South Carolina Auto Insurance
As a driver in South Carolina, you are required to have car insurance which meets certain minimum requirements put in place by the state. These current (2010) requirements include at least $25,000/$50,000 in bodily injury liability and a minimum of $25,000 in general property damage insurance. Drivers who fail to comply with the law and operate vehicles without auto insurance can be subject to serous fines, penalties and even great personal liability in the event of an accident. The cost of driving with no auto insurance is always much greater than the cost of a policy.
Are South Carolina minimum auto insurance requirements enough?
No – minimum auto insurance requirements are just a way to have some kind of financial protection on the road affordable to most families. The reality with buying a policy that only meets these minimum requirements however is you are vastly uninsured. Not only would the policy coverage only include liability protection (equals NO coverage for damage to you or your vehicle) but also the policy levels of coverage are insufficient to cover anything more than a minor car accident. How fast do you think $25,000 can be used for medical costs? Most drivers opt for over $100,000 in liability insurance and include some form of collision and/or comprehensive coverage resulting in a well-rounded auto insurance policy.
How much is car insurance in South Carolina?
South Carolina drivers average around $1,275 annually in auto insurance premiums, which is just below the national average of $1,440 however South Carolina has a very competitive auto insurance market which means drivers who shop around can even pay less. The trick to finding the best auto insurance rates is learning about auto insurance and comparing multiple providers. However many drivers still do not understand how auto insurance works and simply call a local agent, taking the first quote. It’s imperative to shop online, gather a list of auto insurance companies, learn about discounts and choose a policy which combined the best coverage with the most affordable rates from a provider you can trust.
Who are the best South Carolina Auto Insurance Companies?
Almost all the national brands such as Allstate, GEICO, Progressive and State Farm offer coverage in South Carolina but so do many regional brands. With such a competitive market its impossible to label one auto insurance company as the best for all drivers. Auto insurance companies calculate premiums based on risk and each provider has their own formula for determining how much risk you pose of filing a future claim. Some of the most important factors used are:
- Your Driving History
- Your Credit Score
- The type of Vehicle Insured
- How the vehicle will be used
- How much the vehicle will be driven
- Where you live
- and more
It is the risk score based on scoring all of these factors which ultimately leads to the calculation of your premiums. Some auto insurance providers want to see a clean driving record for 3 years while others prefer 5. Some will deny high risk drivers coverage while others will adjust their premiums to account for the higher risk. No matter what profile you have as a driver its imperative to shop around and compare auto insurance quotes.
Start your South Carolina auto insurance comparison search today and find affordable auto insurance from providers in your ZIP code.
