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Among South Carolina's most affordable car insurance providers are USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm.
Full-coverage car insurance in South Carolina averages $259 each month, compared to the national figure of $186. Your actual premium depends on multiple variables, including your exact age, detailed driving history, and where you live. Obtaining quotes from several insurance companies remains the most reliable way to find your cheapest coverage.
What follows is a breakdown of South Carolina's most economical car insurance choices, organized by coverage type, driver characteristics, and insurance carrier.
Affordable full-coverage car insurance in South Carolina
Full-coverage insurance in South Carolina typically costs $259 per month, compared to a national average of $186. USAA, Auto-Owners, State Farm, and Nationwide rank among the state's cheapest car insurance providers.
| Average monthly full coverage cost | |
| South Carolina average | $259 |
| National average | $186 |
| USAA | $115 |
| Auto-Owners | $124 |
| State Farm | $127 |
| Nationwide | $188 |
Affordable liability-only car insurance in South Carolina
For drivers seeking the most affordable liability car insurance providers in South Carolina, USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm again consistently deliver competitive pricing.
Liability-only coverage in South Carolina has a monthly average of $174, while the national figure sits at $104.
| Average monthly liability-only cost | |
| South Carolina average | $174 |
| National average | $104 |
| USAA | $72 |
| Auto-Owners | $77 |
| State Farm | $80 |
| Nationwide | $117 |
Cheap car insurance in South Carolina by age
Age often plays a significant role in determining insurance premiums. Car insurance for teens demands the highest rates, averaging $516 monthly in South Carolina because these drivers have less experience than older drivers.
As a rule, premiums decline as drivers enter their 20s, averaging $341 per month. The downward trend continues through the 30s and 40s, with monthly costs settling around $276 and $263, respectively.
Rates can increase again for drivers reaching their 60s and beyond. South Carolina seniors pay monthly averages of $226 in their 60s and $230 in their 70s.
These age-related differences in premiums mirror the varying risk profiles insurers associate with different age brackets. Younger drivers are perceived as higher risk, and older drivers sometimes face elevated rates due to increased health risks and different driving behaviors.
| Age group | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| Teens | $516 | $347 |
| 20s | $341 | $229 |
| 30s | $276 | $185 |
| 40s | $263 | $177 |
| 50s | $244 | $164 |
| 60s | $226 | $152 |
| 70s | $230 | $155 |
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Cheap car insurance in South Carolina for high-risk drivers
Drivers with moving violations or accidents on their records are typically up against higher insurance costs. Below are South Carolina's average premiums for drivers with accidents, speeding tickets, or DUI convictions, based on rates for car insurance if you have a bad driving record.
| Violation | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| Accident | $330 | $222 |
| Speeding ticket | $308 | $207 |
| DUI | $314 | $211 |
Compare low-cost car insurance after an accident
South Carolina drivers with accident histories can find affordable coverage through USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm. Monthly full-coverage premiums for these drivers average $330.
| Company | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| USAA | $148 | $93 |
| Auto-Owners | $157 | $98 |
| State Farm | $162 | $101 |
Average rate:
Compare low-cost car insurance after a speeding ticket
For South Carolina drivers with speeding violations, USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm provide competitive rates. Full coverage with a speeding ticket on record costs an average of $308 per month in the state.
| Company | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| USAA | $142 | $89 |
| Auto-Owners | $154 | $97 |
| State Farm | $155 | $97 |
Compare low-cost car insurance after DUI conviction
After receiving a DUI conviction in South Carolina, drivers can secure affordable full coverage through USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm. Full coverage with a DUI averages $314 monthly.
| Company | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| USAA | $153 | $96 |
| Auto-Owners | $165 | $103 |
| State Farm | $169 | $106 |
Cheap car insurance in South Carolina by credit score
South Carolina drivers with excellent credit pay an average of $215 monthly. Those with poor credit encounter steeper premiums, with an average rate of $296 per month.
This rate differential illustrates how credit scores impact insurance pricing, with weaker credit histories typically resulting in higher premiums due to the increased perceived risk of payment default.
| Credit score | Average monthly cost of full coverage | Average monthly cost of liability-only |
| Excellent | $215 | $145 |
| Good | $249 | $168 |
| Average | $270 | $181 |
| Poor | $296 | $199 |
FAQs
What are South Carolina's mandatory car insurance requirements?
South Carolina law requires all drivers to carry 25/50/25 liability coverage, meaning $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.
These minimums are average relative to other states, but South Carolina is unique in mandating uninsured motorist coverage at the same 25/50/25 limits, which protects you if an uninsured driver hits you. Underinsured motorist coverage must be offered by insurers, but it can be declined in writing. These requirements reflect South Carolina's at-fault system.
Is South Carolina an at-fault state?
Yes, South Carolina operates under an at-fault insurance system, meaning the driver who causes an accident is legally responsible for paying damages to the other party. A state with this requirement is also referred to as a "tort state."
Fault is determined by the presence of negligence, including careless or reckless driving behavior. In a tort-based system, the at-fault driver's liability insurance typically covers the victim's medical expenses, property damage, and other related losses. If you cause an accident in South Carolina, you could be personally liable for costs exceeding your policy limits, which is why some experts recommend purchasing liability coverage higher than the state's 25/50/25 minimum requirements.
Does poor credit affect car insurance rates in South Carolina?
South Carolina is one of many states where credit scores can affect insurance premiums, with drivers with poor credit often paying more than those with good credit. Insurance companies in South Carolina are legally permitted to use credit-based insurance scores because data show that drivers with lower credit scores are statistically more likely to file claims. This means improving your credit score can be one way to reduce your car insurance costs in the state.
Bottom line
Although these carriers offer South Carolina's most competitive rates, they might not represent the most economical option for your particular situation. Securing the right coverage requires gathering quotes from multiple insurance providers and evaluating them based on both cost and service quality.
Data throughout provided by Insurify.
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