Updated March 2026
State Requirements
South Carolina requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25: $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. SR-22 filing is required after DUI convictions, license suspensions resulting from point accumulation (12 or more points), multiple at-fault accidents while uninsured, and certain reckless driving convictions. Drivers accumulate points for moving violations — 2 points for speeding 10+ mph over, 4 points for reckless driving, 6 points for DUI — and points remain on the driving record for 2 years from the conviction date. Most point violations like speeding tickets or single at-fault accidents do not trigger SR-22 requirements unless they result in license suspension.
Cost Overview
High-risk auto insurance in South Carolina costs $2,400–$5,200 annually on average, compared to $1,200–$1,800 for clean-record drivers — a 100–200% increase depending on violation type. DUI convictions produce the highest rate impact (150–250% increase), followed by at-fault accidents (40–80% increase) and speeding violations over 15 mph (20–50% increase). Rates begin normalizing 3–5 years after the violation date as the incident ages off rating algorithms, with the steepest decreases occurring in years 3–4.
What Affects Your Rate
- Violation type: DUI adds 150–250%, reckless driving adds 80–120%, speeding 15+ mph adds 20–50% to base premium
- Years since violation: rates drop 15–25% each year after year 2 as the incident ages in rating models
- Point total: drivers at 8–11 points pay 30–60% more than those with 2–4 points, even without suspension
- SR-22 requirement: adds $15–$50 filing cost plus forces placement with non-standard carriers charging 40–100% more
- Coverage level: full coverage costs 40–60% more than minimum liability for high-risk profiles in South Carolina
- County location: high-risk rates in Charleston County average 15–20% higher than Greenville County due to accident density and uninsured motorist rates
Compare rates from carriers that work with drivers who have points
Standard carriers surcharge heavily after violations. These specialists price your specific record differently.
Get Your Free QuoteCoverage Types
Liability Insurance
Covers injury and property damage you cause to others. South Carolina's 25/50/25 minimum is legally required but insufficient for serious accidents involving multiple vehicles or hospitalization.
SR-22 Insurance
Certificate of financial responsibility filed by your insurer with the South Carolina DMV. Required for 3 years after DUI, suspension, or uninsured accidents.
Full Coverage
Liability, comprehensive, and collision bundled together. Covers damage to your vehicle from accidents, theft, weather, and vandalism in addition to third-party liability.
Non-Standard Auto Insurance
Policies designed for drivers with violations, lapses, DUI, or SR-22 requirements who cannot qualify for preferred carrier rates.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Covers your medical expenses and lost wages if hit by a driver with no insurance. Must be offered in South Carolina but can be rejected in writing.
Collision Coverage
Pays for damage to your vehicle after an at-fault accident regardless of who caused it. Subject to deductible, typically $500–$1,000.
