Short answer: South Carolina requires 25/50/25 liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. Every policy must also include uninsured motorist coverage at those same limits, and it covers property damage too. Insurers must offer higher UM and underinsured motorist coverage, which you choose.
The legal minimum
S.C. Code §38-77-140 sets liability limits for any auto policy issued on a vehicle principally garaged or used in South Carolina:
| Coverage | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury, one person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury, two or more people | $50,000 |
| Property damage | $25,000 |
| Uninsured motorist (injury and property) | Same as above, with $25,000 for your property |
Uninsured motorist is built in
Section 38-77-150 says no auto policy may be issued without an uninsured motorist provision at least equal to the §38-77-140 limits. South Carolina's required UM also includes at least $25,000 for damage to the insured's property in one accident. The statute allows the policy to exclude the first $200 of that property loss, which works like a deductible.
Optional: higher UM and underinsured motorist
§38-77-160 requires insurers to offer two extras:
- Additional UM up to your liability limits.
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) up to your liability limits, covering damages above the at-fault driver's liability coverage.
These are optional, so the offer form you sign matters. If you have higher UM or UIM on more than one vehicle, the statute limits you to the coverage on the vehicle involved in the crash, or to one vehicle's coverage if none of yours was involved.
How South Carolina checks insurance
The SCDMV verifies liability coverage electronically through the Automobile Liability Insurance Reporting (ALIR) system:
- you give your insurer's name when you first register and each time you renew;
- licensed insurers report policy changes to the SCDMV automatically;
- if ALIR can't verify coverage, your registration and license can be suspended.
New residents with a national insurer should update their address with that company before registering, so ALIR shows a South Carolina policy.
Getting stopped without proof
According to the SCDMV, if an officer stops you and you can't prove insurance, you may get a ticket, pay a fine or be taken to jail. If ticketed, you must show you had insurance on that vehicle within 30 days to avoid a license suspension. A suspended license carries a $100 reinstatement fee.
Driving uninsured: the 2024 rules
South Carolina once let owners register an uninsured vehicle by paying a fee. That option is gone: 2023 Act No. 51 rewrote the law effective July 1, 2024, and §56-10-520 now makes it a misdemeanor to drive, or let someone drive, an uninsured vehicle:
| Conviction | Penalty |
|---|---|
| First offense | $100 to $200 fine, or 30 days |
| Second offense | $200 fine or 30 days, or both |
| Third or later (within five years) | 45 days to six months |
The SCDMV must also suspend the owner's license, registrations and plates until a reinstatement fee is paid. The statute sets that fee at $600, subject to annual adjustment by the Department of Insurance. A driver who isn't the owner but knew the car was uninsured faces a 30-day license suspension.
What 25/50/25 leaves out
- Your car in a crash you cause. Collision coverage handles that.
- Weather and theft. Those are comprehensive claims: hurricane wind, falling trees, hail and theft.
- Serious injuries. One serious injury claim can exceed $25,000 per person.
- Damage above your limits. You can be sued for the difference.
Scenarios
An uninsured driver runs a red light and wrecks your car. Your required UM property coverage can pay, minus the $200 the policy may exclude.
An at-fault driver with 25/50 causes $90,000 in injuries. If you bought UIM, it can pay above their $25,000, up to your UIM limit.
ALIR can't find your policy after you switch insurers. Ask your new insurer to confirm it has reported coverage.
Bottom line
South Carolina's minimum includes UM for both injuries and property, but it stops at 25/50/25. Consider the UIM offer, raise liability if you have assets, and compare states in our car insurance minimums by state table.
Contact Alishahi Insurance or call (877) 711-4545. See insurance in South Carolina and auto insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum car insurance in South Carolina?
25/50/25 liability plus uninsured motorist coverage at the same limits, including $25,000 for property damage.
Does South Carolina uninsured motorist coverage pay for my car?
Yes. Required UM includes at least $25,000 for damage to your property, and the policy may exclude the first $200.
Is underinsured motorist coverage required in South Carolina?
No. Insurers must offer it up to your liability limits, but buying it is your choice.
How does South Carolina verify car insurance?
Electronically through the SCDMV's ALIR system, which insurers update automatically.
Can I still pay a fee to drive uninsured in South Carolina?
No. Since July 1, 2024, driving an uninsured vehicle is a misdemeanor with fines, possible jail and license and registration suspension.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.