South Carolina: rules and deadlines at a glance

Every 14 topic we track for South Carolina on one page. Open a topic for the details, the law it comes from and how South Carolina compares.

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Car insurance by state · Claim deadlines · Small claims limits · Total loss rules · Shared fault rules · Accident reporting rules · Lemon law rules · Sales tax rates · Phone-while-driving laws · Motorcycle helmet laws · Gas tax · Uninsured drivers · Marijuana laws

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply; open a topic for the details.

Filing deadlines (statute of limitations)

Personal injury	3 years
Property damage	3 years

Car insurance by state

Minimum liability	$25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000
Fault system	At-fault (the driver who caused it pays)
Shared-fault rule	Modified comparative: barred at 51% fault or more

Claim deadlines

Acknowledge	No fixed number of days; must act with reasonable promptness
Accept or deny	Prompt investigation; no fixed number of days
Pay	Not set by rule

Small claims limits Single detailed source

Dollar limit	$7,500 (magistrates court)
Filing fee	$80
Lawyers	Allowed

Total loss rules

Total loss rule	75% of actual cash value

Shared fault rules

Rule	Modified comparative negligence (51% bar)
When you are barred	Barred if you are 51% or more at fault

Accident reporting rules

Report required if	Death, injury, or over $1,000 damage
Deadline	15 days

Lemon law rules Single detailed source

Repair attempts or days	3 attempts or 30 calendar days
Coverage period	1 year or 12,000 miles, whichever first

Sales tax rates Single detailed source

State rate	6.00%
Combined average	7.49%

Phone-while-driving laws Single detailed source

Handheld ban	Yes, all drivers (from Sept. 2025; tickets from March 2026)
Texting ban	Yes, primary

Motorcycle helmet laws Single detailed source

Law type	Partial
Who must wear one	Riders under 21

Gas tax Single detailed source

Gasoline	28.7¢ per gallon
Diesel	28.7¢ per gallon

Uninsured drivers

Drivers uninsured	10.3%
UM/UIM coverage	Uninsured motorist required

Marijuana laws Single detailed source

Legal status	CBD / low-THC only