DUI Car Insurance in South Carolina (2025)

Drivers in South Carolina with a DUI pay an average of $199 per month for car insurance.

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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.

Quick Facts
  • 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.

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Monthly liability rates start at $91 for drivers with a DUI

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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.

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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

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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?

  • 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.

Elizabeth Rivelli
Elizabeth Rivelli

Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer covering insurance and personal finance. She has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including property and casualty, health, and life insurance. Her byline has been featured in dozens of publications, including Investopedia, Forbes, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, and Insurance.com. 

Elizabeth has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.

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Car Insurance After a DUI in South Carolina | Insurify