south carolina car insurance
South Carolina's great outdoors making you want to spend more time outside and less time tracking down car insurance info? Our easily browsed guide to South Carolina car insurance is here to help.
South Carolina car insurance: the basics
All South Carolina drivers are legally required to have these coverages and limits on their policies:
- $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
- Uninsured motorist coverage of 25/50/25 (same as the minimum liability limits)
Esurance in South Carolina
We've proudly offered car insurance coverage to South Carolina drivers since January of '07.
Optional car insurance coverages in South Carolina
- Comprehensive coverage
- Collision coverage
- Rental car coverage
- Emergency road service coverage
- Customized parts and equipment coverage
- Loan/lease (gap) coverage
- Medical payments coverage
Esurance discounts offered in South Carolina
Thinking of becoming an Esurance policyholder? You could save big with these discounts:
- Multi-Car discount
- Switch & Save® discount
- Paid in Full discount
- Fast 5® discount (for starting a quote online)
- Good Student discount
- Homeowners discount
- Defensive Driver discount
- Anti-Theft discount
- Anti-Lock Brakes discount
Already have an Esurance policy? Call us at 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262) if you have questions about your discounts (some exclusions may apply).
E-star® car repair shops in South Carolina
E-star shops are Esurance-approved facilities that feature RepairView®, which allows you to track your repairs online every step of the way.
Find an E-star shop near you.
Factors that can influence your premium
- Driving record
- Where you live
- Age and gender
- Make and model of your car
- Coverages, deductibles, and limits you choose
- Discounts
- Your credit score
How fault works after an accident
When it comes to liability, South Carolina is a tort state. That means you can sue at-fault drivers in order to recoup medical expenses or the cost of car repairs. The state also practices comparative negligence, which means that the amount of money you end up recouping depends on the percentage of the accident that was your fault.
Uninsured drivers
The Insurance Research Council (IRC) estimates that 11 percent of the state's drivers are uninsured. The good news: this is below the national average of 13.8 percent.
Because South Carolina requires all policies to include uninsured motorist coverage (UM), insured drivers have some financial protection against those who don't have coverage.
Uninsured motorist fee
South Carolina approaches the problem of uninsured motorists a little differently than other states. In lieu of having car insurance, you can pay the state an uninsured motorist fee of $550 so long as you meet certain requirements. You'll still be liable for any damage caused in an at-fault accident.
No proof of insurance
If you're given a citation for driving without insurance, your driving privileges will be suspended. You'll also need to pay a $550 reinstatement fee and file an SR-22 for 3 years. An SR-22 is a proof of financial responsibility form filed through your new insurer.
Related links
South Carolina driving info
Get the scoop on how violations hurt your driving record, how to get a South Carolina drivers license, and more.
The Esurance Coverage Counselor®
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