DUI Car Insurance in South Carolina

Most drivers in South Carolina pay higher insurance premiums for three to five years following a DUI conviction, though the conviction remains on their driving record for 10 years. The exact timeline depends on your insurer and overall driving history, as insurers review the conviction when calculating your rates.

Drivers with clean records pay around $128 per month for coverage, while those with a DUI pay approximately $195 monthly. This jump means drivers with a DUI will have difficulty finding cheap rates, making it essential to compare quotes from multiple insurers to find more competitive pricing.

South Carolina requires an SR-22 filing to prove you carry the state's minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25. That is $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident and $25,000 for property damage. Read more about insurance costs after a DUI in South Carolina.

South Carolina's SR-22 filing requirement lasts three years after a DUI conviction, and your insurance company handles submitting this form to prove you're carrying active coverage. The state requires this SR-22 filing, which stays on file throughout the entire period following your license reinstatement. If your insurance policy lapses or gets canceled during these three years, your insurer notifies the DMV, and you'll experience license suspension. Maintaining continuous coverage becomes essential since any gap in insurance triggers immediate consequences that can further complicate your driving privileges.

Drivers with clean records in South Carolina pay around $128 per month for full coverage, but that jumps to $195 monthly after a DUI conviction. This represents a 52% increase that impacts household budgets for those dealing with impaired driving charges.

Nationally, the picture looks even worse for drivers with DUI convictions. The average American pays $219 per month with a DUI compared to $122 without one, creating an 80% rate increase. South Carolina's 52% jump is actually more manageable than this national benchmark, making South Carolina relatively forgiving for drivers working to rebuild their records.

Find out more: The average cost of car insurance in South Carolina

Farm Bureau ranks as the best overall car insurance provider for DUI drivers in South Carolina, while American National offers the cheapest car insurance based on MoneyGeek's scoring system. Both companies provide relief from the elevated premiums that follow DUI convictions.

You'll save $104 per month with American National, which charges just $91 compared to the state average of $195 for DUI drivers. That adds up to $1,248 in annual savings, providing meaningful financial relief when you're already dealing with higher insurance costs.

Farm Bureau earns a 4.44 out of 5 MoneyGeek score by combining affordability with strong customer experience and coverage options. At $95 per month for DUI drivers, it's only $4 more than the cheapest option while delivering superior service and comprehensive protection that MoneyGeek weighs in its ratings.

Don't fall for ads claiming you can get cash back for maintaining a DUI-free driving record. Facebook ads promoting these fake rebate programs are common scams designed to steal your personal information. No insurance company offers special payouts or refunds just for avoiding DUIs. Insurers price policies based on risk assessment, so drivers with clean records naturally pay lower premiums than those with DUI convictions.

A DUI raises insurance costs, but other financial penalties accumulate quickly in South Carolina.

• Fines and fees. Court-imposed fines, court costs, and administrative fees pile up after a DUI conviction. These mandatory payments to the state and court system range from $400 to $6,500, depending on your specific case circumstances.
• Towing and impound. Your vehicle gets towed to an impound lot where daily storage fees accumulate. Expect $100 to $250 for the initial tow, plus $20 to $40 per day until you retrieve your car.
• Drug education programs. South Carolina requires substance use assessment and DUI school (ADETS) completion. Required treatment programs add to these costs, totaling $100 to $1,000 depending on your assessment results.
• License reinstatement costs. Getting your driving privileges back involves multiple fees. DMV restoration and service fees cost $100 to $500 before you can legally drive again.
• Legal representation. Attorney fees for defending against DUI charges vary by case complexity and lawyer experience. Most defendants pay $1,500 to $5,000 for professional legal defense services.
• Ignition interlock device. Court-mandated breath testing devices require professional installation and monthly monitoring. Installation costs $100 to $200, plus $60 to $100 per month for ongoing monitoring services.
• Probation supervision. Monthly probation fees cover supervision and any required drug or alcohol testing. These ongoing costs range from $30 to $100 per month throughout your probation period.

If standard insurers won't offer coverage, alternative solutions are outlined below.

MoneyGeek's insurance experts tackle your most common questions about getting car insurance after a DUI in South Carolina.

MoneyGeek examined records from state insurance departments and Quadrant Information Services to identify the best providers for DUI drivers in South Carolina. We reviewed financial stability, customer satisfaction, claims handling and affordability across companies.

Pricing shown reflects a 40-year-old male with both a clean driving record and a DUI conviction insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry LE driven 12,000 miles annually. We created variations of this base profile for additional rate comparisons.