Cheapest Auto Insurance in South Carolina (2025)

South Carolina is among the most expensive states in the country for car insurance. On average, Palmetto State drivers pay $242 per month for full-coverage car insurance and $170 for liability-only coverage, compared to the national averages of $184 and $104.

High rates of fatal crashes and insurance fraud likely contribute to South Carolina’s higher car insurance rates. If you’re looking for affordable car insurance in South Carolina, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from multiple companies.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina

Some of the best car insurance companies in South Carolina offer consistently low quotes for a wide range of drivers. But every driver has a unique situation, which means the right auto insurance company for you varies based on your needs.

For example, if you have a speeding ticket or an accident on your record, you might find the best rates with a different insurer than if you had a clean record. But no matter your circumstances, you can start by researching the insurers highlighted below.

USAA

Progressive

Auto-Owners

How to get the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina

Car insurance is an unavoidable cost, but you don’t need to overpay. Here are some strategies to help you lower your car insurance costs:

• Raise your deductible. Carrying a higher deductible will generally lead to lower premiums because you’re assuming a greater portion of the up-front costs if you file a claim. Just make sure not to set your deductible so high you can’t afford to cover it.

• Ask for a discount. Many insurance companies offer a suite of discount options, including those for safe drivers, students with good grades, and people who take an approved defensive driving course. You’ll never know what’s available if you don’t ask.

• Improve your credit. Drivers with a good credit history pay less for car insurance because insurers view them as less likely to file a claim. You can start building better credit by paying your bills on time and not applying for any new lines of credit.

• Shop around. Shopping around can also help you find affordable premiums, so get quotes from at least three different insurance companies before making a decision.

Low-cost car insurance in South Carolina

If you’re a low-income driver in South Carolina, consider comparing quotes from three to five insurers every six months to make sure you’re getting the best deal. South Carolina doesn’t have a low-income car insurance program.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance quotes in South Carolina: USAA

Liability insurance helps you cover the cost of damage and injuries you cause in an accident and is often more affordable. But liability-only car insurance doesn’t cover the cost of repairs for your vehicle.2

In South Carolina, liability-only coverage costs an average of $170 per month.

In the table below, you can see the cheapest companies for liability coverage in the state.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes in South Carolina: USAA

Full-coverage auto insurance goes beyond the minimum liability coverage to provide protection for your vehicle as well. This type of insurance is broken down into comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.

If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender or dealership will probably require you to carry full-coverage insurance. You may also benefit from this increased protection if you have a newer vehicle that would be more expensive to replace.

South Carolina drivers pay an average of $242 per month for full-coverage policies.

Here’s a look at some of the leading insurance companies in South Carolina offering full-coverage car insurance.

Car insurance requirements in South Carolina

You must carry a minimum amount of car insurance to drive legally in South Carolina. Under South Carolina tort law, you’ll need to carry at least the minimum coverage outlined below.3

Many drivers purchase more than the state-minimum coverage to better protect their finances in case of an accident. These are some optional car insurance coverages to consider:

Cheapest car insurance in South Carolina for drivers with an incident

Mistakes happen. But if you have an incident on your record — including at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, driving under the influence, and other moving violations — you’ll face higher auto premiums.4 Insurance companies use your driving record as a factor when estimating your likelihood of filing a future claim.

For example, U.S. drivers with a clean record pay average monthly premiums of $184 for a full-coverage policy. But drivers with a speeding ticket or DUI pay much higher full-coverage rates — $230 and $271, respectively.

Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA

A speeding ticket will cost you. Beyond the ticket itself, you’ll likely pay higher insurance premiums, particularly if you have multiple speeding tickets.

South Carolina drivers with a ticket on their record pay an average of $202 per month for liability coverage and $288 per month for full coverage.

Here’s a look at the average monthly quotes South Carolina insurers offer for drivers with a speeding ticket and how they compare to rates for drivers with a clean record.

Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA

If you’ve had an at-fault car accident in the past, you’ll pay more pay more for car insurance than drivers with a clean record. Liability-only policies cost an average of $214 per month for South Carolina drivers with an at-fault accident.

Below are some average monthly quotes from insurers in South Carolina for drivers with an at-fault accident.

Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with a DUI: USAA

Driving under the influence is a serious violation that comes with numerous legal and financial consequences, including higher car insurance costs. If you’re convicted of a DUI, you’ll pay more for car insurance than drivers with clean records or other incidents.

South Carolina drivers with a DUI pay monthly averages of $213 for liability insurance and $303 for full-coverage insurance, according to Insurify data.

Explore other average monthly rates for drivers with a DUI in the table below.

Cheapest car insurance quotes for seniors: USAA

Your driving history isn’t the only thing that affects your car insurance costs. Age can play a vital role as well — particularly if you’re a teen or a senior. In general, drivers pay more for car insurance until around age 25. But rates start to creep up again around age 70.

Senior drivers in South Carolina pay $148 per month for a liability-only policy, on average.

As a senior driver, shopping around can help you find the best rates for your age group, and you can see average rates from top insurers in the table below.

Cheapest car insurance quotes for teens: USAA

Car insurance is notoriously high for young drivers because these less-experienced motorists are statistically more likely to get into serious accidents and file a claim.

Teen drivers in South Carolina pay an average of $341 per month for a liability-only policy and $485 per month for a full-coverage policy.

If you’re a teen looking to cut expenses, some ways to trim your car insurance costs include staying on your parents’ insurance, driving a safe vehicle, maintaining good grades, and raising your deductible.

Comparing quotes can also help you find a more affordable rate. You can see average monthly quotes from several South Carolina insurers below.

South Carolina car insurance quotes by credit tier

South Carolina allows insurance companies to consider your credit history when determining your premiums. Drivers with excellent or good credit pay lower rates than drivers with poor credit.

You can improve your credit by paying your bills on time and not applying for any new lines of credit. Reviewing your credit report to look for mistakes, using a secured credit card, and aiming to use 30% or less of your available credit on any account can also help you improve your credit and lower the cost you pay for insurance.

Car insurance rates across South Carolina cities

Your geographical location, and its associated weather patterns, traffic levels, and vehicle crime rates, affects your car insurance rate. That’s why car insurance rates in South Carolina change based on the city you live in. Check out the table below for a closer look at the average car insurance rates for drivers in each South Carolina city.