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 $698 per year on average, or $58 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 $2,291 per year, or about $191 per month.
Minimum coverage in South Carolina is $739 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 $215 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 14 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: $1,370 per year, or about $114 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $3,276 per year, or about $273 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $3,620 per year, or about $302 per month.
- Travelers: $3,855 per year, or about $321 per month.
- Progressive: $3,868 per year, or about $322 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: $502 per year, or about $42 per month.
- Geico: $1,144 per year, or about $95 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $1,249 per year, or about $104 per month.
- Travelers: $1,324 per year, or about $110 per month.
- Allstate: $1,328 per year, or about $111 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: $1,694 per year, or about $141 per month.
- Allstate: $1,863 per year, or about $155 per month.
- Progressive: $2,052 per year, or about $171 per month.
- Travelers: $2,267 per year, or about $189 per month.
- Geico: $2,316 per year, or about $193 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: $698 per year, or about $58 per month.
- Geico: $1,224 per year, or about $102 per month.
- Allstate: $1,587 per year, or about $132 per month.
- Travelers: $1,642 per year, or about $137 per month.
- Progressive: $1,644 per year, or about $137 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: $722 per year, or about $60 per month.
- Geico: $1,360 per year, or about $113 per month.
- Progressive: $1,685 per year, or about $140 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $1,704 per year, or about $142 per month.
- Travelers: $1,735 per year, or about $145 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: $810 per year, or about $68 per month.
- Progressive: $1,645 per year, or about $137 per month.
- Geico: $1,753 per year, or about $146 per month.
- Travelers: $1,971 per year, or about $164 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,069 per year, or about $172 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: $722 per year, or about $60 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $1,679 per year, or about $140 per month.
- Main Street America: $1,756 per year, or about $146 per month.
- Allstate: $2,110 per year, or about $176 per month.
- Progressive: $2,257 per year, or about $188 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: $220 per year, or about $18 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $531 per year, or about $44 per month.
- Allstate: $568 per year, or about $47 per month.
- Geico: $597 per year, or about $50 per month.
- Main Street America: $698 per year, or about $58 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: $2,430 per year, or about $203 per month.
- Main Street America: $2,473 per year, or about $206 per month.
- Allstate: $3,481 per year, or about $290 per month.
- Progressive: $3,655 per year, or about $305 per month.
- Nationwide: $4,071 per year, or about $339 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: $300 per year, or about $25 per month.
- Allstate: $697 per year, or about $58 per month.
- Main Street America: $698 per year, or about $58 per month.
- Geico: $704 per year, or about $59 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $757 per year, or about $63 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: $943 per year, or about $79 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $2,116 per year, or about $176 per month.
- Main Street America: $2,857 per year, or about $238 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,970 per year, or about $247 per month.
- Travelers: $3,121 per year, or about $260 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: $1,032 per year, or about $86 per month.
- Progressive: $2,708 per year, or about $226 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,744 per year, or about $229 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $3,163 per year, or about $264 per month.
- Travelers: $3,408 per year, or about $284 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: $653 per year, or about $54 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $1,647 per year, or about $137 per month.
- Main Street America: $1,756 per year, or about $146 per month.
- Progressive: $2,061 per year, or about $172 per month.
- Allstate: $2,110 per year, or about $176 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: $208 per year, or about $17 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $528 per year, or about $44 per month.
- Geico: $566 per year, or about $47 per month.
- Allstate: $568 per year, or about $47 per month.
- Main Street America: $698 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: $2,200 per year, or about $183 per month.
- Main Street America: $2,473 per year, or about $206 per month.
- Progressive: $3,358 per year, or about $280 per month.
- Allstate: $3,481 per year, or about $290 per month.
- Travelers: $3,740 per year, or about $312 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: $285 per year, or about $24 per month.
- Geico: $664 per year, or about $55 per month.
- Allstate: $697 per year, or about $58 per month.
- Main Street America: $698 per year, or about $58 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $754 per year, or about $63 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: $842 per year, or about $70 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $2,078 per year, or about $173 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,714 per year, or about $226 per month.
- Main Street America: $2,857 per year, or about $238 per month.
- Progressive: $2,973 per year, or about $248 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: $920 per year, or about $77 per month.
- Progressive: $2,506 per year, or about $209 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,514 per year, or about $209 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $3,102 per year, or about $259 per month.
- Travelers: $3,252 per year, or about $271 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: $630 per year, or about $53 per month.
- Main Street America: $1,508 per year, or about $126 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $1,574 per year, or about $131 per month.
- Progressive: $1,904 per year, or about $159 per month.
- Allstate: $1,932 per year, or about $161 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: $194 per year, or about $16 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $498 per year, or about $42 per month.
- Allstate: $523 per year, or about $44 per month.
- Geico: $531 per year, or about $44 per month.
- Main Street America: $593 per year, or about $49 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: $2,116 per year, or about $176 per month.
- Main Street America: $2,124 per year, or about $177 per month.
- Progressive: $3,094 per year, or about $258 per month.
- Allstate: $3,174 per year, or about $265 per month.
- Nationwide: $3,589 per year, or about $299 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: $264 per year, or about $22 per month.
- Main Street America: $593 per year, or about $49 per month.
- Geico: $624 per year, or about $52 per month.
- Allstate: $643 per year, or about $54 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $710 per year, or about $59 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: $810 per year, or about $68 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $1,980 per year, or about $165 per month.
- Main Street America: $2,563 per year, or about $214 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,615 per year, or about $218 per month.
- Progressive: $2,839 per year, or about $237 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: $884 per year, or about $74 per month.
- Progressive: $2,374 per year, or about $198 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,429 per year, or about $202 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $2,935 per year, or about $245 per month.
- Travelers: $3,200 per year, or about $267 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: $602 per year, or about $50 per month.
- Main Street America: $1,508 per year, or about $126 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $1,535 per year, or about $128 per month.
- Progressive: $1,824 per year, or about $152 per month.
- Allstate: $1,933 per year, or about $161 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: $198 per year, or about $17 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $489 per year, or about $41 per month.
- Allstate: $523 per year, or about $44 per month.
- Geico: $566 per year, or about $47 per month.
- Main Street America: $593 per year, or about $49 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: $2,028 per year, or about $169 per month.
- Main Street America: $2,124 per year, or about $177 per month.
- Progressive: $2,954 per year, or about $246 per month.
- Allstate: $3,172 per year, or about $264 per month.
- Nationwide: $3,393 per year, or about $283 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: $270 per year, or about $23 per month.
- Main Street America: $593 per year, or about $49 per month.
- Allstate: $643 per year, or about $54 per month.
- Geico: $664 per year, or about $55 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $698 per year, or about $58 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: $779 per year, or about $65 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $1,927 per year, or about $161 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,424 per year, or about $202 per month.
- Main Street America: $2,563 per year, or about $214 per month.
- Progressive: $2,769 per year, or about $231 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: $853 per year, or about $71 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,248 per year, or about $187 per month.
- Progressive: $2,300 per year, or about $192 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $2,867 per year, or about $239 per month.
- Travelers: $3,114 per year, or about $260 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: $688 per year, or about $57 per month.
- Main Street America: $1,590 per year, or about $133 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $1,745 per year, or about $145 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $1,904 per year, or about $159 per month.
- Progressive: $1,988 per year, or about $166 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: $270 per year, or about $23 per month.
- Allstate: $565 per year, or about $47 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $608 per year, or about $51 per month.
- Main Street America: $628 per year, or about $52 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $705 per year, or about $59 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:
- Main Street America: $2,241 per year, or about $187 per month.
- American National: $2,310 per year, or about $193 per month.
- Progressive: $3,156 per year, or about $263 per month.
- Allstate: $3,267 per year, or about $272 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $3,477 per year, or about $290 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: $370 per year, or about $31 per month.
- Main Street America: $628 per year, or about $52 per month.
- Allstate: $689 per year, or about $57 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $816 per year, or about $68 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $872 per year, or about $73 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: $908 per year, or about $76 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $2,226 per year, or about $185 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,358 per year, or about $197 per month.
- Main Street America: $2,662 per year, or about $222 per month.
- State Farm: $3,111 per year, or about $259 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: $998 per year, or about $83 per month.
- South Carolina Farm Bureau: $2,186 per year, or about $182 per month.
- Progressive: $2,546 per year, or about $212 per month.
- Auto-Owners: $3,374 per year, or about $281 per month.
- Allstate: $3,471 per year, or about $289 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 67 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.
