Whether you commute to work daily or only ever drive to run errands, your vehicle needs to be covered either way. Beyond just the protection aspect, South Carolina car insurance is legally required for residents in South Carolina. But mandatory or not, there are many benefits to having the right policy.

Drivers face all kinds of risk every time they hit the road, which is why it’s so important to be equipped with the proper car insurance. A South Carolina insurance agent can set you up with the right kind of car insurance for your needs. But first, here’s a deep dive into this coverage.

What Does Car Insurance Cover in South Carolina?

There are two main types of car insurance: collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. Both come with important protections for drivers, but while collision coverage is most often included in standard car insurance policies, comprehensive coverage is almost always an optional add-on with its own premium.

Each coverage form comes with important benefits. Here’s a closer look at each.

• Collision car insurance: Covers collisions with objects such as trees, fences, signposts, and buildings, as well as collisions with other vehicles. Also covers accidents only involving your vehicle, such as skidding off the road.
• Comprehensive car insurance: Also known as “other than collision” insurance, comprehensive car insurance covers disasters such as storm damage (i.e., hurricane, hail, tornado, and flood), fire damage, theft and vandalism, glass breakage, and collision with large animals — the only type of collision coverage not included in standard policies.

Another form of car insurance in South Carolina is personal injury protection coverage, which reimburses drivers for medical treatment for their own injuries after an accident, as well as any injuries to their passengers. This form of coverage is usually optional and can be added onto your car insurance policy, but might not be included in a standard package. 

A South Carolina independent insurance agent can discuss your car insurance needs at length with you, and advise you about which form of protection works best for you.

What Doesn't Car Insurance Cover in South Carolina?

Car insurance in South Carolina provides a lot of important protections for drivers, but like any other type of policy, it comes with its own exclusions. Your car insurance policy typically will not cover the following:

• Routine maintenance: General repairs and other routine maintenance are considered to be the driver's responsibility and are not covered by car insurance.
• Ridesharing vehicles: If you work for a rideshare company such as Uber or Lyft, you'll need a special form of auto coverage known as rideshare insurance. This coverage is sometimes provided by the rideshare company, but can also be purchased separately.
• Business use: If your personal car doubles as a work vehicle even on occasion, it needs commercial auto coverage. Personal car insurance policies will not provide protection for your vehicle if it's being driven for business purposes.
• Personal belongings: Storing personal belongings in your vehicle can be risky for a number of reasons, including that your car insurance won't cover these items if they're stolen after a break-in. While your South Carolina homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy often will provide coverage for personal belongings stored in a car, your car insurance policy never will.

Your South Carolina independent insurance agent can fill you in on other coverage exclusions under standard car insurance policies.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in South Carolina?

No matter where you live, there are many factors that determine the cost of your car insurance beyond just your location. Two members of the same household may have completely different car insurance rates.

The following factors influence the cost of car insurance policies:

• Driver age: Car insurance companies have determined which age groups are riskiest to ensure by studying trends. Teenage drivers are often quoted much higher premiums than middle-aged drivers, because teenagers statistically tend to have higher-risk driving behaviors and get into more accidents.
• Vehicle type: The higher the car’s value, typically the more expensive it is to insure.
• Driving records: Drivers with prior traffic violations or accidents are almost always quoted higher premiums than those with cleaner records.
• Credit history: Car insurance companies have also found trends between credit usage and driving behaviors. Those with better credit scores are often quoted lower premiums than those with worse credit scores.
• Annual mileage: Many car insurance companies offer lower premium rates to drivers who don’t use their vehicles as often as others. Less time spent on the road means less risk to both the vehicle and the driver.

Your location does impact the cost of car insurance. Folks who live along the coast of South Carolina are likely to be quoted higher rates than those who live further inland, due to an increased risk of natural disasters like hurricanes. Likewise, drivers in larger cities like Charleston are likely to have higher car insurance premiums, due to risk of crimes like theft, etc. A South Carolina independent insurance agent can help you find exact rates for your area.

How Common Is Car Theft in South Carolina?

This rate is quite a bit above the national average of 228.9 per 100,000 people. With a theft rate higher than the US average, it’s even more important for residents of South Carolina to consider adding comprehensive coverage to their car insurance policies, just in case.

What Are the Legal Requirements for Car Insurance in South Carolina?

Each state has its own legal requirements for the minimum car insurance all drivers must carry. In South Carolina, drivers are required to have at least the following:

• Bodily injury liability: Bodily injury liability covers injuries to the other driver and their passengers in an accident. Medical payments, including doctor and hospital visits, are included in this coverage. Emergency services are often included as well.
• Property damage liability: Reimburses drivers for damage to their vehicles following an accident, as well as repairs to another driver’s vehicle, if applicable. Damage to property like fences and buildings is also covered.
• Uninsured motorist coverage: Provides protection for drivers who get into an accident with another driver who does not carry any or enough car insurance to reimburse for the damages.

Your South Carolina independent insurance agent will make sure you get set up with all the coverage you need to meet the state's legal requirements, as well as satisfy your needs on a personal level.

What Happens if I’m Hit by an Uninsured Driver in South Carolina?

Fortunately for drivers in South Carolina, you’d be covered. Since uninsured motorist coverage is legally required by the state, drivers are protected against accidents caused by someone who does not have adequate car insurance, or any at all. Uninsured motorist coverage reimburses drivers for injuries sustained in an accident, including for themselves and their passengers, as well for as repairs to their damaged vehicle.

That’s nearly one in 10 drivers on the road. While this falls well below the national average of 13%, it’s still critical to be protected against incidents caused by uninsured drivers.

Here’s How a South Carolina Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

When it comes to protecting drivers against accidents, theft, and all other perils, no one’s better equipped to help than an independent insurance agent. South Carolina insurance agents search through multiple carriers to find providers who specialize in auto insurance, deliver quotes from a number of different sources, and help you walk through them all to find the best blend of coverage and cost.