Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina (September 2025)

MoneyGeek has analyzed all the data on cheap car insurance rates in South Carolina, but it's possible the cheapest for the average driver doesn't fit your needs. 

MoneyGeek's South Carolina car insurance calculator can help you find a cheap quote in only a few seconds, or if you're looking for cheap car insurance rates in Charleston you can jump straight to our analysis of insurance in that city. For those not just looking for low rates but good value, MoneyGeek analyzed the best car insurance companies in South Carolina too.

American National claims the top spot for affordable liability-only insurance in South Carolina at $34 monthly or $414 annually, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious drivers. Travelers charges the highest rates at $70 monthly ($836 annually) for equivalent coverage, highlighting how provider choice can impact your annual insurance costs by $422.

Farm Bureau ($45 monthly) and American Family ($50 monthly) offer competitive rates between the cheapest and most expensive options. Auto-Owners and GEICO provide additional choices at $54 and $58 monthly respectively, giving South Carolina residents several affordable pathways to meet mandatory coverage requirements as of September 2025.

*These rates are for a 40-year-old with good credit, a clean driving record and a 2012 Toyota Camry across all ZIP codes in the state.

South Carolina requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, plus mandatory uninsured motorist coverage at matching limits. The state's higher property damage requirement reflects potential repair costs, but these minimums may still leave gaps in financial protection after serious accidents. Evaluate whether basic coverage aligns with your asset protection needs.

American National offers the cheapest full coverage in South Carolina at $62 monthly or $749 annually—the same company that provides the state's most affordable minimum coverage. This makes American National worth considering for cost-conscious South Carolina drivers.

Farm Bureau ($88 monthly) and Auto-Owners ($96 monthly) present viable alternatives for full coverage, while Progressive charges the highest rates at $139 monthly ($1,663 annually). Comparing providers can save South Carolina drivers up to $914 annually, with American National offering the best average rates as of September 2025.

Full coverage adds comprehensive and collision insurance to your liability policy, protecting your own vehicle from damage. Comprehensive covers non-collision events like theft, vandalism, and weather damage, while collision pays for repairs when you hit another vehicle or object.

American National offers the most competitive rates across South Carolina's three largest cities. The insurer maintains consistent affordability throughout the state's major metropolitan areas while adapting to local risk factors and regulatory requirements.

In South Carolina's three largest cities, American National provides the best rates with nearly identical pricing. Both Columbia and Charleston residents pay $38 monthly for minimum coverage, while North Charleston commands slightly higher rates at $40 monthly, reflecting modest differences in local risk assessment as of September 2025.

Urban areas typically face higher insurance rates due to increased traffic density, higher crime rates, and more frequent claims compared to rural locations. Rates in your specific city can vary widely based on local factors.

*The lowest rate referenced is for a minimum coverage policy for a 40-year-old with good credit and no driving violations.

Farm Bureau offers the cheapest rates for young drivers (including students and new drivers) in South Carolina at $81 monthly, while American National provides the most affordable coverage for seniors at $52 monthly. For comparison, American National delivers adult driver coverage in the prime 30-65 age range for just $34 monthly, highlighting how age-based risk factors create significant pricing variations.

*Young drivers refer to 16 to 25-year-olds, adults 26 to 64-year-olds and seniors 65+ years of age.

Young drivers face South Carolina's highest insurance rates due to their statistically higher accident rates and inexperience behind the wheel. Insurance companies view drivers under 25 as high-risk because they're more likely to engage in risky behaviors like speeding and distracted driving, leading to more frequent and severe claims.

Seniors in South Carolina, as elsewhere, pay slightly more than drivers in the 30-65 age range but substantially less than young drivers. While seniors may face some increased rates due to slower reaction times and potential vision issues, their decades of driving experience and generally cautious driving habits keep their premiums well below those of inexperienced drivers.

American National offers the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in South Carolina across all violation types. American National provides the most affordable coverage for drivers with DUI convictions at $50 monthly, and identical rates of $44 monthly for both speeding tickets and accident history, simplifying the search for affordable high-risk coverage.

For South Carolina drivers requiring SR-22 filings, American National maintains its affordability leadership with the cheapest rates in South Carolina at $65 monthly for minimum coverage. SR-22 filings are typically required for high-risk drivers who have committed serious violations such as DUI convictions, driving without insurance, multiple traffic violations, or license suspensions. This certificate proves to the state that you maintain the required minimum insurance coverage.

Finding the lowest-priced insurance company won't guarantee you'll get the best deal on car insurance in South Carolina. Below are proven ways to save the most on auto insurance.

South Carolina requires drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of 25/50/25. This means you need $25,000 for injuries to one person, $50,000 total for injuries in one accident and $25,000 for property damage coverage. But minimum coverage leaves you exposed to major financial risks:

American National offers the lowest car insurance rates in South Carolina for most drivers and coverage types, according to our analysis. While the cheapest option is tempting, don't make price your only factor. Get as much coverage as you can afford to protect your finances when accidents happen.

Below, we answer common questions about affordable car insurance to help you find the best coverage options.

MoneyGeek collected auto insurance data from the South Carolina Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed quotes from 12 major insurers and reviewed more than 200 million rate comparisons across every residential ZIP code in South Carolina.

South Carolina Driver Profile

Our analysis started with a standard driver profile to find the cheapest rates:

• 40-year-old male
• 2012 Toyota Camry LE
• Clean driving record
• 12,000 miles driven annually
• Good credit
• Valid license
• Currently insured
• No claims history

We adjusted this sample profile, as specified, to find the cheapest option for various driver backgrounds.

Standard Coverage Levels in South Carolina

We compared car insurance companies in South Carolina that offer minimum and full coverage policies. We set the limits of the minimum coverage car insurance policy to the minimum amount required by law in South Carolina.

The minimum coverage liability limits in South Carolina are:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 per accident for property damage

For full coverage policy rates, we used the following liability limits:

• $100,000 for bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
• $100,000 for property damage liability
• Comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible