Cheap car insurance in South Carolina for good drivers
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Affordable South Carolina car insurance that puts you first
Root rewards South Carolina drivers with lower rates, makes managing insurance simple, and gives you flexibility to choose auto insurance coverage that fits your needs.
Better auto insurance rates
Drivers who switch can save up to $1,300 a year on car insurance with Root. Get your personalized South Carolina auto insurance quote. It’s easy to see if you could save.
Customizable coverage options
Choose the coverage options and limits that work for you, your car, and your budget. Available coverages vary by state, and you can adjust your policy as your needs change.
Manage your policy in the app
Access your South Carolina auto insurance policy, view your insurance cards, and file a claim in as little as 3 minutes right from Root’s convenient mobile app.
Driving in the Palmetto State
South Carolina roads move from Upstate interstates to Lowcountry bridges and coastal routes. Columbia sits near the center, but Greenville, Spartanburg, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and communities throughout the state keep South Carolinians moving.
Lowcountry landmark: The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge carries US 17 across the Cooper River between Charleston and Mount Pleasant.
Upstate to coast: I-85 serves Greenville and Spartanburg, while I-26 connects the Upstate with Columbia and Charleston.
Check the route: SCDOT provides highway, bridge, and transportation information for drivers throughout South Carolina.
From Greenville to Charleston and beyond: Explore South Carolina car insurance from Root.
South Carolina's minimum auto insurance requirements
To legally operate a vehicle in South Carolina, you must carry Liability insurance and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage.
The minimum coverage amounts required for drivers in South Carolina are [1]:
Bodily injury liability
$25,000 per person
$50,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$25,000 per accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM)
$25,000 bodily injury per person
$50,000 bodily injury per accident (multiple people injured)
$25,000 property damage
Types of South Carolina auto insurance we offer
Explore our South Carolina car insurance coverage options available below. You can update your policy anytime in the Root app.
Liability coverage
Liability coverage pays for another person’s injuries or property damage when you’re responsible for an accident.
Collision coverage
Get your car repaired or replaced after a collision with another vehicle or object regardless of who was at fault. Add optional rental coverage.
Comprehensive coverage
Protect your car from damage beyond collisions, including theft, vandalism, severe weather, fire, and falling objects.
MedPay coverage
MedPay insurance helps cover eligible medical expenses like hospital or ambulance bills if you or your passengers are injured in an accident.
Uninsured motorist coverage
Stay protected if you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or enough coverage to pay for eligible injuries or damages.
Roadside assistance coverage
Roadside assistance gets you back on the road when you're stranded, with services like towing, jump-starts, and tire changes.
What is the average cost of car insurance in South Carolina?
The average South Carolina driver pays $2,417 per year for full coverage car insurance [2].
Root customers looking to purchase South Carolina car insurance could save up to $1,300 a year.
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South Carolina Auto Insurance FAQs
What is the minimum car insurance required in South Carolina?
To legally operate a vehicle in South Carolina, you must carry liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage.
To avoid serious expenses in the event of a major accident, you should consider coverage that protects:
You and your passengers (MedPay coverage)
Your vehicle (collision and comprehensive)
However, liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage are the only coverages you are legally required to select when purchasing auto insurance in South Carolina.
Is it legal to drive without insurance in South Carolina?
No, you cannot legally drive without auto insurance in South Carolina. State law requires every driver and vehicle owner to maintain continuous liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage and carry proof of it inside the vehicle. If you’re found driving without insurance, your driver’s license or vehicle registration could be suspended.
Do you need insurance to register a vehicle in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina requires vehicles to be insured in order to be registered, and you’ll need to keep that coverage in place for as long as the vehicle is registered. Letting your insurance lapse on a registered vehicle can lead to penalties, including suspension of your registration.
How do I lower my car insurance rate in South Carolina?
The easiest ways to save on your South Carolina car insurance premium are to drive safely, compare car insurance quotes, and review your coverage and deductible to find opportunities to save. With Root, you can get a personalized car insurance quote in minutes and explore coverage options that fit your needs and budget in the Palmetto State.
Is South Carolina a no-fault car insurance state?
No, South Carolina is not a no-fault state. It is an at-fault (or fault-based) state for car accidents. The driver who causes the crash is responsible for paying for medical bills, car repairs, and other damages through their insurance.
Is auto collision insurance required in South Carolina?
South Carolina law does not require drivers to carry collision coverage. The state only requires minimum liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage. Still, when comparing auto insurance quotes, consider adding collision protection to help pay for repairs to your vehicle after an accident, regardless of who caused it.
Is uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage required in South Carolina?
Yes, South Carolina requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage. It helps pay for injuries (and, depending on your policy, vehicle damage) when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough coverage. You can review your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage options, including higher limits, in our app.
Does Root offer full coverage car insurance in South Carolina?
There’s actually no such thing as “full coverage” in the auto insurance industry, but the term usually refers to combining liability (Bodily Injury and Property Damage), collision, and comprehensive. Root offers all of these coverages.
Who needs SR-22 insurance in South Carolina?
High-risk South Carolina drivers may be ordered by a court or the South Carolina DMV to provide an SR-22 after serious violations such as DUI, DWI, or driving without insurance.
An SR-22 is not insurance, but a certificate your auto insurer files to prove you carry the state-required minimum coverage. For high-risk drivers, failing to maintain it can result in license suspension.
Do I have to pay a deductible for windshield replacement in South Carolina?
Not under current law, as long as you have comprehensive coverage. South Carolina waives the deductible for windshield repair or replacement for drivers with comprehensive coverage. Proposed legislation could change this in the future, as House Bill 4817 would make zero-deductible glass optional starting January 1, 2027. Check your policy for the latest terms.
What happens if I'm partly at fault for an accident in South Carolina?
South Carolina uses a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. You can recover damages as long as you're not more at fault than the other party, though your compensation is reduced by your share of fault. If you're found 51% or more at fault, you can't recover damages.
Helpful resources for South Carolina drivers
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
The SCDMV issues driver's licenses and ID cards, manages vehicle titles and registrations, and maintains driving records.
South Carolina Department of Transportation
South Carolina Department of Insurance
The South Carolina Department of Insurance regulates insurance in the state and helps consumers with insurance questions and complaints.
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References
South Carolina Department of Insurance. Automobile Insurance.
Insure.com. Annual average rates were compiled in 2026.