Auto Insurance In South Carolina: What's The Law?

Driving in South Carolina requires auto insurance, and motorists must carry proof of insurance when driving. The state's auto insurance requirements are divided into two basic coverages: liability and physical damage. Liability insurance is further split into three parts: bodily injury, property damage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. The minimum liability coverage in South Carolina is $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 for all persons injured in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory and must be equal to the minimum liability coverage. Collision and comprehensive coverages are optional but may be required by a lender. Driving without insurance in South Carolina can result in fines, suspension of driving privileges, and even imprisonment.

Minimum insurance requirements

In South Carolina, vehicle owners are required to carry certain types and amounts of car insurance coverage. Driving without insurance can lead to strict penalties, and if you cause a car accident as an uninsured driver, you could find yourself in serious financial jeopardy.

South Carolina requires you to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 for all persons injured in one accident. Claims for bodily injury may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The minimum limit in South Carolina is $25,000 for all property damage in one accident.

Uninsured motorists coverage is also required in South Carolina, in an amount equal to the minimum required liability coverage (25/50/25). There is typically a $200 deductible. Underinsured motorists coverage is similar to uninsured motorist coverage, but it pays for your injuries or property damage if the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover your damages or medical bills. While auto insurers are required to offer you underinsured motorists coverage, you are not required to purchase it.

Collision coverage and comprehensive coverage are the two most common types of physical damage coverage. Collision coverage pays for physical damage to your car as the result of your auto colliding with an object, such as a tree or another car. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your auto from most other causes, including fire, vandalism, flooding, theft, falling objects, and collision with animals. While not required by law, comprehensive and collision coverage may be required by your lender.

Uninsured motorist coverage

In South Carolina, uninsured motorist coverage is a legal requirement for drivers. This coverage protects the policyholder if they are injured or their property is damaged by an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run driver. The minimum amount of uninsured motorist coverage required by law in South Carolina is $25,000 per person for personal injuries and $50,000 for all people per accident. Additionally, a minimum coverage of $25,000 for car and property damage is also mandatory.

In addition to uninsured motorist coverage, South Carolina law also requires underinsured motorist coverage to be offered by auto insurers. While not mandatory to purchase, this coverage is beneficial if the at-fault driver does not have sufficient insurance to cover your damages or medical bills. Underinsured motorist coverage can help fill the gap and ensure that your expenses are covered.

It is important to note that you can only recover damages through either uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, not both. This coverage is designed to protect you and your passengers in the event of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. By having this coverage, you can rest assured that you will have some financial protection and assistance in dealing with the aftermath of such an incident.

To comply with South Carolina law and ensure your financial protection, it is crucial to have the required uninsured motorist coverage. This will provide you with the necessary support and assistance in the unfortunate event of an accident with an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.

Liability coverage

In South Carolina, liability auto insurance policies contain three major parts under the state's Tort law: liability insurance for bodily injury, liability insurance for property damage, and uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage.

Liability Insurance for Bodily Injury

Bodily injury liability insurance protects you against the claims of other people who are injured in an accident for which you were at fault. South Carolina requires you to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person for bodily injury and a total of $50,000 for all persons injured in one accident. Claims for bodily injury may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Liability Insurance for Property Damage

Property damage liability insurance pays for any damage you cause to the property of others. This includes damage to other vehicles, as well as other property such as buildings, walls, fences, and equipment. The minimum limit in South Carolina is $25,000 for all property damage in one accident.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverage

Uninsured motorists coverage protects the policyholder directly. This coverage pays out if you are injured or your property is damaged by a hit-and-run driver or an uninsured driver. South Carolina law requires you to carry uninsured motorists coverage equal to the minimum amounts of liability coverage ($25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 for all persons injured in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage). There is typically a deductible of $200. Underinsured motorists coverage is similar but pays out if the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover your damages or medical bills. Auto insurers are required to offer you underinsured motorists coverage in South Carolina, but you are not obliged to purchase it.

Collision coverage

In South Carolina, drivers must be insured by an automobile liability policy under a company licensed to do business in the state. Driving without insurance can lead to strict penalties. If you are pulled over and cannot prove that you have insurance, you may be fined, ticketed, or even taken to jail. If your license is suspended, you will have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee.

While collision coverage is not required by state law, it is an option for those who want it. Collision coverage is a type of insurance that pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is involved in an accident with another vehicle or a stationary object. This includes accidents such as hitting a guardrail or telephone pole, collisions with other vehicles, and collisions while your vehicle is parked. Collision coverage is available for most types of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, boats, and RVs.

If you own your vehicle outright, collision coverage is optional. However, if you lease or finance your vehicle, your lender may require you to have collision coverage to protect their investment. Without it, you would have to pay out of pocket to repair or replace your vehicle if you are at fault in an accident. If you are not at fault, the other driver's liability coverage will typically cover the damage.

When deciding whether to purchase collision coverage, consider the value of your vehicle and whether you could afford to pay for repairs or a replacement out of pocket. If your vehicle will not be driven for a long period, such as a boat or RV in storage, you may decide that collision coverage is unnecessary.

Penalties for driving without insurance

South Carolina requires vehicle owners to carry liability auto insurance and uninsured motorist coverage. Driving without insurance can lead to strict penalties.

First Offense

If it's your first time driving without insurance in South Carolina, you may experience the following:

• An uninsured motorist fee of $600 if coverage is not restored.
• A fine of up to $200 or imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both.
• A fine of $5 per day for each day you went without insurance, up to a maximum of $200.
• Your license and registration could be suspended until you can provide proof of car insurance coverage (SR-22).
• A reinstatement fee of up to $400 to reinstate your license and registration.

Second Offense

For a second offense, all the penalties from the first offense apply. There is no option to choose between a fine or jail time; you will likely be fined and face up to 30 days in jail. A second offense is considered a criminal misdemeanor, which stays on your criminal record permanently.

Third Offense

For a third offense, the fees and penalties from the previous offenses apply, but jail time is increased to between 45 days and six months.

Driving a Vehicle You Don't Own

If you are convicted of driving an uninsured vehicle that you do not own, your license may be suspended for 30 days, and you will likely need to pay a $100 reinstatement fee to get it back.

Frequently asked questions