Car Insurance in Simpsonville, SC

Even the most experienced drivers can be involved in accidents. That is why vehicle owners in Simpsonville need car insurance. From fender-benders on Curtis Street to multi-car collisions on I-385, a good auto insurance policy can prevent you from facing large financial losses in the aftermath.

Finding the best and most affordable coverage is easy when you work with a local independent agent. These agents can obtain customized car insurance quotes from a few of the area's most highly rated insurance providers. Talk to an independent insurance agent near you to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Simpsonville, SC?

Simpsonville residents looking for an affordable car insurance policy will be happy to learn that the average cost for coverage in South Carolina is lower than the national average.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• South Carolina's average annual car insurance cost: $1,210

Of course, an average cost can only give you a general idea of what you might actually be expected to pay. Car insurance rates can vary from one driver to the next because insurance companies base their premiums on factors like:

• Your vehicle's year, make, model, trim, condition, and value
• Your age, gender, occupation, and marital status
• Your driving record, insurance claims history, and credit score
• Information about the other licensed drivers in your household
• Whether you own or rent your home
• How much and which types of coverage you want to purchase
• The size of your deductible
• Whether you are bundling your policy with other coverage like home insurance or renters insurance, or you qualify for any other offered car insurance discounts

Comparing rates from various insurance companies lets you choose the policy that offers the coverage you want at the most affordable price.

Is Car Insurance Required in Simpsonville, SC?

In Simpsonville, most vehicle owners have the option of paying a $600 uninsured motorist fee or buying a car insurance policy that meets or exceeds South Carolina's minimum coverage requirements.

You do not qualify to pay the insured motorist fee if, in the last three years, you have been convicted of various driving infractions such as:

• Failing to stop for a school bus or a police officer when signaled
• Hit-and-run driving
• Reckless driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Auto theft
• Three or more moving violations

Paying a $600 annual fee instead of purchasing insurance may be the least expensive option. However, it leaves you vulnerable to significant financial losses if you cause a collision that involves injuries or property damage to others. That is why most residents of Simpsonville opt to purchase car insurance.

What Are the Minimum Coverage Requirement for Car Insurance in Simpsonville, SC?

Simpsonville residents who are purchasing car insurance must ensure that their policy meets or exceeds South Carolina's minimum coverage requirements. This means your policy must include:

• Auto liability insurance: This covers other people's medical bills and property damage if you are at fault for an accident. Your policy must have, at a minimum:
  • $25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person
  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident
  • $25,000 in property damage liability insurance per accident
• Uninsured motorist insurance (UM): This covers your medical bills and property damage if you are in an accident caused by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver. Your policy must have, at a minimum:
  • $25,000 in UM bodily injury insurance per person
  • $50,000 in UM bodily injury insurance per accident
  • $25,000 in UM property damage insurance per accident

If you cause an accident that involves serious injuries or, worse, a fatality, your liabilities can easily exceed what a minimum coverage policy can cover. That is why many drivers in Simpsonville opt to purchase car insurance with higher-than-required liability limits.

If you want to have even more liability coverage than your car insurance company offers, you can also purchase umbrella insurance. This is an affordable way to significantly boost all of your personal liability coverage.

What Else Does Car Insurance Cover in Simpsonville, SC?

In addition to the coverage required by the state, car insurance providers typically offer their policyholders a variety of coverage options. Some of the options you may want to consider adding to your car insurance policy include:

• Physical damage coverage: This covers damage to your own vehicle. It is not required by law, but it is usually required by lenders if you are still paying for your car and by dealerships if you are leasing it. Physical damage coverage includes:
  • Collision coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
  • Comprehensive coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.
• Medical payments coverage: This can help pay for medical treatments for you and members of your household if you are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. It can cover the expenses your health insurance may not cover, like ambulance services, copays, and deductibles.
• Towing and roadside assistance coverage: This covers the costs of a service call if your car becomes disabled while you are on the road, such as if you run out of gas, your engine overheats, or you blow a head gasket.
• Gap insurance coverage: This can pay off your car loan or buy out your lease if your vehicle is totaled in a covered event and you still owe more than it is worth.
• Windshield and glass replacement: This covers the cost of replacing the safety glass in your vehicle's windshield, windows, or sunroof if it is cracked, shattered, or otherwise damaged.
• Rental car reimbursement coverage: This covers the cost of renting a vehicle while having your car repaired for damage sustained in a covered event.

An independent insurance agent can help you review the details and costs of your various coverage options to help you make an informed decision about which, if any, are a good fit for you and your family.  

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What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Simpsonville, SC?

In South Carolina, if you are caught driving an uninsured vehicle, and you have not previously paid the $600 uninsured driver fee, you can face consequences that include:

• The suspension of your vehicle's plates and registration until you obtain insurance coverage
• A $400 reinstatement fee to get your driving privileges back
• A $5 fee for every day you go without insurance coverage
• Possible incarceration
• Higher car insurance rates

Additionally, if you cause an accident while driving an uninsured vehicle, you will need to cover any property damage or injuries you may have caused to others, which can be very expensive.

The good news is that rate of uninsured drivers in South Carolina is lower than the national average. However, it still constitutes nearly one out of every ten drivers:

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
• Percentage of South Carolina drivers who are uninsured: 9.4%

If you are involved in a collision caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, that person is responsible for paying for any property damage or injuries you and your passengers may sustain.

Fortunately, because the state requires your policy to include uninsured motorist coverage, you can receive compensation directly from your insurance provider instead of going through lengthy legal channels to collect it. Your insurance company will take on the challenging task of suing the at-fault driver.

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What Is the Auto Theft Rate in Simpsonville, SC?

The auto theft rate in South Carolina is higher than the national average, but in Simpsonville, the rate is lower. Residents of this city report around 50 auto thefts a year. 

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• South Carolina auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.82
• Simpsonville auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 1.61

It is important to be aware that you can only be compensated for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive (or "other than collision") coverage.

If you are financing or leasing your vehicle, you probably have comprehensive coverage already. If not, you may want to inquire about how much it would cost to include it in your car insurance policy so you can decide whether or not it is of good value to you.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Simpsonville, SC?

Qualities that make an insurance company stand out above the rest include responsive customer service, timely claims processing, reliable coverage, and affordable rates. The best car insurance companies in Simpsonville consistently demonstrate these qualities.

Independent insurance agents have partnerships with some of South Carolina's most highly rated insurance providers. This lets you be sure that any policies your agent recommends to you are offered by insurance companies you can count on if you ever need to file a claim.

How Can a Local Independent Agent Help Find the Best Car Insurance in Simpsonville, SC?

When you are in the market for any type of insurance coverage, you can turn to a local independent agent for help. These agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company. This means they can shop around to find you a policy that provides all the coverage you want at a price you can afford.

Contact an independent insurance agent in Simpsonville to get answers to your insurance-related questions and to start comparing a selection of customized car insurance quotes.