Table of Contents
- Car Insurance: Columbia Rates vs. State + National Averages
- Columbia Auto Insurance Costs by Insurer
- Columbia Auto Insurance Premiums by Driver Age
- Columbia Car Insurance Premiums by Gender and Marital Status
- Average Columbia Insurance Rates After a Violation or Accident
- Columbia Auto Insurance Premiums by Credit Tier
- Expensive Columbia ZIP Codes
- Cheaper Columbia ZIP Codes
- List of Insurance Companies in Columbia
- No-Fault Insurance in Columbia Information
When requested, drivers in Columbia must provide proof of minimum insurance coverage. Minimum coverage is also required when registering a vehicle. The minimum liability requirements a driver must have in Columbia include:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability
- $25,000 uninsured motorist per person
- $50,000 uninsured motorist per accident
While minimum coverage is required, insurance companies recommend that drivers carry as much as they think they will need in the event of a severe accident to protect them financially.
Car Insurance: Columbia Rates vs. State + National Averages
The annual average rate for insurance in Columbia is around $1438. That premium average is slightly higher than the state’s average premium rates of $1414. The rates are also slightly lower than the national average of $1548.
Columbia Auto Insurance Costs by Insurer
There are several available car insurance carriers available in the city, though five main companies cover the largest percentage of residents. The most popular insurance rates in the city and their average annual premiums are:
- American National Insurance: $304
- GEICO: $405
- USAA: $622
- State Auto: $627
- State Farm: $646
Columbia Auto Insurance Premiums by Driver Age
As stated by Insurify, age is a factor that can have a drastic effect on the total amount of your annual premiums. Younger drivers have much less experience on the road, which makes them higher risk and translates into much higher premiums.
Teen drivers are the class that will pay the highest premium rates in Columbia, with a yearly average running around $4944, which is $3000 more than those in their 20s, who will have average rates of around $1903. The next significant drop comes in a driver’s 30s when rates will drop by about $500. From there, rates will steadily decline until they hit their lowest in a driver’s 50s with rates around $1282 per.
After 50, rates will begin to go up, though only about an increase of $50 per year.
Columbia Car Insurance Premiums by Gender and Marital Status
Two other factors that can impact your annual premium rates are your marital status and your gender, as mentioned by The Zebra. Since married people have the lowest incidences of claims, they are rewarded with lower premiums. If you are married, you can expect to pay around $127 less per year than a single driver. Widows will also pay less than single drivers, but the difference is only around $50.
While the cost difference between genders is minimal, Columbia sees a higher disparity than other cities, with females paying an average of $33 more per year than male drivers.
Average Columbia Insurance Rates after a Violation or Accident
You are most likely to see a significant jump in rate if you have a moving violation or one or more at-fault accidents on your record, according to Moneygeek. Even one infraction can cause your rates to remain higher for up to three years, depending on the offense, the severity, and the policy of your chosen carrier.
DWI charges and reckless driving will provide the most significant jump with increases of around $600 and $500 per year, respectively. Below you can see the differences in annual premiums based on infractions or accidents.
- DWI: $2017
- Reckless driving: $1965
- At-fault accident: $2069
- Speeding: $1724
Columbia Auto Insurance Premiums by Credit Tier
When your insurance carrier provides you a quote for your car insurance, they will consider your credit score. Drivers with lower credit scores tend to file claims more often, categorizing them as higher-risk drivers and charging them higher premiums.
Drivers who maintain good or excellent credit scores will enjoy the lowest rates. Even a slight improvement can help your premiums to decrease, so it is important to stay on top of it. When a driver moves their rating from very poor to Fair, they can save over $1000.
- Very Poor: $2900
- Fair: $1704
- Good: $1438
- Very good: $1326
- Exceptional: $1206
If you have a low credit score in Columbia, don’t despair. Some carriers provide reasonable rates for those whose credit is less than stellar. GEICO and Travelers boast rates as low as $1459 per year for drivers with bad credit.
Expensive Columbia ZIP Codes
The ZIP codes you live in may also affect the cost of your premiums. If you live in a heavily populated or more urban area, rates may be higher. This is often the case because traffic will be heavier in these areas, and crime rates will be higher. In Columbia, some of the most expensive ZIP codes for car insurance are:
Cheaper Columbia ZIP Codes
While several ZIP codes see higher rates, the more suburban and less densely populated ZIP codes in Columbia can provide better premium rates. Some of the cheapest ZIP codes in the city are:
List of Insurance Companies in Columbia
The key to securing the lowest car insurance rates in Columbia lies with the ability to shop around for the best rates. In the process, you will likely find the carrier that will best suit your needs.
For drivers with poor credit, moving violations, or those who just prefer to perform their transactions online, GEICO is one of the best options.
If you are part of the military, a spouse, or a dependent, you can find the lowest premiums from USAA.
State Farm and Allstate are two of the higher carriers in the city, but they offer a wide range of coverages and multiple discounts, making them a popular choice.
No-Fault Insurance in Columbia Information
Columbia is in South Carolina, which is an at-fault state. This means the driver responsible for an accident will have the responsibility to cover the damages.
Check this out if you need additional information, resources, or guidance on car insurance.
Sources:
Car Insurance | caranddriver.com
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Columbia, SC (2021) | insurify.com
Columbia South Carolina Car Insurance | thezebra.com
The Best Cheap Car Insurance in South Carolina in 2021 | moneygeek.com
How Much is Car Insurance in South Carolina | caranddriver.com
Car Insurance USAA | caranddriver.com
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