SR-22 insurance in South Carolina is a certificate proving that a high-risk driver has the legal requirements for auto insurance in the state. SR- 22 insurance can increase your annual premiums by about $513 compared to standard rates. Source URL
Violations Can Trigger SR22 Insurance in South Carolina
- Multiple convictions for driving without insurance
- Failure to pay damages after collision
- License suspended, revoked, or restricted
- DUI / DWI
- Provisional license assigned
- Suspended, restricted, or revoked license
- Accident while your vehicle is uninsured
- Felony with a vehicle
As you can see, South Carolina only requires an SR-22 for serious traffic offenses. Since each of these violations is serious, insurance companies consider drivers who need an SR-22 to be high-risk customers. That means if you are required to buy SR-22 coverage, insurance companies will charge you more in premiums to offset what they see as the added risk of covering you. Source URL
Before you purchase your SR22 certificate, you’ll want to assure you’ve shopped around for cheap car insurance quotes. While it can be difficult to find a good rate with a DUI, it’s not impossible. Being a first-time offender will work in your favor as well as working with an insurance professional to compare car insurance options. An SR22 certificate lasts three years and a DUI in South Carolina will stay with your insurance policy for the same amount of time. Source URL
DUI and License Reinstatement Requires SR22 Car Insurance in South Carolina
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 3,299 people died in alcohol-related car accidents in South Carolina from 2009-2018. 1.5% of South Carolina drivers admitted to driving after drinking too much in the last 30 days.
It’s no secret that a DUI can negatively impact everything from your license to your auto insurance policy. Every state has its own set of laws when it comes to a DUI. In South Carolina, drivers can expect a minimum of 48 hours of jail time accompanied by a $400 to $1,000 fine and a minimum six-month license suspension.
South Carolina drivers are required to purchase an SR22 insurance certificate with the DMV in order to get their license reinstated. SR22 insurance is high-risk insurance that shows the DMV that you’re properly insured.
Here is a table of car insurance costs by insurance companies after a DUI in South Carolina:
| Insurance Company | Average Annual Cost | Average Monthly Cost |
| State Farm | $1,137 | $95 |
| Allstate | $1,594 | $133 |
| USAA | $1,618 | $135 |
| Progressive | $1,753 | $146 |
| Travelers | $1,821 | $152 |
| GEICO | $2,099 | $175 |
| Nationwide | $2,228 | $186 |
Average Cost of Insurance for Serious Violations in South Carolina
If you are discovered to be at fault in a car accident or convicted of a driving violation, your auto insurance premiums are bound to climb. The more violations you accumulate, the more costly your auto insurance gets. The percentage of drivers with a prior at-fault accident in South Carolina is 14.38%.
In South Carolina, your first minor at-fault accident leads to a penalty of $633.77 per year in auto insurance premiums. A DUI — among the most serious driving offenses — may lift your insurance rates in South Carolina by as much as $704.00.
| Violation | Average Annual Rate |
|---|---|
| DUI or DWI | $2,065.13 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,127.00 |
| At-Fault Accident (<$1,000) | $1,994.90 |
| At-Fault Accident ($1,000-$2,000) | $1,988.98 |
| At-Fault Accident (>$2,000) | $1,994.90 |
| Open Container | $1,789.49 |
| Speeding (21-25 MPH > limit) | $1,631.70 |
| Speeding (16-20 MPH > limit) | $1,631.70 |
If you’re facing above-average car insurance payments, it’s worth shopping to get cheap coverage that covers your vehicle appropriately. Source URL
Car Insurance Minimum Requirements for South Carolina
Our insurance follows South Carolina law requirements, too, which are to maintain liability limits of at least:
| Coverage Type | Minimum Requirements | Most Common Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability | $25,000/$50,000 | $100,000/$300,000 |
| Property Damage Liability | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury | $25,000/$50,000 | $25,000/$50,000 |
| Medical Payments | Not required | $2,000 |
| Collision | Not required | $250 deductible |
| Comprehensive | Not required | $250 deductible |
The state minimums listed above, for example, only pay out on claims for accidents you have caused, property damaged by your vehicle, or medical bills from being hurt by an uninsured motorist. Any other damage to your vehicle will be 100% your responsibility. Source URL
Credit Score Impacts Insurance Cost in South Carolina
Yet another factor that plays a big role in insurance rates is your credit score. Fortunately, credit scores are peaking across the nation, with the average FICO score in the United States being 703 in 2019. In South Carolina, the average credit score is 641. But even without a stellar credit score, you can still find affordable car insurance in South Carolina.
The following table shows estimates of what people with bad credit can expect to pay for auto insurance in South Carolina.
| Insurance Company | Average Annual Cost | Average Monthly Cost |
| Nationwide | $1,645 | $137 |
| GEICO | $1,837 | $153 |
| Allstate | $1,851 | $154 |
| USAA | $1,892 | $158 |
| State Farm | $1,971 | $164 |
| Travelers | $1,983 | $165 |
| Progressive | $1,983 | $180 |
Some states will put more weight on a credit score than others. Assuring you keep a healthy credit score can help lower your insurance premiums throughout your lifetime. Source URL
Uninsured motorist protection: South Carolina requires drivers to have at least $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, up to $50,000 per accident, and $25000 of property damage liability per accident. Source URL
Cheapest Insurance Companies in South Carolina
Some drivers might consider liability-only car insurance, which provides coverage for third-party medical expenses and property damages for any accident where you are at fault. Since this does not cover your expenses for medical treatments and damages, it can be a good idea to choose comprehensive and collision coverage. In most states, there is a mandatory minimum liability requirement for car insurance.
In South Carolina, most drivers will find GEICO to be the most affordable option, whether they choose the state minimum 25/50/25 coverage or a higher coverage level of 50/100/50.
| Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate | Average Monthly Rate |
| GEICO | $470 | $39 |
| USAA | $500 | $42 |
| State Farm | $574 | $48 |
| Allstate | $604 | $50 |
| Travelers | $743 | $62 |
| Progressive | $760 | $63 |
| Nationwide | $761 | $63 |
Geico is the cheapest auto insurance provider in South Carolina at $658 per year. Source URL
State Farm and Geico are also cheap insurance providers in South Carolina. Source URL
The Hartford is another cheap option with an average annual rate of $380. If you don’t qualify for these companies, consider GEICO, USAA, or State Farm. Source URL
Citation List
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- https://www.autoinsuranceez.com/south-carolina/charleston
- https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/high-risk-auto-insurance-south-carolina-2140714804
- https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-south-carolina
- https://insurify.com/insights/states-with-most-car-accidents-2020
- https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/how-much-car-insurance-do-i-need-in-south-carolina-2140708788
- https://www.safeauto.com/state-insurance/south-carolina-auto-insurance/columbia-auto-insurance
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- https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/sr22-insurance-south-carolina-2140699589
