Cheap South Carolina car insurance
To safely and legally drive as a South Carolina resident, you need to understand the rules of the road and ensure your car insurance policy is active. Here’s what you need to know about South Carolina auto insurance—plus some ways you can potentially save some money on your policy.
What’s required of all drivers in South Carolina?
All drivers in South Carolina must have a valid driver's license. To obtain your driver's license, visit your local South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. You’ll also need to provide proof of auto insurance when you register your vehicle.
What are the minimum car insurance requirements in South Carolina?
You’re required to meet the following minimum car insurance coverage limits:
$25,000 for bodily injury liability or death for one person
$50,000 for bodily injury liability or death of two or more people
$25,000 for property damage liability per accident
Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM-BI):
You’re required to carry uninsured motorist coverage on your policy. UM-BI coverage can help pay for expenses related to injuries you suffer if you’re involved in an accident in which the at-fault driver doesn’t have car insurance.
Uninsured motorist property damage (UM-PD)
You’re also required to carry UM-PD coverage in South Carolina. This coverage can help pay for repairs to your vehicle or other property if it’s damaged by an at-fault, uninsured driver.
Underinsured motorist bodily injury (UIM-BI)
Many drivers are technically insured, but don’t carry enough coverage to pay for all covered expenses if they’re at fault in an accident. That’s why underinsured motorist bodily injury (UIM-BI) coverage can be so valuable—it can help protect you from paying out of pocket for injuries you suffer in an accident in which the at-fault driver is underinsured. In South Carolina, auto insurance providers are required to add UIM-BI coverage to your policy, but you can reject it in writing.
Underinsured motorist property damage (UIM-PD)
Similar to UIM-BI, your car insurance provider is required to add UIM-PD coverage to your policy, but you can reject it in writing. This coverage helps pay for damage to your property inflicted by an underinsured driver.
Are optional car insurance coverages available in South Carolina?
Yes—for additional protection, you can also choose to add optional insurance coverages. Here are several of the optional coverages available in South Carolina:
Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage helps cover damage to your vehicle from incidents that don’t involve a collision with another vehicle or stationary object. So, for example, comprehensive coverage would apply if your vehicle is damaged by theft, vandalism, hitting an animal, or weather events like hail storms.
Collision
Collision coverage can help pay for damage to your vehicle if it’s involved in an incident with another vehicle—regardless of who was at fault—as well as stationary objects like trees and fenceposts.
Special equipment
If you’ve made customizations or modifications to your vehicle, special equipment coverage can help pay for repairs to those customizations if your vehicle is damaged. Just be aware, some restrictions or limitations may apply. To add special equipment coverage, you’ll need to have both collision and comprehensive on your policy.
Medical payments
Medical expenses can add up quickly after an accident. Adding medical payments coverage to your policy can help reduce the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket for reasonable and necessary hospital bills for you and your passengers.
Rental reimbursement
Rental reimbursement coverage reimburses you for rental expenses you incur when you lose access to your vehicle as a result of a covered loss. This coverage pays up to $1,200 per occurrence. Just be aware, you can only carry rental reimbursement coverage when your policy also has collision and comprehensive coverage.
South Carolina car insurance discounts
South Carolina offers the following car insurance discounts:
Multi-car
Homeowners
Transfer
Paid in full
Quarterly payment
Advanced quote
Defensive driver course
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Need more than South Carolina car insurance?
There’s more to being a South Carolina driver than just having car insurance. These valuable state resources can help you get the information you need before you head out on the road.
South Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT)
Visit the South Carolina DOT website for information on road construction projects and requests, traffic cameras and updates, and even employment opportunities.
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
South Carolina's DMV Driver Services has the information and resources you need to get a license, change your address, clear a suspended license, and more.
South Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI)
For complaints, claims, and other insurance information, reach out to the South Carolina DOI.
