Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina (Best Rates in 2026)
Geico has the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina, at $139 per month for full coverage.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in South Carolina
Best cheap auto insurance in SC
Geico and Farm Bureau are often the cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina.
- Want full coverage? Geico: $139/mo
- Only need minimum coverage? Geico: $54/mo
- Want the best service? Auto-Owners: $145/mo
- Have a speeding ticket? Geico: $139/mo
- Caused an accident? Geico: $202/mo
- Need coverage for a young driver? Farm Bureau: $160/mo
- Got a DUI? Farm Bureau: $194/mo
- Have poor credit? Farm Bureau: $298/mo
Monthly rates are for full coverage car insurance for a 30-year-old man. Some rates use different ages or coverage limits.
Cheapest full coverage car insurance in South Carolina: Geico
Geico has the cheapest full coverage car insurance in South Carolina for most people.
- Geico charges around $139 per month for a full coverage policy in South Carolina. That's a savings of around $50 per month compared to the state average.
-
South Carolina drivers should also compare quotes from Auto-Owners. Auto-Owners charges around $145 per month for full coverage, but it typically has better customer service than Geico.
You can't get a quote from Auto-Owners online, so you'll have to call an agent to compare rates.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in South Carolina
Cheap full coverage car insurance in SC
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Geico | $139 |
| Auto-Owners | $145 |
| Farm Bureau | $166 |
| Travelers | $188 |
| USAA* | $113 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Data-powered research on South Carolina car insurance
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in SC: Geico
- Geico has the cheapest liability-only policies in South Carolina for most people, at $54 per month. That's a savings of around $24 per month compared to the state average.
- USAA offers even more affordable rates, at an average of just $32 per month. However, only military members, veterans, spouses or children of USAA members, and employees of certain federal agencies can buy insurance from USAA.
Cheapest minimum liability car insurance quotes in SC
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Geico | $54 |
| Auto-Owners | $64 |
| Farm Bureau | $70 |
| Progressive | $75 |
| USAA* | $32 |
*USAA is primarily only available to current and former military members.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in South Carolina
Car insurance rates in South Carolina by city
- Geico has the most affordable full coverage car insurance in 69% of cities and towns across South Carolina, including Charleston, Columbia and Greenville. Auto-Owners has the cheapest rates in 29% of South Carolina cities, while Farm Bureau is the lowest in 2%.
- Walhalla, a town in upstate South Carolina near Lake Keowee, has the cheapest car insurance quotes in the state. Walhalla drivers pay an average of $168 per month for full coverage insurance.
- Crocketville, a small town in Hampton County, has the highest rates in South Carolina, at $250 per month for full coverage. Hampton County has a high property crime rate, which means residents are more likely to file claims for things like stolen cars. That makes people living in Hampton County more expensive to insure.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in South Carolina
South Carolina car insurance cost by city
City | Avg. rate | Cheapest company | Cheapest rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $220 | Geico | $143 |
| Columbia | $208 | Geico | $140 |
| North Charleston | $227 | Geico | $158 |
| Rock Hill | $199 | Auto-Owners | $136 |
| Greenville | $194 | Geico | $117 |
| Goose Creek | $220 | Geico | $157 |
| Greer | $188 | Geico | $124 |
| Sumter | $209 | Geico | $148 |
| Florence | $212 | Geico | $139 |
| Myrtle Beach | $195 | Geico | $119 |
| Spartanburg | $193 | Geico | $133 |
| Aiken | $178 | Geico | $116 |
| Anderson | $186 | Geico | $130 |
| Mauldin | $185 | Geico | $116 |
| Conway | $210 | Geico | $140 |
| Simpsonville | $180 | Geico | $113 |
| Easley | $182 | Geico | $127 |
| North Augusta | $186 | Geico | $126 |
| Greenwood | $182 | Geico | $119 |
| Hanahan | $218 | Geico | $152 |
| North Myrtle Beach | $186 | Geico | $116 |
| Abbeville | $182 | Geico | $128 |
| Adams Run | $231 | Auto-Owners | $167 |
| Alcolu | $203 | Geico | $147 |
| Allendale | $236 | Auto-Owners | $168 |
| Andrews | $213 | Auto-Owners | $151 |
| Arcadia | $196 | Geico | $139 |
| Arcadia Lakes | $204 | Geico | $127 |
| Arial | $180 | Geico | $124 |
| Awendaw | $206 | Geico | $119 |
| Aynor | $211 | Geico | $148 |
| Ballentine | $210 | Geico | $133 |
| Bamberg | $203 | Auto-Owners | $153 |
| Barnwell | $204 | Auto-Owners | $149 |
| Batesburg | $191 | Geico | $128 |
| Batesburg-leesville | $185 | Geico | $128 |
| Bath | $185 | Geico | $116 |
| Beaufort | $192 | Auto-Owners | $133 |
| Beech Island | $188 | Geico | $116 |
| Belton | $191 | Geico | $131 |
| Belvedere | $184 | Geico | $126 |
| Bennettsville | $201 | Geico | $138 |
| Berea | $201 | Geico | $123 |
| Bethera | $237 | Auto-Owners | $150 |
| Bethune | $198 | Geico | $131 |
| Bishopville | $211 | Auto-Owners | $144 |
| Blacksburg | $191 | Geico | $128 |
| Blackstock | $210 | Auto-Owners | $149 |
| Blackville | $204 | Auto-Owners | $148 |
| Blair | $208 | Auto-Owners | $151 |
| Blenheim | $209 | Geico | $138 |
| Bluffton | $189 | Geico | $126 |
Best car insurance in SC: Auto-Owners
-
Full coverage rate$145/moThis analysis used auto insurance quotes for a policy with collision and comprehensive coverage.
-
Claims processGoodClaims rating is based on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey.
-
AM Best ratingA+An A+ financial strength rating means that a company has a superior ability to pay customer claims, even in difficult financial situations. This is the second-highest rating available.
The author, Lindsay Bishop, chose the best car insurance companies in South Carolina based on:
- J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study
- J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners complaint data
- Each company's average car insurance rates in South Carolina
- Coverage availability and optional add-ons
- The author's 7+ years of insurance industry experience
ValuePenguin's reviews follow strict, independent editorial standards and are never influenced by commissions or partnerships.
Cheapest SC car insurance after a speeding ticket: Geico
- Geico is the cheapest after a speeding ticket in South Carolina, at around $139 per month for full coverage. That's a savings of around 38% compared to the state average.
- You should also compare quotes from Auto-Owners. Auto-Owners is only $6 per month more than Geico, so it could be the cheapest option for some South Carolina drivers.
Lowest SC car insurance quotes after a ticket
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Geico | $139 |
| Auto-Owners | $145 |
| Farm Bureau | $180 |
| Travelers | $234 |
| USAA* | $138 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
A speeding ticket usually raises your auto insurance rates in South Carolina by around 19%, according to rates from nine top companies across the state. That's an average of $36 per month more for full coverage.
If you can't afford your insurance after a ticket, you can try to lower your rates by shopping for quotes from multiple companies, adjusting your coverage and asking about discounts.
Cheapest quotes after an accident in South Carolina: Geico
- Geico is the cheapest after an accident in South Carolina, at $202 per month for full coverage, which is a savings of 28% compared to the state average.
- Auto-Owners and Farm Bureau also have very affordable rates after an accident, and both companies tend to have better customer service than Geico. It's worth comparing quotes from all three companies to find the cheapest option for you.
Best prices for car insurance in SC after a crash
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Geico | $202 |
| Auto-Owners | $204 |
| Farm Bureau | $210 |
| Travelers | $256 |
| USAA* | $161 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Car insurance rates after an accident go up by an average of $92 per month. However, the amount your quote will go up depends on your insurance company.
You shouldn't switch insurance companies right after an accident.
Car insurance companies will almost never raise your rates until your policy renewal. So you should wait until your insurance is about to expire before making a change.
Best cheap car insurance in SC for teens: Farm Bureau
Farm Bureau has the cheapest car insurance for teen drivers in South Carolina.
- A liability-only policy from Farm Bureau costs $160 per month for teen drivers, which is 35% cheaper than the state average.
- A full coverage policy from Farm Bureau costs $299 per month, which is a savings of about 46%.
Most affordable auto insurance quotes in SC for teens
Company | Liability only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Farm Bureau | $160 | $299 |
| Geico | $172 | $380 |
| Auto-Owners | $185 | $341 |
| Travelers | $243 | $503 |
| USAA* | $144 | $434 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Teen drivers pay much more for car insurance than older adults. This is especially true if they don't share a policy with their parents. An 18-year-old driver in South Carolina can expect to pay around three times more than a 30-year-old driver pays for car insurance.
Auto insurance savings hacks for teens
- Share a policy with your parents. Teen drivers typically pay much less when they share a policy with their parents instead of buying their own insurance.
- Ask about discounts. Many insurance companies offer discounts for teens. Some of the most common savings for young drivers include discounts for getting good grades in school or taking a defensive driving class.
- Compare rates from multiple companies. There are dozens of companies in South Carolina that offer great prices. Rates vary a lot depending on your age and driving experience, so the cheapest company in the state may not be the best choice for you.
Cheapest SC auto insurance for teens with a bad driving record: Geico
Geico is the cheapest car insurance company for teen drivers with a ticket or accident in South Carolina.
- Speeding ticket:Geico charges around $172 per month for an 18-year-old with one speeding ticket, which is a savings of around 42%.
- Accident: Geico is also the cheapest option for teens after an at-fault accident, at $192 per month for liability-only insurance. That's 46% cheaper than the state average.
Cheapest car insurance quotes in South Carolina for teens with bad driving records
Company | Ticket | Accident |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $172 | $192 |
| Farm Bureau | $188 | $214 |
| Auto-Owners | $221 | $288 |
| Travelers | $306 | $349 |
| USAA* | $217 | $243 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Young drivers in South Carolina can expect their auto insurance rates to go up by about 19% after a speeding ticket and 42% after an accident.
Cheapest SC car insurance after a DUI: Farm Bureau
Farm Bureau is the cheapest company after a DUI in South Carolina, at around $194 per month. That's a savings of around 41% compared to the state average. Farm Bureau is also $76 per month less than the second-cheapest company, Travelers.
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Farm Bureau | $194 |
| Travelers | $270 |
| Progressive | $293 |
| Auto-Owners | $318 |
| USAA* | $208 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Driving under the influence (DUI) causes full coverage rates in South Carolina to go up by an average of $138 per month.
You'll also probably need to get SR-22 insurance in South Carolina after a DUI. An SR-22 certificate typically costs another $15 to $50.
Cheapest insurance in SC for drivers with poor credit: Farm Bureau
- Farm Bureau is the cheapest for drivers with bad credit in South Carolina, at $298 per month, which is a savings of around 24% compared to the state average.
- Geico is a better choice than Farm Bureau if you prefer to manage your policy online, because it has a great mobile app. At $307 per month, full coverage from Geico is $85 per month less than the SC average. It's also only $9 per month more than Farm Bureau.
Best rates for car insurance in SC with bad credit
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Farm Bureau | $298 |
| Geico | $307 |
| Travelers | $323 |
| Nationwide | $343 |
| USAA* | $175 |
*USAA is only available to current and former military members and their families.
Your credit score doesn't have anything to do with your ability to drive a car, but it can impact your car insurance rates.
Auto insurance for South Carolina drivers with poor credit is more than twice as expensive as a policy for drivers with good credit. That's because drivers with lower credit scores are more likely to file insurance claims, according to insurance companies.
Is your car insurance company raising rates in South Carolina in 2026?
Only one company, American Family, has raised its car insurance rates in South Carolina in 2026. However, a handful of companies have lowered their rates across the state.
- ↑ Biggest increase: American Family at +6.3%
- ↓ Biggest decrease: State Farm at -8.1%
Company | 2026 rate change | 5 year rate change |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | ↓ 8.1% | ↑ 25.8% |
| Farm Bureau | ↓ 3.8% | ↑ 48.2% |
| Farmers | ↓ 1.1% | ↑ 48.2% |
| Allstate | ↓ 1.0% | ↑ 36.5% |
| Progressive | 0.0% | ↑ 30.5% |
| USAA | 0.0% | ↑ 49.8% |
| Geico | 0.0% | ↑ 56.4% |
| Travelers | 0.0% | ↑ 36.7% |
| Auto-Owners | 0.0% | ↑ 45.1% |
| Liberty Mutual | 0.0% | ↑ 53.3% |
| Nationwide | 0.0% | ↑ 36.9% |
| American Family | ↑ 6.3% | ↑ 56.5% |
A downward arrow (↓) indicates a rate decrease, while an upward arrow (↑) indicates a rate increase.
How much car insurance do I need in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires drivers to have at least 25/50/25 of liability coverage.
Bodily injury liability pays for the other driver's injuries after an at-fault crash, and property damage liability pays to fix their car.
You must also have the same amount of uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage pays for your own injuries and damage to your car if you're hit by an uninsured driver or you're the victim of a hit-and-run.
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured motorist property damage: $25,000 per accident
In South Carolina, drivers can choose to either buy a car insurance policy or pay a $700 uninsured motorist fee every year. If you choose to pay the fee, you will be personally responsible for any damage or injuries you cause in an accident. Forgo either of these options, and you could be found guilty of a misdemeanor.
If you can't show proof of financial responsibility, you may end up spending time in jail, paying a fine of up to $200 and surrendering your registration and license plates. Plus, the state will ask you to file an SR-22 form, which can lead to an insurance rate hike.
Potential fines and penalties for driving without insurance in South CarolinaFirst offense:
- Penalty: $100 to $200 or 30 days in jail, plus a $700 uninsured motorist fee
- Driving privileges: Driver's license, registration and license plates suspended
- Other fees: Up to $400 to reinstate your driver's license and registration
- Other penalties: Must have an SR-22 certificate for three years
Second offense:
- Penalty: $200 and/or 30 days in jail
- Driving privileges: Driver's license, registration and license plates suspended
- Other fees: Up to $400 to reinstate your driver's license and registration
- Other penalties: Must have an SR-22 certificate for three years
Third and subsequent offenses:
- Penalty: 45 days to six months in jail
- Driving privileges: Driver's license, registration and license plates suspended
- Other fees: Up to $400 to reinstate your driver's license and registration
- Other penalties: Must have an SR-22 certificate for three years
Full vs. minimum coverage car insurance in South Carolina
Full coverage auto insurance in South Carolina costs $190 per month, which is $112 per month more than a minimum liability policy.
That's because full coverage quotes include comprehensive and collision coverages, which protect your car, in addition to extra liability coverage.
- Collision coverage pays for damage to your own car after a crash, regardless of whose fault it is.
- Comprehensive coverage pays for damage beyond your control, such as hail or theft.
You'll need full coverage if you have a car loan or lease. Lenders typically require you to have collision and comprehensive coverage to ensure you'll have enough money to fix your car after a crash.
Drivers with minimum coverage have to pay for damage to their own car after an at-fault accident. That's why full coverage auto insurance is a better choice for most people.
Full coverage policies can include higher liability limits than the minimum requirement. It's almost always a good idea to increase your liability coverage if you can afford it.
For example, South Carolina only requires $25,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident. If you're driving 55 mph on Highway 17 and you hit a Tesla Cybertruck, $25,000 won't be enough to cover the cost to replace it.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the cheapest auto insurance rates in South Carolina?
In 2026, Geico has the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina, at $54 per month for liability-only coverage and $139 per month for full coverage. That's 27% and 30% cheaper than the state average, respectively.
How much is car insurance per month in South Carolina?
The average car insurance cost in South Carolina is $78 per month for a minimum liability policy. Full coverage costs an average of $190 per month.
Why is SC auto insurance so high?
Full coverage car insurance in South Carolina is actually 9% cheaper than the national average. But liability-only coverage is 3% more expensive than average.
Drivers who live near the coast or in areas with high crime rates may have more expensive quotes. That's because they are more likely to make claims because of weather damage, theft or vandalism.
How much is auto insurance in Columbia, SC?
The average cost of car insurance in Columbia is $208 per month for full coverage, which is 9% higher than the state average. That's cheaper than in Charleston, where the average price is $220 per month, but more expensive than Greenville's average cost of $194.
Methodology
To find the best cheap auto insurance in South Carolina, ValuePenguin collected thousands of quotes from ZIP codes across South Carolina from the state's largest insurance companies. Rates are for a 30-year-old man with a 2018 Honda Civic EX and good credit.
Full coverage quotes include liability limits higher than the state minimums, along with comprehensive and collision coverages.
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist property damage: $50,000 per accident
- Collision and comprehensive coverage: $500 deductible
Rate data is from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from insurance company filings and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your own quotes will be different.
To determine rate changes by company, ValuePenguin analyzed publicly available rate filing data from the South Carolina Department of Insurance. Rate filing data was sourced using RateWatch from S&P Global, which uses information from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
The table includes rate filings submitted by major insurance companies and their subsidiaries with effective dates between 2022 and 2026. Because insurance companies often segment customers into different rating groups, a filing may apply only to certain drivers, vehicles, coverage levels, regions or policy types. Not every increase or decrease applies to every policyholder insured by that company in the state.
Data limitations
Insurance companies may submit multiple filings throughout the year. Some filings may be revised, withdrawn or superseded after publication.
Rate filing information was current as of July 28, 2026.
About the Author
Senior Writer
Lindsay Bishop is a Senior Writer at ValuePenguin, where she educates readers about home, auto, renters, flood and motorcycle insurance.
Lindsay began her career in the insurance and financial industry in 2010. She was a licensed auto, home, life and health insurance agent and held Series 6 and 63 financial licenses.
After a hiatus from the financial sector, Lindsay returned to the industry as a content writer for ValuePenguin in 2021. She enjoys having the opportunity to help readers make smart decisions about their insurance so they can be prepared for anything life throws their way.
When Lindsay isn't writing about insurance, you can find her spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors on Sunday long runs or riding her Peloton.
How insurance helped Lindsay
As a homeowner for 15 years located in South Carolina, Lindsay has plenty of experience navigating the coastal insurance market and managing the claims process. That includes successfully negotiating a full roof replacement claim.
Expertise
- Home insurance
- Car insurance
- Flood insurance
- Renters insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- CNBC
- Yahoo Finance
- Miami Herald
Education
- BS/BA Economics, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
