In this state it's not required from drivers to own a liability policy, however it is mandatory to have uninsured motorist insurance policy. Usually Uninsured motorist coverage will help you in the event in which the other driver involved doesn't have insurance coverage but since South Carolina is a no fault state, which means that in an accident, all parties involved must pay for their expenses with their own insurance, Uninsured motorist will be used to pay for your own expenses instead of paying for those of the other parties involved in the accident. At first sight this seems unfair, why should I pay when I'm not responsible for the accident. But there is a positive side of this type of fault type. If your insurance is paying for your own damage (regardless whose fault was it) you will get paid quicker, because no time goes into determining the responsible party. However, this enables the insurance company of the driver not responsible of the accident, to pursuit reimbursement from the actual responsible.

Although this state doesn't require the purchase of a liability insurance policy, if you decide to get one, minimum coverage should be of $25,000 to pay for bodily injury per one person, $50,000 per accident to pay for bodily injury and $25,000 to pay for property damage caused to others. Liability insurance will pay for if you are responsible for the accident, so if the other insurance company requires you to pay for the money they used on their insured, with this liability policy you can pay those expenses and protect your assets from being part of the settlement.

In addition to these previously mentioned coverage types, there are other considered complementary that will help protect your own property. Remember that main types of coverage are intended to pay for injuries and damage caused to other people's property, not yours.

The most common types of additional auto insurance coverages are Collision and Comprehensive.

The first one, collision coverage, is intended to provide you aid on fixing your vehicle after it has been in a collision. Note that this coverage will provide you with the means to fix any physical damage it has suffered, no matter if it's a small and simple bump on a door, or a head on collision on the road. Collision coverage is there to get your vehicle up and running again, however it will not pay for medical or legal expenses.

Comprehensive coverage will pay for the expenses caused by accidents not related to a collision with another vehicle. Such accidents can be caused by forces of nature (storms, earthquakes, etc.) or by wildlife (hitting an animal with your car on the road). If you live in a region bound to have floods, wild fires or any other type of natural disaster, it is highly recommended to keep this coverage enabled.

It is required from you to carry at all times proof of having financial responsibility. This proof may come in the way of the insurance ID card that your carrier will issue on the time you acquire their services.