Auto Insurance In South Carolina: Finding The Best Coverage

Finding the best auto insurance in South Carolina depends on your needs and budget. The average cost of full-coverage car insurance in South Carolina is $151 per month, which is $13 cheaper than the national average. The cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina is Auto-Owners, with rates 36% cheaper than the state average. However, USAA offers the lowest rates for military personnel and their families. For drivers with a DUI, American National offers the cheapest rates.

Best for digital policy servicing

When it comes to the best auto insurance in South Carolina, GEICO is rated the best for digital policy servicing. GEICO offers some of the lowest average rates and numerous discounts for further savings. They also offer a robust set of digital tools that earned them a second-place spot on J.D. Power's U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study for service. GEICO also offers policyholders the option to manage their policy online or through their mobile app.

GEICO may be a good choice for young drivers just starting out or anyone hoping to save money on their car insurance. They also extend potential discounts for a variety of professional organizations and alumni groups.

However, GEICO did land below the segment average for the Southeast region of the J.D. Power study, so potential customers may want to speak with existing policyholders about their experience.

Best for local agencies

State Farm is the best option for drivers who value convenient service provided by in-person agents. The insurance company has a robust set of digital tools for policy management and has a mobile app with impressive ratings (4.8 out of 5.0 on the App Store and 4.7 on Google Play). State Farm also has local agents in South Carolina who can help personalize your policy with one-on-one service. Although the company's average full coverage premium is one of the highest on our list, it offers several potential opportunities to save with generous discounts, including good student discounts, vehicle discounts, and its Steer Clear telematics program.

Best for discount opportunities

Travelers is the best auto insurance in South Carolina for discount opportunities. It offers a broad selection of discounts, like new car, paid-in-full, early quote, safe driver, continuous insurance, and more. It also offers a potential discount for drivers with hybrid or electric vehicles. Although Travelers came in below the segment average in the J.D. Power Study, it does have local agents available for policyholders who prefer to conduct their insurance business in person.

Best for customizable coverage

When it comes to customising your auto insurance coverage in South Carolina, Nationwide is the best option. In addition to standard coverage, Nationwide offers a robust list of endorsements, including gap insurance, accident forgiveness, vanishing deductible and coverage for classic cars. South Carolina drivers can also benefit from the company's SmartMiles and SmartRide telematics programs, as well as its On Your Side policy reviews.

Nationwide also offers 10 advertised discounts, which can help you save on coverage add-ons. However, it's important to note that Nationwide is not available in all states, which may be a concern for drivers who move frequently.

Best for extra rewards opportunities

If you are looking for extra rewards opportunities from your auto insurance in South Carolina, Allstate is the best option. Allstate offers multiple ways to be rewarded for safe driving habits. These include Deductible Rewards, which reduces your policy’s collision deductible by up to $500 for every year of safe driving, and a Safe Driving Bonus for every six months without an accident. Allstate also has a Drivewise telematics program where your real-time driving behaviour is tracked to earn even more potential discounts.

Allstate also has many options for add-on coverage, such as gap insurance, accident forgiveness and new car replacement. However, it is important to note that Allstate has some of the most expensive average rates for auto insurance in South Carolina.

Frequently asked questions