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If you want to secure auto insurance coverage in South Carolina, know the associated costs. On average, premiums for car insurance in South Carolina cost $2,009 per year or $167 monthly. While the national average is $1,682, highlighting a difference of $114.

Various factors influence car insurance rates, including age, gender, driving history, credit score, and location.

This guide covers the average cost of full coverage in the state, the factors impacting auto insurance rates, identifies companies providing affordable monthly premiums for car insurance, outlines average car insurance rates across cities in South Carolina, and breaks down car insurance rates by age group.

Shop around and compare quotes to save money on your auto insurance. Continue reading the guide to ensure your insurance policy meets your needs within your budget.

Summary of average car insurance cost in South Carolina

Average annual cost
$2,009

Average per month cost
$167

Average cost for state minimum coverage
$720 / Year

Cheapest car insurance company
Auto-Owners
($1,475 / Year)

Average cost for young drivers
$3,175 / Year

Average cost for Senior drivers
$2,027 / Year

Key Takeaways

  • Based on Insure.com’s analysis, car insurance in South Carolina costs $2,009 per year.
  • Car insurance in South Carolina costs $167 per month.
  • Auto-Owners has the cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina, at an average annual rate of $1,475 a year.

Average car insurance cost in South Carolina per month

In South Carolina, the monthly rate for car insurance is $167.

This rate can vary among companies, as is the case with every auto insurance carrier. When exploring car insurance rates in South Carolina, it’s best to obtain quotes from multiple companies to ensure you find the most suitable coverage at the best possible price.

Cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina

The table below lists the other available car insurance companies which offer car insurance in South Carolina, along with their average cost per month and average annual cost.

Company nameAverage per month costAverage annual cost
Auto-Owners$123$1,475
Progressive$151$1,816
Travelers$162$1,949
Geico$171$2,054
State Farm$176$2,106
Southern Farm Bureau$183$2,202
Allstate$195$2,336
Sentry Insurance$307$3,681
USAA$121$1,451

Read our guide to cheap car insurance companies

Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to calculate average auto insurance rates for vehicles from 2006 to 2023.

Our hypothetical driver is a 40-year-old male who commutes 12 miles to work each day, with policy limits of 100/300/50 ($100,000 for injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries and $50,000 for property damage in an accident) and a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage.

Rates for vehicles up until 2023 includes uninsured motorist coverage (since some states require it, we do it for all) and PIP or Medical Payments, if it is required by state law. This hypothetical driver has a clean record and good credit.

For liability 100/300 is rates the same hypothetical driver but with liability limits of 100/300/50, uninsured/underinsured motorist in matching amounts and PIP or MedPay, if required by state. We recommend limits this high, even if you have only liability coverage. A state-minimum policy includes only the basic state liability limits and any other state-required coverages, such as uninsured motorist or PIP.

Averages were calculated using data from six large carriers, such as Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm. Rates were averaged across multiple ZIP codes and insurance companies. Average rates are for comparative purposes; your rate will depend on your personal factors.

Average cost of car insurance by coverage levels in South Carolina

The extent of coverage you opt for directly influences the cost of car insurance in South Carolina. Your premium is determined by the limits of your liability coverage, as well as your choice regarding comprehensive and collision coverage.

Liability-only insurance protects against third-party property damage and personal injuries in case of an accident. However, in the event of a collision, having solely liability coverage on your auto insurance wouldn’t cover your injuries or personal property damage if you’re responsible for the accident. If your coverage limit is 50/100/50 for liability only, the average annual cost in South Carolina would be $925.

As you enhance your policy with additional coverage, your insurance premium inevitably rises, as the insurance provider will be liable to compensate you in the event of an accident or any other form of damage. Consequently, the average annual cost of full coverage car insurance in South Carolina amounts to $2,009.

For individuals who don’t own a car but frequently rent one, non-owner state minimum liability coverage is the most suitable option. Similar to liability-only coverage, it provides protection for property damage and bodily injury caused to another driver. In South Carolina, the average annual cost for non-owner state minimum liability coverage stands at $368.

For individuals seeking to lower their car insurance premiums, choosing the state minimum liability coverage alone, allows them to legally operate a vehicle within the state. This state minimum liability-only coverage option is priced at $720 annually in South Carolina.

Coverage limitsAverage annual cost
State Minimum BI/PD$720
Liability Only – 50/100/50 BI/PD$925
Full Coverage – 100/300/100 BI/PD – 500 Comp/Coll$2,009
Non-Owners$368

Auto insurance premiums vary significantly from city to city, so drivers need to be sure they’re getting the best deal. Insure.com has done the research for you. Get more information on auto insurance rates by city below.

Car insurance rates in South Carolina by city

Average car insurance cost in South Carolina by city

Your car insurance premium is determined by several factors, such as your state, city, and even ZIP code. The frequency of accidents and the probability of vehicle theft or vandalism play a role in determining the overall cost associated with a city or ZIP code.

The table below depicts the top popular cities in South Carolina:

CityAverage annual cost
Charleston$2,059
Columbia$1,973
Florence$2,026
Goose Creek$2,022
Greenville$1,953
Mount Pleasant$2,081
North Charleston$2,154
Rock Hill$1,938
Summerville$2,056
Sumter$2,005

Average car insurance cost in South Carolina by age of the driver

Age is a significant factor affecting auto insurance premiums. Teenagers have a higher likelihood of being involved in car accidents compared to any other age group. For instance, in South Carolina, the average annual rate for young drivers is $3,175, whereas for seniors, it’s $2,027. Notably, the rate for young drivers surpasses that of senior drivers by $1,148.

Statistics indicate that young drivers face a greater risk of car accidents than seasoned drivers. Consequently, they are classified as high-risk individuals. They are more expensive to insure due to tendencies such as speeding and limited road experience. However, premiums rise again around age 70 as certain age-related factors may affect driving capabilities.

Average car insurance cost in South Carolina for young drivers

In South Carolina, female young drivers typically pay an average annual car insurance cost of $3,018 and $252 per month.

Conversely, male young drivers pay an average annual rate of $3,333, or $278 per month.

The average annual rates for young male and female drivers are listed in the table below:

Age of driverAverage annual cost for Male driversAverage annual cost for Female drivers
20$4,324$3,797
21$3,433$3,072
22$3,160$2,892
23$2,941$2,721
24$2,765$2,585

Average car insurance cost in South Carolina for senior drivers

In South Carolina, senior female drivers pay an annual car insurance cost of $2,000, equating to $167 per month. Similarly, male senior drivers face an average yearly expense of $2,054, or $171 per month.

Age of driverAverage annual cost for Male driversAverage annual cost for Female drivers
65$1,891$1,865
70$1,994$1,950
75$2,277$2,183

Read more about senior car insurance.

Minimum car insurance requirements in South Carolina

Every state establishes its own regulations concerning the minimum car insurance coverage drivers must possess to legally operate a vehicle. As per information given by the South Carolina Department of Insurance, the following outlines the mandatory coverages and minimum coverage limits in South Carolina:

  • Bodily injury per person: $25,000
  • Bodily injury per accident: $50,000
  • Personal property coverage per person: $25,000

Cheapest cars to insure in South Carolina

The Chevrolet TrailBlazer has the lowest average annual insurance premium, at $1,645, with the Kia Seltos closely following at $1,652. Annually, the insurance cost difference between these two models amounts to $7.

MakeModelAverage annual premium
ChevroletTrailBlazer$1,645
KiaSeltos$1,652
HondaCR-V$1,668
MazdaCX-5$1,674
SubaruForester$1,684
VolkswagenTiguan$1,689
MazdaCX-30$1,704
SubaruOutback$1,704
SubaruCrosstrek$1,705
FordEscape Plug-in Hybrid$1,715

Most expensive cars to insure in South Carolina

The most expensive car to insure on the list is the Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo, which has an average annual premium of $5,203. However, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive cars to insure is $3,558 annually.

MakeModelAverage annual premium
MaseratiQuattroporte Trofeo$5,203
MaseratiQuattroporte$5,186
DodgeCharger SRT$5,154
PorscheTaycan Turbo$5,117
AudiR8 Performance$5,109
PorschePanamera Turbo S E-Hybrid$5,031
AudiR8$4,995
MaseratiGhibli Trofeo$4,963
BMWM8$4,948
AudiE-Tron GT$4,884

Methodology

The Insure.com team worked with Quadrant Information Service to get car insurance data. To determine the average premiums, our team of data analysts and expert editors have analyzed 56,838,240 insurance quotes from 136 insurance companies across 34,523 ZIP codes.

The insurance rates are based on a sample profile of a 40-year-old male driver with a clean driving record and a good insurance score. Quotes premiums are for a full coverage policy with limits:

The quoted insurance rates are for comparison purposes, and your individual rates may vary.

How much is car insurance in other states

Alaska$1,676/Year
Alabama$1,860/Year
Arkansas$1,957/Year
Arizona$1,812/Year
California$2,416/Year
Colorado$2,337/Year
Connecticut$1,725/Year
Delaware$2,063/Year
Florida$2,694/Year
Georgia$1,970/Year
Hawaii$1,517/Year
Iowa$1,630/Year
Idaho$1,428/Year
Illinois$1,532/Year
Indiana$1,515/Year
Kansas$1,900/Year
Kentucky$2,228/Year
Louisiana$2,883/Year
Massachusetts$1,726/Year
Maryland$1,746/Year
Maine$1,175/Year
Michigan$2,352/Year
Minnesota$1,911/Year
Missouri$1,982/Year
Mississippi$2,008/Year
Montana$2,193/Year
North Carolina$1,741/Year
North Dakota$1,665/Year
Nebraska$1,902/Year
New Hampshire$1,265/Year
New Jersey$1,902/Year
New Mexico$2,049/Year
Nevada$2,060/Year
New York$1,870/Year
Ohio$1,417/Year
Oklahoma$2,138/Year
Oregon$1,678/Year
Pennsylvania$1,872/Year
Rhode Island$2,061/Year
South Dakota$2,280/Year
Tennessee$1,677/Year
Texas$2,043/Year
Utah$1,825/Year
Virginia$1,469/Year
Vermont$1,319/Year
Washington$1,608/Year
Wisconsin$1,664/Year
West Virginia$2,005/Year
Wyoming$1,758/Year
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Prachi Singh
Contributing Researcher

 
  

Prachi is an insurance writer with a master’s degree in business administration. Through her writing, she hopes to help readers make smart and informed decisions about their finances. She loves to travel and write poetry.

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