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Jess Ullrich is a personal finance writer who’s been creating financial and business content for over a decade. Her work has been published in Investopedia, MoneyWise, NextAdvisor, The HuffPost, and she's been contributing to Compare.com since 2024. Prior to writing full-time, Jess was an editor at Investopedia, The Balance, and FinanceBuzz.
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Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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The national average cost of auto coverage is $135 per month, and Columbia drivers pay an average of $233 per month. But there’s a bright side: While average car insurance costs may be high in South Carolina’s capital city, some insurance companies offer much lower rates. A policy from USAA, for example, costs just $72 per month on average.
Here’s how to find the best and cheapest car insurance if you’re looking for coverage in Columbia, SC.
USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm offer the most affordable car insurance rates, on average, for Columbia drivers.
Teens in Columbia pay an average of just $118 per month with USAA — much lower than the citywide average of $427.
South Carolina requires all drivers to have liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage to drive on public roads.
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Location ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Liability ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: All Policies ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $181 | $286 | $233 |
| South Carolina | $170 | $275 | $223 |
| National average | $92 | $176 | $135 |
Columbia drivers pay $233 per month for car insurance, on average, according to Compare.com data. For comparison’s sake, drivers across South Carolina pay an average of $223 per month, while drivers in the U.S. pay average monthly premiums of $135.
While these averages can offer some helpful insight, your actual car insurance rates may be quite a bit different, depending on your insurance company, driving record, gender, age, ZIP code, and other factors.
Several auto insurance companies offer rates well below the citywide average. Besides comparing car insurance quotes, you can also find other ways to save, which we’ll discuss later in this article.
To get you started, the table below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in Columbia, SC, according to Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| USAA | $72 |
| Auto-Owners | $77 |
| State Farm | $79 |
| GEICO | $85 |
| Safeco | $109 |
USAA is the cheapest car insurance company, on average, with Columbia drivers paying $72 per month. It also offers the most affordable coverage across several different demographic categories, including teens, young drivers, and middle-aged drivers. We’ll discuss costs for specific demographic categories below.
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Remember that there’s no single best car insurance company for everyone — your unique driving history and demographics play a role in your rates.
We chose the following companies as the best in Columbia based on a combination of average rates in the city, available discounts, customer ratings and reviews, and coverage options.
Average premium: $72 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.91 out of 5
Incredibly cheap rates
High customer satisfaction ratings
Ample discounts
Membership restricted to military members
Mixed online reviews
Limited coverage options
Offering incredibly cheap rates for Columbia drivers and ample discounts, USAA could be a good pick if you’re a member of the Fort Jackson community. Besides its affordability, USAA is also highly rated for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power. Just keep in mind that only members of the U.S. military, veterans, and their qualifying family members can get auto coverage from this insurer.
Average premium: $77 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.43 out of 5
Incredibly cheap rates
Several discounts available
No membership restrictions
Mixed online reviews
Below-average customer satisfaction ratings
Online quotes not available
Auto-Owners also has impressively low average rates for Columbia drivers, and you won’t need to be affiliated with the U.S. military to get coverage. This car insurance company also offers multiple discounts, including a bundling discount, paid-in-full discounts, safety feature discounts, and good student discounts.
That said, its customer satisfaction ratings on the 2024 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study are below average, and you’ll need to contact a local insurance agent to get a quote.
Average premium: $79 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.90 out of 5
Fairly cheap rates
High customer satisfaction ratings
Ample discounts available
Mixed online reviews
Recently downgraded AM Best rating
Can’t finalize quotes online
In addition to offering relatively cheap car insurance policies and ample discounts, State Farm also receives high marks for customer satisfaction on the 2024 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study. This could make it a good option for cost-conscious Columbia drivers seeking an excellent customer experience.
That said, insurance credit rating agency AM Best downgraded State Farm’s financial strength rating from A (excellent) to B (fair) in 2023.
Compare personalized quotes from Columbia’s best insurance companies.
Your coverage level also plays an important role in your insurance rates. South Carolina state law mandates you to buy bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, as well as underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage.
Opting for the state-minimum limits can help keep your insurance costs down, though doing so provides less financial protection.
The table below shows the five cheapest companies in Columbia for state-minimum coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| USAA | $55 |
| Auto-Owners | $59 |
| State Farm | $61 |
| GEICO | $65 |
| Safeco | $80 |
USAA offers the cheapest coverage for Columbia drivers seeking minimal coverage, with average rates of just $55 per month. That said, liability coverage often isn’t enough for many drivers.
If you’re seeking a full-coverage policy, the following companies offer affordable coverage.
Full coverage provides you with more protection on the road. It typically includes collision insurance, comprehensive coverage, and liability insurance. But in South Carolina, it also includes uninsured motorist coverage, which state law requires. These additional coverages mean higher rates, but the cost could be worth it if you’re in a car accident.
These companies offer the cheapest full-coverage policies, on average, for Columbia drivers.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| USAA | $89 |
| Auto-Owners | $95 |
| State Farm | $98 |
| GEICO | $104 |
| Nationwide | $136 |
USAA offers the lowest average rates in Columbia for full coverage, at $89 per month, according to our research.
Insurance companies pay close attention to your age when determining your car insurance rates. Teen drivers typically pay higher premiums — data from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) shows their inexperience makes them a higher risk on the road.
Insurance rates tend to decrease once you reach your 20s, and older drivers usually pay even less for coverage.
Here are the average rates by age group for Columbia drivers, according to Compare.com data.
Age Group ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teens | $427 | USAA | $118 |
| 20s | $287 | USAA | $85 |
| 30s | $219 | USAA | $66 |
| 40s | $200 | USAA | $62 |
| 50s | $184 | USAA | $57 |
| 60s | $182 | USAA | $55 |
| 70s | $194 | Auto-Owners | $58 |
Teenagers are the most expensive age demographic to insure. IIHS data estimates they’re four times as likely to get into a crash as drivers over 20, based on miles driven, so insurance companies view them as high-risk.
We found that teen drivers in Columbia pay an average of $427 per month for car insurance, with the cheapest insurer — USAA — charging average monthly premiums of just $118.
As you approach retirement age, you can expect some of the cheapest rates available. Drivers in their 60s and 70s have some of the lowest crash rates of any age demographic, according to IIHS data — hence the lower insurance rates.
Senior drivers in Columbia pay $188 per month for car insurance, on average. USAA offers the cheapest coverage for seniors in their 60s, with average monthly premiums of $55.
Compare personalized quotes and find the best deal, regardless of age.
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Your driving record also has a big effect on your insurance rates. Generally, drivers with a clean driving record pay lower rates, while those with an incident on their record pay more. Insurers tend to deem drivers with past incidents — like speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUIs — a higher risk.
Here’s how your driving record could affect your car insurance costs in Columbia, according to Compare.com data.
Driving Record ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $233 | USAA | $71 |
| Speeding ticket | $349 | USAA | $94 |
| At-fault accident | $351 | USAA | $97 |
| DUI | $398 | USAA | $116 |
If you get caught driving over the speed limit, your insurance premiums will likely increase. In fact, our data estimates that rates go up 27% nationally after just one speeding ticket.
Columbia drivers with a recent speeding ticket pay an average of $349 per month for car insurance. But USAA is the cheapest option, on average, with rates of $94 per month.
Likewise, your insurance prices will generally increase after an at-fault accident. Nationwide rates increase by 34% if you’re responsible for a car accident, according to Compare.com data.
The citywide average monthly premium for Columbia drivers with a recent crash is $351 per month, on average. USAA has the cheapest premiums for this group, with drivers paying an average of $97 per month.
A DUI charge will hike your insurance rates more than any other infraction, and data supports this. National average rates go up by a whopping 50% after a DUI, according to Compare.com research.
Car insurance rates for Columbia drivers with a DUI average a staggering $398 per month, but USAA offers the most affordable average monthly premiums, at just $116.
Like the majority of U.S. states, South Carolina requires all drivers to buy auto insurance. You’ll need to purchase the following coverages to meet the state’s minimum requirements:
Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $25,000
Uninsured motorist coverage: Equal to liability coverage minimums — 25/50/25
Bodily injury liability insurance protects other drivers, covering their medical bills if you injure them in an at-fault accident. Similarly, property damage liability insurance protects others’ property — but not your own — if you’re responsible for an accident. And uninsured motorist insurance protects you if you’re in a car crash with a driver without adequate insurance or are the victim of a hit-and-run.
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Average auto insurance rates in Columbia are fairly high, but you can take steps to reduce your costs. The following strategies can help you save money:
Choose a higher deductible: Your deductible is what you’re responsible for paying after a claim before your insurance coverage kicks in. Opting for a higher deductible could result in lower premiums — just ensure you can afford to pay that amount in case you need to file a claim.
Research discounts: Many auto insurers offer discounts to help attract and retain customers. For instance, you might qualify for a bundling discount for buying car, home, or renters insurance from the same company. Look into available discounts from insurance companies you’re comparing to get the best prices.
Drive safely: Driving safely is one of the best possible ways to keep your insurance costs low. Insurance companies typically reward safe drivers with cheap rates. Usage-based telematics programs — like Allstate’s DriveWise — are a great way for safe drivers to save even more.
Compare quotes: Regularly comparing car insurance quotes will also help you find the best rates. Costs vary by company, and you’ll likely find one policy costs more than another. We recommend shopping around every six months or whenever your policy renews.
Drivers who compare quotes save over $700 per year.
Here are answers to some popular questions about auto insurance in Columbia, SC.
USAA offers the cheapest car insurance for Columbia drivers, according to our research. Its average monthly rates are just $55 for coverage that meets state minimums and $89 for full-coverage policies.
The average cost of car insurance in Columbia is $233 per month, with drivers paying $181 for state-minimum coverage and $286 for full coverage, according to Compare.com data.
South Carolina requires the following car insurance coverages:
Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $25,000
Uninsured motorist coverage: Equal to liability coverage minimums — 25/50/25
Your license and registration could be suspended if you’re caught driving without insurance in Columbia, and you may need to pay a $600 uninsured motorist fine to get them reinstated.
Data Methodology:
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Sources:
J.D. Power, “2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study,” accessed October 23, 2024.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “NAIC Complaint Database,” accessed October 23, 2024.
AM Best, “AM Best Downgrades Credit Ratings of State Farm General Insurance Company,” accessed October 23, 2024.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “Teenagers,” accessed October 23, 2024.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “Yearly Snapshot,” accessed October 23, 2024.
South Carolina Department of Insurance, “Automobile Insurance,” accessed October 23, 2024.
Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Jess Ullrich is a personal finance writer who’s been creating financial and business content for over a decade. Her work has been published in Investopedia, MoneyWise, NextAdvisor, The HuffPost, and she's been contributing to Compare.com since 2024. Prior to writing full-time, Jess was an editor at Investopedia, The Balance, and FinanceBuzz.
Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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