Cheap SR-22 Insurance in South Carolina From $64
USAA offers the cheapest insurance for drivers with an SR-22, at $64 per month.
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Written byAmy Beardsley
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3+ years writing about auto, home, and life insurance
7+ years in personal finance and technology
Amy specializes in insurance and technology writing and has a talent for transforming complex topics into easy-to-understand stories.
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Edited bySara Getman
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Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.
Updated November 21, 2024
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Table of contents
An SR-22 in South Carolina isn’t just more paperwork — it’s key to getting you back on the road after a serious driving violation, like a DUI or driving without insurance. It’s a form your insurance company files on your behalf to prove you have the minimum amount of car insurance before reinstating your license.
Insurance after receiving an SR-22 can be more expensive, but you have ways to save and find affordable rates. Here’s what you need to know about SR-22 insurance in South Carolina.
Quick Facts
Most South Carolina drivers need SR-22 insurance for three years.
Not all insurers offer SR-22s, so you may need to look for alternate coverage.
If you move out of state, you can request a waiver for your SR-22 insurance.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in South Carolina
With more than 1,600 licensed insurance companies in South Carolina, sorting through options for the cheapest SR-22 coverage can feel overwhelming.[1] The good news is that some companies offer better deals for SR-22 insurance in South Carolina, even if you don’t have a clean driving record.
Here are some of the cheapest insurers for SR-22 holders in South Carolina.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Friday, November 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $64 | $111 |
| Auto-Owners | $67 | $120 |
| State Farm | $70 | $124 |
| GEICO | $75 | $132 |
| Nationwide | $103 | $181 |
| Allstate | $109 | $192 |
| Travelers | $117 | $207 |
| Safeco | $117 | $175 |
| Progressive | $126 | $202 |
| Root | $138 | $242 |
| State Auto | $142 | $251 |
| Direct Auto | $186 | $309 |
| National General | $198 | $298 |
| Dairyland | $199 | $421 |
| Liberty Mutual | $226 | $377 |
| The General | $232 | $464 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $272 | $354 |
| Bristol West | $281 | $498 |
| GAINSCO | $292 | $524 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
What is SR-22 insurance in South Carolina?
An SR-22 isn’t actually insurance — it’s a certificate of insurance that car insurance companies file with the state to confirm your insurance policy meets the state’s minimum requirements.
After a severe driving incident, like a DUI or driving without insurance, South Carolina can require an extra layer of accountability to make sure you’re financially responsible if an accident happens. Your insurer files the SR-22 directly with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), showing you have coverage in place.[2]
The main difference between SR-22 and regular car insurance is the additional requirement to report your coverage to the state. Each of South Carolina’s more than 4 million drivers needs standard auto coverage. But if the DMV flags you as a high-risk driver, you may need to ask your insurance agent to submit an SR-22 document.
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Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
Both SR-22 and FR-44 forms prove to the state that you’re insured, but they’re not interchangeable. An SR-22 certifies you have the state’s minimum liability coverage, while an FR-44 comes with higher coverage requirements.
Only Florida and Virginia require FR-44s, so you won’t need to worry about filing one in South Carolina. But if you ever move to Florida or Virginia and need to file an FR-44, the extra coverage requirement will likely drive up your auto insurance premiums.
When you need SR-22 insurance
In South Carolina, you’ll usually need an SR-22 to get your license back after a license suspension. The state can suspend your license for a few reasons, and the SR-22 is how it makes sure you have coverage in place moving forward.
Here are some of the most common reasons drivers may need SR-22 coverage:[3]
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Driving with a suspended license
Accumulating too many points (if you’re younger than 18)
Driving an uninsured vehicle (even if you don’t own it)
The state can’t confirm your insurance coverage electronically
No proof of insurance when an officer asks for it
Not filing an FR-10 after an accident to verify liability insurance
How to get SR-22 insurance in South Carolina
If you need SR-22 insurance in South Carolina, it can feel like one more hurdle to deal with. But getting SR-22 coverage isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Remember, an SR-22 is just a form that verifies you have the right amount of insurance in place.
Here’s how to get an SR-22 in South Carolina:
1. Reach out to your insurance agency
Call your current insurer to let it know you need SR-22 insurance. Not every company offers it, so if they don’t, look for one that does.
2. Get a few quotes
SR-22 insurance can come with a high price tag. Even if you already have an insurance company, compare a few car insurance quotes to see which company has the most competitive rates.
3. Buy the policy and file the SR-22
Once you pick a policy, go ahead and buy it. Your auto insurance company will handle the actual filing of the SR-22 with the South Carolina DMV. But double-check to make sure it went through.
4. Make your payments on time
Missing a payment could cause your car insurance policy to lapse. If that happens, your insurer can notify the state, which can mean more fees or legal complications.
How long South Carolina requires SR-22 insurance
South Carolina drivers typically need to keep SR-22 car insurance for three years.[4] The state requires this standard time frame to demonstrate that you stay insured after a serious traffic violation. Once you reach that three-year mark, you can ask your insurance company to remove the SR-22 requirement, and it’ll submit the request to the DMV. If your insurer cancels your coverage or you have a lapse in coverage during your SR-22 period, you’ll likely have to restart the process.
Until you confirm you’re eligible to drop the SR-22, you may face a few challenges. First, not all car insurance agencies offer SR-22 filings. If your current insurer doesn’t, you’ll need to shop around for one that does.
SR-22 coverage tends to be more expensive than regular insurance. Plus, you may need to pay reinstatement fees that can add up to $400 or more.
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How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in South Carolina
Needing an SR-22 can classify you as high risk, which usually means steeper premiums. SR-22s in South Carolina often follow a serious moving violation, like a DUI conviction or repeated traffic offenses — and having a few bumps on your driving record affects your rates.
While having a history of an SR-22 won’t add points to your license in South Carolina, the incident that led to the SR-22 likely will. Taking a few smart steps to improve your driving record and eventually lower your rates is a good idea.
Here are a few tips to help you manage the cost of SR-22 insurance:
Avoid new violations
The best way to keep your rates from climbing higher is to avoid any more tickets or accidents.
Take a defensive driving course
Completing a state-approved defensive driving course could reduce points on your record. You may also be able to secure a discount from your insurer.
Consider raising your deductible
Higher deductibles can mean cheaper rates. You’ll pay more out of pocket in case of an accident, but it can bring down the monthly cost of your car insurance.
Ask about discounts
Many insurance companies offer discounts that you can qualify for even with an SR-22. Look into discounts for bundling, paying your policy in advance, or adding a device to monitor your driving.
Stay on top of payments
Insurance lapses can lead to additional fines, penalties, and an extension of your SR-22 requirement. Set reminders or switch to automatic payments so you never miss a payment, and you may be able to get a discount.
South Carolina SR-22 insurance FAQs
If you still have questions about SR-22 coverage in South Carolina, check out the additional information below.
How do you know if you need an SR-22 or FR-44?
In South Carolina, you’ll only need an SR-22 since the state doesn’t use FR-44 forms. Typically, a court order or the South Carolina DMV will let you know if you need an SR-22. This usually comes after a serious violation, like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
Yes. You may face fees with SR-22 insurance. Insurance companies in South Carolina can charge a filing fee, typically around $25, to submit the SR-22 form to the state.
Insurers view SR-22 drivers as higher risk, so it’s also likely that you’ll pay more expensive premiums for your auto coverage.
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22?
How much your car insurance rates go up after filing an SR-22 depends on the violations leading up to it. The average rate can increase by 50% for drivers who need an SR-22, depending on factors like the original violation, age, and driving history.[5] Insurers look at your driving record when setting your premiums and charge more to cover the added risk.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in South Carolina?
You typically have to hold an SR-22 in South Carolina for three years. The clock usually starts from the date the DMV reinstates your license. You must keep your policy active during the entire period.
You could face penalties or additional requirements if you don’t maintain continuous coverage, so stay on top of payments to fulfill the SR-22 requirements.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in South Carolina?
You can get rid of an SR-22 in South Carolina when you’ve met the time requirements. After you finish the three years, contact the South Carolina DMV to confirm you can remove it. Once you get the green light, ask your insurer to stop SR-22 filings, and you’ll be free to switch back to a standard policy.
What happens to your SR-22 in South Carolina if you move?
If you move out of South Carolina but still have an SR-22 requirement, you can apply for an out-of-state waiver to restore your driving privileges in your new state. Complete South Carolina’s Change of Residency Certification, Form DL-222, to request the waiver.
If you move back to South Carolina, you may need to fulfill the SR-22 requirement.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in South Carolina
Sources
- NAIC. "State Insurance Regulation: Key Facts and Market Trends."
- SCDMV. "Facts About Driving Uninsured."
- SCDMV. "Driver’s Suspension Eligibility Week is May 20-24."
- South Carolina Legislature. "Title 56 - Motor Vehicles."
- ConsumerReports. "How to Find Car Insurance When You Have a Bad Driving Record."
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Amy BeardsleyInsurance Writer
Amy is a personal finance and technology writer. With a background in the legal field and a bachelor's degree from Ferris State University, she has a talent for transforming complex topics into content that’s easy to understand. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.
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