Average Cost of Car Insurance in South Carolina for 2025
Quick Answer
Car insurance in South Carolina costs $3,312 annually or $276 per month. However, your driving record, age, credit and the car you drive can all affect the cost of car insurance in South Carolina.
The average cost of car insurance in South Carolina is $3,312 annually or $276 per month, according to Experian data from January 2025 and based on policies sold through our automotive insurance marketplace.
Here are the average premium costs for full and minimum coverage car insurance in South Carolina:
| Type of Coverage | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full coverage | $3,144 | $262 |
| Minimum coverage | $2,313 | $193 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
South Carolina requires drivers to carry:
- Minimum bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Minimum property damage liability coverage of $25,000 per accident
- Minimum uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for property damage
- Uninsured motorist coverage, which typically has a $200 deductible
However, minimum coverage auto insurance may not be enough to protect you financially in case of an accident. In addition, you typically need full coverage car insurance if your car is financed or leased. Full coverage adds collision and comprehensive coverage, which kicks in if the vehicle is damaged.
Car insurance companies in South Carolina are legally required to offer you underinsured motorist coverage (which is different from the required uninsured motorist coverage). This kicks in if you're involved in an accident but the other driver's insurance isn't adequate to compensate you for damages or injuries. Although you're not required to buy underinsured motorist insurance in South Carolina, insurance experts generally recommend buying it to protect yourself.
Keep in mind your actual cost for car insurance in South Carolina will vary based on factors such as:
- Age (younger drivers usually pay more)
- Gender (men typically pay more than women)
- Where you live (car insurance premiums may be higher in areas with high auto theft rates or a high frequency of accidents)
- The vehicle you're insuring (new cars cost more to insure than used cars)
- Your driving record (violations and incidents usually increase your premiums)
While our average costs are good general estimates when shopping for car insurance in South Carolina, the price you pay may differ. To find the best rate, take some time to compare insurance quotes from several insurers before purchasing an auto insurance policy.
How Are Car Insurance Costs Trending?
Does it feel like your car insurance rates are rising in South Carolina? That's happening nationwide. Across the U.S., auto insurance costs have risen in recent years due to a variety of factors, including higher costs for new vehicles, auto parts and repairs. In addition, increasingly serious auto accidents are leading to higher insurance payouts and a growing incidence of costly lawsuits. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events means more comprehensive insurance claims from vehicles damaged by fires, floods, hurricanes and severe storms.
As the chart below shows, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in the U.S. has risen by 30.46% since March 2023, while average cost of minimum coverage auto insurance has increased by 15.45% nationwide.
Average Annual Auto Insurance Premiums, 2023-2025
If you're not satisfied with the price you're paying for auto insurance in South Carolina, comparing car insurance quotes from other insurance companies might help you find the same coverage for less. Experian's free car insurance comparison tool is a convenient way to collect and compare quotes from top South Carolina insurance carriers at once.
Average South Carolina Car Insurance Rates by City
Your location within South Carolina can have a major impact on the amount you pay for car insurance because not all regions of South Carolina pose the same risks to drivers and vehicles. Crowded city areas may have higher rates of auto theft; coastal areas could be more vulnerable to tropical storms, both of which could lead to comprehensive car insurance claims to repair damaged or stolen vehicles. The cost of automotive repairs and medical care may be higher in some South Carolina cities than in others, potentially driving auto insurance premiums higher.
As the chart below shows, the average cost of car insurance in some of South Carolina's most populous cities can vary widely depending on the location.
| City | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach | $2,367 |
| Greenville | $2,430 |
| Charleston | $3,098 |
| Columbia | $3,162 |
| Summerville | $3,197 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Top cities are ranked by those with highest policy count
Average South Carolina Car Insurance Rates by Age and Gender
Both your gender and your age can affect the cost of auto insurance in South Carolina, where insurers are legally allowed to consider both factors in setting premiums. Because women are statistically less apt to have major car accidents or get DUIs, according to the Insurance Information Institute, they may pay less for auto insurance. However, that's not the case in South Carolina, where women pay slightly more than men for car insurance.
| Gender | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Male | $3,195 | $266 |
| Female | $3,279 | $273 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Costs above are a blended average of full and minimum coverage policies
The impact of gender on car insurance premiums is more pronounced when age is factored into the equation. In general, younger drivers, particularly men, pay higher premiums than older drivers because younger drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in auto accidents.
However, as you get older, your auto insurance rates typically start dropping—sometimes dramatically, as the chart below shows. Car insurance premiums generally decrease steadily until you reach your mid-70s, at which point they usually move upwards again.
| Age | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | $3,307 | $3,717 |
| 20-29 | $2,642 | $2,683 |
| 30-39 | $2,436 | $2,252 |
| 40-49 | $2,327 | $2,141 |
| 50-59 | $1,983 | $1,942 |
| 60-69 | $1,660 | $1,669 |
| 70-79 | $1,628 | $1,758 |
| 80 or above | $1,701 | $1,894 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Costs above are a blended average of full and minimum coverage policies
How Your Driving Record Impacts Your Insurance Costs in South Carolina
Being a safe driver can help reduce your risk of being involved in accidents or getting traffic citations. This can pay off in lower insurance premiums. Conversely, insurance carriers may consider you a high-risk driver if your driving record includes moving violations or accidents (even fender-benders where you weren't at fault).
To compensate for the increased risk, your carrier may raise your insurance premiums. Multiple car accidents or serious infractions like DUIs will have a bigger impact on your auto insurance premiums and could even prompt your insurer to cancel your coverage.
The chart below shows how the number and severity of infractions on your driving record could affect your insurance costs in South Carolina. Incidents include things like traffic accidents or insurance claims; violations include moving violations, such as speeding tickets.
| Driving Record | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 Incident | $2,838 |
| 1 Violation | $3,318 |
| 2 Incidents | $2,795 |
| 2 Violations | $3,336 |
| 3+ Incidents | $3,117 |
| 3+ Violations | $3,897 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Costs above are a blended average of full and minimum coverage policies
Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina
Factors such as your vehicle, driving record and age can greatly impact the price you pay for auto insurance, but these aren't the only elements that may affect your premiums. Because each car insurance company uses its own method to determine premiums, the cost of car insurance can vary widely depending on the carrier you choose.
Because of these variations, shopping around to compare quotes from several different insurance companies is a good way to find the most affordable auto insurance for your needs. The table below shows the cheapest full coverage auto insurance among the insurance carriers that sell the most policies in South Carolina.
| Carrier | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $2,256 | $188 |
| Root | $2,625 | $219 |
| SAFECO | $2,661 | $222 |
| GEICO | $2,891 | $241 |
| National General | $3,270 | $272 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Costs above represent insurance quotes, not policy premiums
We can't know exactly how each insurance company determines its prices. Typically, however, factors such as the carrier's projected operating costs, estimated claims payouts, risk tolerance and profitability goals play important roles. An insurance carrier with higher overhead expenses might charge more than one with lower overhead costs, for example.
How to Save on Car Insurance in South Carolina
No one wants to pay more than necessary for car insurance. Fortunately, when you're shopping for car insurance in South Carolina, there are several steps you can take to save money on your coverage.
Raise Your Deductible
Your deductible is the amount you're responsible for paying when you file a car insurance claim. Typically, insurance companies let you choose a deductible between $250 and $2,000. A higher deductible usually translates to lower auto insurance premiums. Just make sure you can afford to pay the higher deductible if you ever need to file a claim. Assess the state of your emergency fund and your other financial resources. You can ask your insurance carrier to show you how different deductibles would affect your premiums.
Look for Discounts
See if your current car insurance provider offers any discounts you aren't using; they may have introduced new ways to save since you bought your policy. Then look at other providers' websites to see what discounts they offer. You might be surprised what savings are available.
For instance, you can often save money on car insurance by bundling home and auto insurance, paying your premium upfront, eliminating paper bills or setting up automatic payments. Some companies offer discounts for signing insurance documents online or getting your quotes online.
If you have a high school or college student on your policy, maintaining good grades or being away at school without a car could qualify them for a discount. And don't forget to check whether your employer or any membership groups you belong to offer discounts on car insurance.
Drop Extra Coverage
There are some types of auto insurance that are nice to have but not essential—and could be expendable when you're looking for ways to save. These include add-ons such as rental car reimbursement, windshield replacement or roadside assistance, for example. Consider whether you really need the coverage and weigh the potential savings against the cost of paying for the service out of pocket.
You may also want to consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage if your car is paid off and isn't worth very much. Collision and comprehensive coverage won't pay out more than the vehicle's value; if that's only a few thousand dollars, the coverage may not be worth the cost. Just make sure you could afford to replace or repair your vehicle out of pocket if it's totaled.
Drive Less
The more miles you drive, the more likely you are to be involved in a car accident. Driving less can help reduce this risk, which is why insurance carriers may offer discounts if you drive fewer than 12,000 miles annually. If you're looking for ways to reduce your insurance bill, look for ways to reduce your mileage. This might include walking, taking public transportation, carpooling, biking or working remotely from home if it's practical.
Typically, low-mileage car insurance options involve tracking your mileage through self-reported or third-party odometer readings or via devices installed in your vehicle. Another option is pay-per-mile car insurance. This type of coverage charges you a monthly base rate plus a per-mile charge for each additional mile you drive.
Be a Safe Driver
A clean driving record with no citations or accidents can help reduce your insurance premiums, so it's important to practice safe driving habits. If you do have an incident or receive a citation for a moving violation, investigate options for removing these negative marks from your motor vehicle record. Some auto insurance companies even give discounts if you complete a defensive driving or safe driving course.
Improve Your Credit
It's legal in South Carolina for insurance companies to review your credit-based insurance score when they're setting your premiums. A poor credit-based insurance score could lead to paying higher rates for car insurance. Taking steps to improve your consumer credit score could positively impact your credit-based insurance score, potentially saving you money on auto insurance.
Shop Around
Could you be paying less for car insurance? You'll never know unless you shop around. Comparing quotes from several different insurance carriers could help you find lower rates on auto insurance, so you should make a point of exploring your options at least once a year. You can get auto insurance quotes by visiting insurance company websites or by contacting insurance companies directly.
For a more convenient way to investigate your options, try using Experian's free car insurance comparison tool. It gathers auto insurance quotes from multiple top insurance companies in South Carolina in one place, making it easy to see which provider offers the lowest rates.
Methodology
This analysis is based on a review of auto insurance policies and quotes provided through Experian's insurance marketplace. Policy premium and quote averages are based on driver data across all genders and ages unless otherwise noted.
Experian's insurance marketplace matches users with auto insurance coverage from more than 30 carriers across 50 states and Washington, D.C.
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About the author
Karen Axelton
Karen Axelton specializes in writing about business and entrepreneurship. She has created content for companies including American Express, Bank of America, MetLife, Amazon, Cox Media, Intel, Intuit, Microsoft and Xerox.
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