South Carolina drivers with a DUI (driving under the influence) conviction on their record usually pay higher rates than drivers with a clean record. The cheapest average car insurance premium for drivers with a DUI in South Carolina is $91 per month for a liability-only policy.
A DUI is a serious offense, and drivers with a DUI typically face higher premiums because insurers consider them a high risk. If convicted of driving under the influence in South Carolina, you’ll have to file an SR-22 certificate with the state to show you have at least the state-minimum insurance coverage.
Keep reading to learn how to get affordable insurance after a DUI.
USAA is the cheapest car insurance company, on average, for South Carolina drivers with a DUI.
Drivers in South Carolina can face jail time and/or imprisonment, as well as license suspension, after a DUI conviction.1
In South Carolina, a DUI conviction stays on your driving record for 10 years and your criminal record permanently.
Cheapest car insurance quotes after a DUI in South Carolina
The cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina for drivers with a DUI is USAA.
The following table shows the companies with the cheapest insurance rates for South Carolina drivers with a DUI conviction on their record.
How a DUI affects car insurance rates in South Carolina
A DUI conviction can significantly affect your insurance rate.2 Insurify data shows that South Carolina drivers with a DUI pay about 45% more for liability-only insurance than drivers with a clean record.
The table below shows the difference in average premiums for drivers with and without a DUI in South Carolina.
How to get car insurance with a DUI in South Carolina
Having a DUI on your record makes you a high-risk driver. Obtaining coverage can be difficult, and you’ll likely pay a higher premium. The following steps can help if you’re shopping for car insurance in South Carolina after a DUI:
DUI laws in South Carolina
In South Carolina, a DUI conviction stays on your driving record for 10 years and your criminal record permanently. After 10 years, the DUI drops from your record, and your car insurance rates may decrease, assuming you have no other convictions during that time.
The state automatically suspends your license if you get a DUI in South Carolina. You’ll need an SR-22 — a certificate proving you carry the minimum insurance coverage South Carolina requires — to reinstate your license.
A DUI conviction in South Carolina can lead to the following penalties:
Fine of up to $400 ($992 with assessments and surcharges) and/or imprisonment of 48 hours to 30 days
License suspension for six months
Fine between $2,100 and $5,100 ($10,744 with assessments and surcharges) and imprisonment of five days to one year
License suspension for one year
Fine between $3,800 and $6,300 ($13,234 with assessments and surcharges) and imprisonment of 60 days to three years
License suspension for two years
For a third offense within five years of the first DUI, the state will suspend your license for four years. The state will seize your vehicle if a third or subsequent DUI happens within 10 years of the first offense.
Imprisonment of one to five years
Permanent revocation of your driver’s license
Minimum car insurance requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina requires its drivers to carry personal liability insurance with the following minimum coverage limits:5
$25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
$50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
$25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
DUI car insurance in South Carolina FAQs
If you’re shopping for the best car insurance in South Carolina with a DUI, the following information can help you choose the best policy.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina after a DUI?
USAA is the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina for drivers with a DUI. Its average rate for drivers with a DUI is $91 per month for liability-only coverage.
How long will a DUI affect your car insurance premium?
A DUI stays on your driving record for 10 years in South Carolina. During those 10 years, your car insurance premium will be more expensive than before the DUI.
How much is DUI insurance in South Carolina?
The average total cost of DUI insurance in South Carolina is $240 per month. To compare, the average cost of car insurance in South Carolina for a driver with a clean record is $198 per month.
How does SR-22 insurance work in South Carolina?
South Carolina drivers with a DUI must get SR-22 insurance to reinstate their driver’s license. Despite the name, SR-22 insurance isn’t a type of insurance. Rather, it’s a certificate verifying that you carry the minimum amount of insurance coverage legally required in the state.
What is the cheapest SR-22 insurance?
Since an SR-22 isn’t insurance, it doesn’t have a premium. If you need an SR-22, you’ll pay a flat fee for your insurance company to file the form on your behalf. It costs around $25 each year to file an SR-22, but the cost varies by insurer.
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