Best car insurance in South Carolina for 2024

Our 2024 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. 

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 and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average 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 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 and home 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.

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

South Carolina’s car insurance laws mandate that drivers carry a minimum amount of car insurance, which includes specific limits for bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. Additionally, drivers must carry uninsured motorist coverage, which offers financial protection if you get into an accident with a driver who does not have car insurance. Be aware that when you request car insurance quotes in the state, providers are required to show policies that meet the minimum required coverage. Many insurance experts recommend that you purchase a policy that exceeds the mandated coverage for more financial protection.

In addition to the state requirements for South Carolina car insurance, your lender may require you to carry full coverage insurance if you lease or finance a vehicle. A typical full coverage policy includes liability insurance, plus, as well as 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 better protect their finances in case of an accident.

Financial lenders usually require full coverage so that drivers can pay off their lien if the vehicle is totaled. Similarly, drivers may choose or be required to purchase gap insurance to cover the difference between the amount they owe the lender and what their vehicle is worth in the event that it is totaled or stolen and unrecoverable.

Car insurance is largely a calculation of risk; to put it generally, the more likely you are to file a claim with your insurer, the higher your premium will be. 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.

The average rates for South Carolina auto insurance are $610 for state-mandated minimum liability coverage and $1,922 for full coverage, which also includes collision and comprehensive insurance. These are just averages; your exact rates are determined by highly personalized factors such as your location, age, driving history, credit-based insurance score, gender and more. When you request quotes from insurance providers, provide accurate and detailed information so your quote is as accurate as possible.

Some of the cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina for full coverage insurance are American National, Auto-Owners and Encompass, according to Bankrate’s 2024 study of quoted annual premiums. The cheapest car insurance company for you will likely depend on your individual characteristics, so you may want to get quotes from multiple providers.

The consequences for driving without insurance may be severe. If you get caught driving without insurance, you may face fines, license suspension or, in some cases, imprisonment. If you’re involved in an accident and do not have insurance, you will be responsible for paying damages that you caused out-of-pocket. If your license is suspended, you will likely need to get car insurance before you can get it reinstated. Your car insurance premium may go up considerably due to a lapse in coverage.

Generally speaking, car insurance in South Carolina is pretty cheap. On average, South Carolina drivers pay 22 percent less than the national average for a full coverage policy. Minimum coverage policies are closer to the national average than full coverage ones, but are still 10 percent less. That said, what you pay for your car insurance coverage could be wildly different.

In South Carolina, age, gender, driving record, credit history and marital status can all impact your car insurance price. To find the best policy at the lowest cost, many insurance experts recommend shopping around before you purchase your policy. With a handful of quotes at the ready, you’ll have better insight into the type of deal you are getting.

Yes, you can switch car insurance companies in South Carolina. Typically, you can switch carriers at any point during the policy period, even outside the renewal period. Switching car insurance companies may help you find a cheaper premium, especially if you recently added a teen driver, got into an accident, filed a claim or moved to a different ZIP code. It’s important to purchase a new policy before canceling your old one to avoid a lapse in coverage.