The cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina is American National, at an average of $57 per month or $683 per year for full-coverage. We found that American National is the only company in South Carolina with an average rate under $1,000 a year.
American National has the cheapest car insurance rates in South Carolina, but you may also be able to find cheap full-coverage from USAA, Auto-Owners, GEICO, and State Farm. Before you get car insurance, make sure to compare quotes to find your best rate.
Company | Average monthly cost | Average annual cost |
|---|---|---|
American National | $57 | $683 |
USAA | $87 | $1,043 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $96 | $1,151 |
GEICO | $97 | $1,167 |
State Farm | $108 | $1,292 |
Methodology & why you can trust our rates
Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:
Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.
Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.
Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina
American National’s best feature is its very cheap rates. American National offers gap insurance, which is a big plus for some drivers, but doesn’t have as many endorsements as competitors.
Pros
Lower-than-average rates
Offers gap insurance
Available in all 50 states
Cons
Few discounts
Minimal coverage options
Read our full American National auto insurance review
The cheapest car insurance in South Carolina comes from American National. On average, American National costs $57 per month or $683 a year. That’s $1,335 cheaper than the statewide average in South Carolina.
American National not only has the cheapest rates for drivers with clean records, but it also tends to have great prices for drivers with a past accident or driving violation.
USAA is one of the most reliably cheap car insurance companies in the country. It also has a long-standing reputation for great customer service. Unlike other providers, USAA is only offered to drivers who are affiliated with the military.
Pros
Offers coverage in every state and the District of Columbia
Usually has some of the cheapest car insurance rates of any company
Drivers can use discounts to lower their rates
Consistently high customer satisfaction
Cons
Limited options for adding extra coverage
Only available to members of the military, veterans, and their families
Read our full USAA auto insurance review
USAA has some of the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina, but only for drivers who are active or retired members of the military or a part of a military family. The average cost of car insurance from USAA in South Carolina is $87 per month ($1,043 per year), or $975 cheaper than the statewide average.
Auto-Owners tends to be a cheap option for most drivers. Available in 26 states spread out across the country, Auto-Owners brings together affordable coverage and highly-rated customer service.
Pros
Cheap car insurance rates for many drivers
Offers lots of add-ons, like gap coverage and diminished value protection
Receives fewer complaints from policyholders than competitors
Cons
No longer has a usage-based insurance discount
Auto-Owners is another option for cheap car insurance in South Carolina, at an average rate of $96 per month. That’s $1,151 per year, or $867 cheaper than the South Carolina average.
GEICO is nationally available and often has some of the cheapest rates. GEICO gets fewer service complaints than average, even though claims satisfaction can be mixed. Drivers can also customize their car insurance from GEICO with a few useful add-ons.
Pros
Available in every state and the District of Columbia
Usually has some of the cheapest rates
Gets fewer complaints than expected for its service
Allows drivers to add different types of useful coverages to a basic policy
Cons
Mixed reputation for claims satisfaction
Read our full GEICO car insurance review
GEICO also offers cheap car insurance for South Carolina drivers. On average, car insurance from GEICO costs drivers in the Palmetto State $97 per month, or $1,167 per year. That’s $851 cheaper than the statewide average.
As the country’s biggest car insurance company, State Farm makes it easy for drivers to get coverage, make claims, and stay in contact. Also, State Farm is one of the cheapest insurers for most drivers, and tends to have great customer service.
Pros
Coverage available in nearly every state (along with in-person offices)
Cheap car insurance, including for some high-risk drivers
Consistently high customer service ratings
Some discounts, especially for good drivers
Cons
Doesn’t offer as many coverage options as some competitors
Read our full State Farm car insurance review
At an average of $108 per month ($1,292 a year), State Farm also has cheap car insurance in South Carolina. While it’s over $100 a month, State Farm still costs $726 less than the average rate for full coverage in South Carolina.
Best car insurance companies in South Carolina
The best auto insurance company in South Carolina is USAA, according to third-party customer service ratings. USAA received the highest score in the region on J.D. Power’s 2022 Auto Insurance Survey, which measures how policyholders feel about their insurance company’s customer service, billing, claims, and price.
Auto-Owners has the second-highest score in South Carolina, so it’s the best company for South Carolinians who aren’t affiliated with the military and can’t qualify for USAA coverage.
Rank | Company | Score |
|---|---|---|
1 | USAA | 886 |
2 | Auto-Owners Insurance | 871 |
3 | Alfa | 862 |
4 | State Farm | 855 |
5 | Nationwide | 850 |
Cheapest car insurance companies by age in South Carolina
Young drivers pay the most for car insurance because they are more likely to file a claim in the years they are gaining experience on the road. Fortunately, with age and practice come lower rates and most drivers will see their rates drop by age 25.
American National is the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina for newly licensed drivers.
Age | Cheapest company | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
18 | American National | $1,682 |
21 | American National | $1,077 |
25 | American National | $750 |
30 | American National | $714 |
35 | American National | $688 |
45 | American National | $646 |
55 | American National | $590 |
60 | American National | $597 |
65 | American National | $623 |
70 | American National | $704 |
16 | GEICO | $3,567 |
Choosing the right car insurance company in South Carolina
Cost is always an important factor when choosing a car insurance company. But before you go with your cheapest quote, consider all the coverage you’re getting and get a feel for a company’s customer service ratings. That will help you pick a policy that is not only affordable, but also provides the best overall value. Policygenius can help you see your options, so you know you’re choosing the right policy.
Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in South Carolina
Since drivers with accidents and violations on their record are more likely to file a claim in the future, insurance companies consider them a bigger risk to insure, and they’ll pay more for car insurance.
American National tends to have the best rates for high-risk drivers in South Carolina.
Violation | American National | USAA | Auto-Owners Insurance | GEICO | State Farm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At-fault accident | $968 | $1,575 | $1,632 | $1,732 | $1,528 |
DUI | $1,062 | $1,996 | $2,430 | $2,910 | $1,386 |
Suspended license | $1,145 | $1,922 | $1,368 | $2,268 | $1,386 |
Open container | $968 | $1,613 | $1,368 | $2,268 | $1,386 |
Expired registration | $842 | $1,352 | $1,163 | $1,175 | $1,386 |
Driving without lights | $842 | $1,352 | $1,163 | $1,175 | $1,386 |
Running a red light | $842 | $1,352 | $1,163 | $1,175 | $1,386 |
Following too closely | $842 | $1,352 | $1,163 | $1,175 | $1,386 |
Hit and run | $1,145 | $2,068 | $2,430 | $2,910 | $1,386 |
Not-at-fault accident | $731 | $1,099 | $1,368 | $1,175 | $1,309 |
Passing a school bus | $943 | $1,613 | $1,163 | $1,175 | $1,386 |
Reckless driving | $1,145 | $1,613 | $2,430 | $2,268 | $1,386 |
Speeding | $943 | $1,352 | $1,708 | $1,175 | $1,386 |
→ Read more about SR-22 insurance in South Carolina
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in South Carolina
Having bad credit is likely to cost you when it comes to car insurance. Anything you can do to raise your credit score before shopping for a new policy will help you get a cheaper rate.
USAA or American National have the lowest average rates for drivers with bad credit.
Company | Rates for drivers with bad credit |
|---|---|
USAA | $1,671 |
American National | $2,463 |
Travelers | $2,524 |
GEICO | $2,585 |
State Farm | $2,611 |
Car insurance costs in South Carolina cities
Location plays a factor in how much you pay for auto insurance. Crime rates, traffic patterns, past accidents and claims and even the cost of car repairs in your city will all affect what you’ll pay for car insurance coverage. Here’s what drivers pay in the 10 biggest cities in South Carolina:
Charleston: $2,143
Columbia: $2,147
North Charleston: $2,235
Mount Pleasant: $1,907
Rock Hill: $2,000
Greenville: $1,904
Summerville: $2,176
Goose Creek: $2,127
Hilton Head Island: $1,746
Sumter: $2,082
Buying car insurance in South Carolina
South Carolina requires drivers to have at least a minimum amount of car insurance, although most drivers need well over those minimum amounts in order to be fully protected. The coverage levels required by law are:
Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Coverage must equal liability limits ($25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
How to get cheap car insurance in South Carolina
Car insurance can be expensive, but there are some go-to tips for making sure you’re getting your most affordable rates.
Shop around. Not all insurance companies will charge the same amount even for the same coverage, so compare quotes before you buy
Look for discounts. Insurance companies offer lots of opportunities to save. These include safe driver discounts, good student discounts, and military discounts
Bundle policies. Get your auto and home insurance from the same company and save on both.
Find car insurance in your city:
Frequently asked questions
Does South Carolina require car insurance?
Drivers in South Carolina are required by law to have at least 25/50/25 levels of liability insurance, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
How much is car insurance per month in South Carolina?
Drivers in South Carolina pay an average of $168 per month for car insurance, which breaks down to $2,018 per year.
What happens if you don't have car insurance in South Carolina?
Uninsured motorists in South Carolina will be charged a $550 fee. Depending on the situation, they may also be expected to pay additional fines, reinstatement fees, or even serve time in jail.
Who has the cheapest rates in South Carolina?
American National has the cheapest average rate in South Carolina — by a lot. At $683 for a full coverage policy, they are well below the next closest competitor. Of course, low premiums sometimes come at a price, so do your homework and make sure you’re getting the coverage you need and the service you deserve.
