Best car insurance in South Carolina for 2025

Best car insurance companies in South Carolina

Bankrate’s insurance editorial team researched dozens of major car insurance companies in South Carolina to determine the best carriers in the state. To compile this ranking, we compared each carrier’s average rates against the state average in South Carolina, which is $1,970 per year for full coverage and $630 per year for minimum coverage.

We also reviewed third-party scores and ratings from agencies like AM Best for financial strength and J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study for customer satisfaction in the Southeast region. If you’re looking for South Carolina’s best car insurance, consider starting with Geico, State Farm, Travelers, Nationwide or Allstate to see if one of these companies might fit your needs.

Geico

State Farm

Travelers

Nationwide

Allstate

How much is car insurance in South Carolina?

When it comes to car insurance, South Carolina drivers tend to pay less than the national average. While South Carolina drivers pay, on average, $1,970 annually for full coverage, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in the U.S. is $2,678 per year, according to Bankrate’s 2024 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 $799, compared to $630 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.

Car insurance in South Carolina is comparable to its neighbor North Carolina, which has averages of $1,957 for full coverage and $595 for minimum coverage. Neighboring Georgia's rates, on the other hand, are considerably higher than South Carolina's, coming in at $2,976 for full coverage and $1,050 for minimum coverage. This could be because Georgia is a no-fault state, and therefore requires drivers to carry more coverage.

These rates are averages 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.

Estimate your car insurance cost in South Carolina

Looking at average statewide rates can give you a ballpark estimate of what drivers in South Carolina pay for their car insurance coverage. But your personal rates may vary substantially based on your driving record, vehicle type, location and more. With the calculator tool below, you can enter a few basic pieces of information and get a more accurate picture of what you could expect your car insurance to cost.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze March 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 are based on a single, 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 2023 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Bankrate Score

Our 2025 Bankrate Score for auto insurance considers key variables that our insurance editorial team determined impact policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These factors include a robust assessment of each company’s cost of coverage, product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. We grouped these factors into three essential categories — cost and ratings, coverage and savings, and support — which we then weighted in a tiered approach. 

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. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto insurance companies satisfy these priorities, our team analyzed 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, Demotech and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). 
• 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 the discount options listed on each company’s 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 in a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.

Tier scores are unweighted to show the company's true score in each category out of a possible five points.