Updated: May 20, 2024
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In South Carolina, American National P&C and American Family are the most affordable insurance providers for SR-22 coverage, with average annual premiums of $361 and $440, respectively. For non-owner policies, Auto-Owners and State Farm offer the lowest rates, with average premiums of $460 and $641 per year.
An SR-22 form is filed to demonstrate that your insurance policy meets the minimum requirements set by the state authorities, typically after a severe driving violation.
Cheapest SR-22 InsuranceSouth CarolinaCheapest Companies for SR-22 Car Insurance in South Carolina
Why Trust MoneyGeek? Our team obtained data from the South Carolina Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services to determine the most affordable SR-22 and FR-44 insurance companies for various driver profiles.
Drivers with DUIs can buy the most affordable minimum coverage policies in South Carolina with these companies:
These insurance providers also offer the cheapest full coverage policies for drivers with DUIs at the following rates:
Insuring drivers with severe driving violations is generally risky, so insurance providers often charge them higher rates. Comparing rates from different insurers can help you find affordable SR-22 car insurance coverage. The average car insurance costs range from $361 annually to $3,105 annually. The table below displays the cheapest companies for SR-22 car insurance and their rates.
| American National P&C | Annual Premium$361 | Monthly Premium$30 |
| American Family | Annual Premium$440 | Monthly Premium$37 |
| South Carolina Farm Bureau | Annual Premium$551 | Monthly Premium$46 |
| State Farm | Annual Premium$573 | Monthly Premium$48 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | Annual Premium$905 | Monthly Premium$75 |
| Allstate | Annual Premium$905 | Monthly Premium$75 |
| Progressive | Annual Premium$976 | Monthly Premium$81 |
| Travelers | Annual Premium$1,047 | Monthly Premium$87 |
| GEICO | Annual Premium$1,331 | Monthly Premium$111 |
| Bristol West | Annual Premium$1,891 | Monthly Premium$158 |
An SR-22 form is not an insurance policy. It's a mandated certificate of financial responsibility that your insurer files on your behalf to demonstrate that your policy meets the state's minimum coverage requirements. The state authorities typically require an SR-22 in various instances, like after severe driving violations like a DUI. You'll need to file this document if you find yourself in these common circumstances:
While South Carolina state law requires SR-22 filings to be maintained for three years, the duration may sometimes extend beyond three years. Filing an SR-22 indicates to insurers that you are a high-risk driver, which can result in higher insurance rates.
Your insurance company should submit a Financial Responsibility Cancellation Form to the appropriate authorities after three years or more based on the terms of your financial responsibility requirement to notify them your SR-22 filing period is over.
These insurance companies provide the most affordable rates for non-owner SR-22 car insurance in South Carolina:
USAA tailors its policies to military members and veterans and offers them the cheapest rates at $611 per year. Non-owner car insurance is necessary even if you don't own a vehicle, as it provides coverage in case of accidents or for license reinstatement purposes. We listed the cheapest non-owner SR-22 car insurance companies and their rates, ranging from $460 to $2,140 annually.
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | Annual Premium$460 | Monthly Premium$38 |
| State Farm | Annual Premium$641 | Monthly Premium$53 |
| GEICO | Annual Premium$678 | Monthly Premium$57 |
| Travelers | Annual Premium$944 | Monthly Premium$79 |
| Progressive | Annual Premium$1,242 | Monthly Premium$104 |
Consider buying non-owner insurance if you need to file an SR-22 but do not own a car. Such a policy offers protection against bodily injury and property damage to other drivers. It’s typically the best option for rideshare drivers and those who use rental cars. You can find cheap non-owner car insurance in South Carolina by comparing rates.
The average cost of SR-22 insurance in South Carolina is $1,099 for minimum coverage, while it’s $2,066 for full coverage SR-22 car insurance. Other offenses like speeding tickets or at-fault accidents may also require you to file this form. These driving offenses increase your premiums because providers consider you risky to insure.
| Clean | Annual Premium$679 | Monthly Premium$57 |
| Ticket | Annual Premium$1,019 | Monthly Premium$85 |
| At-Fault Accident | Annual Premium$1,164 | Monthly Premium$97 |
| DUI | Annual Premium$1,099 | Monthly Premium$92 |
Comparing insurance rates every year or during policy renewal is always smart, as doing so will ensure that you get the cheapest rates for SR-22 car insurance in South Carolina.
You’ll notice an increase in your premiums after filing an SR-22 because your insurance carrier will consider you a high-risk driver. MoneyGeek found that such drivers typically pay around $339 more for insurance than those with clean records.
Driving violations are only one of the many reasons that might cause you to file an SR-22. Other reasons include unpaid child support or insufficient insurance.
Annual Premium for Minimum Coverage
$760
Annual Premium for Minimum Coverage
$1,099This is 45% more expensive.
Your premiums can increase after the filing of an SR-22. But it also affects your car insurance in the following ways.
Filing an SR-22 can limit your insurance options as it may result in fewer insurers being willing to provide you coverage due to increased risk.
Your insurer can sometimes cancel your policy when you file an SR-22 in South Carolina.
Depending on the circumstances, the duration of maintaining an SR-22 filing in South Carolina can extend beyond the mandatory three years as per state law.
There’s also a one-time filing fee that comes with an SR-22 filing. It can vary from $15 to $50, depending on your state.
South Carolina drivers looking to buy car insurance after a traffic violation should take these steps:
Taking these measures will prove you're committed to taking responsibility for your driving record and ensuring that you have adequate insurance coverage.
According to South Carolina law, you must pay a $100 reinstatement fee for each suspension. These fees are subject to change, which makes it important to review the most recent information from the local DMV.
Finding cheap SR-22 car insurance in South Carolina after a DUI might be challenging, but it’s not impossible. You can follow these steps to get affordable coverage.
Compare quotes immediately
To find affordable car insurance in South Carolina after a DUI, you should compare quotes from different companies before choosing your insurer. MoneyGeek strongly recommends comparison shopping because insurers will assess your application based on different criteria.
Complete DUI classes or programs
You can enroll in state-approved DUI education programs to help you develop safe driving habits and encourage you to adopt low-risk behaviors. Completing these courses will demonstrate to your insurer that you’re committed to improving your driving history.
Look for discounts
Insurance companies often offer discounts to their policyholders. You should contact your provider to see if you qualify for discounts like driver’s education, bundling or anti-theft system installation.
Practice safe driving
The best way to avoid high insurance costs is to practice safe driving and refrain from reckless behavior on the road. A clean driving history will help you get affordable rates.
Shop rates over time
The rates you get from the insurer will generally change over time based on your driving history. You can obtain quotes periodically to see if the insurer offers you even more affordable rates.
Non-standard auto insurance can help drivers with poor driving records get the insurance coverage they need. However, you must prepare to pay higher rates for non-standard auto policies.
We answered the following commonly asked questions to help you determine which insurance companies are the most suitable for SR-22 car insurance in South Carolina.
American National P&C offers the cheapest minimum coverage SR-22 car insurance in South Carolina at an average of $361 per year. It’s also the most affordable full coverage insurer, charging an average of $649 annually. Auto-Owners provides the least expensive non-owner insurance at $460 per year. USAA is the most reasonable for military-affiliated drivers, charging $611 annually.
The average cost of minimum coverage SR-22 car insurance in South Carolina is $1,099 per year. Full coverage has an average annual cost of $2,066.
Under South Carolina law, it is mandatory to maintain an SR-22 filing for a period of three years.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick 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.
