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Cheap SR 22 Auto Insurance in South Carolina: Best Companies & Quotes
Tyron Jones
Car Insurance Expert
Updated: 06/2023
Tyron Jones is a car insurance expert who has operated within the auto insurance business for more than 10 years.
Best Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina
- Auto Owners Insurance
- Geico
- State Farm
- Southern Farm Bureau
- Travelers
- Nationwide
Auto Owners Insurance | Geico | State Farm | Southern Farm Bureau | Travelers | Nationwide | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AM Best Financial Strength Rating | A++ | A++ | A++ | A+ | A+ | A+ |
JD Power 2019 Overall Customer Satisfaction score | 3/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 2/5 |
Avg Annual Premium | $567 | $687 | $688 | $858 | $1,288 | $1,039 |
Consumer Reports Reader Score | N/A | 78 | 78 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
BBB Rating | A+ | A+ | A | A+ | A+ | A+ |
Auto Insurance Statistics in South Carolina
Auto insurance rates in South Carolina have fluctuated above and below the national average for many years. By having a look at the fluctuations in rates, drivers can get an idea of the range they can expect to pay when it comes to auto insurance premiums in South Carolina.
Top 10 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina
Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
---|---|---|
1 | The Hartford | $760 |
2 | USAA | $1,319 |
3 | Travelers | $1,370 |
4 | State Farm | $1,416 |
5 | Southern Farm Bureau | $1,586 |
6 | National Grange Mutual | $1,610 |
7 | Allstate | $1,639 |
8 | Progressive | $1,675 |
9 | Nationwide | $1,774 |
10 | State Auto | $1,844 |
Drunk Driving Fatalities
Drinking and driving can be deadly and in South Carolina, there is no exception. In order to avoid a deadly accident, it is best to abstain from driving while under the influence of alcohol. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has done a tally of the number of drunk driving fatalities in South Carolina vs. nationwide.
Drunk driving fatalities in South Carolina from 2013 to 2017

Teen Drinking and Driving
Teen drinking and driving in South Carolina is slightly below the national average. This data shows that almost as many teens in South Carolina are driving while drunk as in other states across the country. The below statistics compare the percentage of South Carolina drivers that are teenagers who are drinking and driving related to national averages.
Teen Drinking & Driving in South Carolina vs. Nationwide (2017)

SR-22 Insurance in South Carolina
If you’re a driver that has committed an infraction in South Carolina, the state DMV might require you to prove that you’re insured before you can start driving again. South Carolina residents can use an SR-22 policy to do just that — your insurance provider will provide documentation to the state to prove that you have adequate coverage to drive under South Carolina law.
South Carolina SR-22 coverage can be quite expensive, especially because the personal property coverage standard is much higher than many other states. For this reason, always use comparison tools to find the best rate available in the state.
Car Theft in South Carolina
South Carolina is a state with a high level of car theft when compared with other states across the country. By finding out about the number of car thefts in South Carolina, drivers will have a more comprehensive understanding of the level of risk they take while driving and owning a car in the state.
Vehicle thefts by rank nationwide vs. South Carolina

Uninsured Motorists in South Carolina
It’s risky to drive without insurance for your vehicle since this could result in having to pay out of pocket for accident-related expenses. In the event that you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, it is beneficial to have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. The below data shows how well South Carolina ranks in the total number of reported uninsured motorists in the state in the year 2015.
Percentage of uninsured drivers (Top States in 2015)


- Drivers must buy the minimum liability coverage required by the state as follows:
- $25,000 for bodily injury for every individual
- $50.000 coverage per accident
- $25,000 for personal property coverage
- Some residents may pay $500 yearly to register as uninsured drivers. These drivers are only allowed to drive, but they will not have insurance coverage in case they require liability coverage.
Most drivers opt for higher coverages than the state minimum so that they can protect themselves in the event of an accident. Visit South Carolina’s Department of Insurance to learn more about the auto insurance minimums.
Penalties for drivers who do not have liability coverage or cannot show proof of uninsured driver registration may range from loss of drivers’ licenses to fines and imprisonment.
Source: Department of Insurance
To help you find coverages that work well with your monthly budget, we have analyzed the cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina per city, for four cities.
Columbia, SC
As the state’s most populated city, Columbia hosts approximately 133,000 residents. Regarding auto insurance quotes, our sample drivers had their costs averaging $1,601 a year. State Auto was our most inexpensive insurer followed by Southern Farm Bureau. You can also get great deals from Allstate, Grange Mutual, and State Farm as they emerged the next three low-cost auto insurers in Columbia, SC. The average price of insurance at these five insurance companies was 1,280 a year. This was 25 percent less what the typical insurer charged in the city a year.
Rock Hill, SC
Rock Hill is the fifth largest town in the Palmetto State with more than 66,000 residents living within its borders. Auto insurance prices in this city are lower compared to other cities within the same state. Averagely, our sample drivers paid $1,475 a year to cover a vehicle with basic liability insurance. That is 4 percent lower than other cities in South Carolina.
Our sample drivers received $1,164 a year as the best insurance quote from three different insurers: State Auto, State Farm, and Southern Farm Bureau. This represented a 25 percent reduction from the current rate from insurance providers in the city.
Charleston, SC
Cheap car insurance in Charleston can be attained through some price shopping. Our sample motorists recorded an annual rate of $1,641, making the city 7 percent more expensive than the state average. Still, getting a quote from any of the three insurers with the best prices could save you 21 percent. The three insurers would be State Farm, State Auto, and Southern Farm Bureau, who have policies that cost an average of $1,356 a year for standard liability coverage.
Greenville, SC
Car insurance in Greenville is relatively cheap with drivers paying an average of $1,404 a year. This is 9 percent of the state’s average. Insurers offering affordable auto insurance rates in Greenville include State Auto, National Grange Mutual, and Southern Farm Bureau. The three insurers provided lower rates to our sample drivers and registered a 22 percent discount in comparison with the city’s mean. The average annual rate from the three companies was $1,148, which is $256 better than the Greenville average.
The Methodologies Used in the Survey
The auto insurance quotes cited in the above study are for a standard driver with state minimum insurance coverage and auto insurance deductible worth $500 for one vehicle. The driver is a 4o-year-old male college graduate with good credit, no claims or lapse in coverage, and has a clean driving record. The driver drives 16,000 miles a year commuting and garages the car on premises. Remember the auto quotes are mere estimates. They include common discounts, but not guaranteed. Make sure you confirm current rates from the individual insurers.
Conclusion
To get the lowest auto insurance rates in South Carolina cities, be sure to shop around and compare rates from various insurers. Also, ask about the available discounts and the ones that you qualify for. Other factors that will determine your car insurance quote in South Carolina include marital status, driving record, credit report, geographic area, age and gender, and past coverage.
Types of Auto Insurance Coverage in South Carolina:
- Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
- Bodily Injury Liability Insurance
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Insurance
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance
- Property Damage Liability Insurance
New Driver Requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina has regulations in place that require all new residents to get a state driver’s license within 90 days of becoming a new resident. Drivers that are transferring an out of state license will need to first surrender their license and then take a vision test in order to hold a South Carolina driver license.
The three steps for beginner drivers to obtain their license include getting a beginner permit, conditional license, and special restricted license.
Cheap Auto Insurance Discounts
At CheapAutoInsurance.co, we strive to help you save as much as you can on car insurance. That is why we have put together a list of the best auto insurance discounts in the state. Browse the list below to find some of the auto insurance discounts listed that can help you to save on the cost of car insurance in South Carolina each year.
- Anti-theft discount
- Mature driver discount
- Military or Veteran discount
- Bundling insurance policies discount
- Senior citizen discount
- Car safety features discount
- Good student discount
- Defensive driving discount
- Low-mileage discount
- Multi-car auto insurance discount
- Infrequent usage discount
FAQ
General Auto Insurance in South Carolina
This section covers general and frequently asked auto insurance questions in South Carolina.
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What documents do I need to get car insurance in South Carolina?
What is the best auto insurance in South Carolina?
How does car insurance work for rental cars in South Carolina?
If a car hits my parked car but no one is around, what do I do with my insurance in South Carolina?
When are you required to add a child to a car insurance policy in South Carolina?
What insurance is required for a financed car in South Carolina?
What car and renter’s insurance are available in South Carolina?
- Esurance
- State Farm
- Amica Insurance
- Nationwide Insurance
- Allstate Insurance
- Liberty Mutual Insurance
When did car insurance become mandatory in South Carolina?
How to add a car onto an auto insurance policy in South Carolina?
How to appeal South Carolina insurance adjudication for insurance?
Is there a grace period for car insurance when buying a used car in South Carolina?
What affects your car insurance policy in South Carolina?
- Speeding tickets
- DUI infractions
- State tax increase
- Previous car accidents
- Personal driving record
How soon should I change car insurance when moving to South Carolina?
Does a South Carolina resident who is in the military have to have South Carolina car insurance?
What do you need to have for South Carolina for auto insurance?
How long do you have after you get a bill of sale on a car to get car insurance in South Carolina?
Do you have to get your own car insurance in South Carolina when you get married?
How long does a car accident stay on your insurance in South Carolina?
Does a person in South Carolina who has a driver’s license have to have auto insurance?
What insurance info do you have to leave if you hit a car in South Carolina?
- Your insurance information including the policy number.
- Full name
- Phone number where you can be reached.
What does it mean to stack car insurance in South Carolina?
Do you have to have car insurance in South Carolina?
Auto Insurance Prices in South Carolina
In this section, you will find commonly asked questions about South Carolina auto insurance prices.
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How much is car insurance in South Carolina?
Why is car insurance so expensive in South Carolina?
What county in South Carolina has the highest auto insurance rates?
How much is full auto insurance coverage when a car is financed in South Carolina?
Why did my car insurance go up in the state of South Carolina?
How much will I pay for car insurance in South Carolina?
What auto insurance is the lowest in South Carolina?
How to get the best rates on auto insurance in South Carolina?
How to reduce your car insurance in South Carolina?
How do I find the best deal on auto insurance in South Carolina?
What does a 25 year old pay for car insurance in South Carolina?
How much is the average auto insurance policies in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina compare to Florida for car insurance?
Where can I get cheap motorcycle insurance in South Carolina?
Lack of Car Insurance in South Carolina
This frequently asked question section covers basic questions regarding to the lack of car insurance in South Carolina.
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How long can you go without high risk auto insurance in South Carolina?
What is the time frame for turning in your tags after insurance has been dropped on a car in South Carolina?
What is the penalty in South Carolina if your auto insurance expired 4 months ago and you didn’t know it?
If someone hits your car in South Carolina and they don’t have insurance, what can I do to get compensated?
What is the fine in South Carolina for letting car insurance become cancelled and not turning your tag in?
Car Insurance Coverage in South Carolina
In this section, you will find general questions and answers to car insurance coverage in South Carolina.
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What is the standard car insurance liability coverage in South Carolina?
What car insurance coverage do I need in South Carolina if I own my car?
What does full coverage car insurance cover in South Carolina?
Does South Carolina require SR-22 insurance after a DUI?
Auto Insurance Companies in South Carolina
In this frequently asked question section, you will find answer to questions pertaining to auto insurance companies in South Carolina.
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What is a good insurance company for a car in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, what happens if a car insurance company offers less than what is required in the state?
In South Carolina, how much time must a car insurance company respond to a demand letter for property damage?
How do I change car insurance in South Carolina?
Who has the most affordable car insurance in South Carolina for high risk drivers?
How do car insurance companies in South Carolina rate your policy?
- Personal driving record.
- Whether you live in a high risk or low risk area.
- The type of coverage you are looking for.
- Your age.
- Credit history.
- History of DUII’s.