Motorcycle Insurance in South Carolina: The Cheapest Quotes and Best Companies

The cheapest motorcycle insurance in South Carolina often only has liability coverage, which only covers third-party injuries in an accident. Full coverage policies, on the other hand, are the better option for most drivers in South Carolina to stay fully protected.

For the analysis below, MoneyGeek gathered quotes from various carriers in South Carolina using a sample rider profile with a good riding history and a 50/100/25 liability-only coverage.

These companies offer the cheapest offered the cheapest motorcycle insurance quotes in South Carolina options:

• Progressive: $109 per year
• GEICO: $120 per year

Progressive is 170.8% cheaper than the most expensive motorcycle insurer in South Carolina, Markel. Markel offers their liability-only coverage at around $281 per year. This wide gap underscores the importance of gathering motorcycle insurance quotes in South Carolina before making a decision.

Average Annual Premium for Liability Coverage

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• Company
  Annual Premium
• 1.
  Progressive
  $109
• 2.
  GEICO
  $120
• 3.
  Harley-Davidson
  $216
• 4.
  Dairyland
  $232
• 5.
  Markel
  $281

Full coverage policies, which include comprehensive and collision coverage, can protect riders and their assets better than liability-only policies can. Comprehensive coverage can protect against damage to the motorcycle not caused by an accident, such as hail or theft, while collision coverage covers the financial costs of the damaged motorcycle if the rider is at fault. Riders who are still making payments for their motorcycle are likely required to have full coverage.

To find the cheapest motorcycle insurance in South Carolina with full coverage, MoneyGeek analyzed carriers using a good rider profile with a 50/100/25 coverage and a $500 deductible. These insurers offer the cheapest, full coverage options in South Carolina:

• Progressive: $249 per year
• GEICO: $307 per year

The most expensive full coverage policy in South Carolina is offered by Markel at around $566 per year — this is 127.31% more expensive than Progressive.

Average Annual Premium for Comprehensive and Collision

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• Company
  Annual Premium
• 1.
  Progressive
  $249
• 2.
  GEICO
  $307
• 3.
  Dairyland
  $326
• 4.
  Harley-Davidson
  $354
• 5.
  Markel
  $566

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From the policy’s coverage limits and the motorcycle model to the riding record and age of the driver, the cost of motorcycle insurance can depend on a number of factors and changes depending on the policyholder. To give bikers an average number to work with, we gathered motorcycle insurance quotes in South Carolina from five carriers in the area.

The average cost of motorcycle insurance in South Carolina for full coverage policies is around $360 per year or $30 per month — this is 0.84% less than the national average of $363 per year.

On the other hand, liability-only policies cost an average of $192 per year or $16 per month in South Carolina. Compared to the national average of $142 per year, South Carolina residents pay 26% more. While this is a cheaper option, it does not protect riders from damages to their bike or any injuries to themselves in case of an accident.

To get the average cost of motorcycle insurance in South Carolina, we reviewed coverages with $50,0000/$100,000 in bodily injury, $25,000 in property damage, a $500 deductible and the minimum for uninsured motorist coverage for full coverage policies.

Car Insurance Costs by Coverage Type

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• Policy Type
  Average 12-Month Cost in South Carolina
  Average 12-Month National Cost
  Variance
• Full Coverage
  $360
  $364
  -$3
• Liability Only
  $192
  $141
  $50

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To find the best motorcycle insurance in South Carolina, MoneyGeek examined companies based on three factors: their product offerings and selection, service and their financial stability. We found that Progressive was the best motorcycle insurer in the state, scoring highly in affordability.

Expand All Rankings +

1

Progressive

Score:97

-

5/5

Affordability

4.7/5

User Satisfaction

4.5/5

Financial Stability

Geek Quick Take

Pros

• They cover various types of motorcycles
• They offer customizable policies
• They give discounts to policyholders with easy eligibility requirements

Cons

• They do not offer all discounts in all states
• They do not offer large accident forgiveness in CA, NC and NY
• They do not offer their disappearing deductible in all states

More About Progressive

Progressive has been in the insurance business since 1937 and has established itself as a reputable player in the industry. We have given them a MoneyGeek score of 97 out of 100. In South Carolina, Progressive offers full coverage policies at an average of $249 per year and liability-only policies at $109 per year. Their motorcycle insurance policies cover a variety of motorcycle types — from cruisers to custom bikes. They’ve made themselves accessible to every kind of bike rider.

Progressive also offers discounts, giving policyholders the chance to get affordable motorcycle insurance thanks to their variety of savings options. For instance, current Progressive policyholders can bundle their home, auto, or other types of offered insurance and get discounts on their motorcycle policy. A motorcycle endorsement to a biker’s driver’s license can also lead to discounts from the company.

Aside from automatically getting OEM parts and accessories and custom parts/equipment (CPE) coverage from a standard policy, bikers can also enjoy extra coverages such as Carried Contents® coverage, which covers personal belongings found on the bike that have been lost, damaged,or stolen.

2

Harley-Davidson

Score:88

-

4/5

Affordability

5/5

User Satisfaction

4.5/5

Financial Stability

Geek Quick Take

Pros

• They offer Harley-Davidson replacement parts
• They offer discounts to Harley Owners Group (HOG) members
• They offer motorcycle accident forgiveness

Cons

• They do not offer auto insurance
• They only offer their services in 48 states
• They do not have the most affordable rates in South Carolina

More About Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson’s years in the motorcycle industry are one of the many reasons why they’re one of the best insurers in South Carolina. Their full coverage policies cost an average of $354 per year, while their liability-only policies stand at $216 per year. Based on MoneyGeek’s criteria, they scored 87.53 out of 100 in South Carolina.

Harley-Davidson offers insurance for all makes and models — including customized motorcycles and those that are 25 years and older, which is why MoneyGeek ranked them highly in terms of total products and services.

They also offer a range of discounts for avid bikers. Those with new bikes get a discount simply for having a new asset, and those who are already part of the Harley Owners Group automatically get a discount on their policies. They also give other discounts for simpler eligibility requirements, such as for paying on time, being loyal or using anti-theft devices.

3

GEICO

Score:87

+

4.8/5

Affordability

3.3/5

User Satisfaction

5/5

Financial Stability

Geek Quick Take

Pros

• They have a team of licensed motorcycle agents to help with claims
• They give a 20% discount simply for switching over from another carrier
• They offer a variety of payment plans

Cons

• They do not offer all discounts in all states
• They do not accept digital ID cards in MA and NH as valid proof-of-insurance
• They do not offer all coverages and payment plans in all states

More About GEICO

Established in 1936, GEICO has since become a reputable insurer in all of America. In South Carolina, they are well-known for their financial stability and affordable rates. We gave them a MoneyGeek score of 87.04 out of 100. Their liability-only policies are second to Progressive, standing at an average of $120 per year. On the other hand, their full coverage policies cost an average of $307 per year.

They also offer a range of standard discounts for policyholders, such as owning several policies with them, being an experienced rider and taking a safety course. Riders who own and are looking to insure several bikes can get a discount as well.

GEICO also offers additional coverages, such as accessories coverage, to help with electronic equipment, trike conversion kits or seats and saddlebags, along with helmet coverage, to protect riders with expensive helmets.

To get motorcycle insurance quotes in South Carolina, you require a list of information on hand. This includes:

• The ZIP code and address of your residence in South Carolina
• Your personal information, such as birth date and riding record
• The insurance coverage elections
• The make, model and year of your motorcycle/s
• Any other details, such as your assets and income

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In South Carolina, motorcycle insurance is a state requirement. Minimum coverages differ from state to state, but South Carolina motorcycle insurance laws and requirements need a minimum of the following:

• $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability (BI)
• $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability (BI)
• $25,000 in property damage liability (PD)
• Uninsured motorist coverage (UM)

South Carolina motorcycle insurance laws and requirements state that the minimum coverages for policies should be 25/50/25. This includes $50,000 in coverage for all persons that are injured in an accident, with a limit of $25,000 per individual. It also requires at least $25,000 in property damage limits.

Motorcycle insurance in South Carolina also requires that bikers have uninsured motorist coverage that’s equal to the minimum amount of liability coverage (25/50/25). This often comes with a $200 deductible.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

For riders who are getting motorcycle insurance in South Carolina, we recommend a full coverage policy of at least 50/100/25 and preferably 100/300/100 because of the small incremental cost for a large increase in coverage. Additionally, since South Carolina requires uninsured motorist coverage (UM), we suggest getting this coverage to match the liability coverage above.

Understanding motorcycle insurance rates in South Carolina can be tricky to understand. This is why we've answered a few frequently asked questions below.

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About Mark Fitzpatrick

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Mark Fitzpatrick is a senior content director at MoneyGeek with over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, conducting original research and creating content that can be personalized for every buyer. He has been quoted on insurance topics in several publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Mark 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 economics and insurance knowledge to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.

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