyzed South Carolina auto insurance rates using data from Quadrant Information Services.
Data Sources
We pulled quotes from multiple insurers across ZIP codes to calculate the average cost of car insurance for low-income drivers.
Sample Driver Profile
We based our rates on a sample driver profile with these attributes:
- 50-year-old male
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
- Clean driving record
- 12,000 miles driven annually
- Single marital status
- Poor credit score
For specific driver profiles, we adjusted factors such as age, family status and driving history.
Our study defines seniors as 60 or older, young drivers as 22 to 29 and adults as 30 to 59. Married couples with a child include 50-year-old male and female drivers with a 16-year-old teen.
Coverage Levels and Deductibles
Rates reflect minimum coverage per South Carolina law of 30/60/25: $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 bodily injury per accident and $25,000 property damage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.