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Last updated: May 8, 2026Best Cheap Car Insurance in Columbia
State Farm, Southern Farm Bureau, USAA, Auto-Owners, and Nationwide are top picks in Columbia, SC.
Best Value
Editor's Rating:
4.9/5
4.9/5Best for Military and Veterans
Editor's Rating:5/5
5/5Best for Low-Mileage Drivers
Editor's Rating:4.8/5
4.8/5Key Takeaways: Best Car Insurance in Columbia, SC 2026
American National, USAA, and State Farm offer the best rates and service for Columbia drivers.
- Full coverage in Columbia averages $2,087/year, which is less than the state average.
- Minimum coverage, on the other hand, is more expensive than the state average at $1,470/year.
- USAA is the cheapest provider in Columbia, with full coverage averaging $1,301/year, but is only available to the military community.
- State Farm is our pick for the Best Value car insurance provider in the city, while Southern Farm Bureau is the best for customer satisfaction.
Note: Average rates are a useful starting point for evaluating premiums between companies, but keep in mind that your rates will vary depending on your driving record, age, and other factors.
Our Top Picks for the Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Columbia
- Best Value: State Farm
- Best for Military Members: USAA
- Best for Low-Mileage Drivers: Nationwide
- Best for Customer Satisfaction: Southern Farm Bureau
- Best for Teen Drivers: Auto-Owners
Compare the Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Columbia
| Company | Full Coverage Annual Avg. | Minimum Coverage Annual Avg. | Southeast Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power) |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,486 | $996 | Above average |
| USAA | $1,301 | $912 | Above average |
| Nationwide | $2,424 | $1,464 | Below average |
| Southern Farm Bureau | Data not available | Data not available | Above average |
| Auto-Owners | $1,596 | $972 | Above average |
| Columbia | $2,087 | $1,470 | – |
Detailed List of the Best Cheap Providers in Columbia
1. State Farm - Best Value
4.9
Editor's Rating:
- Average Texas Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $53 mo.
- Average Texas Rate for Full Coverage
- $162 mo.
- Stellar customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power
- Many discounts and coverage options
- A+ rating for financial stability from AM Best
Must complete quotes by phone- No accident forgiveness
Why we chose it
State Farm is known nationally for its affordable premiums and high-quality customer service, and Columbia is no exception. With an A+ rating for financial stability from AM Best1, it offers a robust set of discounts and boasts above-average customer satisfaction scores in the region. The company has 34 agents in Columbia, making it easy to get a quote.
State Farm offers the second-cheapest full coverage rates and the third-cheapest minimum coverage rates in Columbia, making it a great choice for drivers looking for affordable coverage without sacrificing quality service. The company also has a great bundling discount, with policyholders saving up to up to $1,429 on average when bundling home and auto.2
Who it’s best for
Customers looking for personalized, quality service; those looking for affordable rates; people who want to bundle home and auto insurance
State Farm Columbia Pricing
| State Farm | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $124 | $83 |
| Annually | $1,486 | $996 |
| Difference from Columbia average | -29% | -32% |
2. USAA - Best for Military Members
5
Editor's Rating:
- Average Texas Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $29 mo.
- Average Texas Rate for Full Coverage
- $106 mo.
- Affordable premiums
- Superior customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power
- Military-focused coverage
- Military eligibility required
- Limited to members
- Fewer branch locations
Why we chose it
USAA offers financial services, including auto insurance, to military members, veterans, and their families. With a J.D. Power customer satisfaction score of 749 out of 1,000, it’s the highest-ranked insurer in the Southeast region and a great choice for drivers in Columbia. It offers all the standard auto insurance coverage options, including some you won’t find everywhere, like rideshare, classic car, and car replacement assistance.
USAA has some of the cheapest rates in the country and the cheapest in Columbia. In addition to auto insurance, USAA offers other financial services, including auto loans. If you’re a USAA member, it’s a good idea to get a quote from the company, as it tends to offer interest rates below the market average. Additionally, unlike some other lenders, USAA often lets you take your car if you deploy, move, or travel overseas.
Who it’s best for
Military members, veterans, and their families
USAA Columbia Pricing
| USAA | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $108 | $76 |
| Annually | $1,301 | $912 |
| Difference from Columbia average | -38% | -38% |
3. Nationwide - Best for Low-Mileage Drivers
4.8
Editor's Rating:
- Average Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $60 mo.
- Average Rate for Full Coverage
- $162 mo.
- Pay-per-mile coverage
- Good bundling discount
- Strong regional customer satisfaction
- Not available in select states
- Expensive for teen drivers
Why we chose it
For people in Columbia who drive only occasionally, Nationwide is a great option. It’s one of the few major insurers that offers pay-per-mile insurance, which can save infrequent drivers a lot of money. It also has nice student and bundling discounts. Nationwide offers its pay-per-mile insurance plan, SmartMiles, in most states, including South Carolina.
Pay-per-mile plans charge you a base rate, plus a per-mile rate. Your monthly insurance premium will therefore change based on how much you drive — the less you drive, the more you save. Nationwide also ranked first on J.D. Power’s Digital Experience Study for the service category, making it ideal for drivers who value an excellent digital user experience when managing policies.3
SAVE FOR DRIVING LESS:
In addition to saving on auto insurance, driving fewer miles will also cut down on gas expenses. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate how much you can save.
Who it’s best for
People who drive fewer than 8,000 to 10,000 miles annually, homeowners, those who want to manage policies digitally
Nationwide Columbia Pricing
| Nationwide | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $202 | $122 |
| Annually | $2,424 | $1,464 |
| Difference from Columbia average | -24% | -1% |
4. Southern Farm Bureau - Best for Customer Satisfaction
4.3
Editor's Rating:
- Local, knowledgeable agents
- Excellent customer service
- Member perks
- Membership required
- Basic mobile features
Why we chose it
In Columbia, drivers can get auto insurance through Southern Farm Bureau, which operates in South Carolina and five other states. Southern Farm Bureau has a B+ rating on the CRASH Network Report Card, ranking eighth out of 91 companies. This high grade indicates that auto repair shops generally have a very positive experience dealing with the company for claims, which translates to a more seamless experience for policyholders.
Farm Bureau rates are not available specifically for Columbia, but it has the third-cheapest full coverage rates in South Carolina overall. Farm Bureau also offers its members a long list of additional benefits, including discounts for various products and services, from rental cars and hotels to farm equipment.
Who it’s best for
Farm Bureau members or those interested in becoming members, drivers who want to work with a local agent, those prioritizing customer service
5. Auto-Owners - Best for Teen Drivers
4.4
Editor's Rating:
- Average Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $43 mo.
- Average Rate for Full Coverage
- $156 mo.
- Affordable rates for adding a teen to a family policy
- Wide range of coverage options
- Good set of discounts
- Agent-only sales
- Slower digital adoption
Why we chose it
With an annual full coverage rate of $4,511 for adding a teen driver to a family policy, Auto-Owners is one of the cheapest options for teens and their families in South Carolina. It’s also the third-cheapest option in Columbia overall for full coverage, and the second-cheapest for minimum coverage after USAA.
Auto-Owners also helps families with teens save by offering discounts specific to student drivers, including good student and student away at school discounts, as well as a teen driver monitoring discount for families with a permanently installed GPS monitor in the car or teens with an eligible app on their phone. Its accident forgiveness is a useful add-on for teens as it prevents premiums from rising after an at-fault accident.
Who it’s best for
Families with teen drivers, customers who want to work with local agents, people who need gap insurance
Auto-Owners Columbia Pricing
| Auto-Owners | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $133 | $81 |
| Annually | $1,596 | $972 |
| Difference from Columbia average | -38% | -34% |
Columbia Best Cheap Picks — Detailed Customer Satisfaction Summary
| Company | J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study – Southeast4 | CRASH Network Report Card5 | J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction6 | NAIC Complaint Index7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | 639 | D+ | 716 | 0.97 |
| Southern Farm Bureau | Not rated | B+ | N/A | 0.28 |
| USAA | 749 | C- | 741 | 1.60 |
| Auto-Owners | 641 | B | 711 | 0.70 |
| Nationwide | 691 | C | 729 | 1.07 |
| Average | 667 (out of 1,000) | C+ | 700 (out of 1,000) | 1 |
| What the study measures | Customer satisfaction regionally, based on responses from over 40,000 customers | Claims handling and payment practices, based on an annual survey of collision repair shops | Satisfaction with the claims process, based on responses from nearly 10,000 customers who recently filed a claim | Consumer complaints relative to market share. The lower the score, the better |
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Columbia
USAA has the cheapest full coverage rates in Columbia at $1,301 per year, which is 38 percent cheaper than the city average. State Farm, Auto-Owners, and GEICO also offer below-average rates in the city.
| Company | Annual Columbia Average | Monthly Columbia Average |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,301 | $108 |
| State Farm | $1,486 | $124 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,596 | $133 |
| GEICO | $1,688 | $141 |
| Travelers | $2,069 | $172 |
| Allstate | $2,074 | $173 |
| Safeco | $2,352 | $196 |
| Nationwide | $2,424 | $202 |
| Progressive | $2,604 | $217 |
| Columbia average | $2,087 | $174 |
| South Carolina average | $2,370 | $197 |
| U.S. average | $2,356 | $196 |
Cheapest Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in Columbia
USAA also offers the lowest minimum coverage rates in Columbia, but it’s only available to military-affiliated drivers. Most drivers will find the cheapest rates, on average, from Auto-Owners and State Farm.
| Company | Annual Columbia Average | Monthly Columbia Average |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $912 | $76 |
| Auto-Owners | $972 | $81 |
| State Farm | $996 | $83 |
| GEICO | $1,404 | $117 |
| Nationwide | $1,464 | $122 |
| Allstate | $1,560 | $130 |
| Travelers | $1,680 | $140 |
| Progressive | $1,740 | $145 |
| Safeco | $1,836 | $153 |
| Columbia average | $1,470 | $123 |
| South Carolina average | $934 | $78 |
| U.S. average | $722 | $60 |
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Columbia?
According to data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, in 2023, the Columbia Police Department investigated a total of 4,847 accidents in Richland County, which is the county where Columbia is located.8 Twenty-one of these accidents were fatal, 62 involved serious injuries, and 3,665 involved only property damage.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina law requires the following minimum coverage requirements:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $10,000 per accident
If you’re thinking about how much car insurance you need, we recommend liability limits of at least $100,000 bodily injury per person and $300,000 per accident, and $100,000 property damage per accident (often shortened to 100/300/100). Increasing your limits above the state minimum usually adds only a few dollars to your premium and protects your assets in case of an accident.
We also recommend medical payments and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages for the same reason. Depending on the age and value of our vehicle, collision and comprehensive are also often worthwhile.
Methodology
At AutoInsurance.com, we use the following four factors to evaluate auto insurance providers:
- Price (40%): We analyzed average full and minimum coverage premiums for safe drivers with good credit in Columbia. Full coverage averages use the following limits:
-
- Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $100,000 per accident
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Same as bodily injury
- Collision and comprehensive: $500 deductible
- Claims handling (25%): Claims handling is a key role of insurance companies. We assess insurers’ claims practices through sources like the CRASH Network Insurer Report Card and J.D. Power’s Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, and financial strength from sources like AM Best.
- Customer experience (25%): We assess various aspects of the customer experience, including the process of getting a quote and purchasing coverage. We also evaluate online and agent support, as well as the user experience on each insurer’s website and mobile app. Our analysis uses insights from J.D. Power, the NAIC Complaint Index, and app store reviews.
- Coverage options (10%): We take each company’s coverage options into account and prioritize those that go beyond the state-required minimums, including new car replacement, gap coverage, and more.
Read more about our ratings and methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
The average cost of auto insurance in South Carolina is $2,370/year for full coverage, which is on par with the national average of $2,356/year.
The average cost of car insurance in Columbia is slightly lower than the South Carolina state average. Columbia’s average rate is a little lower than Charleston’s and a little higher than Greenville’s.
USAA, State Farm, and Auto-Owners have some of the cheapest rates in Columbia, South Carolina. Each insurance provider calculates its premiums differently, so we recommend comparing at least three quotes to find the best rates.
Yes, South Carolina is an at-fault state. As long as you hold less than 50 percent of the fault for an accident, you can receive compensation. Your compensation decreases in proportion to your responsibility. For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 for damages but hold 20 percent of the fault, your compensation will reduce by $20,000, to $80,000.
Sources
AM BEST Home Page. AM BEST. (2026).
https://web.ambest.com/homeSave up to $1,429 when bundling auto & home insurance. State Farm. (2026).
https://www.statefarm.com/insurance/bundlingAuto Insurer Websites and Apps Become Battleground for New Customers as Policy Shopping Activity Skyrockets, JD Power Finds. JD Power. (2025, May 14).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-insurance-digital-experience-studyTrust Emerges as Top Driver of Customer Satisfaction with Auto Insurance as Prices Continue to Surge, JD Power Finds. JD Power. (2024, June 11).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-auto-insurance-studyTop Rated U.S. Car Insurance Companies for 2026. Crash Network. (2026).
https://www.crashnetwork.com/irc/Satisfaction with Auto Insurance Claims Strained by Higher Deductibles, More Total Losses, JD Power Finds. JD Power. (2025, Oct 28).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-studyResults by Complaint Index. NAIC. (2026).
https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm?TABLEAU=CIS_COMPLAINTS&COCODE=24112&:refresh2023 South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book. SC Department of Public Safety. (2023).
https://scdps.sc.gov/sites/scdps/files/Documents/ohsjp/fact%20book/2023%20Fact%20Book.pdf
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