South Carolina Car Insurance: Guidelines to Car Insurance for Vehicles

For complete information regarding South Carolina insurance requirements and information on companies that sell auto insurance consumers can contact the South Carolina Department of Insurance through their website, https://www.doi.sc.gov, or by calling their office in Columbia at 1-800-768-3467.

All drivers in South Carolina are required to carry an uninsured motorist insurance policy, as the state does not require its drivers to maintain a liability policy. Uninsured motorist coverage will assist in the payment of medical and repair bills resulting from an accident for which the uninsured motorist was responsible and will also provide assistance for those individuals who find themselves the victims of a hit and run.

While it is not required, in light of the fact that SC is not a no fault state it is strongly suggested that all drivers maintain a liability policy at a minimum of fifteen thousand dollars for injuries suffered by a single driver, thirty thousand dollars for the combined medical expenses of all of the occupants of a vehicle and ten thousand dollars for necessary repairs to any property damage resulting from the accident, including that sustained by the victim’s vehicle. As the driver will be held personally liable for any costs exceeding these amounts it is not suggested that drivers only purchase minimum liability.

Also not required but strongly suggested is comprehensive and collision insurance. This coverage will provide for repairs needed by the vehicle of the insured following an accident for which they were responsible; without this coverage they will be held solely responsible for these expenses. In the event that a vehicle has been damaged beyond repair SC collision insurance will also “total” the vehicle and pay to the owner the cash Blue Book value of the vehicle. For this reason comprehensive insurance may be required for any new vehicle currently under lien.

Gap insurance may be available for those vehicles whose Blue Book value is less than the balance remaining on the lien, and allows the driver to move on without the balance hanging over their head in the event that the vehicle must be totaled.