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South Carolina Auto Insurance
If you live in South Carolina or you plan to move there, it’s important to understand the auto insurance requirements and rates in South Carolina. That can help you follow the appropriate laws and get the right coverage to protect your vehicle, too. If you’re looking for cheap auto insurance in South Carolina, pay close attention to the South Carolina driving laws so you can get good rates from your insurance company. Here’s what you should know.
Car Insurance Requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina minimum auto insurance requirements include liability coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage. The liability limits are:
- $25,000 worth of bodily injury or death coverage per person
- $50,000 worth of bodily injury or death coverage per accident
- $25,000 worth of property damage coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage must match the liability insurance amounts, but South Carolina car insurance laws don’t require drivers to have other types of coverage. Many drivers choose comprehensive and collision insurance, though, in order to make sure they have good protection.
Is South Carolina a No-Fault State?
South Carolina is a fault state, like most states. This means a driver who is at fault in an accident will need to compensate the other people who were harmed as a result of that accident.
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Car Insurance Prices in South Carolina
South Carolina car insurance prices generally range between $803 and $1,909, with the average driver paying $1,356. These prices are based on minimum coverage versus full coverage, so there is a large variance in how much drivers will be paying. For families with teen drivers, rates will be considerably higher and could rise to more than $3,000 annually. Drivers who are middle-aged are going to see the lowest rates, with those rates rising as these drivers age.
| Age | Most Popular Vehicle | Gender | Most Common City | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 – 24 | Chevrolet | Male – 48% | Female – 52% | Charleston | ||
| 25 – 54 | Chevrolet | Male – 40% | Female – 60% | Charleston | ||
| 55 – 64 | Ford | Male – 38% | Female – 62% | Charleston | ||
| 65 + | Ford | Male – 42% | Female – 58% | Myrtle Beach | ||
* This information is based on Pretected.com users.
Auto Insurance for Good Drivers
Insurance companies like good drivers, because they have good records and they’re low risk. Since they aren’t likely to cost the car insurance company money, they’ll see lower insurance rates. These drivers are rarely in an accident, and they usually don’t have any tickets on their record, either.
Auto Insurance for Bad Drivers
People are all different, and some of them don’t drive as well as others. These drivers might have tickets and accidents on their record, or even a DUI. Because of that, insurance companies see them as higher risk and charge them more money. But not all companies have the same rates, so shopping around for a good car insurance rates is important.
Traffic Violations and Fines in South Carolina
Speeding Ticket Cost in South Carolina
Speeding ticket fines vary by county, but drivers who get one in South Carolina can expect to pay several hundred dollars. They could also see points on their license and have the opportunity to attend traffic school. For convictions of reckless driving in South Carolina, the fines are higher and so are the number of points that will be added to the driver’s license.
Driving While High Laws in South Carolina
South Carolina DUI laws aren’t just about alcohol. They also include driving under the influence of marijuana and other drugs. It’s not legal to drive while high, even if the drug in the driver’s system would be legal if they weren’t driving.
Driving Without Car Insurance in South Carolina
All drivers in South Carolina are required to have car insurance. If they don’t they could see license suspensions, fines, and even jail time. The penalties are lower for those who are first-time offenders, and those penalties become more severe for those who are caught driving without insurance more than once.
Texting and Driving in South Carolina
Distracted driving can mean texting behind the wheel, but it can also mean eating while driving, other cell phone use while driving, and getting distracted by people and pets. Not all of these things are illegal, but every one of them can contribute to an accident caused by a distracted driver.
If you want to drive your golf cart at night, you’ll need to do it on a barrier island. It’s illegal anywhere else.
South Carolina Car Accidents
Nearly 1,000 people died in car accidents in South Carolina in 2025. That’s about 20 people from every 100,000 in the state. According to car accident statistics, that’s about double what’s seen for a national average. Drunk driving, speeding, and texting were all cited as causes of these high crash and fatality numbers.
Reasons for Car Accidents in South Carolina
There are several main reasons for car accidents in South Carolina, including drivers who are traveling too fast and those that are texting or otherwise distracted behind the wheel. Drunk driving, falling asleep behind the wheel, following too closely, and failing to yield the right of way were also common reasons for car accidents in the state.
Car Accident Statistics by Vehicle Type in South Carolina
Most car accidents in South Carolina are caused by passenger cars striking other passenger cars. Trucks and SUVs also caused accidents, but in smaller numbers. There are few motorcycles involved in auto accidents, but in those accidents there were higher chances of serious injuries and fatalities.
Car Accidents in South Carolina – More Facts
On average, a car accident occurs in South Carolina every few minutes, and several people die in these accidents every day. Inattention and alcohol were factors in these accidents, but speeding and fatigue were also serious contributors.
Bonus: Most Weird, Funny and Ridiculous Traffic Laws in South Carolina
- Own a pig? You can’t take it for a drive at night.
- If you move to South Carolina you’d better scrape off that naughty bumper sticker first. They’re illegal in the state.
Looking for Auto insurance in South Carolina? Compare Between Relevant Insurance Quotes And Save Money Using Pretected’s “Smart Match”:
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