South Carolina Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage: 25/50/25 Explained
South Carolina law requires every registered vehicle to carry minimum auto liability of 25/50/25: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage, plus matching 25/50/25 uninsured motorist coverage, per SC Code 38-77. These are minimums, not adequate limits; most Greenville drivers carry 100/300/100 or higher.
What is the minimum auto insurance required in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires every registered vehicle to carry 25/50/25 liability ($25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage) plus 25/50/25 uninsured motorist coverage, under SC Code 38-77-140. Driving without the minimum is a misdemeanor that can result in fines, license suspension, and SR-22 filing requirements for up to three years.
Are 25/50/25 minimum limits enough in Greenville SC?
For most Greenville drivers, 25/50/25 is not enough because a single moderate hospital stay can exceed $50,000. A new car totaled in a multi-vehicle accident can exceed the $25,000 property damage limit. Independent agents in Greenville typically recommend 100/300/100 minimum, which usually costs only $15 to $30 more per month than state minimums for clean-record drivers.
Does South Carolina require uninsured motorist coverage?
Yes. SC Code 38-77-150 requires every auto policy to include uninsured motorist coverage at the same limits as the bodily injury liability minimum (25/50/25 by default). Drivers can sign a written rejection to drop UM property damage but cannot reject UM bodily injury. Underinsured motorist coverage is optional but recommended given how many SC drivers carry only state minimums.
What happens if I drive without insurance in South Carolina?
Driving without insurance in South Carolina is a misdemeanor punishable by a $100 to $200 fine for a first offense, a $200 to $5,000 uninsured motorist fee paid to SCDMV before reinstating registration, and SR-22 filing for three years. Repeat offenses add license suspension. The SC DMV cross-checks insurance status electronically and flags lapses within 30 days.
Does SC require insurance proof at vehicle registration?
Yes. South Carolina requires proof of liability insurance at every registration and renewal through the SCDMV's electronic verification system. The carrier reports active policies directly to SCDMV. A registration cannot be issued or renewed for an uninsured vehicle, and any lapse in coverage triggers a notice from SCDMV requiring proof of new coverage within 20 days.
About The Morgano Agency
The Morgano Agency Inc is an independent insurance agency in Greenville, South Carolina, founded in 1998 by Vic Morgano. The agency compares rates from multiple carriers including Travelers, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, Hartford, Safeco, and Hagerty for families and businesses across Greenville County and the Upstate. Visit our auto insurance page or call (864) 609-5285 for a quote. Find the agency on Google Maps.