Is South Carolina an at-fault state?

Yes, South Carolina is an at-fault state. While drivers are legally required to purchase liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage, other forms of coverage like medical payments coverage (MedPay) and collision coverage are not required. This is because the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay for the not-at-fault party’s injuries and property damage.

How much is car insurance in South Carolina?

Car insurance rates vary from person to person and company to company in South Carolina. Each company uses a specific formula to calculate rates for each driver, so your quote from one company may be drastically different from other companies. To find the best car insurance rate, you should shop around and compare quotes from different providers.

What is the average cost of car insurance In South Carolina?

The average car insurance cost for minimum liability and uninsured motorist coverage in South Carolina is $169 per month and $2,027 per year. The average cost for full coverage insurance in South Carolina is $231 per month and $2,772 per year.

Why is car insurance so expensive in South Carolina?

Car insurance rates in South Carolina are typically higher than other states since uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory on top of regular liability coverage.

Who has the best cheap car insurance in South Carolina?

After surveying 15,000 car insurance policyholders, Jerry found that there isn’t a specific company that offers the best insurance rates to every driver. To find cheap car insurance in South Carolina, use a car insurance comparison app or website to compare car insurance quotes from different insurance providers.

What is the minimum car insurance required in South Carolina?

South Carolina has a 25/50/25 rule for minimum liability coverage with equal rates mandated for uninsured motorist coverage. South Carolina’s minimum requirements include $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 of property damage liability per accident.

Do you need car insurance in South Carolina?

Yes, you need car insurance in South Carolina. South Carolina drivers are legally required to carry car insurance including the state’s minimum liability and uninsured motorist coverage.

Do you need insurance to register a car in South Carolina?

Yes, you must provide proof of insurance the first time you register a vehicle in South Carolina and every time you renew. If you do not have insurance, your registration and license may be suspended.

Can your car get towed for no insurance in South Carolina?

Your vehicle likely won’t get towed, but if you’re caught without insurance in South Carolina, your license plates and vehicle registration will be confiscated.

Does insurance follow the car or the driver in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage follow the car. Collision coverage and comprehensive coverage also follow the vehicle, but medical payments coverage follows the individual. If you allow someone to borrow your vehicle in South Carolina, the vehicle will be covered by your liability and uninsured motorist coverage. The borrower will not be covered by your medical payments coverage if you have it.

What does full coverage car insurance consist of in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, full coverage car insurance includes the state’s minimum liability and uninsured motorist coverage, which offers 25/50/25 coverage for both, and comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.

Can you have out of state car insurance in South Carolina?

In general, your car insurance policy will cover you when you drive in all 50 states and Canada. If you are a resident of South Carolina, your car insurance must be administered through an insurance company registered to South Carolina. You will not be able to register your vehicle, renew registration, receive a driver’s license, or renew your driver’s license in South Carolina with out of state insurance.

Is PIP required in South Carolina?

PIP is not required in South Carolina. Residents of South Carolina have the option to add medical payments coverage to their car insurance policy, although this coverage does not pay for lost wages or essential expenses.

Can you have both PIP and MedPay in South Carolina?

Insurance companies do not offer PIP in South Carolina. Instead, they offer medical payments coverage or MedPay. Unlike PIP, MedPay does not cover lost wages or essential expenses. Instead, MedPay exclusively pays for medical expenses directly resulting from an accident.

Why does every driver in South Carolina have to have insurance to drive?

South Carolina law mandates minimum car insurance limits to protect you and other drivers on the road in case of an accident.

How long can you drive without insurance after buying a car in SC?

South Carolina drivers are typically granted a two to 30 day grace period before they must get car insurance for a new vehicle. To be sure of your grace period, contact your insurance provider.

Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina (Dec 2024)

Written by R.E. Fulton and 2 others

Dec 18, 2024

Cheapest Car Insurance in South Carolina (Dec 2024)

Compare 50+ top insurance companies including Progressive, Travelers, AAA, Nationwide (and more!) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in South Carolina.

Find insurance savings

No long forms No spam or unwanted phone calls Quotes from top insurance companies

Written by R.E. Fulton and 2 others

Dec 18, 2024

How to find the cheapest car insurance quotes in South Carolina

To find the best car insurance rate for your unique driving profile and vehicle, it’s best to shop around and compare quotes from multiple different carriers.

Jerry Insurance Agency takes pride in providing thousands of South Carolina drivers with a fast and seamless insurance shopping experience—including cross-company quote comparisons.

Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Customer	Car	Insurance Coverage	Has Full Coverage

National General	$336	Eunice, 39, Columbia, SC	Ford Mustang	State Minimum	Yes
Progressive	$374	Earl, 27, Elloree, SC	Nissan Altima Sv	State Minimum	Yes
Safeco	$356	Helen, 50, Charleston, SC	Dodge Durango Gt	State Minimum	Yes
National General	$317	Tillie, 24, Florence, SC	Nissan Sentra Sv	State Minimum	Yes
National General	$215	Jessie, 36, Summerville, SC	Ford Focus Se	State Minimum	Yes

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina

Looking for the most affordable car insurance rates in South Carolina? To uncover the truth about insurance shopping in the Palmetto State—and the nation—Jerry administered the largest insurance shopping survey in the United States.

Our survey shows that there isn’t a single car insurance provider that consistently offers the most affordable rates to every driver. Each policyholder gains a different experience with unique rates from each carrier.

_ is commonly considered to be the cheapest car insurance company in South Carolina—but customers in our survey rated it _ out of 5 for prices. Some customers found their rates affordable and fair, while others claimed their premiums were expensive and constantly on the rise.

State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, USAA, and Liberty Mutual have the largest market shares in South Carolina. Take a look at what drivers had to say about these insurance providers.

Insurance Company	Date	Cost rating (out of 5)	What our customer said:
USA Underwriters Insurance	November 1, 2024	4	“Their rates at the time I thought were pretty high for liability but now 9 months later rates have literally doubled.” -Jeremiah
Allstate	October 30, 2024	5	“I am so thankful for Allstate for the coverage and the price I’m paying less than 50 more a month for full coverage.” -Gilbert
AAA	October 30, 2024	5	“Outstanding Company to be with. Very courteous and always pleased to help you when an accident takes place.” -Jayden
Bristol West	October 20, 2024	4	“They gave me an affordable rate, and it saved me $60/ month vs what I was paying before!” -Winifred
Sun Coast General	October 20, 2024	4	“Good insurance company through Allstate. Friendly customer service and hassel free. “ -Hannah

While you could call each company or fill out lengthy online forms, the simplest way to compare car insurance quotes is through a comparison app or website.
As a top insurance agency backed by hundreds of licensed insurance agents, Jerry offers a free app that compares car insurance quotes for you and provides real-time interactive service to customers.

Minimum liability and full coverage

Under South Carolina’s car insurance laws, drivers are required to carry the state’s minimum car insurance requirements. These requirements include liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage—but drivers should consider full coverage for protection against damage to their vehicles.

Cheapest minimum liability coverage car insurance quotes in South Carolina

To legally drive in South Carolina, drivers must have a car insurance policy with the state’s minimum liability and uninsured motorist coverage.

South Carolina has a 25/50/25 rule for minimum liability coverage. Drivers in South Carolina must have the state-required minimum of:

$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability
$50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident
$25,000 of property damage liability per accident
Uninsured motorist coverage at equal rates.

Here are some examples where Jerry recently assisted South Carolina drivers with fulfilling the state’s minimum car insurance requirements.

Do you need more than minimum coverage in South Carolina?

South Carolina’s 25/50/25 minimum car insurance requirements are fairly low. Whether you opt for higher liability limits or purchase full coverage insurance, most drivers require extra protection.

South Carolina is an at-fault state, so in the event of an at-fault accident, you could be responsible for vehicle repairs and medical expenses well beyond your minimum coverage. Serious injuries to another person or extreme vehicle damage can incur costs of $50,000 or more.

The bottom line: Better financial protection is the way to go. Look into full coverage or opt for 50/100/50 or 100/300/100 liability coverage.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance quotes in South Carolina

When it comes to repairing or replacing your vehicle post-accident, full coverage car insurance is the only way to ensure financial protection.

Comprehensive and collision coverage are the main markers of full coverage. Collision coverage takes care of the repair or replacement expenses if your vehicle is damaged from an accident, while comprehensive coverage provides coverage if your car is stolen or damaged due to non-collision incidents.

Leased and financed vehicles are typically required to have collision or comprehensive by the lender’s request. Displayed in the table below are recent instances of the most affordable full coverage policies obtained by customers with the assistance of Jerry’s agents.

Insurance Coverage	Has Full Coverage	Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Customer	Car

State Minimum	Yes	National General	$336	Eunice, 39, Columbia, SC	Ford Mustang
State Minimum	Yes	Progressive	$374	Earl, 27, Elloree, SC	Nissan Altima Sv
State Minimum	Yes	Safeco	$356	Helen, 50, Charleston, SC	Dodge Durango Gt
State Minimum	Yes	National General	$317	Tillie, 24, Florence, SC	Nissan Sentra Sv
State Minimum	Yes	National General	$215	Jessie, 36, Summerville, SC	Ford Focus Se

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

Average rates for state minimum liability coverage and full coverage

Our insights show us that the average cost of minimum liability coverage in South Carolina is $169 per month or $2,027 per year. The average cost of full coverage insurance in South Carolina is $231 per month or $2,772 per year.

Average car insurance costs can give you an idea of how high or low your rates might be, but keep in mind that insurance premiums vary from driver to driver. Insurance providers calculate rates for each policyholder using multiple factors, including the type of car you drive, your driving record and insurance history, and your demographics.

South Carolina car insurance: Additional coverages

Collision and comprehensive coverage can offer added protection, but other important types of car insurance in South Carolina include:

Medical payments (MedPay)
Towing and labor
Rental reimbursement coverage
Gap insurance
Roadside assistance

If you recently leased a car: Look into gap insurance. Gap insurance will cover the remainder of your lease if you owe more than the car’s value following a total loss or if you’re a victim of theft.

If you don’t own a car but rent or borrow one instead: Consider non-owner car insurance in South Carolina. Non-owner insurance offers liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage. If you’re found liable in an accident, it’ll cover the liability expenses for the other party. Keep in mind it won’t cover damage to the vehicle you’re driving or personal medical bills.

Car insurance premium by rating factors

In South Carolina, auto insurance companies consider numerous factors when determining your car insurance rate:

Your driving record and claims history: Tickets, accidents, and claims on your insurance history can impact your rates.
Where you keep your car: Rates are typically higher for people who live and drive in populous cities. Within the same city, rates can vary based on ZIP codes.
The kind of car you have: On average, collision and comprehensive coverage are more expensive for luxury vehicles, sports cars, and high-performance vehicles.
How you use your car: If you drive your car to and from work or use it for work activities, your rates will likely be higher than someone who uses their vehicle leisurely.
Your credit score: Drivers with higher credit scores usually pay less for both minimum coverage and full coverage.

Cheapest South Carolina car Insurance after a driving violation

Your driving history plays a huge part in your insurance rate. Insurance providers use your history of violations and accidents to depict your level of riskiness. High-risk drivers with greater infractions typically face the highest rates.

Cheapest car insurance for South Carolina drivers with a speeding ticket

There are different levels to speeding. You’ll find that most law enforcers classify speeding by the following degrees:

1-5 MPH over limit
6-10 MPH over limit
11-15 MPH over limit
16-20 MPH over limit
21+ MPH over limit.

A speeding ticket will typically impact your car insurance rate, and the higher your speed was over the limit, the worse it appears on your driving history. Jerry has assisted drivers with finding savings on car insurance even after they’ve received a citation for speeding.

Speeding Type	Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Customer	Liability Limits	Has Full Coverage

Speeding Violation-Minor	Progressive	$140	Evan, 33, Beech Island, SC	State Minimum	No
Speeding Violation-Minor	Progressive	$447	Katie, 24, Bradley, SC	State Minimum	No
Speeding 11-15	National General	$174	Lydia, 30, Kingstree, SC	State Minimum	No
Speeding Violation-Minor	National General	$587	Seth, 24, Elgin, SC	State Minimum	Yes
Speeding Violation-Minor	Progressive	$122	Sadie, 26, Sumter, SC	State Minimum	No

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

Cheapest auto insurance in South Carolina after a DUI

DUIs are one of the most serious moving violations in South Carolina. If your driving record includes a DUI violation, you’ll surely face higher than average car insurance premiums from most companies. To find the most affordable rates after a DUI, you’ll need to compare quotes from several providers.

South Carolina SR-22 insurance

High risk drivers with DUIs and other serious violations are typically required to fulfill a legal requirement known as an SR-22 filing. An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility, confirming that you’ve purchased the appropriate coverage levels required by South Carolina law.

If you’ve had numerous at-fault accidents, were caught driving without insurance, or if you have a history of reckless driving, you may be required to file an SR-22 in South Carolina.

Cheapest South Carolina auto Insurance after an at-fault accident

Your car accident or claims history can impact your car insurance rates, and it typically takes a while for your premiums to return to normal after a violation.

Insurance providers assess your history of accident with special focus on your at-fault collisions to determine your level of risk. High risk drivers with more than one at-fault accident will generally see the sharpest increase in their rates.

Accident Type	Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Customer	Insurance Coverage	Has Full Coverage

At Fault With No Injury	National General	$336	Eunice, 39, Columbia, SC	State Minimum	Yes
At Fault With No Injury	Progressive	$374	Earl, 27, Elloree, SC	State Minimum	Yes
Not At Fault	Safeco	$356	Helen, 50, Charleston, SC	State Minimum	Yes
At Fault With No Injury	Progressive	$180	Randall, 66, Summerville, SC	State Minimum	Yes
Not At Fault	Progressive	$346	Devin, 35, Summerville, SC	State Minimum	Yes

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

FAQ

Is South Carolina an at-fault state?

Yes, South Carolina is an at-fault state.

While drivers are legally required to purchase liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage, other forms of coverage like medical payments coverage (MedPay) and collision coverage are not required. This is because the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay for the not-at-fault party’s injuries and property damage.

Although MedPay and collision coverage are not mandatory, they’re still a good idea. MedPay can pay for things that liability insurance can’t, like personal medical expenses. Additionally, collision coverage will cover repairs even if you’re found at-fault.

The bottom line: Opt for MedPay and collision coverage for added protection—they’ll come in handy if you’re ever found at fault for an accident.

Cheapest auto insurance after other violations in South Carolina

Reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, and driving without insurance can all lead to higher insurance rates in South Carolina.

Here’s a list of various driving violations and how we’ve helped drivers save on their car insurance, even with these infractions on their driver profiles.

Violation	Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Customer	Liability Limits	Has Full Coverage

Suspension	Gainsco	$401	Marian, 25, Wedgefield, SC	State Minimum	No
Failure to show documents	Progressive	$391	Ora, 48, Conway, SC	State Minimum	No
Other Minor	Assurance America	$370	Louis, 34, Hilton Head Island, SC	State Minimum	No
Careless Driving	Bristol West	$668	Scott, 23, Cowpens, SC	State Minimum	Yes
DUI	Progressive	$176	Martha, 37, Greer, SC	State Minimum	Yes

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

Cheapest South Carolina auto insurance based on insurance history

Your insurance history refers to whether you’ve maintained insurance coverage over time. If providers notice a period in which you were not insured, your risk level increases. For this reason, any lapse in your insurance coverage can lead to higher car insurance rates.

Jerry sends helpful payment reminders to eligible customers to help them avoid late payments and coverage lapses. With the help of Jerry, you can be sure that your insurance provider views you as a low-risk policyholder.

Jerry has also helped uninsured customers or drivers with coverage lapses find savings on their new policies.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with poor credit

Most auto insurance companies use credit scores as an indicator of riskiness. Drivers with poor credit scores are typically quoted higher than those with good credit scores. This is because drivers with low credit scores are more likely to file claims.

Jerry’s data shows that average car insurance rates are 20% lower for individuals with a high credit score (over 750) than for drivers with lower credit scores (under 550).

Credit Range	Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Customer	Car	Insurance Coverage	Has Full Coverage

550-659	National General	$336	Eunice, 39, Columbia, SC	Ford Mustang	State Minimum	Yes
550-659	Progressive	$374	Earl, 27, Elloree, SC	Nissan Altima Sv	State Minimum	Yes
550-659	Safeco	$356	Helen, 50, Charleston, SC	Dodge Durango Gt	State Minimum	Yes
550-659	National General	$317	Tillie, 24, Florence, SC	Nissan Sentra Sv	State Minimum	Yes
550-659	National General	$215	Jessie, 36, Summerville, SC	Ford Focus Se	State Minimum	Yes

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

Cheapest South Carolina car insurance by age

Your driving experience impacts the level of risk you pose to your insurance provider. Typically, young people or new drivers with limited driving experience pay more for insurance until they’re approximately 25. Car insurance rates remain steady for experienced drivers over 25 with clean records, but premiums can begin to rise again for seniors in their mid-70s.

Cheapest South Carolina car insurance for young drivers

Young drivers between the ages of 16 to 24 can expect the highest insurance rates out of all age groups in South Carolina. Teen drivers are considered especially risky and typically pay the highest for minimum liability coverage.

Since they are more likely to get into accidents, teen drivers should opt for full coverage insurance, especially if they drive a newer vehicle. The added financial protection will offer peace of mind.

Cheapest South Carolina car insurance for senior drivers

Senior drivers are at a higher risk of accidents that result in serious injuries with hefty medical bills. Due to the added risk of financial liability, drivers tend to face higher insurance rates once they reach their mid-70s.

Cheapest car insurance for popular cars

Your car insurance premiums are based on the type of car you drive as well as your personal demographics. There are different expenses associated with each vehicle, and the cost of repairs or replacement, the chances of theft, and your vehicle’s safety features will all play a part in your car insurance rate.

Popular car models for South Carolinians include:

Honda CR-V
Toyota RAV4
Ford F-Series
Ram 1500/2500/3500
Chevrolet Silverado

Popular Car	Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Customer	Insurance Coverage	Has Full Coverage

Nissan Altima Sv	Progressive	$374	Earl, 27, Elloree, SC	State Minimum	Yes
Nissan Altima 2.5	Progressive	$138	Carolyn, 34, Georgetown, SC	State Minimum	No
Toyota Rav4 Le	Progressive	$61	Theresa, 27, Beaufort, SC	State Minimum	Yes
Chevrolet Silverado C1500 Lt	Progressive	$176	Martha, 37, Greer, SC	State Minimum	Yes
Nissan Altima	The General	$608	Bernice, 33, Travelers Rest, SC	State Minimum	No

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

Car insurance cost for new vs. old car

No matter where you live, newer vehicles generally cost more to insure than older vehicles. On average, vehicles older than 10 years cost around $2,042 per year to insure in South Carolina.

South Carolina cheapest car insurance by location

Amongst the other important factors that influence your car insurance rate, insurance providers also consider where you keep your car.

If you live in a high-population city, your rates will likely be higher than someone who lives in a rural neighborhood. The traffic frequency, accident rates, crime rates, and weather patterns of your city or town can all affect your insurance costs. Even different ZIP codes within the same city can have an impact.

Browse the table below to see how Jerry has helped drivers in different South Carolina cities with their insurance rates.

City	Customer	Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Car	Insurance Coverage	Has Full Coverage

Columbia, SC	Eunice	National General	$336	Ford Mustang	State Minimum	Yes
Elloree, SC	Earl	Progressive	$374	Nissan Altima Sv	State Minimum	Yes
Charleston, SC	Helen	Safeco	$356	Dodge Durango Gt	State Minimum	Yes
Florence, SC	Tillie	National General	$317	Nissan Sentra Sv	State Minimum	Yes
Summerville, SC	Jessie	National General	$215	Ford Focus Se	State Minimum	Yes

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

How to lower car insurance costs in South Carolina

There are a few common ways to lower your car insurance costs. Here are the top recommendations from Jerry’s team of licensed insurance agents:

Research different providers and compare quotes.
Bundle different insurance products (i.e. car insurance, homeowners insurance, rental insurance) for a multi-policy discount.
Ask your provider about your eligibility for insurance discounts, such as good student discounts, good driver discounts, loyalty discounts, defensive driving discounts, low mileage discounts, and discounts for vehicle anti theft devices and safety technology.
Increase your deductible for your comprehensive and collision coverage.
Improve your credit score.
Take a defensive driving course (discounts may apply).
Think about removing collision and comprehensive coverage on older cars.

Why car insurance is so expensive in South Carolina

Car insurance in South Carolina may be expensive due to:

Populous cities, more drivers: South Carolina is made up of over 5 million residents, not to mention hundreds of daily tourists who keep the roads busy.
Uninsured drivers: South Carolina is ranked #28 for uninsured drivers in the country.
High cost of auto parts and repairs: Vehicle repairs, auto parts, and general new car prices are on the rise.
Expensive healthcare: The national costs and state average for health care in South Carolina are steadily increasing.
Highway density: Major highways and state roads remain packed as population increases.

FAQ

How much is car insurance in South Carolina?

Car insurance rates vary from person to person and company to company in South Carolina. Each company uses a specific formula to calculate rates for each driver, so your quote from one company may be drastically different from other companies. To find the best car insurance rate, you should shop around and compare quotes from different providers.
What is the average cost of car insurance In South Carolina?

The average car insurance cost for minimum liability and uninsured motorist coverage in South Carolina is $169 per month and $2,027 per year. The average cost for full coverage insurance in South Carolina is $231 per month and $2,772 per year.
Why is car insurance so expensive in South Carolina?

Car insurance rates in South Carolina are typically higher than other states since uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory on top of regular liability coverage.
Who has the best cheap car insurance in South Carolina?

After surveying 15,000 car insurance policyholders, Jerry found that there isn’t a specific company that offers the best insurance rates to every driver.

To find cheap car insurance in South Carolina, use a car insurance comparison app or website to compare car insurance quotes from different insurance providers.
What is the minimum car insurance required in South Carolina?

South Carolina has a 25/50/25 rule for minimum liability coverage with equal rates mandated for uninsured motorist coverage. South Carolina’s minimum requirements include $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 of property damage liability per accident.
Do you need car insurance in South Carolina?

Yes, you need car insurance in South Carolina. South Carolina drivers are legally required to carry car insurance including the state’s minimum liability and uninsured motorist coverage.
Do you need insurance to register a car in South Carolina?

Yes, you must provide proof of insurance the first time you register a vehicle in South Carolina and every time you renew. If you do not have insurance, your registration and license may be suspended.
Can your car get towed for no insurance in South Carolina?

Your vehicle likely won’t get towed, but if you’re caught without insurance in South Carolina, your license plates and vehicle registration will be confiscated.
Does insurance follow the car or the driver in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage follow the car. Collision coverage and comprehensive coverage also follow the vehicle, but medical payments coverage follows the individual.

If you allow someone to borrow your vehicle in South Carolina, the vehicle will be covered by your liability and uninsured motorist coverage. The borrower will not be covered by your medical payments coverage if you have it.
What does full coverage car insurance consist of in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, full coverage car insurance includes the state’s minimum liability and uninsured motorist coverage, which offers 25/50/25 coverage for both, and comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.
Can you have out of state car insurance in South Carolina?

In general, your car insurance policy will cover you when you drive in all 50 states and Canada.

If you are a resident of South Carolina, your car insurance must be administered through an insurance company registered to South Carolina. You will not be able to register your vehicle, renew registration, receive a driver’s license, or renew your driver’s license in South Carolina with out of state insurance.
Is PIP required in South Carolina?

PIP is not required in South Carolina. Residents of South Carolina have the option to add medical payments coverage to their car insurance policy, although this coverage does not pay for lost wages or essential expenses.
Can you have both PIP and MedPay in South Carolina?

Insurance companies do not offer PIP in South Carolina. Instead, they offer medical payments coverage or MedPay. Unlike PIP, MedPay does not cover lost wages or essential expenses. Instead, MedPay exclusively pays for medical expenses directly resulting from an accident.
Why does every driver in South Carolina have to have insurance to drive?

South Carolina law mandates minimum car insurance limits to protect you and other drivers on the road in case of an accident.
How long can you drive without insurance after buying a car in SC?

South Carolina drivers are typically granted a two to 30 day grace period before they must get car insurance for a new vehicle. To be sure of your grace period, contact your insurance provider.

MEET OUR EXPERTS

R.E. Fulton

Licensed Insurance Agent

R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views. As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.

Lina Zhang

Lina Zhang is co-founder and vice president of operations at Jerry, where she leads a global team responsible for operations, talent acquisition, content, legal, and compliance. Lina’s operational excellence was a critical enabler of Jerry’s 10x growth in its first year of operation.

Prior to Jerry, Lina and her Jerry co-founders, Art Agrawal and Musawir Shah, led YourMechanic, the largest on-demand car repair services provider. In one year, Lina built and scaled YourMechanic operations from five markets to more than 50. The trio left YourMechanic to incubate Jerry at Y Combinator in 2017.

Lina’s previous roles include intellectual property attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a biomedical researcher at Stanford University.

Lina holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Nanjing University, a doctorate in biochemistry from Dartmouth College, and a juris doctorate from the University of California Berkeley School of Law. She’s a member of the State Bar of California and a licensed property and casualty insurance producer in all 50 states.

Josh Damico

As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.

Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.

Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions.

Insurance research

We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months).

We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record.

For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings.

Team

The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.

^†For illustrative purposes only, results may vary

Editorial Note: This article was written by a paid member of Jerry’s editorial team. Statements in this article represent the author’s personal opinions and do not constitute advice or recommendations. You should consult with an insurance professional about your specific circumstances and needs before making any insurance decisions.