Fact CheckedNerdy takeaways
American National is the cheapest insurer for minimum coverage in South Carolina, with an average rate of $280 per year, according to NerdWallet's October 2025 analysis.
On average, car insurance in South Carolina costs an average of $2,449 per year for full coverage, or $712 for minimum coverage.
The cheapest car insurance company for drivers in South Carolina with an accident on their records is American National, with an average rate of $1,140 per year.
- 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.
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Cheap car insurance in South Carolina by coverage
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed car insurance rates from 13 companies to find which one is cheapest for different drivers in South Carolina.
Even though American National often has the best car insurance rates in South Carolina, on average, there’s not really one insurer that’s the cheapest for everyone. Instead, the cheapest company for you depends on your age, driving record and the amount of coverage you get.
When choosing a car insurance company, make sure the insurer you pick has the coverage options you need. You don’t want to buy a policy and find out later that you’re underinsured.
Check out the number of complaints an insurer receives, too. Make sure your insurer has a good reputation for handling claims fairly and quickly.
- Cheapest for full coverage
If you have a car loan or lease, you’ll probably have to get full coverage. This isn't a type of car insurance, but a policy that has comprehensive and collision coverage, in addition to the different types of insurance that South Carolina requires. Full coverage insurance pays for damage that’s caused by animals, weather, falling objects and theft, along with other potential sources.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $880 $73 Travelers $1,818 $152 Auto-Owners $1,958 $163 Progressive $2,137 $178 Allstate $2,428 $202 Rates refreshed October 2025.
- Cheapest for liability coverage
Drivers in South Carolina are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage to drive legally. Liability insurance pays for other people’s injuries and property damage that you’re responsible for, while uninsured motorist coverage pays for damage to your car caused by someone without insurance.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $280 $23 Allstate $561 $47 GEICO $575 $48 Travelers $676 $56 Progressive $689 $57 Rates refreshed October 2025.
- Minimum car insurance requirements 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 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.
What’s the downside of having only minimum coverage?
Minimum coverage is cheaper than full coverage because it has less insurance protection. Although it’s cheaper, minimum coverage leaves you open to large out-of-pocket costs after an accident that you cause. You may have to repair or replace your own car, normally the job of full coverage. If you drive a new car, or a car that you couldn’t afford to replace on your own, you’ll want a full coverage policy.
It’s also a good idea to buy more liability insurance than the amount South Carolina requires, as long as you can afford it. Otherwise, if you cause a serious accident, you may be responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in medical and legal expenses. If you’re not sure whether you can afford a policy with more coverage, check out our list of the companies with the cheapest full coverage insurance.
Cheapest car insurance in South Carolina by age
Your age has a lot to do with the cost of car insurance. Insurers generally charge younger, newly licensed drivers more than older, more experienced drivers. Car insurance is often most expensive for drivers who are in their teens and early 20s.
As you get older and gain more experience driving, it’s important to compare car insurance quotes to make sure you’re not paying more than you have to.
- Cheapest for young drivers
American National has the cheapest car insurance rates for young drivers in South Carolina. While it’s hardest for newly licensed drivers to find affordable rates, the good news for many teen drivers (and their parents) is that car insurance is much cheaper for a new driver who’s added to an existing policy than for one who gets a standalone policy.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $1,743 $145 Travelers $3,075 $256 Auto-Owners $3,336 $278 Progressive $3,887 $324 South Carolina Farm Bureau $4,056 $338 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $662 $55 Travelers $1,120 $93 GEICO $1,223 $102 Progressive $1,369 $114 Auto-Owners $1,482 $124 These are median rates for 20-year-old drivers who get their own standalone policy, according to our October 2025 analysis. A driver who’s added to an existing policy may have cheaper rates.
- Cheapest for millennial drivers
The cheapest full coverage car insurance in South Carolina for millennial drivers is American National. It’s much easier to find cheaper car insurance once drivers are in their 30s. Still, if you can’t find coverage you can afford, see if you qualify for any car insurance discounts, especially if you recently bought a house or second car and qualify for a bundling or multi-vehicle discount.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $913 $76 Travelers $1,858 $155 Auto-Owners $1,967 $164 Progressive $2,266 $189 Allstate $2,428 $202 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $288 $24 Allstate $561 $47 GEICO $597 $50 Travelers $678 $57 Progressive $720 $60 These are median rates for 30-year-old drivers, according to our October 2025 analysis.
- Cheapest for Gen X drivers
On average, American National has the cheapest full coverage car insurance for Gen X drivers in South Carolina. It’s relatively easy for drivers in their 40s and 50s to find cheap coverage, as car insurance rates at this age are much lower than they are for younger drivers.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $796 $66 Travelers $1,658 $138 Progressive $1,709 $142 Auto-Owners $1,812 $151 Allstate $2,225 $185 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $256 $21 Allstate $518 $43 GEICO $531 $44 Progressive $630 $53 Travelers $633 $53 These are median rates for 50-year-old drivers, according to our October 2025 analysis.
- Cheapest for senior drivers
American National has the cheapest full coverage car insurance for senior-aged drivers in South Carolina. While car insurance tends to get more expensive once you’re in your 70s, rates for most people will still be relatively low compared to other age ranges.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $862 $72 Progressive $1,632 $136 Travelers $1,720 $143 Auto-Owners $2,068 $172 South Carolina Farm Bureau $2,152 $179 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $350 $29 Allstate $559 $47 Progressive $655 $55 Travelers $710 $59 GEICO $743 $62 These are median rates for 70-year-old drivers, according to our October 2025 analysis.
🤓Nerdy TipSome insurers offer drivers a discount for completing an approved driving safety class. You may be able to qualify for this discount by completing an approved driving course with an organization like AAA, AARP or the National Safety Council.
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Cheapest car insurance in South Carolina after a driving violation
Your car insurance rates are likely to go up after a driving violation, like an at-fault accident, speeding ticket or DUI. Depending on your driving record, you may want to compare rates from companies that are known for offering high-risk drivers car insurance.
- Cheapest after a speeding ticket
American National has the cheapest full coverage car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket. Although your rates are likely to rise if you have a recent speeding ticket on your record, you may be able to find a cheaper policy after a few years of safe driving.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $1,112 $93 Travelers $2,251 $188 Auto-Owners $2,675 $223 South Carolina Farm Bureau $2,707 $226 Progressive $2,868 $239 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $382 $32 GEICO $677 $56 Allstate $698 $58 Travelers $808 $67 Progressive $901 $75 Rates refreshed October 2025.
- Cheapest after an at-fault accident
After an accident, American National has the cheapest full coverage car insurance rates in South Carolina. At-fault accidents will almost always increase what you pay, but by comparing quotes it’s still possible to find relatively cheap car insurance rates after an accident.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $1,140 $95 Travelers $2,328 $194 Auto-Owners $2,542 $212 South Carolina Farm Bureau $3,142 $262 Progressive $3,169 $264 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $394 $33 GEICO $806 $67 Travelers $850 $71 Allstate $999 $83 Auto-Owners $1,030 $86 Rates refreshed October 2025.
- Cheapest after a DUI
The company in South Carolina with the cheapest full coverage car insurance after a DUI is American National.
It’s even more important for you to compare your rates to avoid overpaying for coverage if you have a DUI. Full coverage from the insurer with the cheapest rates after a DUI costs $1,244 per year, on average — much less per year than the same coverage from another insurer.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $1,244 $104 Travelers $2,526 $211 Progressive $2,732 $228 South Carolina Farm Bureau $2,904 $242 Auto-Owners $3,926 $327 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American National $440 $37 Travelers $932 $78 Progressive $941 $78 South Carolina Farm Bureau $1,075 $90 GEICO $1,373 $114 Rates refreshed October 2025.
🤓Nerdy TipIf your record is making it too difficult to find car insurance in South Carolina, and you’ve been denied car insurance on the voluntary market within the past 60 days, you might be able to get coverage through the Associated Auto Insurers Plan of South Carolina. If you qualify, this program will match you to a participating insurer in the state.
Cheapest car insurance in South Carolina by credit history
Like most states, South Carolina allows insurers to consider your credit-based insurance score when determining your car insurance rates. While your credit-based insurance score is not the same as your financial credit score, you might still be able to build your credit (and get lower insurance rates) by regularly paying down your credit card and loan balances.
On average, American National has the cheapest full coverage car insurance for drivers in South Carolina who have poor credit.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| American National | $2,962 | $247 |
| Travelers | $3,049 | $254 |
| Progressive | $3,458 | $288 |
| Allstate | $4,016 | $335 |
| Nationwide | $4,247 | $354 |
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $834 | $69 |
| American National | $940 | $78 |
| Progressive | $971 | $81 |
| Travelers | $1,105 | $92 |
| GEICO | $1,142 | $95 |
Rates refreshed October 2025.
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Cheapest car insurance for military families in South Carolina
USAA
- High customer satisfaction ratings.
- One-stop shop for insurance as well as banking and investing products.
- Policies available in all states and Washington, D.C.
- Available to active military, veterans and their families only.
If you’re a current or former member of the military — or someone in your family is — or you’re employed by certain federal agencies, USAA might be your best bet for finding cheap car insurance in South Carolina.
We didn’t rank USAA with the other companies on this page because it’s not available to the general public, but it’s still one of the best and cheapest auto insurance companies that we’ve reviewed.
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 2022 Toyota Camry LE for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.
We analyzed rates for drivers 20 to 70 years old in 10-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.
