Cheapest SR-22 Car Insurance in South Carolina


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Key Takeaways
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American National provides the cheapest auto insurance rates for SR-22 in South Carolina, averaging $65 per month or $782 per year.

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For drivers needing SR-22 coverage, South Carolina car insurance costs average $184 monthly for minimum coverage and $337 per month for full coverage.

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South Carolina requires SR-22 insurance to cover $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage if your license is suspended.

Cheapest SR-22 Car Insurance in South Carolina

American National provides South Carolina's cheapest SR-22 insurance at $782 for minimum coverage and $1,329 for full coverage. The minimum rate is $1,799 below the state average of $2,582, or about 70% cheaper, one of the strongest discounts in the Southeast.

State Farm, the most expensive on our list, costs $1,919 for minimum coverage, still 26% below the state average but $1,137 more than American National. South Carolina's wide pricing gap rewards drivers who compare multiple carriers.

The table below lists the five companies providing the most affordable SR-22 coverage options in South Carolina.

American National$65$111-63%
American Family$70$166-50%
Farm Bureau$106$175-41%
Travelers$148$251-16%
State Farm$160$268-10%

* Rates represent a 40-year-old male driver with a DUI, good credit and a 2012 Toyota Camry LE.

Cheapest SR-22 Car Insurance in South Carolina by Category

American National most frequently wins categories statewide. The cheapest category is Drivers With Other Violations, at $669 for minimum coverage SR-22 insurance with American National, while the most expensive is Young Drivers With a Suspension, at $913 with American National. The $244 spread shows how age and suspension history push rates higher.

Your SR-22 premium will hinge on the violation type, how recent it is, and the way each insurer models risk in South Carolina.

Drivers With Other ViolationsAmerican National$56$97
Drivers With Multiple Speeding TicketsAmerican National$61$104
Most Drivers Needing a SR-22American National$65$111
Drivers With Racing ViolationAmerican National$69$117
Drivers With Hit-And-Run AccidentAmerican National$70$118
Senior Drivers With a SuspensionAmerican National$75$119
Young Drivers With a SuspensionAmerican National$76$135

* Rates for most drivers are represented by a 40-year-old male driver with a DUI, good credit and a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. All other profiles are modifications of these factors. Young drivers are represented by 25-year-olds, and seniors are represented by 65-year-olds; all other violations represent those with suspensions that are not due to driving violations.

Cheapest SR-22 Car Insurance in South Carolina by City

Leesville is South Carolina's cheapest city for minimum coverage SR-22 insurance at $650 (American National), while North Charleston averages $858 (American National). The $208 gap equals about 32% higher in the coastal metro, reflecting urban traffic and claim patterns.

Urban crash rates, theft levels and repair expenses contribute heavily to city-to-city SR-22 differences in South Carolina.

CharlestonAmerican National$69
ColumbiaAmerican National$68
FlorenceAmerican National$69
LadsonAmerican National$71
LaurensAmerican National$54
LeesvilleAmerican National$54
Myrtle BeachAmerican National$63
North CharlestonAmerican National$71
SumterAmerican National$61

* Rates represent a 40-year-old male driver with a DUI, good credit and a 2012 Toyota Camry LE.

Best Cheap SR-22 Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina

Travelers stands out as the best car insurance provider for SR-22 filing in South Carolina, offering an excellent balance of affordable rates, strong customer service and comprehensive coverage options. While Travelers leads the pack, you should also consider American Family, Farm Bureau, American National and Progressive in your search.

Travelers4.44424
American Family4.36266
Farm Bureau4.31347
American National4.291116
Progressive4.29632
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Travelers

Best Overall for SR-22 Insurance in South Carolina

MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
3.9/5Coverage Options
  • Average Monthly Full Coverage Cost

    $251
  • Average Monthly Minimum Coverage Cost

    $148
  • Best For

    Customer Experience

South Carolina SR-22 Insurance Requirements

To comply with South Carolina laws, you must carry these minimum liability limits:

  • $25,000 personal injury liability per person
  • $50,000 personal injury liability per accident
  • $25,000 property damage liability per accident

In the state, SR-22 certificates are usually required for three years. This period can extend beyond three years based on the type of violation, noncompliance with requirements or repeated offenses.

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TYPES OF SR-22 FILINGS

South Carolina residents can obtain an SR-22 Operators-Owner Certificate for the most comprehensive coverage. This combined filing offers protection whether you're driving your own or someone else's car, providing the benefits of traditional and non-owner SR-22 policies in one certificate.

Other South Carolina SR-22 Insurance Laws and Regulations

Getting an SR-22 is just one part of meeting South Carolina insurance requirements, as drivers must also comply with various other state regulations and coverage laws.

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    SR-22 Filing and Reinstatement Fees

    SR-22 filing fees in South Carolina range from $25 to $50, while license reinstatement fees cost between $100 and $400, based on the violation type. South Carolina offers payment plans for fees exceeding $300, making it easier to manage these costs.

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    Coverage Lapses and Cancellations

    If your SR-22 insurance lapses or gets canceled, your insurance company must notify the South Carolina DMV right away. Your license will be suspended again until you file a new SR-22 and pay all reinstatement fees.

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    SR-22 Requirement Length

    South Carolina requires SR-22 insurance for three years, but this extends to five years for serious violations involving injuries, death or major property damage. For non-driving violations:

    • First offenses: require three years of SR-22 coverage
    • Second offenses within five years: lead to a 5-year suspension with continued SR-22 requirements
    • Third offenses: result in a 7-year suspension with ongoing SR-22 filing requirements.
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    SR-22 Filing Process

    To file an SR-22 in South Carolina, contact an insurance company licensed in the state and purchase a policy meeting South Carolina's minimum requirements. The insurance company files the SR-22 electronically with the South Carolina DMV, with processing typically completed within 72 hours.

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WHAT TO DO IF PROVIDERS DENY YOU COVERAGE

South Carolina doesn't operate a state-run high-risk insurance. Instead, the South Carolina Department of Insurance can help residents find private insurance companies that specialize in covering high-risk drivers. Drivers who need SR-22 insurance can work with any licensed insurer in the state, though they may need to contact multiple companies to find affordable coverage.

Cheap SR-22 Insurance in South Carolina: Bottom Line

In South Carolina, drivers with severe violations must file an SR-22 to prove they have minimum coverage. This requirement lasts 3 to 5 years, depending on the offense. While an SR-22 costs more, cheap car insurance options are available for these drivers.

SR-22 Insurance South Carolina: FAQ

Below are frequently asked questions about SR-22 certifications in South Carolina:

What are the cheapest SR-22 car insurance options in South Carolina?

How much does filing an SR-22 increase car insurance rates in South Carolina?

How long do you need to have an SR-22 in South Carolina?

How We Decided the Best and Cheapest SR-22 Insurance in South Carolina

MoneyGeek analyzed hundreds of thousands of quotes across South Carolina to determine the average cost of car insurance premiums for drivers with various profiles that would likely need an SR-22. All data was sourced from Quadrant Information Services and extrapolated by our team to give you personalized recommendations for your specific profile.

South Carolina SR-22 Driver Profile

We collected data for a sample driver with the following attributes and modified it to other common profiles for those needing an SR-22:

  • 40-year-old male
  • Driving record with a DUI
  • 2012 Toyota Camry LE
  • 12,000 miles driven annually
  • Suspended license
  • Single
  • No claims history

Coverage Levels and Deductibles

We gathered quotes for minimum coverage policies to help drivers find the cheapest SR-22 insurance for their coverage needs. Quotes were based on South Carolina's minimum coverage requirements, with the following limits:

  • $25,000 personal injury liability per person
  • $50,000 personal injury liability per accident
  • $25,000 property damage liability per accident

We based our analysis for full coverage quotes that include comprehensive and collision protection on these coverage amounts with a $1,000 deductible:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $100,000 property damage liability per accident

Our Best SR-22 Company Rating Methodology

We rated all companies based on the following rating scale:

  • Affordability (60% of score): We analyze premium costs by gathering quotes across multiple driver profiles and comparing pricing against regional competitors. This substantial weight reflects the primary concern most consumers have when selecting insurance coverage.
  • Customer experience (30% of score): Our customer service evaluation includes Google reviews, J.D. Power scores, AM Best financial ratings, and consumer feedback from Reddit discussions. We check these different sources to see how companies really perform for their customers.
  • Coverage options (10% of score): We evaluate the breadth and depth of available coverage types, examining both the quantity of options and the distinctiveness of specialized benefits or unique features each provider offers.

Learn more about MoneyGeek's car insurance methodology.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like 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.


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