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South Carolina is an at-fault (tort) state. Drivers must carry at least 25/50/25 in coverage, and the average full-coverage premium is $3,457 a year, 18% above the national average of $2,922. This guide covers what South Carolina requires, what drivers pay, the rules on fault, uninsured drivers, penalties, teen drivers and phone use, and how to pay less.
| Minimum coverage | 25/50/25 |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Average full coverage | $3,457 a year ($288 a month), 18% above the national average of $2,922 |
| Uninsured drivers | 10.3% (2023), the 39th highest rate of 51 |
| Filing after serious violations | SR-22 |
South Carolina requires $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability (South Carolina Department of Insurance).
| Uninsured motorist | Required at the same 25/50/25 limits. |
The minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation. Property damage limits in particular don't go far when a new car can cost more than the limit to replace, and anything above your limits is your personal responsibility. See how limits and deductibles work and every type of coverage explained.
The average full-coverage premium in South Carolina is $3,457 a year, 18% above the national average of $2,922. That makes South Carolina the 10th most expensive of 49 (48 states plus D.C.; Alaska and Hawaii aren't in the data) (Experian, "Car Insurance Average Costs by State," published September 9, 2026; full coverage, 12 months to August 2026).
Within South Carolina, prices still vary a lot by ZIP code, driving record and car, and 10.3% of drivers on South Carolina roads were uninsured in 2023, so the coverage you choose matters as much as the premium.
Your own price depends on your ZIP code, age, driving record, car and coverage. Try our car insurance calculator with South Carolina preselected for a personal estimate, and see what determines your car insurance cost.
South Carolina uses modified comparative fault with a 51% bar: your damages are reduced by your share of the blame, and you recover nothing if you are more than 50% at fault. (Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, "Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States," updated June 10, 2026)
An estimated 10.3% of South Carolina drivers were uninsured in 2023, the 39th highest rate among the 50 states and D.C. (Insurance Research Council, uninsured motorist estimates for 2023, via Insurance Information Institute "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists"). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you when one of them hits you. See coverage types.
You need proof of insurance to register a vehicle, and you must show it when a law enforcement officer asks. (South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles)
If you're caught driving a vehicle you don't own without insurance, your license is suspended for 30 days and there's a $100 reinstatement fee. If the uninsured vehicle is your own, the suspension lasts until you meet the reinstatement requirements, which include fees and proof of future financial responsibility. (South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, "Facts About Driving Uninsured")
A conviction for driving uninsured also follows you into your next policy. In CarInsurance.com's rate analysis, it raised the average full-coverage premium in South Carolina from $2,009 to $2,570 a year, an increase of 28% (CarInsurance.com, "Penalty for driving without insurance in every state," updated March 24, 2026; rate analysis).
Beyond the penalties, driving uninsured leaves you personally liable for any damage you cause. See what happens if you drive without car insurance.
After an uninsured-driving suspension, South Carolina requires an SR-22 filed by your insurer for three years from the date of the suspension. (South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles)
South Carolina uses graduated driver licensing (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Graduated licensing laws" table):
Adding a teen is usually the biggest single increase in a family's premium. Keeping them on the family policy, a good-student discount and a safe, modest car help most.
A distracted-driving ticket can count against your record and your premium. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Electronic device laws" table)
See how to compare car insurance quotes, or get quotes for your ZIP code.
For questions about a policy, a claim or an insurer's conduct, contact the South Carolina Department of Insurance. It handles consumer questions and complaints about insurers in South Carolina.
AutoInsuranceQuery editorial team. Last reviewed: September 29, 2026.
