DUI Insurance — South Carolina
South Carolina requires 25/50/25 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.
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South Carolina at a Glance
25/50/25
Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)
At-fault
The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause
Required
Uninsured motorist coverage must be on every policy
$100
State license reinstatement fee
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina operates under a tort liability system, meaning the at-fault driver's insurance pays for damages. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles requires continuous proof of insurance for all registered vehicles. After a DUI conviction, the state mandates SR-22 filing—a certificate proving you carry the minimum required coverage—for three years from the conviction date.
Bodily Injury Liability
Property Damage Liability
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
SR-22 Certificate Filing
What Drivers Pay in South Carolina
$327–$411/mo
Typical monthly rate in South Carolina, high-risk drivers after a DUI
Rate data: ValuePenguin and Insurify, 2026
Find South Carolina Coverage After a DUI
Get My South Carolina DUI Insurance QuoteIf your license is suspended
Route Restricted Drivers License (DL-127); separate Provisional License for first-offense DUI/DUAC
application fee $100.
A coverage lapse is reported
The state acts on a lapse after 20 days.
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I need SR-22 in South Carolina after a DUI?
South Carolina requires SR-22 filing for three years from the date of your DUI conviction, not the date you obtain the SR-22. If your insurance lapses at any point during those three years, the clock resets and you must file for another three years from the date coverage is restored.
Can I get car insurance in South Carolina immediately after a DUI?
Yes—South Carolina does not impose a waiting period after a DUI conviction. You can obtain SR-22 insurance the same day you are convicted, though you will need to compare non-standard carriers like Progressive, The General, or National General, as many standard carriers will not write new policies for drivers with recent DUI convictions.
Will my South Carolina DUI affect my insurance if I move to another state?
Yes—DUI convictions follow you. If you move out of South Carolina before the three-year SR-22 period ends, you must transfer the SR-22 requirement to your new state if that state also requires it. Your new carrier will see the South Carolina DUI conviction in your driving record and rate you accordingly.
Coverage Types
SR-22 Insurance
A certificate your carrier files with the South Carolina DMV proving you maintain the state-required minimum coverage. The SR-22 itself costs $25–$50 to file, but your underlying auto insurance premium increases significantly due to the DUI classification.
Non-Owner SR-22
Liability-only policy for drivers who do not own a vehicle but need SR-22 filing to reinstate their license. Covers you when driving borrowed or rental vehicles. Does not cover a vehicle you own or regularly use.
Full Coverage
Liability, collision, and comprehensive bundled together. Collision pays for damage to your vehicle in an at-fault accident; comprehensive covers theft, vandalism, weather, and animal strikes. Required by lenders and lessors.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Pays your medical bills and vehicle damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. Includes underinsured motorist protection, which covers the gap when the other driver's limits are too low.
High-Risk Auto Insurance
Policies written by carriers specializing in drivers with DUI convictions, multiple violations, or lapses. Higher premiums than standard market, but often the only option for drivers standard carriers refuse to write.