Cheap Car Insurance in South Carolina, October 2023

Auto insurance is an important purchase, but finding cheap car insurance in South Carolina isn’t always easy. The best way to find cheap car insurance is to compare rates from multiple insurers.

The cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina is American National at $596 per year on average, or $50 per month, according to the most recent NerdWallet analysis of full coverage car insurance rates in South Carolina. Meanwhile, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in South Carolina is $2,715 per year, or about $226 per month.

Minimum coverage in South Carolina is $965 per year on average, but we found you can likely get a cheaper policy. For example, American National offers the cheapest rates in South Carolina at $186 per year, on average, for minimum coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record.

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How we chose the cheapest companies in South Carolina

NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed car insurance rates from 15 auto insurers in South Carolina and listed the five cheapest options for drivers in several age brackets and with different histories, all driving a 2020 Toyota Camry L. For minimum coverage, we looked at rates that reflect the minimum requirements in South Carolina. For full coverage, we used the below 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 coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

Why you can trust NerdWallet

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which include rates from every locale in South Carolina where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

Cheapest for 20-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 20s may have to get a lot of quotes to find the best cheap car insurance. Prices can be sky-high for younger 20-somethings, but tend to come down as drivers get more experience on the road. Still, some companies routinely have better insurance rates for young drivers, so it's best to shop around to find them.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in South Carolina for 20-year-olds

Drivers in South Carolina with clean driving records may want to consider the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

American National: $1,181 per year, or about $98 per month.
Auto-Owners: $2,978 per year, or about $248 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $3,095 per year, or about $258 per month.
Travelers: $3,364 per year, or about $280 per month.
State Farm: $3,542 per year, or about $295 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in South Carolina for 20-year-olds

Drivers in South Carolina who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

American National: $439 per year, or about $37 per month.
Auto-Owners: $1,177 per year, or about $98 per month.
Travelers: $1,382 per year, or about $115 per month.
State Farm: $1,390 per year, or about $116 per month.
Allstate: $1,454 per year, or about $121 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 20-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in South Carolina should look at the following insurers with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

American National: $1,476 per year, or about $123 per month.
Allstate: $2,226 per year, or about $186 per month.
Travelers: $2,360 per year, or about $197 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,562 per year, or about $214 per month.
Progressive: $2,781 per year, or about $232 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 20-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in South Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

American National: $610 per year, or about $51 per month.
State Farm: $1,578 per year, or about $132 per month.
Travelers: $1,704 per year, or about $142 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,715 per year, or about $143 per month.
Auto-Owners: $1,733 per year, or about $144 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 20-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident in South Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

American National: $622 per year, or about $52 per month.
Auto-Owners: $1,605 per year, or about $134 per month.
Travelers: $1,769 per year, or about $147 per month.
State Farm: $1,859 per year, or about $155 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,933 per year, or about $161 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 20-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI is shown here, alongside the insurers' average rates for minimum coverage.

American National: $707 per year, or about $59 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,838 per year, or about $153 per month.
Travelers: $2,054 per year, or about $171 per month.
Progressive: $2,140 per year, or about $178 per month.
State Farm: $2,232 per year, or about $186 per month.

Cheapest for 30-year-old drivers

By the time they reach their 30s, most drivers will enjoy cheaper car insurance rates than in their teens and 20s. Still, factors like a person’s driving record and car make and model can increase prices. Drivers in their 30s can get lower rates by shopping around and taking advantage of any car insurance discounts.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in South Carolina for 30-year-olds

Drivers in South Carolina who want their state's minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

American National: $621 per year, or about $52 per month.
Auto-Owners: $1,539 per year, or about $128 per month.
State Farm: $1,774 per year, or about $148 per month.
Allstate: $1,977 per year, or about $165 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,980 per year, or about $165 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in South Carolina for 30-year-olds

Drivers in South Carolina who want their state's minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

American National: $190 per year, or about $16 per month.
Auto-Owners: $497 per year, or about $41 per month.
Allstate: $568 per year, or about $47 per month.
State Farm: $609 per year, or about $51 per month.
Encompass: $752 per year, or about $63 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 30-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in South Carolina should consider the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

American National: $2,091 per year, or about $174 per month.
Allstate: $3,236 per year, or about $270 per month.
State Farm: $3,376 per year, or about $281 per month.
Travelers: $3,550 per year, or about $296 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $3,586 per year, or about $299 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 30-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in South Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

American National: $260 per year, or about $22 per month.
State Farm: $698 per year, or about $58 per month.
Auto-Owners: $719 per year, or about $60 per month.
Allstate: $779 per year, or about $65 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $902 per year, or about $75 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 30-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers in South Carolina with a recent accident, here are the lowest average rate options for full coverage:

American National: $811 per year, or about $68 per month.
Auto-Owners: $1,969 per year, or about $164 per month.
State Farm: $2,269 per year, or about $189 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,505 per year, or about $209 per month.
Travelers: $2,689 per year, or about $224 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 30-year-old drivers after a DUI

For the cheapest auto insurance after a DUI, we found the following options for full coverage.

American National: $886 per year, or about $74 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,321 per year, or about $193 per month.
State Farm: $2,573 per year, or about $214 per month.
Auto-Owners: $2,911 per year, or about $243 per month.
Travelers: $2,980 per year, or about $248 per month.

Cheapest for 40-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 40s tend to have better insurance rates than their younger counterparts on average, but still pay more than older age groups. Shopping around for cheap car insurance quotes with multiple insurers is the best way to find lower rates. Good drivers who don’t get behind the wheel often might want to consider pay-per-mile insurance, which charges drivers by how many miles they drive.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in South Carolina for 40-year-olds

Drivers in South Carolina with clean driving records may want to think about the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

American National: $563 per year, or about $47 per month.
Auto-Owners: $1,514 per year, or about $126 per month.
State Farm: $1,753 per year, or about $146 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,818 per year, or about $152 per month.
Travelers: $1,876 per year, or about $156 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in South Carolina for 40-year-olds

Drivers in South Carolina who want just the minimum coverage may want to check prices from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

American National: $182 per year, or about $15 per month.
Auto-Owners: $495 per year, or about $41 per month.
Allstate: $568 per year, or about $47 per month.
State Farm: $622 per year, or about $52 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $697 per year, or about $58 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 40-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in South Carolina can check out the following insurers with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

American National: $1,895 per year, or about $158 per month.
Travelers: $3,187 per year, or about $266 per month.
Allstate: $3,236 per year, or about $270 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $3,307 per year, or about $276 per month.
State Farm: $3,327 per year, or about $277 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 40-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in South Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

American National: $248 per year, or about $21 per month.
State Farm: $712 per year, or about $59 per month.
Auto-Owners: $715 per year, or about $60 per month.
Allstate: $779 per year, or about $65 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $812 per year, or about $68 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 40-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in South Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

American National: $728 per year, or about $61 per month.
Auto-Owners: $1,935 per year, or about $161 per month.
State Farm: $2,241 per year, or about $187 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,287 per year, or about $191 per month.
Travelers: $2,571 per year, or about $214 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 40-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest full coverage auto insurance we found for drivers with a DUI came from the following companies.

American National: $794 per year, or about $66 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,120 per year, or about $177 per month.
State Farm: $2,545 per year, or about $212 per month.
Main Street America: $2,837 per year, or about $236 per month.
Travelers: $2,853 per year, or about $238 per month.

Cheapest for 50-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 50s have cheaper car insurance rates than most other age groups on average. Prices will continue to drop as they inch toward their 60s and gain more driving experience. Rates can still vary depending on other factors such as a driver’s gender and location, so it’s smart to shop around to find the best rate. Our list of cheap auto insurance companies is a good place to start.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in South Carolina for 50-year-olds

Drivers in South Carolina with clean driving records may want to get quotes from these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

American National: $544 per year, or about $45 per month.
Auto-Owners: $1,450 per year, or about $121 per month.
State Farm: $1,718 per year, or about $143 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,765 per year, or about $147 per month.
Allstate: $1,799 per year, or about $150 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in South Carolina for 50-year-olds

Drivers in South Carolina who opt for the state minimum coverage may want to consider the following companies, with the lowest average rates:

American National: $171 per year, or about $14 per month.
Auto-Owners: $468 per year, or about $39 per month.
Allstate: $528 per year, or about $44 per month.
Encompass: $596 per year, or about $50 per month.
State Farm: $617 per year, or about $51 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 50-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in South Carolina can check with the following companies, which showed the lowest average rates for full coverage:

American National: $1,833 per year, or about $153 per month.
Allstate: $2,930 per year, or about $244 per month.
Travelers: $3,139 per year, or about $262 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $3,216 per year, or about $268 per month.
State Farm: $3,256 per year, or about $271 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 50-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in South Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

American National: $233 per year, or about $19 per month.
Auto-Owners: $674 per year, or about $56 per month.
State Farm: $706 per year, or about $59 per month.
Allstate: $725 per year, or about $60 per month.
Encompass: $767 per year, or about $64 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 50-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers living in South Carolina with a recent accident, here are the insurers with the lowest average full coverage rates:

American National: $701 per year, or about $58 per month.
Auto-Owners: $1,847 per year, or about $154 per month.
State Farm: $2,201 per year, or about $183 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,214 per year, or about $184 per month.
Encompass: $2,510 per year, or about $209 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 50-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found for drivers with a recent DUI comes from the following companies, listed with rates for full coverage.

American National: $764 per year, or about $64 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,054 per year, or about $171 per month.
State Farm: $2,501 per year, or about $208 per month.
Progressive: $2,686 per year, or about $224 per month.
Auto-Owners: $2,709 per year, or about $226 per month.

Cheapest for 60-year-old drivers

Although 60-year-olds have cheaper car insurance rates than many other age groups on average, prices will start increasing as they get older. To find cheap car insurance for seniors, drivers in their 60s should make sure to shop around to find the best rate. Drivers in this age group should also take advantage of any available discounts for senior citizens.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in South Carolina for 60-year-olds

Drivers in South Carolina with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

American National: $518 per year, or about $43 per month.
Auto-Owners: $1,414 per year, or about $118 per month.
State Farm: $1,640 per year, or about $137 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,643 per year, or about $137 per month.
Travelers: $1,711 per year, or about $143 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in South Carolina for 60-year-olds

Drivers in South Carolina who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

American National: $171 per year, or about $14 per month.
Auto-Owners: $459 per year, or about $38 per month.
Allstate: $539 per year, or about $45 per month.
State Farm: $591 per year, or about $49 per month.
Encompass: $596 per year, or about $50 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 60-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in South Carolina can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

American National: $1,747 per year, or about $146 per month.
Travelers: $2,894 per year, or about $241 per month.
Allstate: $2,931 per year, or about $244 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $3,005 per year, or about $250 per month.
State Farm: $3,084 per year, or about $257 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 60-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in South Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

American National: $233 per year, or about $19 per month.
Auto-Owners: $663 per year, or about $55 per month.
State Farm: $677 per year, or about $56 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $726 per year, or about $60 per month.
Allstate: $740 per year, or about $62 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 60-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in South Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

American National: $671 per year, or about $56 per month.
Auto-Owners: $1,803 per year, or about $150 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,049 per year, or about $171 per month.
State Farm: $2,101 per year, or about $175 per month.
Travelers: $2,466 per year, or about $205 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 60-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for full coverage.

American National: $732 per year, or about $61 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,902 per year, or about $159 per month.
State Farm: $2,384 per year, or about $199 per month.
Progressive: $2,607 per year, or about $217 per month.
Auto-Owners: $2,649 per year, or about $221 per month.

Cheapest for 70-year-old drivers

Car insurance costs may start to rise for 70-year-old drivers. To find the cheapest possible coverage, shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies. Also, look for insurers that offer discounts for seniors. For example, some insurers offer discounts to senior drivers who take a defensive driving course.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in South Carolina for 70-year-olds

Drivers in South Carolina with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

American National: $598 per year, or about $50 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,602 per year, or about $134 per month.
Auto-Owners: $1,603 per year, or about $134 per month.
State Farm: $1,690 per year, or about $141 per month.
Allstate: $1,886 per year, or about $157 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in South Carolina for 70-year-olds

Drivers in South Carolina who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

American National: $232 per year, or about $19 per month.
Auto-Owners: $571 per year, or about $48 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $606 per year, or about $51 per month.
State Farm: $623 per year, or about $52 per month.
Allstate: $625 per year, or about $52 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 70-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in South Carolina can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

American National: $2,014 per year, or about $168 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,935 per year, or about $245 per month.
Allstate: $3,023 per year, or about $252 per month.
State Farm: $3,195 per year, or about $266 per month.
Travelers: $3,341 per year, or about $278 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 70-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in South Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

American National: $319 per year, or about $27 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $706 per year, or about $59 per month.
State Farm: $712 per year, or about $59 per month.
Encompass: $815 per year, or about $68 per month.
Auto-Owners: $828 per year, or about $69 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 70-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in South Carolina, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

American National: $789 per year, or about $66 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,995 per year, or about $166 per month.
Auto-Owners: $2,072 per year, or about $173 per month.
State Farm: $2,174 per year, or about $181 per month.
Encompass: $2,615 per year, or about $218 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina for 70-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for full coverage.

American National: $865 per year, or about $72 per month.
South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,852 per year, or about $154 per month.
State Farm: $2,478 per year, or about $207 per month.
Progressive: $3,080 per year, or about $257 per month.
Auto-Owners: $3,123 per year, or about $260 per month.

Cheapest car insurance for military families

If you're an active member of the military or a veteran — or have an immediate family member who is — chances are you'll get a relatively cheap rate with USAA, a company that isn't available to the general public.

Because of that restriction, USAA isn't ranked with the others, but it was among the cheapest three auto insurance options for 70 of the 70 driver profiles we examined.

» MORE: Best car insurance for veterans and military

Minimum auto insurance limits required in South Carolina

South Carolina drivers are required to carry liability coverage, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UMBI) and uninsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD).

Here are the minimum amounts of insurance coverage needed to drive legally:

$25,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$50,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$25,000 property damage liability per accident.
$25,000 UMBI per person.
$50,000 UMBI per accident.
$25,000 UMPD per accident.

Liability car insurance covers the cost of any damage, injuries or deaths you cause in a car accident, up to your policy’s predefined limits.

Uninsured motorist coverage will cover expenses from injuries or damage after an accident with a driver who doesn’t have car insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage will cover the same expenses if you’re hit by a driver with some car insurance, but not enough to cover all costs from the crash.

Although these limits will satisfy legal requirements, it’s wise for most drivers to get more than the bare coverage. The minimum car insurance might not be enough to fully cover accident costs, and the remaining balance would have to come out of your own pocket.

Visit NerdWallet’s guide to car insurance requirements by state for more detail on how coverage works.

Alternative car insurance in South Carolina

Drivers who’ve been denied car insurance on the voluntary market within the past 60 days may qualify for coverage under the Associated Auto Insurers Plan of South Carolina. This option helps drivers who have checkered driving histories, extremely poor credit or other factors preventing them from getting traditional auto coverage.

NerdWallet can make it easy to find coverage at the most competitive price. Use our car insurance comparison tool to view rates from top insurers.

Methodology

For our “good driver” profile, NerdWallet averaged insurance estimates for single male and female drivers with good credit and no tickets or violations. The analysis included 5-10 of the largest insurance companies in each state; smaller insurers were also included when rates were available. Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries were excluded from our analysis as rates were not available.

For full coverage policies, we used the following 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 coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. Some policies include additional coverages at the insurer’s discretion.

We used a 2020 Toyota Camry L for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.

We analyzed rates for drivers 20 to 70 years old in ten-year increments. For the average cost of full and minimum coverage in each state, we looked at 35-year-old drivers.

We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:

For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect the minimum required coverage by law in the state.
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.

We looked at 35-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company overall, the cheapest company for minimum coverage and the cheapest company for drivers with poor credit in states where credit history is used to price rates. We looked at 20-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company for young drivers.

These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different. Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.