Columbia, SC Car Insurance

How much can residents of Columbia expect to pay for their car insurance? Are rates in Columbia higher or lower than those in neighboring areas? How do they compare to the rest of South Carolina? You can find average cost breakdowns based on a wide array of factors in the charts and writeups below:  

How much is car insurance in Columbia?

As you can see, car insurance policies across the rest of South Carolina are about $11 a month cheaper than the rates drivers pay in Columbia.

Drivers relocating the Columbia should take note of the differences in average rates. It's about $34 more for coverage in Columbia than in the rest of the U.S.

While these are the average costs to insure your vehicle in Columbia, keep in mind that you could end up paying a different amount. Insurance companies take in a variety of factors when determining how much to charge you for your car insurance. The final dollar amount you'll be asked to pay each month is calculated based on things like age, gender, vehicle make and model, driving record, and in some cases, credit score.

Don't sweat it however, we've broken down the average rate for Columbia residents based on several different factors so that you can get a more accurate idea of what you might pay. To find out if you're getting the cheapest rate, just enter your ZIP Code below and find out in minutes!

Average Car Insurance Rates by Age

More time behind the wheel makes you a more experienced driver. That experience can lead to some serious savings when it comes to auto insurance bills. According to the table above, you can see that 18-24-year-olds pay two times as much as drivers 65 and older.

You can expect to see your monthly premium drop about once a decade or so. Drivers in Columbia may see their rates climb back up a bit once they hit retirement age.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Gender

On average, female drivers pay slightly less for car insurance than their male counterparts. While female drivers pay a little bit less than male drivers on their monthly auto insurance coverage, the difference in Columbia is only about $1 per month.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Depending on your driving record, your rates can vary quite a lot. Those with clean records can expect to pay less than those with infractions. In Columbia, a driving record with one accident will usually get you a rate around $145 a month. In addition, drivers with one ticket can expect to pay around $147 a month on average.

When it comes to your monthly bill, accidents, tickets, and other driving infractions can really take a toll. In order to minimize your monthly rate, practice safe driving habits and keep your record clean.

Average Insurance Rates by Vehicle

As you can see in the first table above, the cheapest vehicles to insure in Columbia are typically trucks and vans, which run about $99 per month.

Car owners will see a monthly rate of about $117, while SUV owners usually pay around $112 a month.

You may also see different rates based on how old your vehicle is. Generally, newer vehicles are going to cost the most to insure. However, if your car is a few years old, you can expect to see your rates start dropping back down. In Columbia, the most expensive vehicles to insure are vehicles less than one year old.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Relationship Status

Generally speaking, those who are currently married will pay slightly less for auto insurance coverage. This can usually be attributed to their policies having multiple vehicles, a factor that will often get you a discount.

The difference in rates based on relationship status in Columbia can be as much as $28 a month, so it's worth keeping that in mind.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Housing Situation

Another factor that comes into play is your living accommodations. If you rent your home or apartment, expect to pay around $19 a month more than those who own their own home in Columbia. But if you live with your parents, you can expect to pay a lot more.

Depending on your insurance company, they may offer you a discount if you bundle your home or renters insurance with your auto policy.

Car Insurance Companies in Columbia, SC

Recent trends in car insurance for Columbia drivers

Average rates are constantly changing, so it's a good idea to know the direction your area is trending when choosing when and where to shop.

The rates for car insurance in Columbia rose from 2017-2018, before steadying out in 2019. Car insurance rates increased again, hitting a high of $150 in 2021, and finished down at $134 in 2022.

How does Columbia compare to neighboring areas?

Why are car insurance rates in Columbia different from other areas?

Car insurance companies will consider several factors when trying to decide how much to charge for a policy. A few of these factors affecting your personal policy have already been mentioned, but others are based around where you live and drive. These include things like:

• Off-street parking availability
• Regional regulations
• General road safety (how many accidents each locality has)
• Number of drivers in the area
• Crime levels

You'll be hard pressed to change any of these factors yourself, but they're worth considering when thinking about the purchase of a new policy or a move. With the knowledge that different towns and cities will all have different rates, guides like these can be a good way to get a lay of the land of your particular neighborhood.

How can I find the cheapest car insurance in Columbia?

In the end, the only way to know exactly what your rate will be is to request a quote from a car insurance company.

Good news! Compare.com has you covered. Just type in your ZIP below, answer a few questions, and you'll be comparing the cheapest quotes from many of the car insurance companies offering policies in Columbia in no time.

Columbia Insurance FAQs

What factors affect car insurance quotes in Columbia?

Car insurance companies calculate quotes based on a wide array of factors. These include things like your gender and age, but also factors like your driving record, credit score, address and marital status, as well as your vehicle's year and make and model.

Why is the cost of car insurance in Columbia different from other neighboring cities?

Auto insurance companies consider regional factors, such as local laws, parking situations, and crime rates into account when calculating the monthly rate for coverage. Since these can all vary from city to city the rates you may see can differ from neighboring areas.

Which car insurance company will offer me the cheapest rate in Columbia?

There isn't one company that will offer the cheapest rate to everybody. What companies will charge you are based on many different factors that vary from person to person, such as your driving record, what kind of car you drive, how many drivers will be on your policy, and a number of other factors. Because of this, it's a good idea to use sites like Compare.com to compare multiple quotes at once. That way, you can be confident you're getting the best price.

Do I need to change my insurance if I move to Columbia?

Any time you experience a major life event, whether it's moving to a new area, getting married, finding a new job, or other notable events, it's always a good idea to re-evaluate your current insurance. Certain companies offer cheaper insurance in certain cities, so even if you were getting the cheapest rate at your old address, it doesn't mean it'll still be the cheapest at your new home. That's why it's always good to use services like Compare.com to compare quotes from dozens of companies side-by-side.

Do I need to wait for my policy to expire to switch to a different car insurance company?

No, you can switch companies at any point, no matter how much time is left on your current policy. If you're thinking about moving to Columbia or are wondering if you're paying the best rate for your current area, take 10 minutes and visit Compare.com to find out for sure.