South Carolina Car Insurance (Coverage, Companies, & More)

Want a taste of the South, check out South Carolina! Known for its rich history, beaches (Myrtle Beach, anyone?), iconic food and drink, beautiful landscapes, and more, South Carolina, known as the Palmetto State, has something for everyone.

Love animals? Morgan Island, one of the Sea Islands in South Carolina, is also known as Monkey Island. Visitors can see some of the approximately 4,000 rhesus monkeys in their natural habitat.

ACE Basin, found in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, is one of the largest estuaries in the eastern half of the United States and includes 217,000 acres of wildlife and vegetation.

Are you a history buff? South Carolina is for you! Civil War history can be found nearly everywhere in the state, including Fort Sumter, where shots were first fired at the start of the War.

Whether you live in South Carolina or just plan to visit, knowing the rules of the road, state insurance requirements, and more while traveling across the state is important. But knowing where to search, what questions to ask, and how to find all the information you need to know can be frustrating. Why not let us find all the information for you and conveniently locate it in one place?

Ready to get started? Read on to find out more! And while you’re at it, use your zip code to get a free quote on car insurance!

South Carolina Car Insurance Coverage and Rates

How does South Carolina’s insurance premiums compare to the rest of the nation?

This table shows South Carolina’s average annual insurance premiums are 7.7 percent below the national average. If you live in South Carolina, this is good news for your wallet.

Looking for general information insurance coverage and rates in South Carolina? We are here for you. In the following sections, we will look at coverage requirements, liability, rates based on various demographics and locations within the state, financial responsibility, and more.

South Carolina’s Car Culture

South Carolinians love to drive. With an estimated 717 drivers per 1,000 residents, there are a lot of drivers on the road. The state’s love of the open road, motorized vehicles, and all things racing began over a hundred years ago and has never stopped.

South Carolina is home to hundreds of car manufacturing facilities as well as raceways for both professionals and amateurs.

South Carolina Minimum Coverage

In general, there is a minimum insurance coverage required to legally be able to operate your vehicle on the road. South Carolina is no exception and requires minimum liability coverage.

South Carolina is an “at-fault” state, which means the driver at fault for the accident (or the at-fault driver’s insurance) is financially responsible for any damages that resulted from the accident.

South Carolina’s liability coverage requirements are shown in the table below:

Drivers are also required to have uninsured motorist coverage at the same values listed in the liability coverage requirements table above.

There is one exception to the minimum liability coverage requirement in South Carolina. In special cases, though it is not recommended, if you meet several qualifications, you can apply for an annual $600.00 Uninsured Motorist Fee, which allows drivers to use an uninsured vehicle on the road in South Carolina.

In the following sections, we will look in more detail at driver responsibility and additional coverage options. It is important to note that minimum insurance requirements are not always the best option for drivers. For more information about what level of coverage best suits your needs, speak with your insurance provider.

Forms of Financial Responsibility

State law requires all drivers to keep proof of financial responsibility, specifically valid proof of insurance, available in the vehicle at all times. South Carolina is one of the 48 states in the U.S. that allows drivers to use digital copies of proof of insurance, rather than paper proof, at a traffic stop. At any point during a traffic stop, the driver may be required to show this proof of insurance.

Premiums as a Percentage of Income

If you live in South Carolina, how much of your paycheck goes to car insurance? Below is a table showing the percentage of income spent on car insurance across a three-year span in the Palmetto State, compared to the national average of the same.

Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates in SC (Liability, Collision, Comprehensive)

Typically, auto insurance policies provide either liability, collision, or comprehensive coverage. A combination policy, which includes all three, is also an option.

This video provides a quick overview of auto insurance policy and coverage basics.

In South Carolina, the average core coverage costs are listed in the below table, compared to national averages of the same coverage options.

South Carolina is below the national average in three out of the four coverage options. However, it is worth noting that this data, pulled from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website, is based on the states’ minimum requirements for insurance.

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Is there an additional liability?

Additional liability coverage can be added to your policy to cover expenses beyond those already covered by typical policies. Examples of additional liability coverage include:

• Personal injury protection, or no-fault insurance, helps cover medical expenses for all individuals involved in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
• Medical payments coverage helps pay medical costs for you and anyone else listed on your policy in the event of an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage provides additional financial protection in the event you are in an accident with someone uninsured or underinsured.

Loss ratio is the percentage of premiums that are paid out in claims. An insurance provider may be losing money when their loss ratio is greater than one hundred percent. If their ratio is lower, claims are not being paid.

The below table provides an overview of theaverage loss ratio for the state in each of the additional liability types available for South Carolina. While the NAIC does not currently have data on personal injury protection, they do provide data on uninsured motorists and MedPay.

As of 2015, 9.4 percent of South Carolina drivers are uninsured, ranking them at 37th in the country for uninsured drivers.

Are there any add-ons, endorsements, & riders?

Additional endorsements, add-ons, and riders you can speak to your insurance provider about including in your policy, if they suit your needs, are listed below:

• Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP)
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
• Rental Reimbursement
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Non-Owner Car Insurance
• Modified Car Insurance Coverage
• Classic Car Insurance
• Pay-As-You-Drive or Usage-Based Insurance

What are the average monthly car insurance rates by age & gender in SC?

It is common practice for auto insurance providers to adjust rates based on gender. Some states, including California and North Carolina, have outlawed this practice, but currently, South Carolina still permits insurance providers to use gender as a factor in determining rates. The below table provides average rates for the primary auto insurance providers in South Carolina across a range of age and gender demographics. (For more information, read our “Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies That Accept Permits“).

Read more: Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company Car Insurance Review

It is interesting to note that at ages 17 and 25, all seven providers charged higher premiums for males than for females. At age 35 and married, however, three of the companies (Allstate, Geico, and State Farm) charged the same rates for males and females, and the same is true at 60 and married.

This table ranks the premiums based on demographics (age, gender, and marital status) and providers.

The Quadrant Data included in the above tables are based on actual purchased coverage in South Carolina and includes rates for high-risk drivers as well as drivers who purchase coverage beyond the required minimum and other kinds of non-required coverage like personal injury protection and MedPay.

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What are the cheapest rates by zip code?

Below is a list of the premium rates in every zip code in South Carolina. Check it out to see how your zip code ranks against others in the state.

What are the cheapest rates by city?

In addition to a zip code breakdown, below is a list of the premium rates in every city in South Carolina. Check it out to see how your city ranks against others in the state.

Read more: Seneca Insurance Company, Inc Car Insurance Review

What are the average rates in South Carolina’s 10 largest cities?

We have put together the below table, outlining the average rates in South Carolina’s 10 largest cities. The average premiums are based on the average rates in each zip code, within each city.

An interesting note is that the cheapest average rates in South Carolina are found in the second-largest city, Columbia, while the most expensive rates are found in the third-largest city, North Charleston.

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Who are the best South Carolina car insurance companies

There are several options for auto insurance in South Carolina. We know finding the best insurance company for your needs is difficult. Price is only part of the equation. So many factors should be considered, and we do that for you here. We’ll let you know which companies in South Carolina have the best customer service, which have the best-quoted rates, which are the largest, and more.

Read more: Top 10 South Carolina Car Insurance Companies

What’s the financial rating of the  largest companies?

AM Best is a company that provides financial ratings of companies across a variety of industries. In this table, we use them to gauge the financial stability of the top 10 insurance providers in South Carolina.

From this perspective, all the insurance providers in South Carolina are good options, as they all rank at an A or better in financial stability.

Read More:

• Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company Car Insurance Review
• Dorchester Mutual Insurance Company Car Insurance Review
• Dorchester Insurance Company, Ltd Car Insurance Review

Which companies have the best ratings?

Financial ratings and premium rates are great, but what if you need to call someone? Customer service can be nearly as important as the financial factors when making a decision on which auto insurance company is for you. J.D. Power developed a customer satisfaction index rating of the top auto insurance companies in various regions across the nation.

The companies with the best customer satisfaction ratings in the Southeast are provided below.

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Which companies have the most complaints in South Carolina?

While no company will be complaint-free, it is useful to know if some companies have received excessive complaints. Definitely a factor to include in your decision-making process.

This table provides the number of complaints along with the ratio each company receives, on average.

Looking at this table may make you think Liberty Mutual is not a good choice for insurance because their complaint ratio is 5.95, versus the other companies, which all have a ratio of less than one. However, this number cannot be used without context.

Liberty Mutual’s market share in South Carolina is 5.19 percent, so all their complaints are within a very small share of the market. Compare this to State Farm, whose complaint ratio is 0.44, with a market share of 23.88 percent, so the complaints they receive are stretched across a much larger share of the market.

If at any point you need to file a complaint against your insurance company, this can be done through the South Carolina Department of Insurance. They have an online consumer complaint form you can fill out and submit through their website.

Now that you know how to evaluate companies based on complaints, loss ratio, and consumer satisfaction ratings, let’s look at rate comparisons.

What are the cheapest companies in South Carolina?

When shopping for anything, looking at the price (usually lowest to highest) is a good way to start. Price isn’t the only factor to consider in making a smart purchase, however, so we provide you with other important pieces of information so you can make the best value decision for your needs.

This table shows the average rates from each of the top insurance companies in South Carolina and compares them to the state average.

The base price, like the information included in the above table, is important. However, there are a variety of factors that can go into how your specific rate is adjusted. Insurance companies often use many factors, including your commute, driving record, your credit history, and even your level of education to determine the rate they charge each individual.

Read more: South Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company Car Insurance Review

Read on to find out how these factors can affect your rate.

What are the average commute rates by companies?

Did you know the number of miles you drive in a year can affect your rates? The more you drive, the higher your rates, and the less you drive, the lower your rates. This is because the more time you spend on the road, the higher your chance of getting in an accident. Insurance companies factor this into your rates because more accidents mean more claims and higher overall premiums.

Let’s compare rates from insurance providers in South Carolina for a commute of 10 miles versus a commute of 25 miles to see what this means for you.

Rates from Farmers, Progressive, and Nationwide do not vary between the different commutes (though they are on the higher end of the rates shown in the table). However, the remaining four do show variations. The percent increase indicates the percentage difference between rates offered by an insurance provider based on commute.

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What are the coverage level rates by companies?

The amount of auto insurance coverage you select to be included in your policy also affects your rates. How are rates affected by the level of coverage? Let’s look at the below table to see how average premiums are affected by high, medium, and low coverage to help you start thinking about what level of coverage is right for you.

More coverage equals higher rates. However, the amount of coverage you need is dependent on a number of factors, including how much you drive and the age of your car.

Your rates can also be affected by other factors, like credit history and your driving record. Let’s look at how those variables can affect your rates.

What are the credit history rates by companies?

Do you have good credit? This can be a benefit (or a hindrance, if you have poor credit) to your final insurance premium. Many states allow insurance companies to use credit scores as a basis for additional rate adjustments. They use a credit-based insurance score that is based on factors related to credit and financial stability.

South Carolina does allow insurance companies to use a credit-based insurance score to help determine premiums. The below table shows the average premiums for good, fair, and poor credit across several major insurance providers in the Palmetto State.

For some companies, your credit score is less of a factor than for others. In looking at the percent increase in premiums for poor credit versus good credit, Geico and USAA appear to consider credit the least, while State Farm, Allstate, and Farmers demonstrate they consider credit to be a key factor in your premiums.

What are the driving record rates by companies?

As you might expect, your driving record affects your premium rates. Speeding ticket? Rate increase. Accident? Another rate increase. Let’s see how much your driving record can affect your rates in South Carolina.

If you feel a need for speed or have recently been in an accident, your best option for insurance may be Geico, as they do not increase rates for the first speeding ticket and they have the lowest increase in rates for an accident.

Looked at another way, the below table shows the percent increase in rates for each driving offense, using the dollar increases listed in the above table.

If you look at the percent difference between rate increases for speeding tickets and rate increases for DUIs, most companies increase rates more for DUIs than for speeding tickets. However, Farmers has a lower rate increase for a DUI than for speeding, and State Farm’s rate increases are the same for both speeding and DUIs.

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What are the largest car insurance companies in South Carolina?

Another factor to consider, besides driving record, credit score, and the other variables we’ve considered so far, is market share. How large an insurance company is and how much of the market share they have in South Carolina, as well as their loss ratio and complaint ratio, help you, the consumer, better understand a company’s financial stability and their response to claims.

Check out this table to see the market share for the top 10 insurance companies in the South Carolina.

What is the number of insurers by state?

There are 1,012 insurance companies in South Carolina. Of these, 19 are considered domestic insurers, while the remaining 993 are termed foreign insurers.

What does this mean?

According to the International Risk Management Institute, a domestic insurer is one that is “admitted by and formed under the laws under the state in which insurance is written,” while a foreign insurer is one that was incorporated in a different state (in this case somewhere outside South Carolina), but can still operate within South Carolina.

All insurance companies, whether domestic or foreign, are required to operate under the laws of the state in which they are selling policies. This means the insurance companies must follow the South Carolina state insurance laws when they handle policies in South Carolina. Those laws are important to understand; keep reading, because we go over the state laws in the next section.

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What are the South Carolina laws?

You already know from the previous sections that South Carolina has laws regarding the minimum amount of auto insurance required to legally drive on the road.

However, there are other laws you need to be familiar with, like proper licensing, windshield requirements, rules of the road, and more to be able to select the best insurance policy for you and avoid possible fees and license suspensions.

We know it can be complicated and sometimes overwhelming to find this kind of information, but we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn more.

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What are the car insurance laws?

In South Carolina, a vehicle cannot be registered with the state without a valid, active insurance policy (which the DMV will validate). If, at any point, that insurance policy lapses, is removed, etc., the both you and the South Carolina DMV will be notified. If you do not provide updated, valid insurance policy information to the DMV within 20 days of the initial notification, your license to drive will be suspended.

According to the South Carolina DMV, to get your driver’s license reinstated, you will likely have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee. You may also be required to pay a $5 fee for every day you were uninsured.

How South Carolina laws for insurance are determined

State laws for insurance in South Carolina are determined through the typical legislative process, starting with a bill that is presented to the state legislature. Once it is agreed that the bill is necessary, beneficial, etc., it becomes law, and then you, the driver, are responsible for meeting the requirements outlined in that law.

To legally drive on the road, states often also have some safety-related laws you should be familiar with that we go over in the following sections.

How to get windshield coverage

South Carolina legislation does not mandate repairs to chips or cracks in your windshield unless your view of the road through the windshield is obstructed.

Auto insurance companies are not required to provide you, the insured, free windshield coverage. However, according to the South Carolina Department of Insurance, if you have a comprehensive insurance policy, the deductible for any glass repairs is waived.

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How to get high-risk insurance

It can be difficult to obtain insurance if you are considered a high-risk driver (someone with a poor driving record, a DUI on record, etc.).

As we discussed earlier, South Carolina does allow you to legally drive uninsured if you qualify and pay the required fee. If you do want insurance but are considered high risk, South Carolina does have options in place to help you obtain insurance.

If you have a valid driver’s license but have been unable to obtain insurance for two months (you must be able to provide proof), you may be eligible for help from the Associated Auto Insurers Plan of South Carolina (AAIPSC).

What is AAIPSC? The organization is not an insurance company. Instead, if you are eligible for their assistance, they match you with an insurance provider and mandate that the provider grants you a policy. You may be required to pay higher rates, however, because you are considered a high enough risk that insurance companies did not voluntarily choose to sell you a policy.

Under AAIPSC, insurance companies will still provide you with policies that offer the same amount of coverage as the minimum liability coverage requirement. Companies may also offer higher coverage and optional add-ons, should you request this.

According to the South Carolina Department of Insurance, should you believe you need assistance in obtaining auto insurance, you can contact AAIPSC directly at 866-560-4100.

It is also worth noting that an SR-22 form is required in the event your license is suspended for any DUI, driving with a suspended license, or driving without insurance or without applying to operate as an uninsured driver.

How to get low-cost insurance

Although South Carolina has a program for high-risk drivers, it does not have one to help low-income drivers.

California, Hawaii, and New Jersey are the only three states that have government-funded programs to help low-income families pay for their car insurance.

Is there an automobile insurance fraud in South Carolina?

South Carolina takes insurance fraud seriously. It is classified as a crime in the state, and the South Carolina Attorney General’s office is responsible for investigating potential insurance fraud. They state that 10 percent of auto insurance claims are fraudulent or inflated.

What does fraud mean for you? It means you should be aware of both your rights and responsibilities and someone with an insurance policy. It is also important to note that insurance fraud can cause an increase in premiums for all insureds.

According to the Attorney General’s office, the most common kinds of auto insurance fraud are:

• Under-reporting the number of miles you drive on your auto policy
• An auto accident victim who falsified or overstated injuries, or even fakes an accident, to achieve a large settlement or award
• Staging auto accidents, which result in inflated injury claims
• An insured who draws accident and health insurance benefits because of exaggerated or even fabricated injury or illness

Per the Attorney General, South Carolina has a mandatory reporting act that states “…any person, insurer or authorized agency having reason to believe that another has made a false statement or misrepresentation or has knowledge of a suspected false statement or misrepresentation shall, for purpose of reporting and investigation, notify the Insurance Fraud Division of the Office of the Attorney General of the knowledge or belief and provide any additional information within his possession relative thereto.”

To support the investigation of insurance fraud in South Carolina, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Insurance Fraud Division, the Professional Insurance Agents of South Carolina, and the South Carolina Insurance News Service have created the South Carolina Insurance Fraud Hotline.

If you suspect insurance fraud, you can call the Insurance Fraud Hotline 24/7 at 1-888-95-FRAUD or fill out the insurance fraud complaint form.

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What’s the statute of limitations?

There is a statute of limitations on insurance fraud of three years.

There is also a statute of limitations on filing an insurance claim for property damage, injury, or wrongful death as the result of an automobile accident of three years. This three-year timeline starts on the date of the accident.

What are South Carolina’s specific laws?

Every state has laws only found there, and South Carolina is no exception. This includes both the logical and the ridiculous when it comes to driving. Did you know it is illegal to transport cows or pigs between sunset and sunrise without a permit?

On the other hand, as you’ve already read, South Carolina does not require insurance to drive legally on the road, as long as you qualify for, apply, and are approved for an annual uninsured motorist registration.

What are the vehicle licensing laws?

Following the laws governing the appropriate way to register your vehicle and obtain a driver’s license is important to avoid fees and even suspension of your license.

You have 45 days post-purchase or move to register your vehicle. To register in South Carolina, you must:

• Complete the Title Application (SCDMV Form 400)
• If you are coming from out-of-state, provide the out-of-state vehicle title and/or registration
• Provide identification (driver’s license/beginner’s permit, valid passport with visa, permanent residency card, or employment authorization document)
• Provide liability insurance information (the DMV will validate it)
• Provide power of attorney, if applicable
• Provide original paid vehicle property tax receipt from the county treasurer’s office
• $250 Infrastructure Maintenance Fee
• Title and Registration Fee (these vary depending type and weight of vehicle).

It is also important to note there are penalty fees associated with late registration and late registration renewal. The later you are, the higher the fee you are required to pay.

To be able to apply for a driver’s license, there are several documents you must provide when you go to the South Carolina DMV:

• Proof of identity, U.S. citizenship, and date of birth
• Proof of a social security number
• Two proofs of current physical South Carolina address
• Proof of legal name change history (if applicable)
• Liability insurance information

All of these documents must be either originals or government-issued copies. No other copies will be accepted.

If you are caught driving without a valid license (i.e. you were never issued one), it is considered a misdemeanor in South Carolina, and you will face fines and possibly up to 30 days in jail.

If you are caught driving without your license (i.e. you have a valid license, but you do not have it with you) it is also considered a misdemeanor. If you do not present a license that was valid on the date of your traffic stop before your scheduled court date, you may be required to pay a fine of up to $100. You may also be sentenced to 30 days in jail.

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Should South Carolinians participate in REAL ID?

Starting October 1, 2020, South Carolinians will be required to participate in the REAL ID program. New driver’s licenses may already be compliant, and according to the South Carolina DMV, there is no cost difference associated with obtaining a REAL ID driver’s license.

If you have a REAL ID license, it will be indicated by a gold star on the front.

There are two methods for obtaining a REAL ID in South Carolina:

• Online (if eligible)
• In-person (to be used only if you are not eligible to obtain it online)

The documents required to obtain a REAL ID are the same as those required to obtain a driver’s license in South Carolina.

If you already have a valid driver’s license, your required documentation will likely already be on file, and you will be able to submit online. If not, you will need to bring the documents listed in the previous section.

What are the penalties for driving without insurance?

If you are caught driving without insurance in South Carolina (and you do not have a valid uninsured motorist registration), you may face fines of $100 – $200, suspension of your driver’s license, and even up to 30 days in jail for your first offense.

A second offense will result in a fine of $200 or a 30-day jail sentence plus suspension of your driver’s license. To get your license reinstated, you will be required to pay a $200 reinstatement fee.

What are the teen driver laws?

In South Carolina, there are also several laws associated with being a teenage driver.

To start driving, a teenage must obtain a beginner’s permit. If the teenager is under 18, a responsible adult must come with them to the DMV to apply for the permit, and they must bring a picture ID as well as be prepared to sign both the application for the permit and consent for minor form.

The minimum age for obtaining a beginner’s permit is 15, and it must be held for at least six months, during which time the teenager must log 40 hours of supervised driving (10 must be at night).

At 15 and six months, if the teenager has met the beginner’s permit requirement,

• They can drive unsupervised, except for between the hours of 6:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. EST and 8:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. EDT.
• They may not have more than two passengers under the age of 21, except when driving students to and from school

At 17 years old (or 12 months after obtaining a beginner’s permit, so the individual held the beginner’s permit for six months and the intermediate license for six months), all restrictions are lifted. (For more information, read our “Can you drive by yourself with a permit?“).

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What are the license renewal procedures for older drivers?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both the general population and older drivers in South Carolina have the same renewal procedures.

• The renewal cycle is every eight years
• Proof of adequate vision is required at every renewal
• Both mail and online renewal through the DMV are permitted

What’s the procedure for new residents?

If you are moving to South Carolina, you will need to apply for a South Carolina driver’s license. To do this, you will need to apply in person at the South Carolina DMV and bring the following:

• Proof of identity, U.S. citizenship, and date of birth
• Proof of social security number
• Two proofs of current physical South Carolina address
• Proof of legal name change, if applicable

You will also have 45 days to transfer your vehicle registration to South Carolina.

Read more: South Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance Company Car Insurance Review

What’s the license renewal procedure?

You can renew your license in person, through the mail, or online in South Carolina.

To renew your license online through the South Carolina DMV, you must be a U.S. citizen, and you must meet a number of requirements:

• You have a regular, non-commercial license
• Your license is not expired, suspended, or subject to be suspended
• Your social security number and the name associated with it match what is on file with the Social Security Administration
• You have not received more than five points on your driving record in the past two years
• You did not renew your license by mail or online during the last renewal period
• You are not a convicted violent offender in the South Carolina DMV system
• You do not currently have a conditional or special restricted license

To renew your license through the mail, you must be a U.S. citizen, and you must meet most of the requirements listed for online renewal eligibility (the social security number and name match are not required for mail renewal). You must also:

• Fill out the application to renew a driver’s license by mail
• Mail the completed application and a check or money order for $25

To renew your license in person, you must provide your insurance company information and pay the $25 renewal fee. Additionally, if you have received more than five points on your driving record in the past two years, you will be required to take a knowledge test.

If your license is expired, you can renew it as if it were not expired within the first nine months of expiration. If it has been expired for more than nine months, it must be renewed in person.

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What is considered a Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS)

In South Carolina, there is a point system associated with breaking traffic laws. According to the South Carolina DMV, you can receive points against your driving record if you break the law in South Carolina, break the law in other states, or receive a military court-martial traffic conviction.

You can check the points on your record by visiting the South Carolina DMV website. Points on your record are decreased by 50 percent one year after you receive them. For example, if you receive four points in October, the following October, it will drop to two points on your record.

Your driver’s license can be suspended for excessive points.

You can reduce the points on your record by taking the National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving Course.

What are the rules of the road?

Knowing the rules of the road in South Carolina can help you avoid those NOTS. It can also help you better tailor your car insurance needs.

Read on to learn more about the rules of the road and how knowing them can help your decision process when shopping for car insurance.

Is South Carolina at fault or no-fault state?

South Carolina is a “fault” state concerning financial responsibility after a car accident. This means whoever is at-fault for the car accident is financially responsible for any damage, injuries, etc.

Other laws, like seat belts and car seats, are fairly standard across the United States.

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What are the seat belt and car seat laws?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, South Carolina requires seat belts in all seats in a vehicle, and all passengers eight years and older must be properly seat belted. There is a $25 fee for a first offense if you or one of your passengers are caught without your seat belt.

Child seat laws are slightly more complicated.

• Children younger than two must be in a rear-facing car seat until they are taller and heavier than the manufacturer limits on the car seat
• At two (or if a child outgrows the rear-facing seat before they are two), children must be in a forward-facing car seat with a harness
• At four (or if a child outgrows the forward-facing seat with a harness before they are four), children must be in a forward-facing booster seat that uses lap/shoulder belts until they are eight years old or at least 57 inches tall (whichever comes first)
• At eight (or 57 inches tall — whichever comes first), children must sit in a standard seat with a seat belt

The first offense may result in a fine of $150.

Children seven years and younger must sit in the back seat of a vehicle.

South Carolina law also states that you can only ride in the back of a pickup truck if you are 15 or older (younger than 15 is allowed if an adult is also there and the individual under 15 is belted).

There are limited circumstances for when this is allowed, including emergencies, parades, and when the vehicle is being driven in the county. Regardless, the truck must not be driven faster than 35 mph.

What are the keep right and move over laws?

South Carolina does expect drivers who are moving at a slower pace than the average speed of traffic to move to the right. However, passing on the right is allowed in certain conditions:

• If the vehicle you are passing is making or is going to make a left turn
• On a street with at least two lanes for traffic when there are no obstructions

What’s the average speed limit?

Like all states, South Carolina has specific speed limits for various kinds of roads. Typically, the speed limits in South Carolina are:

• Rural interstates: 70 MPH
• Urban interstates: 70 MPH
• Unpaved roads: 40 MPH
• Urban districts: 30 MPH

It is also worth noting that South Carolina takes exceeding the speed limit seriously. The state has an “absolute speed limit” law, which means if the speed limit is 35 MPH, and you drive at 36 MPH, you violate the law.

South Carolina also has laws stating you must drive at a safe speed based on the current conditions (weather, hazards, etc.), regardless of the posted speed limit. This means you can be ticketed even if you are not speeding if it is determined you are driving at an “unsafe” speed in the current conditions (ex. fog, slow traffic, heavy rain, etc.).

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How does ridesharing work?

If do not own a vehicle and instead use ridesharing companies as a method of transportation, you should be aware of the laws governing those in the driver’s seat.

South Carolina does have requirements for Transportation Network Companies (TNC). In the Palmetto state, anyone who wishes to participate as a driver in a TNC is required to obtain a permit from the Office of Regulatory Staff.

TNC-participating drivers are required to maintain both liability and uninsured motorist coverage insurance. However, their liability policy requirements are higher than those for non-TNC drivers.

Is there an automation on the road?

South Carolina does not currently have any laws regarding autonomous vehicles.

What are the safety laws?

South Carolina does have some laws focused on keeping you and other drivers safe on the road. Read on to find out more.

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What are the DUI laws?

Driving while under the influence is dangerous for you and others on the road. Responsibility.org reports that there were 313 alcohol-impaired driving facilities in 2017. Even one is too many.

In South Carolina, if you are found guilty of DUI, you may face the following:

• First Offense – your license can be suspended for up to six months, you will pay a minimum $400 fine (which translates to $992 when it includes the required assessments and surcharges), and you may face up to 30 days of jail time.
• Second Offense – your license can be suspended for up to one year, you will pay a fine between $2,100 and $5,100 (up to $10,744.50 with surcharges and assessments), and you may face up to one year of jail time.
• Third Offense – your license will be suspended for at least two years, you will pay a fine between $3,800 and $6,300 (up to $13,234.5 with surcharges and assessments), and you may face up to three years of jail time. Additionally, if the third offense is within 10 years of the first offense, your vehicle will be confiscated.

In South Carolina, a DUI remains on your record for 10 years.

In addition to the fines, jail time, and possible driver’s license suspension, depending on the insurance provider, your premiums may increase, potentially even doubling in cost.

Please do not drive while intoxicated. Take advantage of ridesharing options or plan ahead and have a designated driver.

What are the marijuana-impaired driving laws?

According to DISA, marijuana is illegal in the Palmetto State, including medical use. There are currently no laws on the books regarding driving under the influence of marijuana.

What are the distracted driving laws?

No one disputes the fact that driving while using your cell phone or texting reduces your situational awareness and distracts you from focusing on the road. And yet, people still do it every day. Specific cell phone usage laws vary from state to state.

In South Carolina, texting while driving is explicitly banned. If you are caught, you will be fined $25, but it will not show up on your driving record.

However, in 2018 and 2019, lawmakers in South Carolina proposed various amendments to the existing text ban law that would dramatically increase the fines, make it illegal to text at red lights, and may even make it illegal to pick up a mobile device while driving.

So far neither amendment has passed, but don’t be surprised if the laws regarding using a mobile device while driving end up much stricter soon.

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How to drive safely in South Carolina

Beyond distracted driving, DUIs, proper seat belt usage, and the other safety-related driving topics we covered in the last several sections, there are other things to consider, and we can help with that.

Keep reading to learn more about vehicle theft, road fatalities, and teen drinking and driving in South Carolina.

Is there a vehicle theft in South Carolina?

Vehicle theft is a concern of every vehicle owner. However, there are some vehicle types and models that are more popular than others. The number-one vehicle for theft in the Palmetto State is a full-size Ford pickup.

Please note that the column with the number of a particular make/model that was stolen includes all model years for that make, even if a specific year is listed. That year indicates the most popular model year for that vehicle make, but the list includes all model years.

Knowing what kind of coverage is available should this happen to you is a good idea. Talk to your insurance provider to find out more about your options.

Now that you know the most popular vehicles stolen in South Carolina, what does this mean for you? Below you will find the number of vehicles stolen in each town or city in South Carolina, according to the FBI.

Read more: Cameron Mutual Insurance Company Car Insurance Review

What’s the number of road fatalities in South Carolina?

Road fatalities are, tragically, an all-too-common event. They can be caused by any number of factors including intoxication, distracted driving, and weather.

To learn more about when and where most road fatalities occur in South Carolina, keep reading.

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What’s the most fatal highway in South Carolina?

With more than 24 fatal crashes per year, the I-95 is the most fatal highway in South Carolina.

What the number of fatal crashes by weather condition & light condition?

Weather can affect your visibility when you drive, others’ visibility when they drive, and the conditions of the road itself. Lighting can do the same.

To drive safely on the roads, no matter the conditions, make sure to drive defensively at all times and slow down if road conditions or visibility changes.

What’s the number of fatalities (all crashes) by county?

The NHTSA Crash Report provides a list of the road fatalities in South Carolina, by county.

All five years the three counties with the most traffic deaths remain the same. Here are their five-year fatality totals:

• Greenville County – 367
• Charleston County – 280
• Richland County – 270

It is bad news for all three counties.

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What’s the number of traffic fatalities?

It makes sense that more fatalities will occur on busier roads (more cars equals more accidents). However, traffic fatalities do happen in more rural areas and are usually the result of speeding or driving while intoxicated.

Drive responsibly, follow the posted speed limits, and select a designated driver or use a rideshare company if you have been drinking.

What’s the number of fatalities by person type?

The NHTSA Crash Report for South Carolina breaks down the person type and the number of fatalities per type.

What’s the number of fatalities by crash type?

The NHTSA Crash Report for South Carolina breaks down fatalities by crash type.

As you can see, speeding is one of the top three factors in road fatalities. Drive safely by following the posted speed limits and adjusting your speed to road and visibility conditions when appropriate.

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Five-year trend for the top 10 counties

The NHTSA Crash Report for South Carolina provides a five-year trend for road fatalities in the top 10 most fatal counties.

Eight of the 10 counties listed in the above table show an overall increase in road fatalities. Of the remaining two, Richland County shows a slight decrease (with a spike in 2016) and Florence County remained about the same across the five years (though Florence did spike in 2015).

What’s the percentage of fatalities involving speeding by county?

The NHTSA Crash Report for South Carolina lists data for fatalities involving speeding by county, so you know where to drive with heightened awareness in the state.

Based on the data in the above table, speeding is a problem across the state, but you should take extra care in Richland, Charleston, Greenville, and Lexington Counties.

It is also key to note, however, that these numbers also reflect higher populations, so the more people in an area, the higher the chance of an accident.

What’s the number of fatalities in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver by county?

Driving while intoxicated can have deadly consequences.

Similar to the counties with the highest number of speeding fatalities (Richland, Charleston, Greenville, and Lexington, which are also the highest for fatalities with an alcohol-impaired driver), the higher the population, the higher the chance of this happening.

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What are the teen drinking & driving laws?

The legal drinking age in South Carolina is 21 years old, but many teens do not wait until they turn 21 to imbibe. According to Responsibility.org, South Carolina’s average for under-21 alcohol-impaired deaths is 1.8 deaths per 100,00 population, while the national average is 1.2.

According to the FBI, 90 teenagers under the age of 18 were arrested in South Carolina for DUI in 2016, which puts South Carolina at 26th in the nation.

The state law for blood alcohol level is 0.08. However, if you are under 21, driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.02 or higher will result in a DUI.

Individuals under the age of 21 can be charged with a standard DUI or an “underage DUI.” The underage DUI is only an option when the blood alcohol level is 0.02 or above, but less than 0.08. It is up to the officer to choose which DUI they believe is appropriate in a given situation.

If someone underage receives a DUI, they may be subject to fines, a suspension of their license, and required to enroll in the Alcohol and Drug Safety Program.

What’s the average EMS response time?

According to the NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts, there were 639 crashes in rural areas in 2017 and 285 crashes in urban areas. However, no data is currently available on EMS response times for either rural or urban areas in South Carolina.

What’s transportation in South Carolina like?

How many cars do people in South Carolina own? What do average commute times look like? How much time can you expect to sit in traffic?

These are all key questions in shopping for insurance (as we discussed earlier, some of these can factor into the cost of your insurance policy). Read on to learn more!

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What’s the percentage of car ownership?

Data USA reported in 2017 that the average South Carolina household owned two cars.

Keep in mind the more cars you own, the higher your auto insurance premiums.

The orange columns represent South Carolina, while the grey columns represent the United States, so you can see how South Carolina compares to U.S. averages.

What’s the average commute time?

Data USA reported in 2017 that the average South Carolina commuter spent 23.4 minutes traveling, which is 2.1 minutes less than the national average of 25.5 minutes.

What’s the preferred commuter transportation?

The below chart from Data USA shows the percentage of South Carolinians who carpool, drive alone, use public transit, etc.

Residents of the Palmetto State prefer to drive alone, with nearly 80 percent of drivers choosing this method of travel.

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Is there a traffic congestion?

Everyone hates traffic. Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic as a part of your daily routine getting to and from work is an exercise in frustration.

How does traffic look in South Carolina? TomTom offers the congestion data listed in the below table for the three most populated areas in the Palmetto State.

South Carolina ranks well with the surrounding states and is well below more-populated areas like Los Angeles, but that does not mean drivers in the state should not be vigilant and drive defensively.

Ultimately, driving safely and understanding the variables that can affect your insurance rate can help you to make educated decisions, which is why we put all the information here together.

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