Auto Insurance Coverage Requirements in SC

South Carolina law requires drivers to carry minimum auto insurance coverage. The problem is that those limits usually fall far short after a serious crash. In Conway, where traffic funnels through U.S. 501, local roads near Coastal Carolina University, and seasonal tourism routes toward Myrtle Beach, our motor vehicle accident lawyers in Conway regularly see accidents involving legally insured drivers who still lack sufficient coverage to fully compensate for real injuries.

If you’ve suffered injuries in a crash, reach out to L. Morgan Martin to determine all the compensation sources available to you.

South Carolina’s Auto Insurance Coverage Requirements

South Carolina follows a fault-based system, meaning the driver who causes the crash is responsible for the damage. To legally drive, you must carry minimum liability coverage of:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per individual
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

However, those numbers are set by state law and have not kept pace with modern medical costs. In Conway crashes involving hospital transport, imaging, or surgery, minimum coverage is usually exhausted quickly, sometimes before treatment is complete.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in South Carolina

No. However, insurers in SC are legally required to offer uninsured motorist (UM) coverage equal to liability limits. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage must likewise be offered, but you can decline it in writing. That decision is crucial because UM and UIM coverage usually becomes the primary source of compensation when the at-fault driver cannot pay, including hit-and-run crashes.

Why Minimum Liability Coverage Often Isn’t Enough After a Crash

Many drivers assume full coverage means they are protected. It doesn’t. Remember that liability insurance protects other people, not you. It doesn’t cover your own medical bills unless you have other policies that apply. The difference between what the law requires and what injuries cost can be enormous because minimum limits are designed for legality, not necessarily adequacy.

Insurance Requirements Affect Fault Disputes and Settlement Leverage

Coverage limits influence how aggressively insurers fight claims. When limits are low, insurers may delay, dispute fault, or pressure you to settle quickly. SC’s shared fault rule lets insurers reduce compensation if they can argue you were partly at fault. Statements you made early, especially without legal guidance, can be used to justify reduced offers.

How Insurance Limits Affect Fault Disputes and Settlement Value

Understanding insurance requirements is one thing. Using them effectively after a crash is another. A Conway motor vehicle accident lawyer can help by identifying every available policy, including UM and UIM coverage that insurers don’t always explain clearly. They’ll analyze how your coverage limits affect your negotiation strategy, push back against blame-shifting tactics, and document damages beyond immediate medical bills, including future care and lost income.

Your attorney can likewise step in early to prevent recorded statements from being used out of context and to ensure deadlines and notice requirements are met. In many cases, legal involvement is what turns inadequate coverage into a recoverable claim.

Getting Help After a Conway Car Accident Involving Limited Coverage

If you were involved in a car accident in Conway or elsewhere in Horry County and have questions about coverage, fault, or compensation, talk to our Conway motor vehicle accident lawyers. Arrange your complimentary case evaluation by calling 843-248-3177 or completing our online form.