You're heading home after dinner with friends and decide you've had a little too much to drink to safely drive home, so your friend offers to drive your car. But if your friend is in an accident while driving your car, will your South Carolina car insurance still cover the claim? The short answer is yes.

No matter who is driving your car, you still need ample car insurance to protect you and your vehicle in the event of an accident. Fortunately, South Carolina independent insurance agents can help you shop and secure a great deal on car insurance that covers you and anyone else who might be in your driver's seat.

What Does Car Insurance in South Carolina Cover?

South Carolina laws require that every driver have liability insurance and uninsured motorist insurance. However, additional policies can be purchased to cover a variety of risks you might face on the road. Whether you or a friend is driving your car, car insurance policies work to cover the following incidents.

• Liability insurance:  For South Carolina drivers, liability coverage usually includes three major parts: liability insurance for bodily injury; liability insurance for property damage; and uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage. Between these three parts, you'll be covered for any damage that you cause to another person or their property if you're in an at-fault accident. Liability insurance pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. It will also pay for any damage you or your vehicle sustains if you're in an accident with an uninsured driver. 

Even though liability insurance is the only required coverage in South Carolina, it's likely you'd benefit by adding some additional coverage options, especially if you will not be the only person driving your vehicle. 

• Collision insurance: In South Carolina alone there is a collision every 3.7 seconds. Without collision insurance, you'll be left paying for any damage that's done to your vehicle if you collide with another vehicle or object. 
• Comprehensive insurance: Anything that might not be covered under collision insurance is covered with comprehensive insurance. An important thing that's covered by comprehensive insurance is hitting a wild animal. It also covers things like fire, vandalism, theft, falling objects, and damage from other natural disasters. 

This is not an exhaustive list of auto insurance options in South Carolina. Depending on your vehicle and its use, you can purchase different insurance policies that your independent insurance agent can talk with you about.

South Carolina collision stats

What Isn't Covered by South Carolina Car Insurance?

Car insurance policies will not cover any damage from general wear and tear and poor maintenance of your vehicle. If you never change your oil and then your engine gets ruined, you will not be able to push it off as an insurance claim. Sometimes, a friend driving your vehicle will not be covered. Some policies require that all drivers be listed on your policy. If this is the case and your friend borrows your car and is in an accident, there's a chance your insurance company will deny the claim. 

What's the Required Insurance Coverage in South Carolina?

Seeing as South Carolina requires specific insurance coverage, they have a minimum policy amount that you have to purchase. 

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 minimum amount of coverage
• Property damage liability: $50,000 minimum amount of coverage
• Uninsured insurance: $25,000 minimum amount of coverage

If you purchase the minimum required amount of coverage, your insurance will pay up to these amounts at one time in a covered incident. It's possible that the minimum required amount of coverage will not be enough to pay for a claim in the event of an accident, so you may want to consider purchasing more than what's required. Whatever your policy limits are is how much your insurance will cover after your deductible.

Do You Need Additional Coverage for Friends Driving Your Car in South Carolina?

You don't need to purchase any specific additional coverage just for friends, but if you expect a friend to be driving your vehicle frequently, it might be worth increasing your policy limits and adding your friend's name to your policy. A third party driving your vehicle means that it's at risk at times when you might not be present, and you might not be monitoring how your friend is driving. Having a comprehensive car insurance package can give you peace of mind when a friend is behind the wheel.

What Happens in South Carolina If a Friend Crashes My Company Car?

Most company car policies have very specific regulations when it comes to who can drive a company vehicle. Usually, only the person employed by the company is covered under the company's insurance policy. If you lend your company car to a friend and they crash it, you will most likely be responsible for the damage out of pocket. 

What Can a South Carolina Independent Agent Do for Me?

The rules for having a friend drive your car and be covered by insurance are not black and white. Most policies will cover a claim if a friend is driving, but some will not. That's why it's important to know exactly what is in your policy and how many degrees of separation your safe zone is for Iending out your car.

An independent insurance agent in South Carolina is an expert in car insurance in the state. They know the required coverages you need, how much you should purchase, and can advise you on any additional coverage you should get to make sure you and a friend are covered. They're not just there in the beginning, either. If you do have to file a claim, they'll guide you through the process and make sure things go smoothly so you get your money.