Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina (2026)
American National leads minimum coverage at $36/month. South Carolina drivers pay an average of $209/month for full coverage. Verified May 2026 against state insurance commissioner and 2026 carrier analyses.
Updated May 1, 2026 · WebSearch-verified state minimums (25/50/25 + UM/UIM 25/50/25 — equal liability + UM/UIM minimums), average costs, and cheapest-carrier rankings.
Quick Answer — South Carolina
- Minimum coverage required: 25/50/25 + UM/UIM 25/50/25 — equal liability + UM/UIM minimums
- Avg full coverage cost: $209/month ($2,511/year)
- Cheapest carrier (minimum): American National — $36/mo avg
- Cheapest carrier (full coverage): American National (or USAA for military) — $119/mo avg
What's special about car insurance in South Carolina
- Fault-based state
- Allows credit-based insurance pricing
- Hurricane / coastal risk drives higher comprehensive premiums in coastal SC
- Above-national-average rates due to higher claim frequency in the state
South Carolina car insurance at a glance
| Feature | Detail | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum coverage required | 25/50/25 + UM/UIM 25/50/25 — equal liability + UM/UIM minimums | — | — |
| Avg minimum coverage cost | $84/mo | $1,014/yr | — |
| Avg full coverage cost | $209/mo | $2,511/yr | — |
| Cheapest carrier (minimum) | American NationalBest | $36/mo | $432/yr |
| Cheapest carrier (full coverage) | American National (or USAA for military)Best | $119/mo | $1,428/yr |
Which carrier should South Carolina drivers pick?
Match your situation to the right carrier. South Carolina-specific pricing varies by carrier, but the patterns below hold for most drivers.
- You want the absolute cheapest minimum coverage→ American NationalCheapest in South Carolina at $36/mo. GEICO cheapest national carrier at $51/mo min
- You want full coverage at the lowest price→ American National (or USAA for military)$119/mo full coverage in South Carolina.
- You qualify for USAA (military / veteran / family)→ USAAUSAA is almost always cheapest for eligible members in any state — quote them first.
- You bundle auto + home→ State Farm23% bundle discount = avg $1,010/yr savings — highest in industry.
- You drive defensively + would let an app monitor→ Progressive (Snapshot)Avg $322/yr savings for safe drivers. Up to 30% off baseline.
- You have a high-risk record (DUI, accidents, tickets)→ ProgressiveSpecialty pricing for non-standard drivers — beats GEICO/State Farm in this tier.
Get a free South Carolina quote in 15 minutes
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$36/mo
Cheapest minimum coverage
$209/mo
State avg full coverage
25/50/25 + UM/UIM 25/50/25
State minimum required
May 2026
Last verified
Our methodology: We research, test, and verify every opportunity to ensure accuracy and value.
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Methodology & sources
All South Carolina data on this page was WebSearch-verified May 2026 against the South Carolina insurance commissioner / DMV and at least one of the following 2026 carrier analyses:
Caveat: Real quotes vary by ZIP code, age, driving record, credit (where allowed), vehicle, and coverage level. The averages cited are useful for cross-carrier comparison but your actual quote will differ — sometimes by hundreds of dollars in either direction. Always quote 3+ carriers before deciding.
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