With the common value for automobile insurance coverage in South Carolina, the sixteenth most costly within the nation, it could be tempting for drivers to go with out insurance coverage to save cash. However by doing so, state drivers put themselves prone to receiving a penalty for driving with out insurance coverage in South Carolina.
Minimal insurance coverage required in South Carolina
Like most states within the nation, South Carolina requires minimal quantities of insurance coverage to drive legally. Buying at the very least the next limits is critical to keep away from receiving a ticket for no insurance coverage:
- $25,000 per individual for bodily damage
- $50,000 per accident for bodily damage
- $25,000 per accident for property harm
- Limits equal to legal responsibility limits for uninsured motorist protection
Moreover, underinsured motorist protection have to be provided by automobile insurance coverage suppliers, however drivers have the choice to not buy it. When driving on the roads in South Carolina, it is very important know the automobile insurance coverage legal guidelines you’re anticipated to observe and the penalties you would face if you don’t.
Penalties for driving with out insurance coverage in South Carolina
The penalties chances are you’ll face for driving with out automobile insurance coverage in South Carolina range by the variety of offenses. Drivers caught with out legitimate insurance coverage are thought-about high-risk drivers.
First Offense
For the primary offense, you may be fined:
- Uninsured motorist price of $550
- As much as $200 wonderful or 30 days in jail, or each
- $5 per day for every day you went with out insurance coverage
Your license and registration might be suspended till you possibly can present proof of automobile insurance coverage protection, additionally known as an SR-22. Plus, you’ll have to pay a price of as much as $400 to reinstate your license and registration.
Second Offense
For the second offense, all of the penalties for driving with out insurance coverage in South Carolina apply from the primary offense. There isn’t a “or” for the wonderful or jail time for the second offense; you may be fined and resist 30 days in jail. South Carolina considers a second offense a felony misdemeanor which stays in your felony file completely.
Third Offense
You probably have a 3rd offense, the above charges and penalties apply however jail time is elevated to between 45 days and 6 months. Additionally, you will be required to buy an SR-22 and pay to reinstate your license and registration, which carries a price of as much as $400.
Charges from South Carolina’s on-line insurance coverage verification system
Automobile insurance coverage suppliers are required to supply proof of insurance coverage when requested electronically by means of the South Carolina Division of Motor Automobiles Vehicle Legal responsibility Insurance coverage Reporting system, SC ALIR. If somebody is caught driving with out insurance coverage in South Carolina, or there’s a lapse in insurance coverage, the proprietor should pay penalties or charges.
For those who obtain an FR-4 Suspension letter or FR-31 Verification request discover, you could notify your insurance coverage firm to finish the required proof of insurance coverage data within the ALIR system inside 20 days or submit the shape manually in the event you should not have insurance coverage.
Fines for not responding to a affirmation discover
| Cause for price | Price quantity |
|---|---|
| Per day wonderful for lapse of insurance coverage | $5/day, $200 most |
| Reinstatement price for driver’s license | $100 |
| Reinstatement price for car registration | $100 |
Moving into an accident with out insurance coverage in South Carolina
No matter how secure of a driver you’re in South Carolina, in the event you drive with out insurance coverage, accidents are particularly dangerous. You possibly can face greater than the penalties, charges and jail time listed above. You possibly can even have to contemplate towing and impound charges in case your automobile is towed and impounded. In case you are deemed at fault within the accident, you’ll even be personally answerable for the opposite individual’s accidents, misplaced wages, medical payments and property harm.
Whereas the prices for the accident might be excessive, the injured driver and passengers of the opposite automobile can also sue you to your half within the accident, particularly if you’re at fault and located driving with out insurance coverage. South Carolina has a modified comparative negligence rule, which suggests somebody with 50% or much less at fault can sue the opposite social gathering for non-economic and financial damages, which should not have a cap.
Incessantly requested questions
What in the event you present false insurance coverage data?
South Carolina permits drivers to make use of digital copies of proof of insurance coverage. You’re required to supply proof of insurance coverage if requested for it by a police officer. Offering false insurance coverage data is taken into account a criminal offense, identical to driving with out insurance coverage and you would face felony costs, fines and jail time.
How a lot is automobile insurance coverage in South Carolina?
The price for automobile insurance coverage in South Carolina varies by driver, based mostly on driving historical past, location, car sort and protection wants. The typical value of automobile insurance coverage in South Carolina for state minimal legal responsibility limits is $558 per 12 months and for full protection, $1,512 for the 12 months. These charges are less expensive than the potential fines and penalties driving with out insurance coverage brings in South Carolina.
What occurs in case your insurance coverage lapses in SC?
The wonderful for an insurance coverage lapse in South Carolina is $5 per day, as much as a most wonderful of $200 per incidence. When a automobile insurance coverage coverage is canceled, an digital notification is distributed to the Division of Motor Automobiles. A request for proof of insurance coverage could also be despatched to the motive force, with a response wanted inside 20 days or the motive force’s license and car registration can be suspended. In case your insurance coverage lapses, you’ll have to present proof of insurance coverage SR-22 type out of your insurance coverage firm, proving protection was reinstated.
Are you able to get away with driving with out insurance coverage?
Driving with out insurance coverage in South Carolina is prohibited. In case you are pulled over or concerned in an accident, the penalties are extreme and dear. Insurance coverage specialists suggest buying acceptable protection as the price of automobile insurance coverage hardly ever outweighs the price of sustaining automobile insurance coverage protection to maintain you financially protected.
What’s the minimal wonderful for driving with out insurance coverage?
In South Carolina, you’ll have to pay a $550 price for being an uninsured motorist. This doesn’t embrace the fines, jail time and reinstatement charges you’ll have to pay if caught driving with out insurance coverage in South Carolina.
