Car insurance in South Carolina (25/50/25)
- Minimum car insuranceSouth Carolina requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage at the same 25/50/25 limits is mandatory; underinsured motorist coverage must be offered but is optional, and PIP is not required. Source
- Fault systemSouth Carolina is an at-fault state, so the driver who causes a crash is responsible through their liability insurance for the injuries and damage they cause. Source
Business insurance rules in South Carolina
- Workers’ compensationBusinesses that regularly employ four or more people in South Carolina must carry workers' compensation, counting part-time workers and family members. Employers with less than $3,000 in annual payroll and certain categories, such as agricultural and casual employees, are exempt; the state is not monopolistic. Source
- Contractor licensingThe Contractor's Licensing Board (part of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) licenses general and mechanical contractors for projects over $10,000, using financial statement requirements. Residential builders are licensed by the Residential Builders Commission, and licensed firms must post a $15,000 surety bond. Source
Home insurance in South Carolina
- Home insurer of last resortThe Wind Pool provides wind and hail coverage in designated coastal areas where hurricanes are the main threat. Coastal policies often carry a separate named-storm or wind/hail deductible, and insurers must give policyholders notice of these deductibles under Regulation 69-56. South Carolina has no statewide FAIR Plan. Source
High-value homes in South Carolina.
Disasters, floods, hail, tornadoes and earthquakes in South Carolina
| Measure | South Carolina | Rank among the states | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal major disaster declarations since 2000 | 20 | #38 (tied) of 51 | Most often for hurricane (8), severe ice storm (4), severe storm (4). Berkeley County has been in 13 of them. |
| National Flood Insurance Program claims, 2005–2025 | 22,863 | #9 of 51 | $615.6 million paid; 24% of claims with a known flood zone were outside FEMA’s high-risk zones. |
| Hail reports, 2016–2025 | 1,092 | #28 of 51 | 36 of them 2 inches or larger. Largest stone 3 inches, Spartanburg County, March 2017. |
| Tornadoes, 2016–2025 | 275 | #22 of 51 | 34 rated EF2 or stronger; 1,225 recorded since 1950. |
| Earthquakes of magnitude 4.0+, 2000–2025 | 2 | #22 of 51 | Largest: magnitude 4.1, 12 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina, February 15, 2014. |
From the public FEMA, NOAA, Storm Prediction Center, USGS and FMCSA records behind each linked report; ranks count all 50 states and Washington, DC unless noted.
Look up the storm history of any county in South Carolina.
The property risks that matter in South Carolina
South Carolina's SC Safe Home program provides mitigation grants, and Charleston has a notable historic earthquake risk from 1886.
Hurricane exposure shapes nearly every South Carolina homeowners policy near the coast. Look for a separate hurricane or named-storm deductible, often a percentage of the dwelling limit rather than a flat dollar amount, and confirm whether wind is excluded and must be insured elsewhere.
Standard homeowners and renters policies exclude flood. In South Carolina, flood coverage comes from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer, and NFIP policies generally carry a 30-day waiting period, so buy before storm season. Check your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
South Carolina has meaningful seismic exposure, but earthquake coverage must be added separately. Older unreinforced masonry and homes with raised foundations are most vulnerable; ask about retrofit credits.
Worth knowing in South Carolina
South Carolina requires uninsured motorist coverage on every auto policy, and coastal homeowners often need separate wind and hail coverage from the state Wind Pool.
Annual review checklist for South Carolina
- Compare your auto liability limits with the South Carolina minimum of 25/50/25 and with your actual assets.
- Find your hurricane or named-storm deductible in dollars and set aside that amount.
- Check your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and price an NFIP or private flood policy before storm season (NFIP usually has a 30-day wait).
- Get an earthquake quote and compare the percentage deductible in dollars.
- Keep a current home inventory stored off-site.
South Carolina’s insurance regulator
Insurance in South Carolina is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Insurance, which handles consumer complaints and licenses insurers and agents.
Sam Alishahi holds a South Carolina nonresident insurance producer license (NPN 21022298) and places South Carolina policies directly.
Common questions
What is the minimum car insurance in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage at the same 25/50/25 limits is mandatory; underinsured motorist coverage must be offered but is optional, and PIP is not required.
Is South Carolina a no-fault state?
South Carolina is an at-fault state, so the driver who causes a crash is responsible through their liability insurance for the injuries and damage they cause.
Do employers in South Carolina need workers’ comp?
Businesses that regularly employ four or more people in South Carolina must carry workers' compensation, counting part-time workers and family members. Employers with less than $3,000 in annual payroll and certain categories, such as agricultural and casual employees, are exempt; the state is not monopolistic.
What can a South Carolina homeowner do if no insurer will write the house?
The Wind Pool provides wind and hail coverage in designated coastal areas where hurricanes are the main threat. Coastal policies often carry a separate named-storm or wind/hail deductible, and insurers must give policyholders notice of these deductibles under Regulation 69-56. South Carolina has no statewide FAIR Plan.
Does South Carolina homeowners insurance cover hurricanes?
Wind damage from hurricanes is generally covered, often subject to a separate hurricane deductible. Storm-surge flooding requires flood insurance.
Do I need flood insurance in South Carolina?
If you're in a high-risk flood zone with a federally backed mortgage, your lender will require it. Elsewhere it's optional but worth pricing, because homeowners policies exclude flood.
More answers: South Carolina homeowners insurance guide South Carolina renters insurance and security deposit guide South Carolina life insurance consumer guide South Carolina flood risk and NFIP guide
Sources
- South Carolina: Minimum car insurance
- South Carolina: Workers’ compensation
- South Carolina: Home insurer of last resort
- South Carolina: Contractor licensing
- South Carolina: insurance regulator
- NAIC: directory of state insurance departments
General information as of October 2026, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the agency.