South Carolina drivers pay an average of $1,512 per year for full coverage car insurance, according to 2021 data from Bankrate.com. How do you find the right provider for your needs with plenty of insurance companies to choose from? To make it a bit easier, Reviews.com researched the major insurance companies in the Palmetto State. We might be able to help you find an insurance company that works for you.
The 4 Best Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina
To determine the carriers to feature, we started by analyzing average premium data from Bankrate.com. We also took coverages, discounts, customer satisfaction, and financial strength into account. Our analysis revealed that the following four companies sell some of the best car insurance in South Carolina:
- State Farm: Best for Customer Service
- Allstate: Best for Coverage Options
- USAA: Best for Military-Centric Options
- Nationwide: Best for Cheap Full Coverage
Compare the Best Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina
Our top four companies were chosen based on our research methodology. However, the company that best fits your needs may not be on this list. Be sure to understand what you want and need, and then shop around to compare companies and rates.
| Average Annual Minimum Coverage Premium* | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* | AM Best AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim. | J.D. Power** J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin State Farm | $616 | $1,457 | A++ | 859 | |
| Pin Allstate | $433 | $1,379 | A+ | 838 | |
| Pin USAA | $507 | $1,447 | A++ | 890** | |
| Pin Nationwide | $585 | $1,326 | A+ | 831 |
Information accurate as of March 2022
*Premium data provided by Bankrate.com
**J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction study for the Southeast Region. Based on a 1,000-point scale. USAA is not eligible for official ranking due to eligibility restrictions.
State Farm
Best for Customer Service
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it
Pros
- Lower-than-average premium
- Superior financial strength
- High J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
Cons
- Not as many endorsements as some other carriers
- Higher-than-average NAIC overall complaint index
- Accident forgiveness cannot be added as an endorsement
Other Policies Offered
- Home
- Renters
- Farm & ranch
- Life
Standout Discounts Available
- Accident-free
- Drive Safe & Save
- Steer Clear
- Vehicle safety
Allstate
Best for Coverage Options
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it
Pros
- Low average premium
- Plenty of coverage options available
- Several discounts available
Cons
- Lower financial strength than some competitors
- Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
- Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction score
Other Policies Offered
- Home
- Renters
- Business
- Life
Standout Discounts Available
- New car
- Early Signing
- Responsible payer
- Safe driving club
USAA
Best for Military-Centric Options
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it
Pros
- High J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
- Superior financial strength
- Military-related discounts
Cons
- Limited eligibility
- Not the lowest premium on our list
- Fewer coverage options advertised than other carriers
Other Policies Offered
- Condo
- Landlord
- Flood
- Antique classic car
Standout Discounts Available
- Military on-base
- Automatic payments
- Storage
- Family
Nationwide
Best for Cheap Full Coverage
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it
Pros
- Low average full coverage premium
- Accident forgiveness option is available
- Numerous discounts
Cons
- Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
- Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction score
- Higher-than-average NAIC overall complaint index
Other Policies Offered
- Home
- Motorcycle
- Snowmobile
- Boat
Standout Discounts Available
- SmartRide
- SmartMiles
- Multi-policy
- Safe driver
Information accurate as of March 2022
*Premium data provided by Bankrate.com
**J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction study for the Southeast Region. Based on a 1,000-point scale. USAA is not eligible for official ranking due to eligibility restrictions.
The Average Cost of Car Insurance in South Carolina
Full coverage car insurance costs an average of $1,512 per year in South Carolina, and minimum coverage costs $558 per year, on average, according to 2021 data from Bankrate.com. These are fairly close to the national annual averages of $1,674 for full coverage and $565 for minimum coverage, but keep in mind that your rate will be specific to your unique situation. A good strategy to find the best coverage at the right price is to shop around and compare auto insurance quotes and your own list of wants and needs.
Top 3 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina
| Company | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Travelers | $1,141 |
| Geico | $1,203 |
| Nationwide | $1,326 |
*Data from Bankrate.com
Top 3 Most Expensive Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina
| Company | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Farmers | $2,781 |
| State Farm | $1,457 |
| USAA | $1,447 |
*Data from Bankrate.com
Top 3 Cheapest Cities for Car Insurance in South Carolina
| City | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Walhalla | $1,209 |
| Seneca | $1,209 |
| West Union | $1,217 |
*Data from Bankrate.com
Top 3 Most Expensive Cities for Car Insurance in South Carolina
| City | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Furman | $1,957 |
| Estill | $1,923 |
| Allendale | $1,901 |
*Data from Bankrate.com
Key Things to Know About Car Insurance in South Carolina
When you’re shopping for car insurance, it can be helpful to have some knowledge of state-specific considerations, including your state’s minimum coverage limits and what types of optional coverage you might want to think about adding for more protection. While working with a licensed agent can help you navigate the insurance landscape, having some knowledge before shopping can help you feel more in control.
South Carolina Car Insurance Requirements
South Carolina requires that drivers carry at least the following minimum coverage types and limits 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 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage per accident
Insurance companies must also offer underinsured motorist coverage, but you can decline it in writing. While these minimum limits will let you drive legally, you may want to consider higher limits for more financial protection.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
If you have a loan on your vehicle, you’ll probably have to carry full coverage in addition to your liability coverage. Full coverage adds comprehensive and collision, which protects your finances from paying entirely out of pocket to repair your vehicle due to a covered claim. Comprehensive coverage might be especially important in South Carolina, as it provides coverage for weather damage, including the water damage that could happen to a vehicle caught in a hurricane.
You might want to think about adding a few endorsements, too, depending on your lifestyle. If you travel often, you might consider roadside assistance coverage, which could help pay for the cost of a tow, tire change, or other roadside issues. Car rental coverage may be another helpful add-on; it provides coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is not driveable due to a covered claim. If you only have one vehicle or need a substitute car if yours is out of commission, you might want to get a quote for adding car rental coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
Reviews.com reviews products, services, and companies based on five criteria to help readers understand how companies compare based on similar metrics. For the best car insurance companies, our editorial team compared affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores, and online resources from each company to determine top providers.
As for average pricing, we used Bankrate.com’s data of car insurance in South Carolina, based on the profiles of a 40-year male and female. For full coverage, the details used were the following:
- $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 bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week, and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
About the Authors
Cate Deventer is a writer and licensed insurance agent. She has a Bachelor’s degree in theatre and is currently pursuing a degree in English with a concentration in professional and technical writing from Indiana University East. Her work has been featured on Reviews.com and Bankrate.com, and she’s passionate about helping people take charge of their finances. In her free time, she likes to read thrillers and sci-fi novels, garden, and toss tennis balls for her dog.
