The best car insurance companies in South Carolina are The General, GAINSCO, and Direct Auto, based on user ratings on WalletHub. Drivers in South Carolina can save up to $2,911 per year just by comparing quotes and picking one of the best insurers in the state.
The best auto insurance isn’t always the cheapest, though. Good car insurance is about more than just affordable coverage, after all. The best auto insurance companies in South Carolina also have high customer satisfaction ratings, a streamlined claims process, and helpful policy management tools.
It pays to be protected by a great insurer in South Carolina. There are roughly 962 fatal car accidents in South Carolina each year, resulting in billions of dollars in damage. Around 11% of drivers in South Carolina are driving without insurance, too. Fortunately, South Carolina drivers have both national and regional car insurance options to choose from.
To find the best car insurance in South Carolina for different types of drivers, WalletHub’s editors compared coverage options and rates from local, regional and national auto insurance providers. You can find the top options listed below.
The General is a licensed car insurance agency based in Nashville, Tennessee. It&rsquo,s a subsidiary of PGC Holdings Corp. (PGC), and is known for offering auto insurance to high-risk drivers... show more
2026's Best Car Insurance Company in South Carolina
They're a local South Carolina company, unlike some insurance companies that are based in another state or only have an online presence. They live where they work, which helps them... show more
2026's Best Car Insurance Company in South Carolina
GAINSCO Auto Insurance is a Dallas, Texas-based property and casualty insurance company concentrating on the non-standard personal auto insurance market, specializing in minimum-limits personal auto insurance. GAINSCO Auto Insurance is... show more
2026's Best Car Insurance Company in South Carolina
National General Insurance is headquartered in New York City and was founded in 1939. Since then, the company has grown to become one of the largest insurance providers in the... show more
2026's Best Car Insurance Company in South Carolina
PURE Insurance stands for Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange Insurance. It is a property and casualty insurer specializing in coverage for customers with a high-net worth. The company was founded in... show more
2026's Best Car Insurance Company in South Carolina
Greenville Casualty Insurance Company (GCIC) is dedicated to serving the citizens of South Carolina and North Carolina by offering competitive insurance products through independent agents. Their devoted customer service department... show more
Esurance is an online insurance company that specializes in selling bundled insurance policies at affordable prices. The company was purchased by Allstate in 2011 in a $1 billion deal. Here... show more
Farmers is one of the oldest auto insurance companies in the U.S., having opened in 1928. The Farmers Insurance Group of Companies now serves more than 50 million individual policies... show more
State Farm is the largest provider of auto and home insurance policies in the U.S., insuring more than 80 million people across the country. The company is headquartered in Bloomington,... show more
Horace Mann was founded in 1945 by two Springfield, Illinois, teachers who saw a need for quality, affordable auto insurance for teachers. Since then, they have broadened their mission to... show more
Best Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina Comparison
The best car insurance in South Carolina is from The General, based on user reviews. The General has a user rating of 4.0 out of 5 on WalletHub, and the company offers solid coverage options as well as nine discounts for policyholders to take advantage of.
In addition to its standard coverage choices, The General offers specialty policy add-ons such as roadside assistance and customized equipment coverage. Check out the table below to learn more about the best car insurance companies in South Carolina.
Car insurance in South Carolina costs an average of $67 per month or $802 per year for minimum coverage. This means drivers in South Carolina pay about 19% more for state-minimum coverage than drivers throughout the rest of the country.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in South Carolina by Company
Note: Rates are an approximation based on a male driver in South Carolina with minimum coverage and a clean driving record. Actual rates will vary.
Tips for Finding the Best Car Insurance in South Carolina
1. Shop Around
It’s important to explore your options so you can find the best policy for your needs with the most competitive rate. It’s typically recommended that you compare quotes from at least three different insurance companies before purchasing a policy in order to find the best deal.
You can begin by comparing quotes from the best car insurance companies in South Carolina. South Carolina drivers should also compare quotes from local insurance companies such as Southern Farm Bureau and State Auto Mutual.
2. Find the Best Companies for Your Age Group
To help drivers determine which companies to compare quotes from, WalletHub’s editors have ranked the cheapest insurers for specific categories of people. For instance, you can learn more about the best car insurance companies for teens and young drivers, college students, and seniors. The best car insurance companies for middle-aged drivers will typically be the same as the best companies in South Carolina overall.
3. Look Into the Company’s Reputation
Research the reputation of each insurance company you’re considering, including their financial stability and customer service record, by checking out their profile on WalletHub. You can see ratings from consumer watchdog groups like AM Best and read reviews that WalletHub users have left based on their experiences with each company. Additionally, you should ask for recommendations from friends, family members, and colleagues.
4. Look for Discounts
In addition to comparing quotes, you should compare the discounts each insurance company offers. Consider how much the discounts save you and how many you are eligible for. Discounts can vary based on factors like your driving history, your policy choices, and your car.
For example, many insurers offer a pay-in-full discount for drivers who pay for their entire policy up front. Additionally, you can get a discount if your vehicle is equipped with certain safety features such as an anti-theft device.
5. Determine How Much Coverage You Need
You have to purchase enough coverage to meet the minimum requirements in South Carolina in order to drive legally. Whatever coverage you purchase beyond that is based on your individual needs and circumstances.
If you are struggling to find affordable rates, then opting only for minimum coverage may be the best choice. It’s important to note that if your car is leased or financed, your lender or lessor may have additional coverage requirements that you will need to meet.
Video: Best Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina
Methodology
In order to identify the best car insurance companies in South Carolina, WalletHub evaluated more than 30 of the largest insurance companies that: 1) are licensed in the state, 2) allow consumers to buy and manage auto insurance policies online, and 3) have agents licensed in the state.
To be eligible for the label “Best Car Insurance Company in South Carolina”, an insurance company must have an average rating of 3.7 or higher among user reviews on WalletHub, with a minimum of 10 reviews. In the absence of at least five insurance companies that meet the review criteria, we included the next-best companies.
Best Car Insurance In South Carolina FAQ
Comparing car insurance can be tough. But you've got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. Other consumers have a wealth of knowledge to share, and we encourage everyone to do so while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution's responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.
The #1 car insurance company is State Farm because it is the largest auto insurer in the U.S., with a market share of 16%. State Farm insures over 80 million people and offers coverage in all 50 states.
The top 10 car insurance companies - State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, USAA, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, Nationwide, American Family and Travelers - own more than 70% of the auto insurance market share in the U.S. As a result, it shouldn't come as a surprise that these companies tend to be the best options for most types of drivers.
South Carolina law requires you to have $25,000 in coverage for one person's bodily injury or death, up to $50,000 total per accident, and $25,000 in coverage for other people's property damage when you are at fault. South Carolina also requires uninsured motorist insurance. UM replaces the liability coverage an at-fault driver should've had.
How Much Car Insurance Drivers Need in South Carolina
Car insurance in South Carolina costs $67 per month or $802 per year for minimum coverage , on average. The cheapest car insurance companies in South Carolina are USAA, GEICO, and Auto-Owners, and getting quotes from several companies can help you find the best deal.
The average cost of car insurance in South Carolina is 19% higher than the national average auto insurance premium. There are several factors that affect how much you'll pay for car...
Liability insurance pays for others' medical expenses and property damage after an accident you were responsible for. In addition, drivers in South Carolina will need to purchase $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 in property damage uninsured motorist coverage to satisfy the state's minimum...
Full coverage insurance in South Carolina costs $195 per month, or $2,339 per year, on average. This is more expensive than the national average cost of full coverage, which is $2,117 per year.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in South Carolina
To help drivers find the best car insurance in South Carolina, WalletHub posed the following questions to a panel of experts. Click on the links below to find their commentary and advice.
Why are car insurance prices so different from state to state?
Are car insurance companies really able to save drivers as much as they advertise?
What are the most important things to look for when shopping for car insurance?
What is the best way to save on car insurance?
What advice would you give to someone shopping for car insurance for the first time?
Why are car insurance laws so different from state to state?
What are the pros and cons of choosing a national car insurance company over a local insurer?
Matthew A. Gilbert MBA, Lecturer of Marketing, Wall College of Business Administration - Coastal Carolina University Read More
Patrick van Esch DBA., Associate Professor of Marketing, E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration - Coastal Carolina University Read More
Miren Ivankovic Ph.D., Professor of Economics and Finance, Anderson University and Clemson University, Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business Read More
James Malm Ph.D., Associate Professor of Finance, Department of Finance – School of Business, College of Charleston Read More
Md. Rafiqul Islam Rana Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Retailing, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, University of South Carolina Read More
Stan Emanuel Senior Business Instructor, University of South Carolina Lancaster Read More
Charles Randle Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Accounting, Certified Public Accountant since 2005, College of Business Administration, Winthrop University Read More
Sourav Batabyal Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Economics, E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration, Coastal Carolina University Read More
Peter E. Swift Senior Instructor of Business Management, School of Professions, University of South Carolina Beaufort Read More
Best Insurance Companies by City in South Carolina
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