South Carolina Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
South Carolina requires all drivers to carry liability insurance: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage.
Driving without insurance can result in license suspension, fines up to $500, and vehicle impound. You must show proof of insurance when stopped by police.
Getting insured protects you legally and financially if you cause an accident.
Can Immigrants Get a License in South Carolina?
South Carolina does NOT issue driver licenses to undocumented immigrants. You must have a valid Social Security Number or be able to verify lawful presence.
If you have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), you may not qualify for a South Carolina license under current state law.
Check with your local DMV office for your specific situation, as rules can change. You can still get car insurance without a valid state license.
Best Insurance Options for Immigrants in South Carolina
Many insurers accept ITIN numbers instead of SSN in South Carolina. Companies like GEICO, State Farm, and Allstate work with immigrant drivers. Call ahead and ask: Do you accept ITIN numbers?
You do NOT need a valid state license to buy car insurance. Bring your foreign license, passport, ITIN letter from the IRS, and proof of residence (utility bill or lease).
Get quotes from multiple insurers - rates vary significantly. Some offer discounts for safety courses or bundling policies.
Tips for Immigrant Drivers in South Carolina
Buying car insurance does NOT get you reported to ICE. Insurance companies are NOT immigration enforcement. Your data is protected by federal privacy law (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act).
Keep your proof of insurance and ID documents in your vehicle at all times. If pulled over, be polite and hand over your documents without volunteering information.
Contact the South Carolina DMV if you have questions about what documents qualify for insurance purposes.
| Coverage Type | Minimum Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury (per person) | $25,000 | Required to legally drive |
| Bodily Injury (per accident) | $50,000 | Required to legally drive |
| Property Damage | $25,000 | Required to legally drive |
| Uninsured Motorist | Optional | Strongly recommended |
| Underinsured Motorist | Optional | Strongly recommended |
| PIP/Medical Payments | Optional | Not required in SC |
📋 Official Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Có. Bảo hiểm ô tô ở South Carolina chấp nhận ITIN từ IRS thay cho SSN. Công ty bảo hiểm không phải là cơ quan nhập cư. Dữ liệu của bạn được bảo vệ theo luật Gramm-Leach-Bliley.
Không. South Carolina yêu cầu con số An sinh Xã hội hoặc ITIN để cấp giấy phép lái xe. Kiểm tra trang web DMV của South Carolina để biết các giấy tờ hiện tại được chấp nhận.
Trách nhiệm: 25.000 USD thương tích cá nhân/50.000 USD tổng cộng/25.000 USD thiệt hại tài sản. Uninsured motorist cũng được yêu cầu.
State Farm, Allstate, Geico, Progressive chấp nhận ITIN. Lấy báo giá từ nhiều công ty. Tỷ lệ thay đổi theo lái xe và loại xe.
Tạm thời có thể chấp nhận trong vài tháng đầu. Bạn cần xin giấy phép lái xe của South Carolina hoặc giấy phép quốc tế để mua bảo hiểm lâu dài.
