From the historic city of Charleston to the 60-mile stretch of beaches along the Grand Strand, South Carolina has so much to offer. But regardless of where you live in South Carolina, auto insurance requirements remain the same across the state.
South Carolina Auto Insurance Requirements
Vehicle owners in South Carolina are legally required to have liability insurance (bodily injury and property damage coverage) and uninsured motorist coverage. The required South Carolina insurance minimums are as follows:
- Bodily injury: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
- Property damage: $25,000 per accident
- Uninsured motorist: $25,000 per person/ per accident
South Carolina Is a “Fault” Car Accident State
States across the country are divided as fault states and no-fault states and South Carolina is considered a fault state, which means financially responsibility for an accidents lies with the individual who is deemed at-fault.
Liability insurance will help pay for the injuries or property damage inflicted on another party if you caused an accident and uninsured motorist coverage will pay for the damages or injuries you suffer if you are involved in accident with a driver without car insurance.
Penalties for Driving Without SC Auto Insurance
You may be required to show proof of insurance if you are involved in a car accident or if you are pulled over by a police officer. If you do not have proof of car insurance during a traffic stop you can be fined and have your license and registration suspended.
In the state of South Carolina, if you cancel a car insurance policy on a registered vehicle then you will be contacted by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and asked to verify that you obtained new coverage. Failure to provide proof of coverage within 20 days can result in the suspension of your license and vehicle registration and a $400 fine to reinstate your license.
SC Car Insurance Alternatives
Drivers in South Carolina do have the option to apply for Uninsured Motorist Registration if they choose not to maintain the required minimum limits for South Carolina car insurance. The annual fee for this registration is $550 and drivers must meet a number of requirements to be approved. If a driver registers as an uninsured motorist they are still liable for any damages or losses that result from an accident they cause.
If you do not want to apply for uninsured motorist registration or obtain auto insurance, South Carolina also will accept other alternatives as proof of financial responsibility. These alternatives include surety bonds, real estate bonds and cash/security deposits.
Car Insurance Quotes SC
Auto insurance rates vary based on a number of factors such as where you live, how far you drive and the type of car you own. The knowledge of statewide requirements will be useful, whether you are seeking cheap car insurance in SC or a robust policy to protect your assets.