South Carolina Auto Insurance Rates & Requirements
South Carolina requires 25/50/25 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.
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South Carolina at a Glance
25/50/25
Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)
At-fault
The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause
Required
Uninsured motorist coverage must be on every policy
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
State Requirements
South Carolina operates under a traditional at-fault tort liability system, meaning the driver responsible for a crash pays for damages. The state requires all drivers to carry proof of financial responsibility, enforced through random verification requests from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. South Carolina also mandates uninsured motorist coverage at the same limits as your bodily injury liability unless you reject it in writing — a requirement unique among southeastern states.
Bodily Injury Liability
Property Damage Liability
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Collision Coverage
Comprehensive Coverage
Cost Overview
about $114/mo
Average car insurance spending in South Carolina
Rate data: NAIC Auto Insurance Database, 2023
What Affects Your Rate
- Credit-based insurance scores significantly affect South Carolina rates; poor credit can double premiums compared to excellent credit with identical driving history.
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Compare Auto Insurance RatesFrequently Asked Questions
Is South Carolina a no-fault state for car insurance?
No, South Carolina is an at-fault tort state. The driver responsible for causing an accident is liable for damages, and injured parties can file claims against the at-fault driver's liability insurance or sue for costs exceeding policy limits. This makes carrying liability coverage above the 25/50/25 minimum crucial for protecting personal assets.
Coverage Types
Liability Insurance
Combines bodily injury and property damage liability to cover costs when you injure others or damage their property in an at-fault accident. South Carolina's minimum 25/50/25 limits leave you personally liable for any costs exceeding those caps.
Full Coverage
Bundles liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage into a complete package that protects both your legal liability and your vehicle's value. Lenders require full coverage for financed or leased vehicles.
Comprehensive Coverage
Pays for vehicle damage from non-collision events: theft, vandalism, weather, falling objects, fire, and animal strikes. This coverage includes glass damage and is subject to your chosen deductible.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Covers your medical bills, lost income, and vehicle damage when an at-fault driver has no insurance or flees the scene. South Carolina automatically includes this at your liability limits unless you reject it in writing.
Collision Coverage
Repairs or replaces your vehicle after a crash with another car or object, regardless of who caused the accident. You pay your deductible first, then the insurer covers remaining repair costs up to your vehicle's actual cash value.
SR-22 Insurance
Not a separate coverage type but a certificate of financial responsibility filed by your insurer with the South Carolina DMV after serious violations like DUI, multiple at-fault accidents, or driving uninsured. You must maintain continuous coverage for three years; any lapse triggers license suspension.