Updated January 1, 2026

How to Find the Best Car Insurance in South Carolina

Illinois cheapest insurance

How to Find the Best Car Insurance in South Carolina

Jerry helps you get quotes from up to 12 different insurance companies in the Palmetto State, and over the past year we’ve helped 27,220 South Carolina drivers find their best car insurance at competitive prices and switch their coverage.

Every driver has unique needs, and since we’ve helped thousands of SC drivers just like you, we truly understand what’s most important. Jerry can show you real policies purchased by real people, and explain just how other drivers in South Carolina are choosing from top car insurance coverage options.

Here’s what we’ve noticed:

  • Progressive is the insurer that nearly half of Jerry customers pick in South Carolina.

  • GEICO and Assurance America come in second and third place, making up another third of the total market share in the state.

  • The rest of our customers are spread across strong carriers like National General, ROOT and others.

All of this really drives home that there isn’t just one “best” company for every single driver. But there is a best fit for you, based on your own driving profile, coverage needs and risk tolerance.

Most popular insurers in South Carolina
InsurerShare of Jerry driversJerry customer rating
Progressive44%4.7
GEICO21%4.8
Assurance America13%4.8
National General10%4.7
ROOT7%4.7

Based on the most frequently chosen carriers by Jerry customers in this state. Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers in this state.

Quick picks: Best South Carolina car insurance by driver profile

Here are the categories we chose when selecting our best insurance companies for South Carolina drivers, and which ones made the cut. Use this as a starting point, then let Jerry personalize the results for your exact details.

Select your driver type

Driver categoryMost popular in SC
Most driversProgressive, GEICO, Assurance America
Homeowners who bundleProgressive, GEICO, Assurance America
Budget-focused driversProgressive, GEICO, National General
Families with teen driversProgressive, ROOT, Dairyland
College studentsProgressive, GEICO, ROOT
Drivers with violationsProgressive, Assurance America, National General
Military driversUSAA, GEICO, Armed Forces Insurance
Senior driversProgressive, GEICO, ROOT
Honda1

Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.

How Jerry helps South Carolina drivers find their best insurance

There’s a reason Jerry doesn’t look like your typical insurance quote site. It’s because we are anything but typical.

For South Carolina drivers, we don’t just find a low number, we find the right policy by:

  • Using real data from 27,220 recent South Carolina quotes to best compare your coverage options.

  • Analyzing 12 top insurers in the state against our quality criteria and your specific needs.

  • Showing you highly-rated options that balance coverage, claims and cost.

  • Explaining why each option makes sense for your situation.

  • Handling all the paperwork — including cancellation and refund requests — and helping you switch, so you never have a coverage gap.

  • Continuing to monitor market rates so you always know when it’s time to shop for better pricing.

What does that mean for SC drivers? An average annual savings of $869 and high satisfaction rates among drivers who switch with Jerry.

Ready to see what you could save? Answer a few quick questions and we’ll show you the top options, fast.

Best car insurance for most SC drivers

South Carolina drivers havemany different insurance companies to choose from when shopping for coverage through Jerry. Because each carrier offers its own combination of coverages, features, benefits and pricing, customers can use Jerry to shop around in a personalized way, and find their own best balance of price and protection.

Here are some of the most recent quotes that drivers have received in the state:

Recent quotes in South Carolina

Last Updated Jan. 1, 2026

For most good drivers in South Carolina who want full coverage and strong claims support, three companies frequently come up as Jerry customer favorites: Progressive, GEICO and Assurance America. Jerry can help you compare them (and others) side-by-side in just minutes. That way, you can see which one is the strongest fit and find the right policy for your exact combination of needs.

Here’s a look at what they each offer and why Jerry customers say they’re a top pick.

1. Progressive

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

44%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent quotes for SC drivers

Last Updated Jan. 1, 2026

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers in this state.

  • Why we recommend Progressive:

2. GEICO

4.6

Jerry Score

4.8

Customer Rating

21%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent quotes for SC drivers

Last Updated Jan. 1, 2026

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers in this state.

  • Why we recommend GEICO:

3. Assurance America

4.1

Jerry Score

4.8

Customer Rating

13%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent quotes for SC drivers

Last Updated Jan. 1, 2026

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers in this state.

  • Why we recommend Assurance America:
Lifestyle14

Get SC quotes in as little as 2 minutes.

Best SC car insurance for bundling home and auto

Auto insurance is one of the few things standing between an at-fault accident and a big hit to your finances. For homeowners, that matters even more because you have more to lose, from home equity to savings and other assets. That’s why many homeowner drivers look at bundling auto and home insurance to keep coverage straightforward and tap into discounts that can make a real difference.

Still, bundling isn’t required to get homeowner-friendly perks. Some carriers consider homeownership on its own and may offer special discounts or higher coverage limits even if your home policy stays with another insurance company.

In South Carolina, Jerry sees most home-owning customers choosing Progressive, GEICO and Assurance America for their auto coverage, with or without bundling those policies. Here’s what each top carrier offers and why Jerry customers pick them most often.

1. Progressive

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

51%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent quotes for homeowners

Last Updated Jan. 1, 2026

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records, who own a home and found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based average rating by Jerry customers that are homeowners in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Progressive:

2. GEICO

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

22%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent quotes for homeowners

Last Updated Jan. 1, 2026

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records, who own a home and found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based average rating by Jerry customers that are homeowners in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend GEICO:

3. Assurance America

4.1

Jerry Score

4.6

Customer Rating

9%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent quotes for homeowners

Last Updated Jan. 1, 2026

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records, who own a home and found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based average rating by Jerry customers that are homeowners in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Assurance America:
Lifestyle4

Jerry helps you bundle home and auto for less in just minutes.

Best value for budget-focused SC drivers

Some people chase the lowest premium. Others want a policy that won’t fall apart the moment something goes wrong. If you’re in the second camp but still want to keep costs reasonable, the right carrier can make a big difference. In South Carolina, Jerry data show Progressive, GEICO and National General often offer the strongest mix of price and protection for drivers trying to stay on budget. Not always the cheapest insurance in South Carolina, but often the best deal.

Over the past 12 months, Jerry has helped 20,492 South Carolina drivers find coverage under $100/month, without dropping to bare-minimum limits.

Here’s a look at what each top carrier offers and why Jerry customers say they’re a top pick.

1. Progressive

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

61%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent price-friendly quotes

Last Updated Dec. 28, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers with below-average credit profiles in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Progressive:

2. GEICO

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

26%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent price-friendly quotes

Last Updated Dec. 28, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers with below-average credit profiles in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend GEICO:

3. National General

3.9

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

5%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent price-friendly quotes

Last Updated Dec. 28, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers with below-average credit profiles in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend National General:
CTA1 1

Jerry helps you save on car insurance fast.

Best car insurance for SC families with teen drivers

Adding a teen driver in South Carolina isn’t just a “small update” to your auto policy. It’s a major pricing event, and the jump can feel disproportionate, especially if your teen is driving infrequently or sharing a family car. The key is knowing which carriers are more competitive for teen drivers and which ones price them sky-high by default. Jerry has helped 516 SC families with teen drivers save an average of $845 annually, most often with Progressive, ROOT and Dairyland.

Here’s a look at what those most popular carriers offer and why Jerry customers choose them.

1. Progressive

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

79%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers that have children of driving age in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Progressive:

2. ROOT

4.4

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

13%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers that have children of driving age in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend ROOT:

3. Dairyland

3.9

Jerry Score

4.5

Customer Rating

4%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers that have children of driving age in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Dairyland:
JERRY EXPERT INSIGHT
When adding a teen to the policy, it often helps to compare two versions: one that’s super budget-friendly and one that offers sleep-at-night coverage. It might be more affordable than you expect.
Rebekah Bahruth
Rebekah Bahruth
General Lines Agent (Florida Property & Casualty)

Best car insurance for SC college students

College can turn a “set it and forget it” policy into a moving target. A driver might change addresses, drive fewer miles, or keep a car on campus for part of the year and at home for the rest. If your policy doesn’t keep up, you can end up overpaying, underprotected or both.

This past year, Jerry has helped 3,481 college students in South Carolina find affordable coverage that still protects them whether they’re on or off campus, driving home for the summer or something in between. Progressive, GEICO and ROOT are the top choices for Jerry college students in this state. Here’s what each carrier offers and why it stands out.

1. Progressive

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

49%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent college driver quotes

Last Updated Jan. 1, 2026

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records, between ages 17-24, who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers that have children of driving age in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Progressive:

2. GEICO

4.6

Jerry Score

4.6

Customer Rating

26%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent college driver quotes

Last Updated Jan. 1, 2026

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records, between ages 17-24, who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers that have children of driving age in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend GEICO:

3. ROOT

4.4

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

9%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent college driver quotes

Last Updated Jan. 1, 2026

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records, between ages 17-24, who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers that have children of driving age in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend ROOT:
Audi2

Fast track your SC insurance with Jerry.

Best SC car insurance for drivers with violations

One mistake on the road can change your insurance pricing for years. Tickets, at-fault accidents and DUIs often trigger “high-risk” rates and can narrow the list of carriers willing to write your policy. Still, you have options, and you don’t have to overpay just because your record isn’t spotless.

Jerry has helped 1,167 South Carolina drivers with violations find coverage this past year at affordable prices. We also monitor rates and flag the right time to shop again once those violations age out, so you can potentially save even more.

In fact, many Jerry drivers with violations end up with Progressive, Assurance America and National General — carriers that are often more flexible with South Carolina drivers who have violations on their record.

1. Progressive

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

48%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent quotes post-violation

Last Updated Jan. 2, 2026

Based on Jerry customers with one or more accidents and violations on their records who found savings in the past 18 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers with violations in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Progressive:

2. Assurance America

4.1

Jerry Score

4.9

Customer Rating

20%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent quotes post-violation

Last Updated Jan. 2, 2026

Based on Jerry customers with one or more accidents and violations on their records who found savings in the past 18 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers with violations in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Assurance America:

3. National General

3.9

Jerry Score

4.8

Customer Rating

13%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent quotes post-violation

Last Updated Jan. 2, 2026

Based on Jerry customers with one or more accidents and violations on their records who found savings in the past 18 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers with violations in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend National General:
JERRY EXPERT INSIGHT
Ask about telematics or safe driving programs. For some drivers with violations on their record, demonstrating good habits behind the wheel can be the quickest path back toward better pricing.
Gordon Adams-Smith
Gordon Adams-Smith
General Lines Agent (California Property & Casualty)

Car insurance options for SC military families

Whether active-duty, reservist, guard, or veteran, military life changes the way you drive, store your car and move across states. Jerry has helped South Carolina military families find coverage that fits deployments, PCS moves and everything in between.

If you qualify for military-focused insurers, they should always be part of the conversation. At the same time, many standard insurers offer strong military discounts and flexible policies that Jerry can quote and compare for you.

Here’s how to think about your options.

Option A: Military-only insurers to check directly

There are insurers built specifically for military life, including USAA, Navy Federal, Armed Forces Insurance and similar providers.

If you qualify, put them on your shortlist. These companies are built around deployments, PCS orders and frequent moves, and they often offer storage or reduced-use options when your vehicle is parked during deployment. Their service teams also tend to know the realities of orders, pay and timelines, which can reduce friction.

Because these insurers operate a bit differently, Jerry can’t always show live quotes or internal ratings for them. If you qualify, the best way to compare is:

1. Use Jerry to price and compare standard insurers, then
2. Pull direct quotes from one or more military-only insurers.

That way, you’re comparing their offer against competitive market rates.

Option B: Standard insurers with strong military benefits (that Jerry can quote)

Beyond military-only insurers, some national carriers offer military discounts, handle deployments and cross-state moves smoothly and plug directly into Jerry’s quoting and switching experience.

For many SC military families, GEICO, State Farm and Progressive show up often.

1. GEICO

Best for: Discounts plus flexible coverage during deployments

Why it often works well for service members:

  • Military discounts and options to scale coverage when driving drops.

  • 24/7 support for OCONUS time zones and uneven schedules.

  • App-first access to policy docs, proof of insurance, claims and quick updates.

2. State Farm

Best for: PCS moves and consistent local support

Why it often works well:

  • A huge agent footprint for continuity when you move.

  • Plenty of nearby agents in military-heavy areas.

  • Easy bundling when you add home or condo coverage.

3. Progressive

Best for: Frequent updates and self-serve changes

Why it could be a good fit:

  • Competitive rates across a wide set of situations, including movers.

  • Strong digital tools for address, mileage and garaging changes.

  • Add-ons like rental and roadside for support away from home.

Jerry can’t claim to “rank” USAA or Navy Federal against these carriers, but we can quickly show how GEICO, State Farm, Progressive and other standard insurers price your specific situation in South Carolina.

lifestyle2

Get personalized car insurance rates now.

Best car insurance for senior drivers in South Carolina

For many South Carolina drivers over 65, the best policy is the one that feels boring in the best way: It works, it’s clear, and it’s backed by a carrier that’s easy to deal with. Jerry recommends Progressive, GEICO and ROOT for seniors who care about service, stability and long-term value.

In the last 12 months, we’ve helped 1,020 South Carolina seniors find coverage that aligns with how they drive now and the protection they want.

1. Progressive

4.6

Jerry Score

4.8

Customer Rating

54%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent senior driver quotes

Last Updated Jan. 1, 2026

Based on Jerry customers 65+ with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers of age 65+ in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Progressive:

2. GEICO

4.6

Jerry Score

4.5

Customer Rating

30%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent senior driver quotes

Last Updated Jan. 1, 2026

Based on Jerry customers 65+ with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers of age 65+ in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend GEICO:

3. ROOT

4.4

Jerry Score

5.0

Customer Rating

7%

of Jerry drivers in SC chose this insurer

Recent senior driver quotes

Last Updated Jan. 1, 2026

Based on Jerry customers 65+ with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers of age 65+ in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend ROOT:
Lifestyle9

See coverage options for your car.

How Jerry picks the best insurers in South Carolina

Most sites just sort companies by price. Jerry does more. 

No one wants to overpay for insurance, but Jerry knows that other factors matter, too. We use our own proprietary Jerry Score to grade each insurance company. Built from real South Carolina driver data, this score evaluates insurers on:

Customer satisfaction

What customers say after they’ve filed a claim or made changes, not just when they first buy.

Value for your money

The best balance of price and protection, not just the lowest premium on the page.

Claims experience

How quickly and fairly claims get paid, especially after real crashes and storm damage.

Financial strength

Whether the company has the backing to pay out when major events hit.

Quality of coverage

How easy it is to get high liability limits, comprehensive and collision, and useful add-ons like rental reimbursement and roadside.

Product availability

Where coverage is offered, the protections available and what sort of add-ons customers can choose from to truly customize their policy.

The result? We show you a short list of options tailored to how you actually drive and what you actually own.

Lifestyle1

Drivers who switch with Jerry save an average of $54/mo on car insurance.

Expert-driven. Built for you.
Our experts
meet-experts-thumbnail
Stephanie Colestock

Stephanie Colestock is a professional writer, CFEI®, and licensed insurance agent specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, loans, credit/debt, investing, retirement planning, and banking.

Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Business Insider, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.

When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys SCUBA diving, reading a good book, and traveling the world with her family.

Over the past 12 months, 25% of drivers who switched with Jerry paid $89 or less per month. Not all customers find savings. Savings depend on state, policy features, coverage, driving history and other factors.
Editorial Note: This article was written by a paid member of Jerry’s editorial team. Statements in this article do not constitute advice or recommendations. You should consult with an insurance professional about your specific circumstances and needs before making any insurance decisions.
Let Jerry find you personalized quotes in minutes.