Auto Insurance in South Carolina

South Carolina average car insurance rates are well below the national average for both basic state required minimum coverage and full coverage policies. Uninsured Motorists at 10.9% is below the US average as well. However, the ratio of alcohol related traffic deaths in this state is relatively high. The Palmetto State’s vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes contributes to its frequent rainy days and subsequent rain-related car accidents. This leads to the state having one of the highest ratios of fatal crashes caused by rain in the country.

Pictures of South Carolina

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in SC

South Carolinians are required to buy the following Liability coverage;

  • $25,000 for bodily injury per person.
  • $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident.
  • $25,000 for property damage.

They also must have Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) and Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage with the following minimum limits:

  • UMBI: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
  • UMPD: $25,000 with a $200 deductible

Average Cost of Car Insurance in South Carolina

The average state required minimum coverage costs $524 and it is $98 cheaper than the US average. For full coverage auto insurance, the average cost is $1,532, which is $482 lower than the US average. The basic liability only coverage costs $1,008 less than the full coverage in this state on average. It is a lot of money but the level of protection offered is significantly different as well. Full coverage vehicle insurance policies not only include Collision and Comprehensive coverage for your automobile but also often comes with higher Liability limits.

Affordable Vehicle Insurance Companies in SC

Begin your quest for the most affordable rates with the following carriers, as they provide the lowest prices and a diverse range of options. However, don’t stop there – explore several other auto insurance providers as well. It’s possible that you might come across a more favorable deal elsewhere.

  1. Auto-Owners
  2. State Farm
  3. Geico
  4. Farm Bureau
  5. Travelers

In this state, car insurance premiums show a consistent pattern across its cities. They tend to cluster around the state average, without any city standing out as significantly cheaper or notably more expensive.

Important South Carolina Car Insurance and Driving Facts

  1. Automobile insurers in South Carolina are prohibited from imposing a deductible for the repair or replacement of windshields and other safety glass.
  2. You have 45 days to transfer your vehicle insurance and registration to South Carolina when you move here from another state. And you have 90 days to transfer your out-of-state licence to SC driver license.
  3. Based on drunk, careless, distracted driving patterns and ratio of accidents, South Carolina has one of the top ten worst drivers in the country.
  4. According to Experian, South Carolina has one of the lowest average credit scores in the country at 693.
  5. And vehicle insurance providers factor in credit history when determining premiums. According to Forbes, individuals with poor credit in this state experience an average of 60% higher auto insurance rates. Amazingly, having bad credit carries a more significant impact on rates in SC compared to having a DUI on your driving record, which leads to an average premium increase of 49%.
  6. When you cancel your vehicle insurance in South Carolina, insurers notify the SCDMV. If you lack insurance and fail to verify coverage within 20 days, your driving privileges, license plate, and vehicle registration can be suspended, requiring up to a $400 reinstatement fee. Surrendering your plate and registration before canceling insurance prevents penalties. Driving without insurance results in a 30-day license suspension and a $100 fee for non-owned vehicles. For owned vehicles, a $600 fee needed for license and registration reinstatement. Also, your insurers need to submit a SR-22 Certificate of Insurance filing for 3 years.
  7. In South Carolina, insurance fraud penalties vary based on the amount involved. Fraud under $10,000 is a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 and three years in jail. Fraud exceeding $10,000 is a felony, carrying up to 10 years in jail and fines up to $100,000.
  8. The most common vehicle insurance claims in SC are rear-end collisions, windshield problems, and parked vehicle damage. Vandalism, hail damage, and single-car crashes are also prevalent claims, as reported by protectiveagency.com.

Explore South Carolina’s scenic drives and historical roads with peace of mind by securing a sufficient auto insurance policy. By qualifying for discounts and comparing deals, you can potentially avoid high premiums.