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.
If you’re looking for car insurance in the Palmetto State, Bankrate’s curated list of the best car insurance companies could help. Our insurance editorial team reviewed dozens of auto insurance carriers to help you find the best car insurance in South Carolina. Whether you’re looking for affordable premiums, optional coverage, highly rated customer service — or something else entirely — our picks for the best South Carolina car insurance may help narrow down your search.
To help you find the best auto insurance in South Carolina, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team took a methodical approach. Part of the process was assigning each carrier a Bankrate Score that takes into account 2022 quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services as well as available coverage types, discounts and third-party reviews. The scores are on a 5.0 scale. The higher the rating, the higher a company ranked in the individual rating categories.
Each of the best car insurance companies on our list earns a Bankrate Score of above 4.0, making them highly competitive in the market with key aspects that may impact policyholders’ experience. Additionally, although price is only one factor when choosing a company, each company offers full coverage policies with average premiums below the state average.
Bankrate’s insurance editorial team researched the major insurance providers in South Carolina by market share to determine that Geico, State Farm and Travelers are among the best carriers in the state. To determine this ranking, we compared each carrier’s average rates against the state average in South Carolina, which is $1,464 per year for full coverage and $518 per year for minimum coverage.
We also reviewed third-party ratings from agencies like AM Best for financial strength and J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study for customer satisfaction in the Southeast region. If you’re looking for the best auto insurance in South Carolina, consider starting with these picks to see if one might be a good fit for your needs.
| Insurance company | J.D. Power score (Southeast) | Average annual full coverage premium | Average annual minimum coverage premium |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Geico
4.4
Bankrate Score
|
J.D. Power score (Southeast)
843
/1,000 |
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,114
|
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$388
|
|
State Farm
4.2
Bankrate Score
|
J.D. Power score (Southeast)
855
/1,000 |
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,249
|
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$467
|
|
Travelers
4.0
Bankrate Score
|
J.D. Power score (Southeast)
839
/1,000 |
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,149
|
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$489
|
|
Auto-Owners
4.2
Bankrate Score
|
J.D. Power score (Southeast)
871
/1,000 |
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,329
|
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$440
|
|
Allstate
3.8
Bankrate Score
|
J.D. Power score (Southeast)
833
/1,000 |
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,865
|
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$408
|
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.
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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When it comes to car insurance, South Carolina drivers tend to pay less than the national average. While South Carolina drivers pay, on average, $1,464 annually for full coverage, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in the U.S. is $1,771 per year, according to Bankrate’s 2022 study of quoted annual premiums. Average minimum coverage premiums in South Carolina are also lower than the rest of the country. The national annual average for minimum coverage is $545, compared to $518 a year in South Carolina. This difference may be attributed, in part, to South Carolina's rural counties, which may experience a lower rate of incidents from congested traffic.
These rates are 2022 data from Quadrant Information Services and may be a helpful point of comparison during your car insurance search. However, your exact rates may vary based on the provider you choose and your personal characteristics.
| Average annual premium for minimum coverage in South Carolina | Average annual premium for full coverage in South Carolina |
|---|---|
| $518 | $1,464 |
Every driver may have different insurance needs depending on their driving record, vehicle type and budget, meaning the process for finding the best car insurance in South Carolina may look different for each person. The following steps could be used as guidance during your insurance buying journey.
South Carolina’s car insurance laws mandate that drivers meet minimum requirements for liability insurance. These limits include minimum coverage levels for bodily injury and property damage. Additionally, drivers must carry uninsured motorist coverage, which offers financial protection for accidents that involve an at-fault driver who lacks coverage. While underinsured motorist coverage must also be offered, it is not mandatory and may be declined in writing.
In addition to the state requirements of liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage, your lender may require you to have certain coverage types. Full coverage insurance consists of collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. Full coverage insurance is not required by law in South Carolina, although many motorists in the state may want to purchase it to protect their finances in case of an accident.
Lenders typically require collision coverage and comprehensive coverage to avoid a loss on the loan. Similarly, drivers may choose or be required to purchase gap insurance to cover the difference between the amount they owe and what their vehicle is worth, in the event that it is totaled or stolen and unrecoverable.
Any aspects or behaviors that may be considered “risky” have the potential to affect insurance premiums. Some common high-risk insurance factors may include adding a teen driver to your policy or insuring someone with driving violations, such as a ticket or DUI. Each factor is weighed differently depending on the provider, but if any high-risk scenarios impact you, it may be a good idea to explore insurers that are known to provide coverage for these driving profiles.
For example, some insurers excel in their student discount offerings, while others may raise premiums for violations at a lower rate or have options like accident forgiveness. It may help to be aware of your driving record when comparing car insurance quotes.
Auto insurance rates in South Carolina are generally lower than they are in the country as a whole, and you may be able to save additional money by utilizing discounts. Although every company offers different discounts, some common ones in South Carolina relate to driving habits and policy management. You may want to see if you qualify for the following discounts:
Auto insurance discounts are common, but each company has its own regulations and qualifications. Talking to a representative from your insurance company or reviewing discounts online could help you find which opportunities apply to you.