Car insurance in South Carolina (25/50/25)
- Minimum car insuranceSouth Carolina requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage at the same 25/50/25 limits is mandatory; underinsured motorist coverage must be offered but is optional, and PIP is not required. Source
- Fault systemSouth Carolina is an at-fault state, so the driver who causes a crash is responsible through their liability insurance for the injuries and damage they cause. Source
Business insurance rules in South Carolina
- Workers’ compensationBusinesses that regularly employ four or more people in South Carolina must carry workers' compensation, counting part-time workers and family members. Employers with less than $3,000 in annual payroll and certain categories, such as agricultural and casual employees, are exempt; the state is not monopolistic. Source
- Contractor licensingThe Contractor's Licensing Board (part of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) licenses general and mechanical contractors for projects over $10,000, using financial statement requirements. Residential builders are licensed by the Residential Builders Commission, and licensed firms must post a $15,000 surety bond. Source
Home insurance in South Carolina
- Home insurer of last resortThe Wind Pool provides wind and hail coverage in designated coastal areas where hurricanes are the main threat. Coastal policies often carry a separate named-storm or wind/hail deductible, and insurers must give policyholders notice of these deductibles under Regulation 69-56. South Carolina has no statewide FAIR Plan. Source
High-value homes in South Carolina.
Disasters, floods, hail, tornadoes and earthquakes in South Carolina
| Measure | South Carolina | Rank among the states | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal major disaster declarations since 2000 | 20 | #38 (tied) of 51 | Most often for hurricane (8), severe ice storm (4), severe storm (4). Berkeley County has been in 13 of them. |
| National Flood Insurance Program claims, 2005–2025 | 22,863 | #9 of 51 | $615.6 million paid; 24% of claims with a known flood zone were outside FEMA’s high-risk zones. |
| Hail reports, 2016–2025 | 1,092 | #28 of 51 | 36 of them 2 inches or larger. Largest stone 3 inches, Spartanburg County, March 2017. |
| Tornadoes, 2016–2025 | 275 | #22 of 51 | 34 rated EF2 or stronger; 1,225 recorded since 1950. |
| Earthquakes of magnitude 4.0+, 2000–2025 | 2 | #22 of 51 | Largest: magnitude 4.1, 12 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina, February 15, 2014. |
From the public FEMA, NOAA, Storm Prediction Center, USGS and FMCSA records behind each linked report; ranks count all 50 states and Washington, DC unless noted.
Look up the storm history of any county in South Carolina.
Worth knowing in South Carolina
South Carolina requires uninsured motorist coverage on every auto policy, and coastal homeowners often need separate wind and hail coverage from the state Wind Pool.
South Carolina’s insurance regulator
Insurance in South Carolina is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Insurance, which handles consumer complaints and licenses insurers and agents.
Sam Alishahi holds a nonresident insurance producer license in South Carolina (NPN 21022298), so requests from South Carolina are handled by him directly.
Common questions
What is the minimum car insurance in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage at the same 25/50/25 limits is mandatory; underinsured motorist coverage must be offered but is optional, and PIP is not required.
Is South Carolina a no-fault state?
South Carolina is an at-fault state, so the driver who causes a crash is responsible through their liability insurance for the injuries and damage they cause.
Do employers in South Carolina need workers’ comp?
Businesses that regularly employ four or more people in South Carolina must carry workers' compensation, counting part-time workers and family members. Employers with less than $3,000 in annual payroll and certain categories, such as agricultural and casual employees, are exempt; the state is not monopolistic.
What can a South Carolina homeowner do if no insurer will write the house?
The Wind Pool provides wind and hail coverage in designated coastal areas where hurricanes are the main threat. Coastal policies often carry a separate named-storm or wind/hail deductible, and insurers must give policyholders notice of these deductibles under Regulation 69-56. South Carolina has no statewide FAIR Plan.
Sources
- South Carolina: Minimum car insurance
- South Carolina: Workers’ compensation
- South Carolina: Home insurer of last resort
- South Carolina: Contractor licensing
- South Carolina: insurance regulator
General information as of October 2026, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the agency.