South Carolina Car Insurance: Coverage for All Palmetto State Drivers
 South Carolina is one of the crossroads of the southeast. It is famous for its scenic beaches, mountains and highlands. Residents travel the state often to work, play or otherwise experience its unique magic.
Every South Carolinian who takes to the state’s thousands of miles of roadways needs to protect themselves with car insurance. Those who want not only effective coverage, but also expert policy services, should come to Budget Insurance Agency to get covered.
The Importance of Car Insurance for South Carolina Drivers
Car insurance equals money saved in multiple ways. Policies can help drivers pay for the damage, personal losses or liabilities that might result from car wrecks, vehicle theft or other damage. Your coverage can ensure that you receive compensation to pay for some or all of the damage costs. You won’t lose significant personal funds trying to clean up the mess, and that’s a big relief to anyone.
What are the state requirements for auto insurance?
If you cause a wreck in South Carolina, you might, by law, be the at-fault party. Therefore, you are the person who must pay for at least some of the costs both you and others sustain.
Because of these at-fault rules, the state requires drivers who own vehicles to carry proof of financial responsibility. The easiest way to get that proof is to get car insurance. All policies issued in South Carolina must contain at least three types of coverage:
- Bodily injury (BI) liability coverage: This coverage will pay for the injury costs of other drivers, their passengers, pedestrians or others injured by accidents that are your fault.
- Property damage (PD) liability coverage: With this coverage, you can pay for the property damage you cause to other people. For example, it might help you pay for the repairs to another driver’s car after you hit it.
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: This coverage is for your own protection. If another driver who does not have insurance damages your vehicle or causes your harm, then this coverage can pay for your own recovery costs.
Policies must also contain at least the following financial limits for each type of coverage:
BI & PD Liability Coverage:
- $25,000 BI coverage per person
- $50,000 BI coverage total per accident
- $25,000 PD insurance per accident
UM Coverage: *
- $25,000 BI coverage per person
- $50,000 BI coverage per accident
- $25,000 PD insurance per accident
*Limits subject to a $200 deductible
Expanding Your Coverage
Your South Carolina policy can offer many optional protective elements than basic liability insurance:
- Increased Liability Limits: You usually can increase your BIL and PDL limits to much higher levels. If you have more coverage, you will have more help with the costliest losses.
- Collision Insurance: This policy will pay for damage to your own vehicle after a wreck.
- Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage can pay for your car’s damage from fire, weather, theft vandalism and related occurrences.
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage is similar to uninsured motorist coverage. If another at-fault driver lacks enough liability insurance to cover your own losses, this coverage can help you make up the difference. South Carolina insurers must offer you this coverage when you buy your policy. However, you have no obligation to buy it.
- Medical Payments: This coverage can help you pay your own medical costs if you get hurt in a wreck. It can help you pay regardless of who is at-fault for the wreck.
- Glass Coverage: Many policies will cover the replacement of your window glass. In many cases, your policy can insure these damages without requiring you to pay a damage deductible.
Other optional coverage might help you pay for roadside assistance, towing and rental car costs.
Do Not Get Caught Driving Uninsured
 South Carolina institutes penalties for those caught without car insurance. You might face:
- Fines (including daily fines)
- SR-22 requirements
- License suspensions
- Registration and plate suspensions
- Jail sentences
If your policy lapses, your insurer must notify the DMV. The DMV will then notify you that you have a certain time period to reinstate your coverage. If you fail to do so, penalties will result.
We Can Insure High-Risk Drivers
Some drivers have high-risk driver designations. This risk designation tells insurers that the driver has a high likelihood of filing a claim on their policy. You might obtain a high-risk designation for:
- Driving without a valid license
- Driving without insurance
- Committing multiple traffic offenses
- Causing at-fault wrecks
If you get a high-risk designation, insurers might raise your premium, refuse to issue you a new policy or even cancel your coverage. But, you still have to carry coverage nonetheless. Your Budget Insurance agent can help you get covered despite any risk rating, and we can make sure you pay a fair price.
Here When You Need Us
At Budget Insurance, we understand how it might feel if you struggle to get affordable car insurance when you need it. We’ll help all South Carolina drivers get covered without having to pay exorbitant prices for coverage. Contact us at 855-218-6308 or request an online quote right now!
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