South Carolina Auto Insurance Rates Report – Real 2024–2026 Policies

2026 South Carolina Auto Insurance
Rates & Coverages

This page summarizes real policy outcomes so South Carolina drivers can compare insurance rates by county, see coverage mix (liability insurance vs full coverage vs non owners), and understand how pricing can vary month to month.

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Data: 282 policies • 25 South Carolina counties • 2024–2026


South Carolina Summary

This South Carolina report is built from owned data in our agency records, based on sold policies and real monthly premium outcomes (not public filings and not broad averages). It’s meant to help you compare insurance rates, understand coverage choices (liability only vs full coverage), and see how prices can differ by county and month.

In this dataset, the average monthly premium is $204.57 per month with an observed low of $2.50 and a high of $1,381.12. That spread shows why rate shopping and comparing insurance companies matters — especially if you have violations, accidents, a DUI, need SR-22 insurance, or are trying to estimate the impact of deductible choices on full coverage auto insurance. South Carolina is our largest single-state dataset with 282 policies across 25 counties.

County results should be read as guidance. With smaller county policy counts, one high-risk policy can shift an average more than it would in a larger dataset. The best next step is still a fresh insurance quote for your exact driver, vehicle, and coverage goal.

Carrier Distribution

Carrier distribution reflects what shows up in this specific dataset. Your insurance quote results can include other insurance companies depending on driver profile, vehicle, credit, and underwriting.

Policies by Insurance Company
Insurance Company Policies Share
Progressive16458.2%
Assurance4214.9%
National General217.4%
Dairyland207.1%
Geico155.3%
Gainsco72.5%
ASI41.4%
ePremium41.4%
Bristol West31.1%
Other31.1%
Policy service note: if you’re high risk (DUI, violations, accidents) or need SR-22 insurance, carrier appetite can change fast. Comparing matters.
Coverage Type Mix
Mix includes auto liability only, full coverage, non owners, renters, motorcycle, RV, homeowners, and commercial policies.

South Carolina Snapshot

Quick baseline insurance rates for this state report.

Average Monthly Premium
$204.57
Across all included policies
Median Monthly Premium
$176.11
Middle of the distribution
Lowest Observed Rate
$2.50
Cheapest in dataset
Highest Observed Rate
$1,381.12
Highest in dataset
⚡ Price Range: $2.50/mo → $1,381.12/mo

The statewide observed spread is enormous, driven by the diversity of policy types and risk profiles in this large dataset. Coverage type, driver history, and vehicle all play a significant role in where your premium lands.

📌 Internal Data Read

This is internal policy data (not public filings). It reflects issued policies and can be used as guidance when estimating your own month-to-month price.

Key Takeaways
  • Highest average county premium: Charleston County ($519.09/mo).
  • Lowest average county premium: Barnwell County ($92.92/mo).
  • Largest within-county spread (2+ policies): Pickens County (23,854% gap between low and high — one very low renters policy vs. high-risk auto).
  • Top county by policy volume: Spartanburg County (115 policies).

County Pricing

All county data on one page. Counties sorted by policy volume. Use this to compare counties quickly.

Average Monthly Premium — Top 10 Counties by Volume
Showing top 10 counties by policy count. See full table below for all 25 counties.
County Table — All 25 Counties
County Policies Avg / Month Low High
Spartanburg County115$200.13$12.19$584.31
York County35$227.76$11.79$1,381.12
Greenville County33$183.23$16.17$618.13
Pickens County19$174.78$2.50$598.85
Anderson County15$226.61$83.45$758.76
Union County12$179.31$11.75$353.15
Kershaw County7$180.36$88.17$334.90
Richland County6$182.24$6.41$595.07
Lancaster County6$194.56$103.86$398.33
Cherokee County4$306.74$194.66$563.87
Charleston County4$519.09$16.67$1,101.36
Laurens County4$207.34$65.71$375.00
Chester County4$276.62$176.66$341.32
Aiken County4$179.10$92.00$301.00
Oconee County3$166.12$92.52$252.00
Abbeville County2$229.24$176.99$281.50
Horry County1$370.82$370.82$370.82
Orangeburg County1$191.15$191.15$191.15
Greenwood County1$162.00$162.00$162.00
Sumter County1$125.00$125.00$125.00
Dorchester County1$107.50$107.50$107.50
Florence County1$106.77$106.77$106.77
Berkeley County1$98.47$98.47$98.47
Edgefield County1$94.88$94.88$94.88
Barnwell County1$92.92$92.92$92.92
If your county shows a wide low-to-high range, it’s usually worth getting fresh quotes and comparing coverage options.

Frequently Asked Questions — Spartanburg County Auto Insurance

What does auto insurance cost in Spartanburg County based on real sold policies?

From our 261 real auto policies sold in Spartanburg County during 2024–2025, the average monthly premium is $226.10 with a median of $189.33. The 25th percentile sits at $132.94 and the 75th at $267.50 — meaning half of all Spartanburg County drivers in our dataset paid between roughly $133 and $268 per month. Premiums ranged from $12.48 (motorcycle, minimum coverage) to $1,236.66 (full coverage, high-risk profile). The gap between the $226 average and $189 median reflects a pull from high-premium full coverage outliers — the median is the better estimate for most drivers. What you pay depends heavily on whether you’re getting liability only, full coverage, or a specialty product like non-owners, and your specific driving history.

How much does full coverage auto insurance cost in Spartanburg County?

Full coverage (collision + comprehensive + liability) is the second most common product in our Spartanburg dataset — 102 policies averaging $315.88/month with a median of $264.33. The range runs from $93.33 to $1,236.66. The lower end reflects a clean-record driver on an older, lower-value vehicle; the $1,236 ceiling reflects a financed newer vehicle combined with a significant violation or SR-22 history. For a standard Spartanburg County driver with a clean record on a mid-range financed vehicle, expect full coverage in the $150–$320 range depending on the vehicle value, your specific driving record, and the carrier. Full coverage runs notably higher in Spartanburg than the South Carolina statewide average — the Upstate market’s accident frequency and vehicle value profile push costs above more rural SC counties.

How much does liability-only insurance cost in Spartanburg County?

Liability-only is the most common product in our Spartanburg dataset — 139 policies averaging $179.65/month with a median of $168.47 and a range of $44.66 to $638.48. For a clean-record Spartanburg County driver seeking standard 25/50/25 liability coverage, expect to pay in the $80–$160 range depending on your driving history and carrier. The high end of our liability range — $400–$638 — reflects SR-22-impacted rates or multiple violations on a driver’s record. Liability-only averages running near $180 in Spartanburg are higher than many rural South Carolina counties, consistent with the Upstate metro’s higher traffic density on I-85, I-26, and US-29 compared to less-traveled corridors elsewhere in the state.

What are South Carolina’s minimum auto insurance requirements for Spartanburg drivers?

South Carolina requires 25/50/25 liability coverage: $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. South Carolina is a tort (at-fault) state with no mandatory PIP. Uninsured motorist coverage at 25/50/25 is required and cannot be waived — this is an important consumer protection given South Carolina’s uninsured driver rate of approximately 10–12%. The mandatory UM requirement mirrors your liability limits, ensuring you have matching protection if struck by an uninsured driver. South Carolina also allows drivers to choose between full tort and limited tort options, with full tort preserving your right to sue an at-fault driver for all damages including pain and suffering. Most Spartanburg advisors recommend full tort for complete recovery rights.

How does SR-22 insurance work in Spartanburg County, South Carolina?

South Carolina requires an SR-22 certificate after DUI convictions, reckless driving, driving uninsured in an at-fault accident, or certain license suspension events. The filing period is typically 3 years from the date of license reinstatement. Your insurer files the SR-22 electronically with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, and any lapse in coverage during that period triggers immediate notification and can result in license re-suspension. Non-owners SR-22 is available for drivers who need compliance coverage without owning a vehicle — our Spartanburg dataset includes 15 non-owners policies averaging $113.41/month, reflecting exactly this use case. Progressive, National General, Dairyland, and Gainsco — four of our Spartanburg carriers — all handle South Carolina SR-22 filings electronically.

Which insurance carrier is cheapest for Spartanburg County?

In our 261-policy Spartanburg dataset, carrier median premiums vary significantly. Dairyland has the lowest median at $108.89 across 18 policies — it specializes in compliance-focused products like non-owners and broad form, which naturally run lower. Geico ($145.50 median, 6 policies) and Progressive ($172.82 median, 142 policies) are the most competitively priced among high-volume carriers for standard profiles. National General ($267.50 median, 33 policies), Assurance ($254.84 median, 44 policies), and Gainsco ($335.24 median, 17 policies) run higher — reflecting their specialization in non-standard and higher-risk Spartanburg profiles. Gainsco’s high median reflects its role as a carrier of last resort for drivers declined elsewhere. The right carrier for you depends on your coverage type and driving history — “cheapest” for a clean-record driver is rarely the same as “cheapest” for a driver with violations.

Why does auto insurance run higher in Spartanburg than in rural South Carolina counties?

Spartanburg County’s $189.33 median premium is higher than most rural South Carolina counties for several structural reasons. The Upstate’s interstate network — I-85, I-26, and US-29 through Spartanburg city — carries significant through-traffic between Charlotte and Atlanta, generating more accident frequency per driver than purely local-traffic rural roads. Vehicle values in Spartanburg County tend to be higher than in the state’s rural counties, which raises full coverage premiums. The BMW Manufacturing plant in Greer (shared between Spartanburg and Greenville counties) has attracted a significant automotive supply chain workforce with above-average incomes and newer vehicles — a demographic that skews toward full coverage policies on financed vehicles. Auto repair labor rates in Spartanburg city are higher than in small-town SC, pushing up collision claim costs. Together these factors put Spartanburg comfortably above the state’s more rural and lower-density markets.

What is Gainsco, and why does it appear in Spartanburg County insurance data?

Gainsco is a non-standard specialty carrier that focuses specifically on high-risk auto insurance — drivers who’ve been declined, non-renewed, or priced prohibitively by standard carriers like Progressive or Geico. In our Spartanburg dataset, Gainsco handles 17 policies with an average of $391.90 and a median of $335.24 — the highest carrier averages in our Spartanburg book. This isn’t because Gainsco is overpriced; it’s because the drivers placed with Gainsco have profiles that standard carriers won’t write at any competitive price. Gainsco fills a genuine market need in Spartanburg County — without non-standard carriers like Gainsco, some high-risk drivers would have no path to legally insured driving and license reinstatement. If you’ve been declined by multiple standard carriers or have a DUI and significant violation history, Gainsco may be the right fit even at its higher price point. We always compare it against other options before placing a client there.

Ready to Compare Rates in South Carolina?

Call or start online — no pressure. We’ll help you compare liability insurance, full coverage, or non owners options and get proof of insurance.

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Jayleen Ridgeway - Marketing Manager

Jayleen Ridgeway

Marketing Manager| 9 Years of Digital and Marketing Strategy

Data-driven marketing strategist specializing in insurance rate analysis, pricing trends, and consumer insights derived from real-world first-party data. With a background in SaaS technology, Jayleen leads all marketing and social media efforts while uncovering actionable trends from monthly, quarterly, and yearly insurance data.
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