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Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
Updated
Columbia drivers pay an average of $219 per month for car insurance, according to our research. Columbia’s rates reflect the city’s moderate traffic density and crime rates, compared to other cities in South Carolina.[1]
Still, many companies offer rates well below the citywide average, including USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm. Liability-only coverage in Columbia starts as low as $76 per month.
In this article, we’ll tell you Columbia’s cheapest insurers for different drivers and how to pick the right company for your needs. Plus, we’ll give you tips on how to save money on your car insurance.
USAA offers the cheapest rates in Columbia, at just $76 per month for liability coverage.
Columbia drivers pay a monthly average of $175 for liability insurance and $264 for full coverage.
South Carolina requires drivers to have 25/50/25 of liability coverage and 25/50 of uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.[2]
Even with Columbia’s moderate average car insurance rates, several companies offer coverage well below the citywide average. The table below highlights Columbia’s most affordable insurers, based on Compare.com data.
Company  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $76 |
| Auto-Owners | $82 |
| State Farm | $84 |
| GEICO | $118 |
| Nationwide | $125 |
| Allstate | $132 |
| Travelers | $142 |
| Progressive | $147 |
| Safeco | $154 |
| State Auto | $173 |
| National General | $176 |
| Root | $177 |
| Direct Auto | $185 |
| Dairyland | $195 |
| The General | $200 |
| Liberty Mutual | $206 |
| GAINSCO | $208 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $218 |
| First Acceptance | $236 |
| Bristol West | $281 |
USAA leads with the lowest monthly liability rate, at $76. The following sections break down the cheapest companies by different driver types and coverage levels.
While these companies provide a solid starting point, your personal rates can vary dramatically based on factors like your age, driving record, ZIP code, and coverage choices. Comparing rates from companies with strong track records for drivers like you can help you find the best deal.
The table below shows Columbia’s cheapest options for different driver profiles and coverage types, according to Compare.com research.
Driver/Coverage Type | Cheapest Insurer | Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| State-minimum coverage | USAA | $76 |
| Full coverage | USAA | $126 |
| Teens | USAA | $142 |
| Seniors | USAA | $62 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | USAA | $96 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | USAA | $100 |
| Drivers with a DUI | USAA | $118 |
| Drivers with excellent credit | USAA | $65 |
| Drivers with poor credit | USAA | $93 |
Let’s take a closer look at each category in the next sections.
Policies in Columbia start as low as $76 per month.
Columbia drivers pay an average of $175 monthly for minimum-coverage insurance, according to Compare.com data.
But most insurance experts recommend purchasing more coverage than South Carolina requires. That’s because state minimums often don’t cover the full cost of serious accidents, leaving you responsible for paying the difference out of your own pocket.[3]
But if you need liability-only coverage that meets South Carolina’s minimum requirements, the chart below highlights Columbia’s five most affordable companies.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $76 |
| Auto-Owners | $82 |
| State Farm | $84 |
| GEICO | $118 |
| Nationwide | $125 |
| Allstate | $132 |
| Travelers | $142 |
| Progressive | $147 |
| Safeco | $154 |
| State Auto | $173 |
| National General | $176 |
| Root | $177 |
| Direct Auto | $185 |
| Dairyland | $195 |
| The General | $200 |
| Liberty Mutual | $206 |
| GAINSCO | $208 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $218 |
| First Acceptance | $236 |
| Bristol West | $281 |
Most drivers should consider full-coverage car insurance because it provides better financial protection after an accident. Full coverage typically includes comprehensive and collision insurance, in addition to South Carolina’s minimum liability and uninsured motorist requirements.
Lenders and leasing companies typically require full coverage if you finance or lease your vehicle, too.[4]
Columbia drivers pay an average of $264 monthly for full-coverage insurance. But several insurers offer full coverage for close to Columbia’s average liability-only rates.
The chart below shows Columbia’s five cheapest full-coverage options, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $126 |
| Auto-Owners | $135 |
| State Farm | $139 |
| GEICO | $186 |
| Safeco | $194 |
| Nationwide | $206 |
| Allstate | $217 |
| Progressive | $217 |
| Travelers | $233 |
| Root | $259 |
| Direct Auto | $261 |
| National General | $262 |
| State Auto | $283 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $309 |
| Liberty Mutual | $327 |
| First Acceptance | $373 |
| GAINSCO | $384 |
| Dairyland | $401 |
| The General | $421 |
| Bristol West | $469 |
Teen drivers face some of the highest insurance rates of any age group. That’s because they lack driving experience and statistically cause more accidents than older drivers.[5] Teen drivers pay nearly double what drivers 20 and older pay, according to our data.
Teens in Columbia pay an average of $406 per month for auto insurance. But you can still find competitive rates if you’re a teen driver or have one on your insurance policy.
The chart below shows the five cheapest insurers in Columbia for teens, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $142 |
| State Farm | $165 |
| Auto-Owners | $167 |
| GEICO | $213 |
| Nationwide | $247 |
| Allstate | $264 |
| Progressive | $272 |
| Travelers | $298 |
| Root | $309 |
| Safeco | $314 |
| Dairyland | $338 |
| The General | $354 |
| Direct Auto | $359 |
| National General | $360 |
| Liberty Mutual | $367 |
| GAINSCO | $384 |
| State Auto | $425 |
| First Acceptance | $437 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $457 |
| Bristol West | $507 |
Senior drivers typically enjoy the lowest rates of any age group. Older drivers usually have decades of experience and tend to drive more cautiously than younger motorists,[6] leading to substantially lower auto insurance premiums.
Seniors in Columbia pay an average of $193 per month for car insurance. But you can likely find even better rates from one of the companies below.
This chart shows the five cheapest insurers in Columbia for seniors, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $62 |
| Auto-Owners | $65 |
| State Farm | $67 |
| GEICO | $95 |
| Nationwide | $97 |
| Allstate | $108 |
| Travelers | $114 |
| Progressive | $129 |
| State Auto | $133 |
| Safeco | $136 |
| National General | $140 |
| Root | $149 |
| Direct Auto | $151 |
| Dairyland | $166 |
| The General | $170 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $172 |
| Liberty Mutual | $174 |
| GAINSCO | $178 |
| First Acceptance | $208 |
| Bristol West | $236 |
Getting a speeding ticket typically causes your car insurance rates to go up when your policy renews[7] because insurers view traffic violations as indicators of future claim risk. Our research shows that even a single speeding ticket causes average rates to jump 28% nationwide.
Drivers with recent tickets in Columbia pay an average of $260 monthly for auto insurance. But several insurers offer lower rates.
The chart below highlights the five cheapest insurers in Columbia for drivers with recent tickets, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $96 |
| State Farm | $104 |
| Auto-Owners | $104 |
| GEICO | $150 |
| Nationwide | $158 |
| Allstate | $168 |
| Progressive | $175 |
| Travelers | $180 |
| Safeco | $198 |
| National General | $213 |
| State Auto | $225 |
| Direct Auto | $225 |
| Root | $230 |
| Dairyland | $238 |
| GAINSCO | $241 |
| Liberty Mutual | $255 |
| The General | $261 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $270 |
| First Acceptance | $281 |
| Bristol West | $345 |
Causing an accident can substantially increase your auto insurance rates — much more than a speeding ticket will. At-fault accidents signal to insurers that you’re more likely to file future claims. Our research shows that a single at-fault accident increases average rates by 33% nationwide.
Columbia drivers with a recent accident pay an average of $278 per month for car insurance. But you can often find better deals with one of the five insurers in the chart below.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $100 |
| Auto-Owners | $106 |
| State Farm | $109 |
| GEICO | $150 |
| Nationwide | $165 |
| Allstate | $174 |
| Progressive | $187 |
| Travelers | $187 |
| Safeco | $211 |
| National General | $229 |
| State Auto | $232 |
| Root | $232 |
| Direct Auto | $247 |
| Dairyland | $253 |
| GAINSCO | $261 |
| Liberty Mutual | $269 |
| The General | $270 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $284 |
| First Acceptance | $300 |
| Bristol West | $362 |
A driving under the influence (DUI) conviction causes the steepest car insurance rate increases of any traffic violation. Our research shows average rates climb by a monumental 59% nationwide after a DUI conviction.
Getting a DUI can make finding coverage challenging because many insurers won’t offer policies to high-risk drivers.[8] But some insurers specialize in covering high-risk drivers, including people with DUIs.
Drivers with DUI convictions in Columbia pay an average of $353 per month for car insurance. But you may not have to pay these sky-high rates.
The chart below shows the five cheapest insurers in Columbia for people with DUIs, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $118 |
| Auto-Owners | $127 |
| State Farm | $130 |
| GEICO | $181 |
| Nationwide | $194 |
| Allstate | $204 |
| Travelers | $220 |
| Progressive | $237 |
| State Auto | $252 |
| Safeco | $252 |
| National General | $272 |
| Root | $275 |
| Direct Auto | $286 |
| Dairyland | $302 |
| The General | $310 |
| Liberty Mutual | $319 |
| GAINSCO | $322 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $338 |
| First Acceptance | $380 |
| Bristol West | $435 |
Some insurance companies consider your credit history when determining rates. Insurers calculate a credit-based insurance score to predict your likelihood of missing payments or filing claims.[9] Our research shows drivers with poor credit pay 40% more for insurance than people with excellent credit.
Columbia drivers with poor credit pay a monthly average of $274 for car insurance. But not all companies use your credit history, and some offer affordable rates regardless of your credit.
The chart below shows the five cheapest insurers in Columbia for drivers with bad credit, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $93 |
| State Farm | $121 |
| Auto-Owners | $122 |
| GEICO | $145 |
| Nationwide | $154 |
| Allstate | $163 |
| Travelers | $175 |
| Progressive | $184 |
| Safeco | $190 |
| State Auto | $214 |
| National General | $217 |
| Root | $218 |
| Direct Auto | $228 |
| Dairyland | $240 |
| The General | $246 |
| Liberty Mutual | $247 |
| GAINSCO | $256 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $268 |
| First Acceptance | $295 |
| Bristol West | $346 |
Compare personalized quotes from Columbia’s top insurers.
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South Carolina, like nearly every state, requires all drivers to have car insurance. To legally drive in the Palmetto State, you need to have at least:
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage
$25,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage
$25,000 per accident of uninsured motorist property damage coverage
Most experts recommend buying coverage above your state’s minimum requirements. Liability-only insurance may not give you enough coverage if you cause an accident, and you’ll need to cover any extra costs out of pocket if you don’t increase your limits. Plus, lenders usually require you to buy comprehensive and collision coverage if you finance or lease your car.
Consider this scenario: If you cause an accident that results in $75,000 in medical bills for another driver, South Carolina’s $25,000 minimum would leave you personally responsible for paying the remaining $50,000 out of pocket.
Buying auto insurance can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help. Below, we answered some common questions from drivers about car insurance in Columbia.
Columbia drivers pay a monthly average of $175 for liability coverage and $264 for full coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Yes. Columbia drivers pay an overall average of $219 per month for car insurance — more than the national average of $136. But how much you pay for car insurance depends on several factors, including your address, driving history, age, and coverage choices.[10]
USAA offers the cheapest average liability rates in Columbia, just $76 per month, according to Compare.com data.
Our editorial team used highly trained generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with the first draft of this article before multiple insurance experts — including at least one licensed agent — rigorously reviewed, fact-checked, and edited every word and data point you see here.
We research, write, edit, and review all content on Compare.com in accordance with our strict editorial standards to ensure accuracy, clarity, and helpfulness. Learn more about our editorial process here.
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.
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