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Cheapest car insurance in South Carolina in 2023

According to Bankrate’s expert analysis, American National, Allstate and Geico are among the cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina.

Updated Apr 11, 2023
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The cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina

The average cost of car insurance in South Carolina is $482 less than the national average, and if you pick a cheap car insurance company, you may be able to save even more. To help you find the cheapest car insurance for your needs in South Carolina, Bankrate reviewed quoted annual premiums from Quadrant Information Services and analyzed third-party financial strength and customer satisfaction rankings from AM Best, J.D. Power and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

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Cheapest company for minimum coverage

Company Average monthly minimum coverage premium Average annual minimum coverage premium
American National $17 $200

Cheapest company for full coverage

Company Average monthly full coverage premium Average annual full coverage premium
American National $45 $537

Cheapest company for adding a teen driver

Company Average monthly minimum coverage premium Average annual minimum coverage premium
Encompass $62 $739

Cheapest company for getting a speeding ticket

Company Average monthly minimum coverage premium Average annual minimum coverage premium
American National $23 $275

Cheapest company for being in an at-fault accident

Company Average monthly minimum coverage premium Average annual minimum coverage premium
American National $20 $239

Cheapest company after a high-risk incident

Company Average monthly minimum coverage premium Average annual minimum coverage premium
American National $26 $317

The cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina by coverage level

Typically, drivers covered under a minimum liability-only policy will enjoy the cheapest rates. However, choosing just the minimum to cut insurance costs can be a risky maneuver. For instance, if you’re the driver in an at-fault accident and cause injuries exceeding your minimum bodily injury coverage limit, you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars (or more) in out-of-pocket expenses.

Minimum liability aside, you may also need to consider carrying full coverage. Comprehensive and collision can provide critical financial protection for the damage your vehicle sustains in an at-fault accident or due to a comprehensive claim (theft or vandalism, for instance). Additionally, you’ll likely be required to carry full coverage insurance as a stipulation of your financing or leasing agreement if you don’t own your vehicle outright.

With these thoughts in mind, you’ll find some of the companies we found to offer cheap auto insurance in South Carolina for both minimum and full coverage policies.

American National
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$17
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$200
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $324
Allstate
Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5
3.8
Bankrate Score
Info
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$32
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$387
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $137
Geico
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Bankrate Score
Info
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$32
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$387
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $137
Encompass
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
3.5
Bankrate Score
Info
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$35
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$418
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $106
Auto-Owners
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Bankrate Score
Info
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$37
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$443
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $81
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Advertising Disclosure
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.

*Based on policies with minimum coverage for 2023

American National
Average monthly full coverage premium
$45
Average annual full coverage premium
$537
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $995
Geico
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Bankrate Score
Info
Average monthly full coverage premium
$95
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,143
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $389
Travelers
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0
Bankrate Score
Info
Average monthly full coverage premium
$97
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,169
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $363
Nationwide
Rating: 3.9 stars out of 5
3.9
Bankrate Score
Info
Average monthly full coverage premium
$105
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,261
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $271
State Farm
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Bankrate Score
Info
Average monthly full coverage premium
$110
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,322
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $210
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Advertising Disclosure
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.

*Based on policies with full coverage for 2023

Cheapest cities in South Carolina for car insurance

Your location is one of the most impactful factors when it comes to the cost of your car insurance. Some cities in South Carolina have much cheaper rates than other areas. For example, drivers in big cities may see higher premiums due to congested roadways which lead to an increased instance of accidents. If you move to a new city, it can be an effective strategy to shop around for insurance to see if you can qualify for a lower rate in a specific ZIP code.

In the table below, you can compare average annual rates from some of the cheapest cities in South Carolina for minimum and full coverage insurance. It’s interesting to note that our data shows that across all of these cities, American National offers some of the lowest premiums.

City City average annual minimum coverage premium Cheapest car insurance company Company average annual minimum coverage premium
Blair $505 American National $194
Jenkinsville $507 American National $194
Norway $509 American National $191
Blackstock $511 American National $194
Bowman $511 American National $200
City City average annual full coverage premium Cheapest car insurance company Company average annual full coverage premium
Johnsonville $1,663 American National $553
Bowman $1,664 American National $581
Eutawville $1,664 American National $570
Cordesville $1,666 American National $587
Norway $1,666 American National $560

Factors that impact cheap rates in South Carolina

Most drivers will find that their car insurance rates fluctuate as life circumstances change. Certain events can cause your rate to increase temporarily, but time or precautionary measures may help you obtain lower rates. Here are some situations that can lead to a more expensive car insurance premium:

Insuring a teen driver

Insurance companies evaluate a driver’s likelihood of being involved in an accident when determining rates, and statistics show that teens get into almost four times as many crashes compared to older drivers. This increased accident risk can lead to some hefty premiums for teen drivers. Shopping around and targeting companies known to offer lower rates for younger adults may ease some of the pressure parents might feel after their child passes their driving exam.

If you’re looking for low-cost car insurance in South Carolina after adding a teen driver to your policy, you might consider contacting the companies below:

Car insurance company Average annual minimum coverage premium Average annual full coverage premium
Encompass $739 $2,301
Allstate $822 $4,003
American National $880 $2,103
South Carolina Farm Bureau $904 $1,916
Travelers $934 $2,171

Getting a speeding ticket

Although we all might do our best to avoid them, getting a speeding ticket is something that many of us experience at some point during our driving careers. Generally, a speeding ticket will cause your premium to increase, and this increase could last for three to five years.

However, the companies below might be a good place to start if you need cheap South Carolina car insurance after receiving a speeding ticket conviction, based on our proprietary premium data from Quadrant Information Services:

Car insurance company Average annual minimum coverage premium Average annual full coverage premium
American National $275 $714
Geico $419 $1,228
Encompass $454 $1,414
Allstate $476 $2,317
Auto-Owners $500 $1,514

Getting into an at-fault accident

Unless you have accident forgiveness, getting into an accident can impact your car insurance premium, especially if you are at fault for the collision. Most collisions stay on your record for about five years, during which time your insurance premium will be higher.

It may be possible, however, to find cheap car insurance in South Carolina (even after an at-fault accident) by contacting multiple companies for quotes.

Car insurance company Average annual minimum coverage premium Average annual full coverage premium
American National $239 $630
Encompass $535 $1,613
Geico $546 $1,612
Travelers $600 $1,514
Auto-Owners $603 $1,795

Being deemed a high-risk driver

High-risk drivers often pay the highest car insurance rates, as they are the most likely to lead to a claim and payout from the insurer. You might be considered a high risk driver if you have been convicted of a DUI, were caught driving uninsured or even if you have bad credit (in many states, including South Carolina). If you find yourself in the high-risk category, it will likely affect the way you shop for cheap car insurance due to carrier eligibility restrictions for coverage or competitive rates.

The companies in the table below may have the lowest premiums for drivers who’ve been convicted of a DUI. Please note that not all companies will offer a policy to those with this type of conviction on their record, so for detailed information, please reach out to the company directly.

Car insurance company Average annual minimum coverage premium Average annual full coverage premium
American National $317 $813
Travelers $654 $1,647
South Carolina Farm Bureau $702 $1,639
State Farm $739 $2,000
Geico $781 $2,354

Minimum coverage requirements for South Carolina drivers

Driving without insurance in South Carolina is illegal. Before purchasing car insurance, you may want to brush up on South Carolina’s car insurance laws. Failure to carry insurance that meets minimum requirements can lead to steep fines or penalties. South Carolina’s minimum auto insurance requirements include:

  • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $25,000 property damage liability per accident
  • $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
  • $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage per accident

Underinsured motorist coverage must be offered but can be declined in writing. The cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina is associated with a minimum coverage policy. However, most drivers are encouraged to purchase full coverage insurance because it provides a greater degree of financial protection from a costly loss. Robust policies include financial protection for your vehicle, such as collision and comprehensive, as well as medical payments coverage. If you lease or finance your vehicle, most lenders require a full coverage policy.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina

Finding cheap car insurance in South Carolina is most effective when you do your research and compare quotes from multiple insurers, ideally at least three. However, maintaining a low rate is just as important for those with budgetary concerns. Here are several tips for getting and keeping an affordable annual premium in South Carolina:

Consider your needs

Determining how much coverage you need is an integral step to ensure that you aren’t overpaying for car insurance (or, just as importantly, leaving yourself underinsured). You don’t want to purchase coverage that you may not need, but you also don’t want to leave yourself financially vulnerable if you’re involved in an accident. Insurance is a highly-personalized product, and your insurance needs will likely evolve over time. That said, it can be a good idea to touch base with a licensed agent periodically to review your policy details and make adjustments when necessary. 

Shop around

Car insurance companies use your personal characteristics to determine insurance rates. These companies use different underwriting systems to determine your premium, which means one carrier may weigh your vehicle make and model more heavily, and another might put more emphasis on your driving record. For that reason, you may want to get quotes from multiple companies so that you can see which carrier offers you the lowest rate. When shopping, it might also be a good idea to request the same or similar coverage levels across all companies to ensure that you’re comparing companies apples to apples.

Car insurance discounts in South Carolina

Knowing what discounts could be available to you is essential when learning how to save on car insurance in South Carolina. Although car insurance companies dictate their own array of discounts, you might find some savings opportunities across a few different carriers, including: 

  • Young driver discounts: Because young drivers pay some of the highest premiums, car insurance companies usually offer teen driver discounts to help make their policies more affordable. One such discount is the good student, which could help full-time students with a 3.0 GPA or higher save on their premiums. Some companies also provide a driver’s training discount for young drivers who complete a driver’s training course. 
  • Safe driver discounts: Auto insurers generally award safe drivers with a lower base rate because those who practice safe driving habits are at a lower risk of being involved in an accident. In addition to more favorable underwriting, drivers with a clean record may also earn a safe driving discount which can provide some pretty hefty South Carolina car insurance savings. 
  • Pay-in-full discount: If you can afford it, you may want to consider paying your policy premium in a lump sum rather than in installments. Some companies will give you a discount for doing so, and you might avoid installment charges, too. 
  • Bundling discount: Bundling multiple types of insurance with one company may be one of the easiest ways to save on car insurance in South Carolina. The most common bundle includes your home and auto, but some carriers will give you this discount for multiple combinations of products, such as carrying your auto and renters, auto and cycle or auto and life insurance. 

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for 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 are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $50,000 property damage liability per accident
  • $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
  • $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
  • $500 collision deductible
  • $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. 

Bankrate Scores

Our 2023 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories. 

Like our previous Bankrate Scores, each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. This year, our 2023 scoring model provides a more comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and better highlighting where they fall short.

  • Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, 2023 quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the NAIC, were analyzed.
  • Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
  • Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.

 

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Written by
Carol Pope
Insurance Writer

Carol Pope is an insurance writer for Bankrate and prior to joining the team, she spent 12 years as an auto insurance agent. During this time, she sold, serviced and underwrote auto insurance for people across the country. She also has experience selling supplement coverage such as umbrella insurance.

Edited by Insurance Editor