Average Car Insurance Cost in South Carolina (2025)
Drivers in South Carolina pay an average of $203 per month for car insurance.
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Even though South Carolina has an affordable cost of living, car insurance costs are higher than average. Coverage is much higher than the national average of $143 per month. South Carolina drivers may have high average rates partially due to the state’s high crash fatalities and minimum requirements.
Average rates for car insurance have increased nationwide over the past few years, and South Carolina is no exception. Annual full-coverage car insurance costs in the Palmetto State have increased by more than 29% between 2023 and 2024, according to Insurify data.
Quick Facts
The average cost of car insurance in South Carolina is $168 per month for liability-only coverage and $238 for full-coverage car insurance.
Aiken and Greer are the cities with the lowest average cost of car insurance in South Carolina, with respective monthly averages of $183 and $182.
South Carolina drivers pay some of the highest car insurance costs in the United States.
How much is car insurance in South Carolina?
Drivers in South Carolina pay an average of $238 per month for full-coverage car insurance, or $2,854 per year. Full coverage includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, which helps pay for your repairs after a car accident.
Liability-only policies, on the other hand, cost $168 per month, or $2,015 per year. These liability-only policies meet legal requirements for coverage in South Carolina but don’t offer extra protection for your car repairs or medical expenses.
How South Carolina car insurance rates have changed over the past two years
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To find car insurance rates in South Carolina and the U.S. over the last two years, download our data here.
The average price for full-coverage car insurance in South Carolina rose to $3,500 in 2024, up significantly over rates from just a few years ago. Full-coverage rates also rose nationally, though they remain cheaper than in South Carolina.
See how South Carolina car insurance prices have changed over the past two years below.
Average South Carolina car insurance rates by city
Your location will influence how much you pay for car insurance, even for different ZIP codes within the same city. For example, drivers who live in rural areas typically have lower rates since there’s less congestion, traffic, and theft. Drivers in bigger cities like Charleston and Columbia pay more for car insurance, on average.
Even small details, such as whether you park your car in a garage, on the street, or in a driveway, can affect how much you pay.
Here are the average rates of coverage in different South Carolina cities.
Average South Carolina car insurance rates by age and gender
Your age and gender affect how much you pay for coverage. Insurance companies may review demographic driving and accident data to determine rates.
Female drivers usually pay less than males because they have fewer accidents on average. And teen drivers younger than 20 pay more than older drivers because they have less experience behind the wheel. Rates decrease as drivers age, but insurance premiums will likely increase again after retirement.1
Below, you can find the average rates for car insurance by age and gender in South Carolina.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Average cost to insure popular vehicles in South Carolina
The make of your vehicle and whether it’s a new car affect how much you pay for car insurance. Insurers consider a car’s safety features and the damage it might cause in an accident.
Due to their practicality, pickup trucks and midsize SUVs are popular vehicles in South Carolina. Even though the state has major cities like Charleston, most of the area is rural, and drivers utilize large cars for additional safety and mobility.
Below, you can see the average monthly cost of full-coverage car insurance for South Carolina’s most popular vehicles.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How your driving record affects car insurance rates in South Carolina
Your driving record has a significant effect on how much you pay for coverage. Drivers with a clean record — free of accidents, tickets, or violations — can earn lower rates. Any violation, even a speeding ticket, can increase insurance costs. But a more serious violation, like a DUI, causes rates to increase even more.
The following table shows full-coverage insurance rates for a sample driver profile with an incident on their record.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Your credit-based insurance score can affect how much you pay for coverage. Insurers in South Carolina can consider credit history as a factor when determining rates.2
Your credit-based insurance score is different from your credit score. But it’s based on similar information, like payment history and outstanding debt. Drivers with higher scores usually pay less for car insurance, while drivers with lower scores typically pay more.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How to lower your insurance costs in South Carolina
Even though South Carolina is one of the most expensive states for coverage, you can use the following strategies to help lower your insurance premium:
South Carolina average car insurance cost FAQs
Car insurance in South Carolina is more expensive on average than in most states. The following information can answer your remaining questions about South Carolina car insurance.
What is the average annual cost of car insurance in South Carolina?
The average cost of car insurance in South Carolina is $2,435 per year. On average, South Carolina drivers pay $2,015 per year for liability coverage and $2,854 for full coverage. Depending on your age, ZIP code, vehicle, driving record, and credit history, you might pay more or less than the average.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina?
USAA is the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina, with an average liability coverage rate of $67. Auto-Owners and Hugo also have cheap car insurance, with respective monthly liability rates of $72 and $74.
How much is car insurance per month in South Carolina?
Car insurance costs an average of $203 per month, but it depends on your coverage. On average, South Carolina drivers pay $168 per month for minimum liability and $238 for full coverage.
What are the best auto insurance companies in South Carolina?
USAA, Auto-Owners, and GEICO are the best auto insurance companies for competitive pricing. Alfa, Farmers, and State Farm earn some of the highest customer satisfaction scores in the region. The best car insurance company for you will depend on your driving record, coverage needs, ZIP code, and more.
What are the car insurance requirements in South Carolina?
Drivers in South Carolina must have coverage that meets the state’s minimum requirements. You need $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage and $25,000 per accident in property damage coverage. You also need uninsured motorist coverage equal to your liability insurance limits.4
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