Ranked #27 of 51 by Cost
2026 South Carolina Car Insurance Calculator
Estimate your monthly premium based on The Palmetto State averages
Rate Calculator
Local insurance tip
South Carolina requires Uninsured Motorist coverage but allows you to select a lower UM limit than your liability limit. Keeping them equal, or stacking UM across multiple vehicles if your insurer allows it, provides significantly better protection at a modest additional cost.
Cost Breakdown
| Coverage | Monthly | Description |
|---|---|---|
| SC minimum | $97 | Legal bare minimum (liability only) |
| Standard liability | $155 | High Liability, no physical damage |
| Full coverage | $207 | Comprehensive ($500 ded.) |
| Premium protection | $282 | Max liability ($250 ded.) |
| Age | Risk | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 16-19 | Very high | $611 |
| 20-24 | High | $342 |
| 25-54 | Standard | $207 |
| 55-69 | Low | $197 |
| 70+ | Moderate | $259 |
| Violation | Risk | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Clean | Standard | $207 |
| Speeding Ticket | Moderate | $253 |
| At-Fault Accident | High | $306 |
| DUI / DWI | Very high | $590 |
South Carolina Snapshot · June 2026
$207/mo
State avg (-16% US AVG)
#27
National Rank
41%
County Spread
Rate by Neighboring States (3)
State Insight
South Carolina sits between its two neighbors. North Carolina is significantly cheaper, its SDIP point system and reinsurance facility actively contain costs that South Carolina's tort environment does not. Georgia is meaningfully more expensive, Atlanta's nuclear verdict litigation environment pushing it well above South Carolina statewide.
Rate by Cities (Top 30)
Compared to SC avg ($207)
City Insight
North Charleston and Goose Creek lead the state's city rates, their dense traffic along I-26 and higher uninsured driver exposure in the Charleston metro pushing them above Charleston proper. Aiken and Easley are the most affordable cities, their smaller size and lower claim frequency keeping rates well below the coastal and midlands corridors.
Rate by Counties (46)
Compared to SC avg ($207)
County Insight
Allendale and Hampton counties lead the state despite their small populations. Both reflect high uninsured driver concentrations and economic conditions that drive claim frequency above their size would suggest. The Upstate counties of Oconee, Pickens and Anderson are the most affordable. Their lower density and distance from the coastal litigation environment keeping rates well below the Lowcountry and Midlands.
What Every South Carolina Driver Needs To Know
What are the minimum car insurance requirements in SC for 2026?
South Carolina requires 25/50/25 minimums: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. Unlike most states, South Carolina also mandates Uninsured Motorist coverage at the same minimum limits.
Does South Carolina allow policy stacking for Uninsured Motorist coverage?
Yes, South Carolina is one of the few states that permits UM stacking by default unless you sign a waiver to reject it. Stacking means your UM limits multiply across each vehicle on your policy. For a household with two cars, this can double your effective UM protection at a relatively small premium increase.
Is South Carolina an at-fault or no-fault state?
South Carolina is an at-fault state. The driver who causes the accident is responsible for the other party's damages. South Carolina also uses a modified comparative fault rule with a 51% bar. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any damages from the other driver.
What are the penalties for driving uninsured in South Carolina?
Driving without insurance in South Carolina results in a fine of $550 or a 30-day jail sentence, plus a $200 license reinstatement fee and a $5 daily uninsured motorist fee until coverage is reinstated. The state cross-references insurance records electronically, so lapses are detected quickly.
Sources: SC DMV