How Much Car Insurance Do I Need in South Carolina?

South Carolina requires vehicle owners to carry liability auto insurance that meets at least the following minimums:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle
• $50,000 for total bodily injury or death liability in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle, and
• $25,000 for property damage per accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle.

You're also required to carry uninsured motorist coverage that at least matches the required liability minimums (25/50/25).

Let's take a closer look at South Carolina's car insurance requirements and how they'll come into play after a car accident.

What Does Liability Car Insurance Cover in South Carolina?

Liability coverage pays the medical bills, property damage bills, and other losses of anyone who's been injured or had their vehicle damaged in a car accident you cause, up to coverage limits. You can (and in some situations should) carry more coverage to protect you in case a serious crash results in significant car accident injuries and vehicle damage. Once policy limits are exhausted, you are personally on the financial hook, so higher insurance limits can help protect your personal assets in the event of a serious crash.

Who Is Covered Under My Liability Car Insurance?

Your liability coverage will kick in if any family member is driving your vehicle, or if you've given someone else permission to use it. It will likely also cover you if you get into an accident in a rental car.

Your Liability Insurance Won't Cover You or Your Car

Remember that liability coverage doesn't apply to your own injuries or vehicle damage after a South Carolina car accident. You'll need different (additional) coverage for that if you're involved in a car accident and no one else's coverage applies to your losses.

For example, collision coverage (optional in South Carolina, though might be required under the terms of a vehicle lease or financing agreement) can pay for repairs to (or replacement of) your damaged vehicle after a car accident.

Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Required in South Carolina?

Yes. As we touched on at the top of this article, uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage is required in South Carolina, in an amount equal to the minimum required liability coverage laid out above (25/50/25). UIM coverage can protect you and your passengers if you're involved in an accident and the at-fault driver has no insurance. Your own UIM coverage can also kick in and cover your injuries if you're the victim of a hit and run.

What Are My Car Accident Claim Options in South Carolina?

After a car accident in South Carolina, depending on the kind of car insurance coverage you have and other factors, you might be able to get compensation for your accident-related losses in one of three ways:

• by filing a claim with your own insurance company, regardless of who caused the accident, if you have personal injury protection coverage (for your injuries) or collision coverage (for your vehicle damage), both of which are optional in South Carolina
• by filing a third-party car insurance claim directly with the other driver's insurance carrier (if it's pretty clear that the other driver was at fault) and negotiating a fair settlement, and
• by filing a personal injury lawsuit in civil court against the at-fault driver (whose liability insurance would cover any court award you receive if your case is successful); remember that your lawsuit could settle out of court at any point before trial.

Do I Have to Have Car Insurance to Get a Driver's License in South Carolina?

Not if you don't own a car, no. In South Carolina, when you apply for or renew a driver's license, you must certify that either:

• you are insured by an automobile liability policy, or
• you do not own a vehicle.

Can I Show Digital Proof of Car Insurance In South Carolina?

Yes. If you're asked to provide proof of car insurance (during a traffic stop, for example), you can pull up official policy documentation from your insurance company on your phone or other device. Of course, you can still carry a physical copy of your company-issued insurance card and hand that over as well.

What Happens to Uninsured Drivers in South Carolina?

According to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, when you cancel the car insurance policy on a vehicle you're still driving, you'll probably receive a letter requiring your insurance company to electronically verify that you've got new coverage, and then let the SCDMV know. If the SCDMV does not receive this verification within 20 days:

• your driving privileges and vehicle plates and registration will be suspended, and
• you may be ordered to pay up to $400 to reinstate your driving privileges and registration.

If you're pulled over and cited for driving without insurance, and it's a vehicle you don't own:

• your license will probably be suspended for 30 days, and
• you'll likely need to pay a $100 reinstatement fee.

If you're pulled over and cited for driving without insurance, and you're the vehicle owner:

• your license and registration will almost certainly be suspended until the SCDMV receives a $550 "uninsured motorist fee," and
• you'll probably need to make sure your car insurance company verifies your insured status with SCDMV for the next three years.

Get more facts on driving uninsured in South Carolina, from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles.

Keep in mind that fines and other administrative penalties will likely pale in comparison to the financial hit you could take if you're in a car accident and you don't have car insurance.

Getting Help After a South Carolina Car Accident

If you've been involved in a crash, get the details on South Carolina's car accident laws. And if you've been injured, it might make sense to discussion your situation (and your options) with an experienced legal professional. Learn more about when you might need a car accident lawyer.