Car Insurance in Myrtle Beach
Over 14 million people visit Myrtle Beach every year to enjoy the warm weather, lay on the beach, or play a round of golf at some of the best courses in the world. Sometimes referred to as the Golf Capital of the World, Myrtle Beach has over 120 golf courses, several that have made Golf Digest’s list for the “Top 100 Courses You Can Play.”
The population of Myrtle Beach has grown consistently by about 3 percent every year since 2015. It is a desirable location for retirees looking to relocate to a warmer climate and “snowbirds” who leave their wintery homes for the South Carolina sunshine.
In 2021, there were over 528,000 living in the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area.
Quick Facts
- The average cost of car insurance in Myrtle Beach is $2,082 per year.
- South Carolina requires drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured insurance coverage.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Myrtle Beach?
Drivers pay an average of $2,082 per year for car insurance in Myrtle Beach. That’s almost 5% more than the state average of $1,414 and about 3.4% more than the national average of $1,548.
| City | Average Annual Rate |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $2,231 |
| Greenville | $1,999 |
| Columbia | $2,047 |
| Savannah | $2,043 |
Myrtle Beach Car Insurance Rates by Zip Code
There are five zip codes in Myrtle Beach, and the cost of car insurance can fluctuate depending on which zip code you live in. Factors such as theft, crime, number of cars, and the number of uninsured motorists within the zip code you live in can affect the average cost that you’d pay for car insurance.
Myrtle Beach Car Insurance Rates by Age
Rates for car insurance premiums in Myrtle Beach can also vary depending on how old you are. Teens just getting their driver’s license are subject to the highest insurance premiums. Seniors over 70 also pay a little more than drivers under that age.
| Age | Average Annual Rate |
|---|---|
| Teenagers | $6,096 |
| 20s | $1,874 |
| 30s | $1,350 |
| 40s | $1,312 |
| 50s | $1,245 |
| 60s | $1,282 |
| 70s | $1,540 |
Unless otherwise specified, we use the following methodology to arrive at our average cost: male, age 30, lowest possible legal coverage allowed by South Carolina. Your rates will be determined by several factors, including your age, your gender and the amount of coverage you want to purchase.
Driving Conditions in Myrtle Beach
How Many Fatal Accidents Happen in Myrtle Beach?
In 2020, there were 63 fatalities on the roadways in Horry County in South Carolina, where Myrtle Beach is located. Pedestrians were involved in 12 of those fatal accidents, and nine fatalities were because of motorcycles.
How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in Myrtle Beach?
Officials in Horry County, where Myrtle Beach is located, have compiled a list of 27 projects for various roadways in the area they would like to see completed in the coming years. The list includes a $55 million project to alleviate traffic on Highway 501 between Conway and Myrtle Beach by connecting frontage roads alongside the highway and a $1 billion project to create an evacuation route for residents of Southern Horry County.
About 18% of roads in South Carolina are in poor condition, and motorists each pay $564 per year in costs associated with driving on roads that need repair, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2021 Infrastructure Report Card.
A 2021 report by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association found that 745 bridges in South Carolina were structurally deficient.
Get a Quote for Car Insurance in South Carolina Today!
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Myrtle Beach
South Carolina is an “at-fault” state, meaning the driver who causes the accident or is at fault is responsible for any costs caused by damage or injury in the accident. So it’s a good idea for drivers in Myrtle Beach to carry liability insurance that pays for damage or injuries in an accident you caused.
The state minimums for car insurance coverage in South Carolina are:
- $25,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per person
- $50,000 for Total Bodily Injury Liability
- $25,000 for Property Damage Liability
South Carolina also requires drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to help pay for damages and injuries if a driver causes the accident without the proper insurance coverage. The minimum coverage for uninsured/underinsured insurance is:
- $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person
- $50,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident
- $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage coverage
Factors Allowed in Myrtle Beach Car Insurance Rates
Many factors affect the car insurance rates you will pay in Myrtle Beach. Your driving record, such as tickets you’ve gotten for speeding or fender benders you’ve been in, is one of the most significant factors affecting your insurance rates. Other factors include:
- Age
- Gender
- Marital status
- Credit Score
- Vehicle make, model, and year
- Education
- Occupation
- Whether you rent or own your home
Suppose you’re denied car insurance in Myrtle Beach because of a poor driving record, low credit score, or other reasons. In that case, you may qualify for coverage under the Associated Auto Insurers Plan of South Carolina (AAIPSC). The AAIPSC helps high-risk drivers get car insurance if other providers have denied them.
Discounts for Car Insurance in Myrtle Beach
To ensure you get the cheapest car insurance rates possible, look into different discounts available to help bring the cost of your premiums down. For example, a Good Driver Discount rewards drivers with lower premiums if they have had no moving violations or at-fault accidents within the last three years.
In South Carolina, senior drivers can get a discount on their car insurance by taking a driver improvement course like one offered through the national program I Drive Safely.
Other discounts that could be available to Myrtle Beach residents include:
Good Student Discounts: These discounts are given to young drivers who maintain a “B” average or higher in school.
Continuously Insured Discount: If you’ve been insured for six months or more and haven’t let your policy lapse, then you may be eligible for this discount.
Vehicle Safety Discount: You could be eligible for a discount if your car has certain vehicle safety equipment such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, and anti-theft devices.
What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Myrtle Beach?
When you apply for or renew your driver’s license in South Carolina, you must show proof you carry at least the minimum insurance required by the state. If you cancel your policy, your insurance company notifies the DMV. The DMV will give you 20 days to provide proof of new insurance coverage, or they will suspend your driver’s license, registration, and license plates.
You must carry proof of your car insurance at all times when you drive in Myrtle Beach. If you don’t have it when you get pulled over by law enforcement, you’ll get a ticket. After the ticket, you’ll have 30 days to show proof of insurance, or your driver’s license, registration, and license plates will be suspended.
Getting your driver’s license, registration, and license plates back after suspension will cost you. Besides providing proof of insurance, you’ll also be subject to a $550 fee plus $5 per day for every day your car is uninsured (the maximum amount is $200).
Get a Quote for Car Insurance in Myrtle Beach Today!
The cost of getting car insurance could be considerably less than the fines and penalties you will face if you don’t have insurance, and that doesn’t include the costs you could face if you or someone else is injured in an accident.
Contact Freeway Insurance today. Get started with a quote online, visit us at a Myrtle Beach office near you, or call us at (800) 777-5620 for a quote.