If you own a car in South Carolina, you have a legal duty to keep it insured. Details of the type of insurance coverage and amounts are important to know.
Legally Required Insurance
There are two types of insurance coverage required by law: liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. Liability is the legal term for responsibility.
Liability coverage is in place to pay damages and medical bills for injuries to someone else that are caused by an auto accident that is your fault. For liability coverage, the minimum required coverages are:
- $25,000 in coverage for injury caused to another person
- $50,000 in coverage for the TOTAL of injuries caused to other people in the crash
- $25,000 in property damage to pay for wrecked cars or other items
The second type of insurance every driver must have is called uninsured motorist coverage. This insurance is to pay damages in an accident that is caused by a driver who wasn’t insured at the time of the crash. The uninsured motorist insurance coverage amounts are the same as the liability requirements but are designed to protect you and pay your bills if you are hurt in a crash caused by another driver.
An Exception to the Rule
South Carolina has a law that allows drivers not to have insurance coverage if they register as an uninsured driver and pay a fee of $550 to the state. Registered uninsured drivers need to know, though, that they are personally responsible for any damages or medical bills that result from a car crash that they cause.
Other Important Insurance Coverage
A few other types of auto insurance coverage are optional but highly recommended for most people. To cover damages caused by acts of nature like weather, animals, or even vandals, and almost any other risk not related to an auto accident, comprehensive insurance coverage provides car owners with peace of mind that their investment in their vehicle will be covered if something unfortunate happens to it. Don’t just go with the cheapest car insurance policy you can find!
Collision coverage is for the cost of damage to your car that goes beyond other available insurance. Similarly, medical coverage will help to pay bills for injuries caused in a car accident that go beyond the other insurance available.
Rental or towing reimbursement insurance will pay for a rental car, or towing of your car, as needed. Such insurance coverage doesn’t add much to your premium and can save you big money on unexpected bills when your car is out of service or needs to get towed to the repair shop.
Rates and Coverage
Automobile insurance is a crucial part of being a driver and is required by law. Factors that may be considered in insurance rates include:
- Age and gender
- Driving history record
- Marital status
- The area where you live
- Type of car you drive
- Average miles you drive daily
There is a lot of variability in the rates you will pay and the amount and types of coverage you get. Check with an insurance professional for your situation.