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Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.
Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
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John Leach is a licensed insurance agent who reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com. John has several years of experience reviewing and editing various insurance topics, and he also holds a valid personal lines producer license from the California Department of Insurance (NPN #20461358).
He’s also an alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in linguistics.
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At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
Columbia drivers pay an average of $240 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 $68 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 $68 per month for liability coverage.
Columbia drivers pay a monthly average of $195 for liability insurance and $285 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 | $68 |
| Auto-Owners | $74 |
| State Farm | $76 |
| Nationwide | $112 |
| Allstate | $117 |
| Progressive | $118 |
| Travelers | $126 |
| State Auto | $154 |
| GEICO | $164 |
| Safeco | $169 |
| National General | $183 |
| Direct Auto | $185 |
| Root | $201 |
| Dairyland | $209 |
| The General | $215 |
| Liberty Mutual | $224 |
| Bristol West | $265 |
| GAINSCO | $272 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $288 |
USAA leads with the lowest monthly liability rate, at $68. 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 | $68 |
| Full coverage | USAA | $111 |
| Teens | USAA | $130 |
| Seniors | USAA | $55 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | USAA | $83 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | USAA | $86 |
| Drivers with a DUI | USAA | $93 |
| Drivers with excellent credit | USAA | $59 |
| Drivers with poor credit | USAA | $79 |
Let’s take a closer look at each category in the next sections.
Policies in Columbia start as low as $68 per month.
Columbia drivers pay an average of $195 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.
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 $285 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.
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 $486 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.
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 $205 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.
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 $293 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.
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 $304 per month for car insurance. But you can often find better deals with one of the five insurers in the chart below.
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 $304 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.
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 $281 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.
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 $195 for liability coverage and $285 for full coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Yes. Columbia drivers pay an overall average of $240 per month for car insurance — more than the national average of $149. 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 $68 per month, according to Compare.com data.
Our editorial team created this article with the help of highly trained generative AI tools. Additionally, multiple insurance experts — including at least one licensed agent — have rigorously reviewed, fact-checked, and edited every word and data point you see here.
We write, edit, and review all the content on Compare.com according to our strict editorial standards, regardless of how we created it. Learn more aboutour editorial process.
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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