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Average cost of car insurance in South Carolina for 2025

Updated Jul 01, 2025
In South Carolina, full coverage car insurance costs an average of $1,955 per year and minimum coverage costs an average of $625 per year.
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

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How much is car insurance in South Carolina? 

South Carolina drivers pay an annual average of $625 for minimum coverage car insurance and $1,955 for full coverage, which typically includes collision and comprehensive insurance. These rates are below the national averages of $807 and $2,677, respectively. However, your own rate is based on data that is specific to you, including your ZIP code, driving record and credit history, so your rate is likely to differ.

Key takeaways

  • In South Carolina, drivers pay an average of $163 per month for full coverage car insurance and $52 per month for minimum coverage.
  • Young drivers tend to pay higher rates than older drivers, with 18-year-old males having the highest average premium at $6,170 per year for full coverage.
  • A DUI conviction in South Carolina can nearly double full coverage premiums.
  • Drivers with excellent credit pay around 19 percent less annually for full coverage than those with poor credit.

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South Carolina car insurance rates by city

South Carolina car insurance rates vary by city, too. Urban areas tend to have higher average rates since more vehicles on the road means a higher chance of getting into an accident. Additionally, the cost of living — and thus the cost of claims — tends to be higher in more populated cities.

City Avg. annual full coverage premium Avg. savings vs. state average

Average car insurance costs by age and gender in South Carolina

Age also plays a role in car insurance rates in SC, with younger, less experienced drivers paying the most. Drivers in their 50s and 60s pay the least per year, on average. Gender matters, too. Males tend to pay higher premiums than females due to their increased statistical likelihood of getting into an accident.

The table below shows the average costs for male and female drivers across a range of ages. Note that 16-year-old driver rates reflect adding a teen driver to their married parents’ policy since minors can’t enter into binding contracts.

Age 16*
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$4,510
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$1,574
Age 18
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$6,170
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$1,954
Age 20
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$4,451
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$1,376
Age 25
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$2,561
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$776
Age 30
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$2,103
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$649
Age 40
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,982
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$622
Age 50
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,816
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$595
Age 60
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,768
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$585
Age 70
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,905
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$666
Age 40
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,982
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$622
Age 50
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,816
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$595
Age 60
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,768
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$585
Age 70
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,905
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$666
*16-year-old calculated on parents' policy with discounts applied; 18- and 20-year-old are renters on their own policies with no discounts applied
Age 16*
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$4,076
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$1,471
Age 18
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$5,268
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$1,750
Age 20
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$3,703
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$1,225
Age 25
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$2,333
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$761
Age 30
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$2,038
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$655
Age 40
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,927
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$628
Age 50
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,799
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$600
Age 60
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,733
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$583
Age 70
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,836
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$643
Age 40
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,927
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$628
Age 50
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,799
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$600
Age 60
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,733
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$583
Age 70
Average annual full coverage premium in SC
$1,836
Average minimum coverage premium in SC
$643
*16-year-old calculated on parents' policy with discounts applied; 18- and 20-year-old are renters on their own policies with no discounts applied
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Bankrate’s take: Insurance companies often consider gender when determining car insurance rates. Statistically, certain age groups — particularly younger male drivers — have higher incidences of speeding, accidents and DUIs, which insurers perceive as a heightened risk. These statistics can lead to men typically receiving higher quotes than women. However, as drivers age and their driving records start to outweigh gender-based trends, this gap in rates usually decreases.

Cost considerations for young drivers in South Carolina

If you’re under the age of 18, you’re not legally an adult and can’t buy your own car insurance in most cases. You’ll likely have to be added to your parents’ or guardians’ policy. Older teens and young adults can buy their own policy, but if they’re still members of their parents’ households, it usually makes more financial sense to stay on the family policy (if able). Doing so generally results in a cheaper car insurance premium than if the young driver were to buy their own coverage.  

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Age 16*
Avg. annual premium for drivers in SC
$4,293
Age 17
Avg. annual premium for drivers in SC
$3,858
Age 18
Avg. annual premium for drivers in SC
$3,527
Age 19
Avg. annual premium for drivers in SC
$3,127
Age 20
Avg. annual premium for drivers in SC
$2,929
*16-year-old calculated on parents' policy with discounts applied; 18- and 20-year-old are renters on their own policies with no discounts applied
Age 18
Avg. annual premium for drivers in SC
$5,719
Age 19
Avg. annual premium for drivers in SC
$4,475
Age 20
Avg. annual premium for drivers in SC
$4,077
*16-year-old calculated on parents' policy with discounts applied; 18- and 20-year-old are renters on their own policies with no discounts applied
Age Avg. annual premium difference for drivers on their own policy
Age 18 62 percent more
Age 19 43 percent more
Age 20 39 percent more

*18- and 20-year-old are renters on their own policies with no discounts applied

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This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

How does driving record impact the cost of car insurance in South Carolina?

How much car insurance is in South Carolina can vary, especially for those with a less-than-perfect driving history. Your record has one of the biggest impacts on your car insurance premiums. A single speeding ticket could increase your full coverage rate by an average of 19 percent more in SC. A DUI conviction — one of the most severe infractions you can have — could nearly double your premium. Maintaining a clean driving record is one of the best ways to keep your rates steady over time.

The table here shows the average car insurance cost in South Carolina for several different types of driving incidents.

Clean driving record
Avg. annual premium* in SC
$1,955
Percentage increase from SC avg. annual premium*
0%
Avg. annual premium* in SC
$2,324
Percentage increase from SC avg. annual premium*
19%
Avg. annual premium* in SC
$2,851
Percentage increase from SC avg. annual premium*
46%
Avg. annual premium* in SC
$3,344
Percentage increase from SC avg. annual premium*
71%
*The rates reflected are for full coverage policies.
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Bankrate’s take: In South Carolina, an SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves a driver carries the minimum required liability insurance. It is not an insurance policy itself but rather a form filed by your insurance company with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to confirm that you have the necessary coverage to drive legally in the state. It might be required if you have a DUI or other serious infraction or infractions on your driving record. Note that some insurers will not write policies for individuals with a DUI, and if this is the case for you, you will need to shop around for another insurer to cover you.

Car insurance rates in South Carolina by credit score

Like most states, South Carolina allows insurers to use your credit rating to help determine your car insurance premiums. Statistically, drivers with lower credit ratings tend to file more claims, which makes them a higher risk for insurers and results in higher premiums. For example, drivers with poor credit pay 102 percent more than drivers with good credit, while drivers with excellent credit pay 19 percent less.

Avg. annual premium* in SC
$3,944
Percentage change from SC average annual premium*
102%
Average
Avg. annual premium* in SC
$2,155
Percentage change from SC average annual premium*
10%
Avg. annual premium* in SC
$1,955
Percentage change from SC average annual premium*
0%
Excellent
Avg. annual premium* in SC
$1,574
Percentage change from SC average annual premium*
-19%
*Rates reflect full coverage policies.

South Carolina car insurance rates by vehicle type

Your vehicle make and model also has a large impact on your car insurance rates in South Carolina. Vehicles that cost less to repair or replace are less likely to get into accidents or have safety features that help mitigate the likelihood or severity of accidents may cost less to insure. On the other hand, vehicles that cost more to repair or replace generally have higher car insurance costs.

Avg. annual premium* in SC
$1,955
Avg. annual premium* in SC
$1,972
Avg. annual premium* in SC
$1,784
BMW 330i
Avg. annual premium* in SC
$2,533
Toyota Prius
Avg. annual premium* in SC
$2,115
*Rates reflect full coverage policies.

Estimate your car insurance cost in South Carolina

Understanding the potential cost of car insurance in South Carolina can be challenging given the variety of influencing factors. To simplify this process, Bankrate offers a convenient calculator tool. By providing some fundamental details, you'll receive an estimated insurance premium. While it's not a precise quote, it can serve as a valuable reference to aid in your financial planning.

Calculate your monthly car insurance payment

Get a quick estimate to make sure you're not overpaying.

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How to save on car insurance in South Carolina

When shopping for car insurance in South Carolina, there are a few ways you may be able to save on costs. Finding affordable auto insurance rates may be harder if you have a ticket, accident or DUI on your record, but using these tips may help you get cheaper coverage:

  • Do an annual review: If it’s been a while since you purchased your policy, you may want to check what coverage types and amounts you’re currently paying for. If your insurance needs have changed, adjusting your coverage types or limits may help you save on your premium. For instance, if your car has significantly lost value over the years, you might switch to minimum coverage and save on your premium.
  • Get multiple quotes: If you do not want to change coverage but want more affordable car insurance rates, shopping around for quotes and switching carriers may be the way to go. Compare the same coverage types and limits to know which car insurance company offers the best rates for the coverage you need.
  • Increase one or both of your deductibles: Full coverage car insurance has two deductibles: one for comprehensive and one for collision. The higher your deductibles are, the lower your car insurance rate will likely be — but that does not mean it is the best option for everyone. If you choose to go with a higher deductible, make sure you can pay the full amount out of pocket in case you have to file a claim.
  • Know rates before you buy a car: One mistake people can make when purchasing a new (or new-to-them) car is focusing only on the monthly car loan payment and not factoring in the cost of car insurance. When shopping for cars, get quotes to compare different makes and models to determine what you can truly afford.
  • Take advantage of discounts: Most car insurance discounts are stackable so the savings can really add up if you qualify for several. By bundling auto and home, allowing the insurance company to track your driving habits with a telematics program or paying your premium up front and in full, you may be able to reduce your car insurance rates.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Rates

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze July 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates for our base profile are based on the following characteristics and full coverage limits with bundling and paperless billing discounts applied: 

User Icon
40 year old
Single male and female driver
Logo for Brand name
2023 Toyota Camry
Primary vehicle
Credit Good Icon
Good credit score
Auto Insurance Guide Icon
Clean driving record
Briefcase Icon
Commutes 5 days

Bodily injury liability

$100,000 per person
$300,000 per accident

Property damage liability

$50,000 per accident

Personal injury protection

$100,000 per accident

Uninsured motorist bodily injury

$100,000 per person
$300,000 per accident

Collision deductible

$500

Comprehensive deductible

$500

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.

If otherwise specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics:

Other profiles

Written by
Ashlyn Brooks
Writer II, Insurance
Ashlyn Brooks is a finance writer with more than half a decade of experience, known for her knowledge in areas such as taxes, insurance, investing, retirement, finance news, and banking products.
Edited by Editor, Insurance