Categories
In This Post
Liability Insurance
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Collision Insurance
Comprehensive Insurance
Personal Injury Protection Insurance
GAP Insurance
Rental Reimbursement Insurance
What types of car insurance are required in South Carolina?
How do I know what my insurance covers?
How can I get car insurance?
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South Carolina law requires every driver to carry car insurance, but the law only covers the minimum. Once you start looking at policies, you'll run into coverage types, optional add-ons, and a few terms you probably won’t see until you start shopping.
Here's what each common type of car insurance does, and which ones South Carolina requires you to carry.
Liability Insurance
Required in South Carolina. If you cause an accident, liability insurance is what pays for the other person's injuries or damage to their car. It doesn't cover your own car or your own injuries.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
SC law also requires this coverage. The state says every driver needs insurance, but, for whatever reason, many still don't have it. If one of them hits you, uninsured motorist coverage is what pays for the damage they should have paid for themselves.
There's also an optional version called underinsured motorist coverage. It’s the same idea for a slightly different problem. If the other driver has insurance but not enough to cover the damage they caused, this coverage makes up the difference. It's not required, but many drivers add it anyway.
Collision Insurance
If you hit another car, run into a light pole, or scrape a guardrail, it covers the damage to your vehicle. It does not cover the other driver.
Comprehensive Insurance
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car that isn’t due to an accident involving another car. Think hail damage, a tree branch through your windshield, theft, vandalism, or a deer running into the road.
Personal Injury Protection Insurance
Personal injury protection (PIP) covers medical bills after an auto accident. Some policies also cover your lost wages and rehab costs. What's covered varies a lot between policies, so it's worth reading the details before you sign.
GAP Insurance
GAP Insurance covers the difference between what you owe and what your insurance pays out, so you're not left making payments on a car you can no longer drive.
Rental Reimbursement Insurance
If your car is in the shop after an accident, this helps cover the cost of a rental vehicle while you wait.
What types of car insurance are required in South Carolina?
Per South Carolina law, you are required to hold liability and uninsured motorist coverage to be able to drive your vehicle. For details on the specific requirements, click here.
How do I know what my insurance covers?
Every policy is slightly different, so it’s a good idea to review your policy documents to see exactly what coverage you’re paying for. If anything is unclear, your insurance provider can walk you through it.
How can I get car insurance?
If you’re shopping for the best coverage options, Spero Insurance Services can help. Get a quote online or call (855) 759-2292, and one of our licensed agents will help you find a policy that works for your needs and your budget.
This material is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
