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Get Cheap Car Insurance in South Carolina

We monitor insurance prices, helping the average driver in South Carolina save up to 29.7% on car insurance.

 

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The Cheapest Minimum Coverage in South Carolina

The chart below shows the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina for a driver with a good record seeking minimum coverage on a mid-grade used vehicle. Values are estimated, and premiums may be lower or higher, but should be in an accurate order for a good driver. In general, drivers with good records will get the best prices through Geico, followed by State Farm, Auto-Owners Insurance, and Safeco Insurance.

 
South Carolina Insurer Monthly Cost
Geico $63
State Farm $71
Auto-Owners Insurance $71
Safeco Insurance $78

Savings for Every Kind of South Carolina Driver

The table shows how much the average auto insurance customer in South Carolina might save by following our recommendations.

Based on our extensive insurance data, we know the average South Carolina driver will save about 22% on car insurance. This isn’t marketing: this is unbiased data with no financial influence. The best auto insurance company depends on factors such as your driving record, home location, credit score, marital status, and age. The average driver will find themselves saving $388 per year by choosing the right vehicle insurance company. Some South Carolina residents are paying out over $1,771 extra every year for auto insurance in South Carolina. That cost may be even higher if you haven’t requested a new quote as your life situation changed.

South Carolina Car Insurance vs. the United States

People living in South Carolina pay an average of 8.71% more than the typical driver in the nation. The average driver in South Carolina can expect to pay about $1,041 per year, or $1,771 for full coverage.

Based on our analysis, Kemper will be the cheapest provider in South Carolina for most people.

Car Insurance Prices by South Carolina Neighborhood

South Carolina map of insurance costs by zip code and neighborhood

Insurance Prices

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Where is insurance cheapest within South Carolina?

The map shows insurance prices in and around South Carolina, with more expensive areas in red and places with cheaper car insurance in green. Insurance can vary by as much as $721 per year within the state boundaries, with insurance premiums ranging from a high of $2,199 to a low of $1,478. Insurance prices tend to be higher for those living in the Southeast area, and lower for those with homes in the Southwest parts of South Carolina.

Pick the Best Car Insurance Company for You in South Carolina

We have analyzed insurance costs for auto insurance customers based on the major variables that impact pricing. The results of our analysis are below, including US dollar savings. What about when you meet one or more of the criteria? For example, if you have both a DUI and a speeding ticket? Simply start with the South Carolina insurance provider for whom we have posted the highest savings dollar figure.

The best car insurance provider for most drivers in South Carolina

For drivers with clean driving records and no major strikes, Kemper is the best option, with annual savings of $388 over the average South Carolina car insurance company.

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We use the average good driver, paying $115 per month, as our baseline for pricing in South Carolina. State Farm, Geico, and Kemper are all good choices for quotes if you have a clean record. See also the best providers for married people if you are married, and look for repeated company names.

The best car insurance provider for South Carolina drivers with accidents on their records

In South Carolina getting into an accident will raise premiums an average 33% for a yearly cost of $2,658. That's $887 per year more than a driver with no at-fault crashes on their driving record might pay. To avoid paying out more than you need to, State Farm, Geico, and Kemper are good choices for drivers with accidents.

In our analysis, Kemper saved the average person who had been in an accident the most, with annual savings averaging $697 over the competition.

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The best car insurance company for South Carolina drivers with speeding tickets

>Geico gave the average person with a speeding ticket the most savings, averaging $589 better than other car insurance companies.

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Depending on the insurance company, a speeding ticket can actually raise insurance premiums more than getting in an accident. In South Carolina, tickets raise premiums on new quotes about $515. If you have a speeding ticket, we recommend State Farm, Geico, and Kemper for savings that beat the average insurance cost of $2,286 per year.

The best auto insurance for South Carolina drivers with a DUI conviction

Getting a DUI can increase the cost of insurance dramatically. The average person with a DUI paid $2,470 per year in auto insurance premiums, which was $699 more than a driver with no major issues. State Farm, Kemper, and Farm Bureau penalized their customers the least for a DUI.

Getting a quote from Kemper may cost the average person with a DUI about $733 less each year.

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The least expensive car insurance company for new and young drivers in South Carolina

In South Carolina, Geico costs young drivers $1,434 less each year versus the average auto insurance bill.

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Teen drivers account for more than their share of accidents, and thus end up paying about 67% more for insurance than more mature drivers in South Carolina. With an average cost of $5,435 per year (for young drivers who aren't on a parent's plan), car insurance for inexperienced drivers can’t ever be called "cheap." A few companies like State Farm, Geico, and Farm Bureau try to attract these younger drivers with lower prices in the hopes that they will stay with the company.

The best marriage discounts for vehicle insurance in South Carolina

Not everything is an excuse for the auto insurance companies to charge you more. Getting married provides an average discount of $164. State Farm, Geico, and Progressive provided the largest discounts to couples living in South Carolina.

Geico gave the largest car insurance discounts to married couples, averaging $328 saved each year compared to an average South Carolina couple's premiums.

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The cheapest car insurance in South Carolina for drivers with bad credit

People with poor credit saved an average of $426 with Nationwide.

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Many people are surprised that their poor credit score can cost them an average of $1,188 every year. Premiums for people with poor credit were about $2,959 in South Carolina. However, some insurance companies do not take credit score into account. If you have a credit score below 575, get quotes from Geico, Nationwide, and Travelers.

The best South Carolina car insurance company for customer service

Many car insurance companies over the years have struggled with customer service. In South Carolina, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) ranks Nationwide as the best. Another valuable metric: JD Power ranks State Farm as the best provider in South Carolina.

Nationwide was the best company for customer service in South Carolina according to the NAIC.

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Recent price drops

Due to improvements in our tracking and methodology, we are unable to show price change data for the most recent year. This data will return next year (2023).

In 2020, at the peak of the global pandemic, {{top1_2020pricedrop_company}} changed their average price {{top1_2020pricedrop_company_percentage}}% in South Carolina, which was better than other insurers.

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During the Covid-19 pandemic a few insurance companies realized people were driving less and struggling overall. They proactively lowered their rates for many customers in South Carolina. We think helping communities in a time of need deserves special attention. Many insurance companies have advertisements telling us how much they care: we prefer to look at their actions.

The cheapest large national provider in South Carolina

Many customers have informed us that they prefer to work with large national brands. Maybe they're one of the 30% of South Carolina residents who are renting, and don't plan to be in the state or nation for very long. Or maybe national recognition and funds make people feel more secure with a large provider. Regardless, Geico tends to have the lowest prices for most drivers.

For customers who prefer to work with large national providers, we recommend Geico for pricing. The average South Carolina driver can expect to pay about $110 per month.

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What About USAA?

JD power consistently ranks USAA as the top car insurance company in the United States. We don’t compare their rates because most people can’t sign up. USAA only allows active military members and their spouses and children to apply. In South Carolina, USAA has the best prices for drivers with speeding tickets, married couples, drivers with accidents, drivers with a DUI conviction, good drivers, drivers with bad credit, and young drivers.
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Auto Insurance Prices in and Around South Carolina

What Influences the Cost of Car Insurance in South Carolina?

On average, car insurance in South Carolina is more expensive than the rest of the nation. These high prices are no mystery to us. Coverage Watch tracks car insurance costs and uses a complex AI that finds related variables, and has determined car insurance prices in the state are influenced by the following factors:

  • The average commute time in South Carolina is 32 minutes, which is about the national average for a driver in the nation.
  • South Carolina state insurance regulations may require higher prices.
  • An average of 0 weeks with snow on the ground, which impacts accident rates.
  • Marriage rates in South Carolina are about average in the nation, and marriage often results in car insurance discounts.
  • Vehicle theft rates in the area are high, with a Vehicle Theft Crime Grade of D+ according to CrimeGrade.org.
  • South Carolina is a lightly populated area in the nation. The state’s density could result in a price decrease for drivers.

As a result of these and other factors, the average cost of car insurance in South Carolina is $87 per month for minimum coverage and $148 per month for full coverage. Costs vary widely based on your situation, and will likely be lower if you have a clean driving record and follow our insurance company research to find the best car insurance company for you.

Car Insurance in Nearby States

States with Similar Populations

  • Arizona: Insurance costs 24.00% more
  • Alabama: Insurance costs 3.16% less
  • Louisiana: Insurance costs 242.07% more
  • Kentucky: Insurance costs 71.60% more
  • Kansas: Insurance costs 7.68% less
  • Iowa: Insurance costs 41.22% less
  • Indiana: Insurance costs 43.70% less
  • Illinois: Insurance costs 13.95% less
  • Idaho: Insurance costs 51.78% less
  • Hawaii: Insurance costs 30.10% less
* Who is the average South Carolina driver? Based on national demographic data provided by BestNeighborhood, we took a single unmarried man living in central South Carolina with good (but not perfect) credit driving a used midsized sedan. Data sources: proprietary data collection and analysis, unique to CoverageWatch.org All content copyright CoverageWatch.org. Journalists and other websites are free to cite any data with attribution.