Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina

The cheapest car insurance in South Carolina depends on a number of factors that providers review to determine your rates. When insurers start appraising rates, they leverage things like your credit score, driving record, marital status, and ZIP code. Because different providers specialize in different types of coverage, you’ll find that the cheapest company will vary from person to person.

Direct Auto, for example, specializes in insurance for high-risk drivers. Although Direct Auto might offer the cheapest rates for someone with a DUI on their record, you can probably find a better offer if you don’t have a history of traffic violations, accidents, or claims.

Read on for a detailed look at the cheapest auto insurance companies, and look out for categories that highlight your unique background and driving experience.

Coverage Type

The more coverage you gain on your policy, the higher your insurance costs will be. In South Carolina, the cheapest rates you can find for both full and minimum coverage are well below the state averages. South Carolina’s state averages for full coverage and minimum coverage are $1,353 and $824, respectively.¹

Cheapest Companies

As we mentioned above, companies offer different specializations and insurance types for a wide range of customers. Providers like GEICO and State Farm, for example, offer all-around low rates for most drivers. USAA, on the other hand, offers the best auto insurance for military members, veterans, and military families.

Speak to an agent, or call one of AutoInsurance.com’s Perfect Policy Connectors to search for a plan and provider that fits your needs.

Driving Record

You probably won’t be surprised to learn that people with a bad driving record tend to pay more for car insurance. Even with the cheapest option, you can expect to pay more than the state average if you have a poor driving record. Here’s what those numbers look like for most drivers in the Palmetto State.

Unsure what constitutes a poor driving record? Here’s a list of things that can hurt your driving record and increase your car insurance premiums:

• A history of claims
• A history of accidents
• Several points on your driving record
• Moving violations
• Serious driving offenses, like a DUI or hit-and-run
• Traffic violations (like driving without a license)

Credit Score

South Carolina is one of 46 states that allow insurance providers to use credit scores in their appraisal process. If you have bad credit, you will probably have to pay more for car insurance. In some cases, insurance providers may even deny your application, refuse to renew your plan, or cancel an existing plan if your credit is bad.

Here’s a list of the state’s providers based on their statewide availability, rates, customer service scores, discounts, coverage options, and more. When shopping for insurance, it’s important to look at more than the provider and compare plans/rates to fit your situation.

• Allstate
• American National
• Auto-Owners
• GEICO
• National Grange Mutual
• Nationwide
• Progressive
• Safe Auto
• Southern Farm Bureau
• State Farm
• The Hartford
• Travelers
• USAA

You can employ several strategies and take advantage of saving opportunities to bring down your premium. Here’s a comprehensive summary of what you can do today to lower your rates.

• Lower your limits. Although we recommend $500,000 in liability and full coverage, this level of insurance may not be affordable for everyone. If you’re having a hard time finding an affordable plan, consider lowering your limits. Just keep in mind that the lower you set your limits, the more likely it is that you’ll have to pay out of pocket in the event of an accident.
• Increase your deductible. Increasing your deductibles is a simple way to lower your monthly premium. For most providers, you’ll start seeing diminishing returns on premium decreases after you’ve hit a specific deductible threshold. For example, if a deductible increase from $1,500 deductible to $2,000 only yields you a few dollars off your premium, the savings may not be worth the risk of having to pay a costlier deductible.
• Apply for usage-based insurance. If you’re a safe driver or a low-mileage driver, talk to your agent about a usage based insurance program. Insurance companies will track your driving, score your driving habits, and decrease your premium based on how well you drive or how little you drive. Keep in mind that if you exhibit poor driving habits or increase your monthly mileage, your insurance rates could increase.

To drive legally in South Carolina, you need the following limits and insurance types:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury coverage
• $50,000 for all persons injured in an accident
• $25,000 in uninsured motorist property damage
• $25,000 per person for bodily injury, and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury

If you’re able to, we recommend increasing your limits to 500,000, tacking on full coverage (comprehensive and collision), and adding on as many additional coverage options as you need. Increasing your limits will ensure that you’re prepared to fulfill the financial responsibilities associated with most accidents and claims.

In South Carolina, you can insure your own vehicles and avoid going through a provider. In order to become self insured, you need to meet the following requirements:

• You own more than 25 vehicles.
• You have a net worth of at least $20,000.
• You put up at least $3,000 in collateral.

• URL: https://www.scdmvonline.com/Contact-Us
• Phone number: (803) 896-5000
• Email: help@scdmvonline.com
• Mailing address: 
  • SCDMV
  • P.O. Box 1498
  • Blythewood, SC 29016
• Street address:
  • 10311 Wilson Blvd.
  • Building C
  • Blythewood, SC 29016

On average, American National, USAA, GEICO, and State Farm offer the cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina. However, how providers set your rate will largely depend on your personal, financial, and driving background, which include things like your claims history, credit score, location, gender, and age. Be sure to shop around for the best rates, ask agents about the best ways for you to save, and take advantage of some of the best savings practices we presented above.