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South Carolina Auto Insurance Rates & Requirements

South Carolina requires 25/50/25 minimum liability coverage — $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Minimum coverage typically costs $50–$75/month, while full coverage averages $140–$180/month based on available industry data.

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Non-Standard Auto · SR-22 · Senior · Teen Drivers

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State Requirements

South Carolina operates under a tort-based liability system, meaning at-fault drivers are financially responsible for damages they cause. The state requires all drivers to carry proof of insurance and mandates electronic verification through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Insurance Verification System (IVS). Driving without insurance carries a $200 fine, license suspension, and a mandatory $550 uninsured motorist fee to reinstate registration, per the South Carolina Department of Insurance.

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$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Bodily Injury Liability
Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and legal costs when you injure someone in an at-fault accident. The $25,000 per-person limit is often insufficient — a single emergency room visit and ambulance transport can exceed $15,000 in South Carolina urban hospitals. South Carolina's tort system allows injured parties to sue you for amounts exceeding your policy limit, putting personal assets at risk.
$25,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability
Pays for damage to other vehicles, structures, or property you hit. The average new vehicle costs over $48,000, meaning the state minimum won't cover a totaled late-model car. South Carolina does not cap lawsuit awards for property damage — if you total a luxury vehicle or damage commercial property, you'll pay the difference out of pocket.
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident (must be offered; can be rejected in writing)
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Protects you when hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage. South Carolina has an 11.5% uninsured motorist rate — one in nine drivers on the road. Insurers must offer UM coverage equal to your liability limits, but you can reject it in writing to lower premiums by $8–$15/month.
Not required
Collision Coverage
Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident, regardless of fault. Not legally required, and typically dropped by cost-conscious drivers once vehicle value falls below $3,000–$4,000. For a 2010 sedan worth $2,500, collision coverage with a $500 deductible may cost $30–$50/month — more than the vehicle's depreciation rate.
Not required
Comprehensive Coverage
Covers theft, vandalism, weather damage, and animal strikes. South Carolina sees frequent hurricane and tropical storm activity along the coast, but comprehensive coverage is optional. If you own your vehicle outright and can afford to replace it, dropping comprehensive saves $20–$40/month on average.
State-Mandated Minimum Coverage · South Carolina

South Carolina Minimum Coverage

CoverageMinimum
Bodily Injury (per person)$25,000
Bodily Injury (per accident)$50,000
Property Damage$25,000

License Reinstatement Fee$100

Meeting the state minimum keeps you legal. See whether it's enough — get your South Carolina quote.

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Cost Overview

South Carolina's average auto insurance rates run 8–12% below the national median, driven by lower population density outside the Charleston-Columbia-Greenville corridor. Coastal counties pay 15–25% more due to hurricane risk and higher traffic density, while Upstate and Pee Dee regions see the state's lowest premiums. Credit-based insurance scoring heavily influences rates in South Carolina — drivers with poor credit pay 60–90% more than those with excellent credit for identical coverage.

What Affects Your Rate

  • Credit score impact: South Carolina allows credit-based insurance scoring, with poor credit adding $60–$110/month compared to excellent credit for the same coverage.
  • Age and experience: Drivers under 25 pay 70–120% more than those aged 35–55, while seniors over 70 see rates increase 15–30% due to accident frequency data.
  • Urban vs rural: Charleston and Columbia drivers pay 20–35% more than those in Spartanburg or Florence due to higher collision and theft claim rates.
  • DUI or major violations: A DUI conviction increases premiums 80–150% for three to five years and may require SR-22 filing, which adds a $15–$50 fee.
  • Annual mileage: Driving over 15,000 miles per year adds 10–20% to premiums, while low-mileage discounts (under 7,500 miles annually) can reduce rates by 5–12%.
  • Vehicle age and value: Cars over 10 years old with market value under $3,000 typically make collision and comprehensive coverage cost-ineffective, saving $40–$70/month when dropped.
Minimum Coverage
$50–$75/mo
Meets South Carolina's 25/50/25 legal requirement only. No coverage for your own vehicle or medical bills. Best for drivers with older paid-off cars who can self-insure repair costs.
Standard Coverage
$85–$125/mo
Includes 50/100/50 liability limits and uninsured motorist coverage. Still no physical damage coverage for your vehicle. Reduces personal financial exposure without adding collision or comprehensive.
Full Coverage
$140–$180/mo
Adds collision and comprehensive with $500–$1,000 deductibles. Required by lenders if you finance or lease. For vehicles worth less than $5,000, the annual premium often exceeds the car's depreciated value.

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Coverage Types

Liability Insurance

Covers injury and property damage you cause to others. South Carolina's 25/50/25 minimum is the legal floor, but one serious accident can exceed these limits by $50,000 or more, leaving you personally liable for the difference.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Pays your medical bills and vehicle damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or flees the scene. You can reject this in writing to save money, but you'll have no coverage if hit by an uninsured driver.

Full Coverage

Bundles liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Mandatory if you finance or lease, but optional once you own the vehicle outright — especially when vehicle value drops below $4,000–$5,000.

SR-22 Insurance

Not a coverage type — it's a state filing proving you carry minimum liability insurance after a DUI, at-fault accident without insurance, or license suspension. Required for three years in South Carolina.

Find Your City in South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina cityscape and street view

Charleston

urban
Columbia, South Carolina cityscape and street view

Columbia

urban
North Charleston, South Carolina cityscape and street view

North Charleston

suburban
Wooden pier extending over water at sunset with marsh grasses in foreground and orange sky

Mount Pleasant

suburban
Park walking path with bench and small dog among tall trees and fallen leaves

Rock Hill

suburban
Greenville, South Carolina cityscape and street view

Greenville

urban
Suburban street with houses and orange tile roofs during golden hour lighting

Summerville

suburban
Evening street scene with glowing street lamps, parked cars, and landscaped flower beds in downtown area

Spartanburg

urban

Frequently Asked Questions

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