South Carolina Motorcycle Insurance

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South Carolina requires that all riders have motorcycle insurance at all times while riding on a state road. The state does not require coverage if you are riding on private property, nor does it require coverage when a bike is in storage. Riders must be able to show proof of insurance when requested by a law enforcement official or they will be required to do so in court.

Additionally, South Carolina is an ”at fault” state. That means that you could be held financially and criminally liable after an accident if you are found to be at fault in an accident. If you do not have coverage, you will have to pay for everything out-of-pocket. Let’s have a look at motorcycle insurance issues in South Carolina, how the state defines a motorcycle for law enforcement and insurance purposes, some of the required equipment to make your bike street legal, as well as the coverage levels and types you may need.

SC Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

The South Carolina Legislature has set the minimum motorcycle insurance coverage limits as:

• $25,000 for death or bodily injury to one person
• $50,000 for death or bodily injury to two or more persons
• $25,000 for damage or destruction of property

You can immediately see that those coverage levels are not enough to cover a serious incident. A single night in the hospital or an E.R. visit with ambulance bills, can quickly reach those limits.

Other Protections for SC Riders

The minimum motorcycle insurance in South Carolina will not adequately cover an accident. The caps are shockingly low if you are involved in a major accident that injures you and your passenger. Then there is your bike to consider. That is why you should always carry additional coverage. You may want to consider the following coverages:

Collision coverage: this protection covers your bike in an accident under nearly every circumstance. It may or may not include uninsured/under-insured coverage.

Uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage: at any given time nearly 8 percent of the motorists in South Carolina do not have any type of motorist insurance in place. With that many uninsured drivers you can understand why you need this coverage. As if worrying about uninsured drivers isn’t enough, you must also be aware of under-insured drivers. An uninsured/under-insured motorist policy protects you in either case.

Comprehensive coverage: this protection covers items like fire, wind, water, theft, and vandalism.

Bodily injury coverage: this protection covers certain costs if you injure or kill someone in an at-fault accident. It also protects your passenger.

Medical payment coverage: this covers items such as prescription drug payments; dental care; medical co-payments and deductibles from other health coverage policies; home nursing care, or funeral expenses.

SC Motorcycle Insurance Quotes

Motorcycle insurance cost is based on a host of factors, which include not only the make/model of your bike and policy options, but also your age, driving record, location, storage, yearly mileage, and more. Thus, it’s nearly impossible to gauge your rate without taking some of these variables into account. Fortunately, we can help. All you need have to do is enter your zip code to start getting quotes from various insurers in your area.

South Carolina Motorcycle Laws

To most people it may seem obvious what a motorcycle is, but every state must clearly define one for law enforcement and insurance purposes. In South Carolina a motorcycle is defined as:

”Any motor vehicle having no more than three permanent functional wheels in contact with the ground to include detachable side cars; having a saddle type seat for the operator; and having handlebars or a motorcycle type steering device; and an engine with piston displacement of 50 cc or larger and produces more than 1.5 bhp; excluding a tractor or automotive three-wheel vehicle.”

Whether you are in congested urban sprawl or wide open country, you and your bike must have certain equipment in order to be considered street legal in the South Carolina:

• Eye protection: required for all riders age 21 or younger unless equipped with a windscreen.
• Handlebar height: no restrictions.
• Helmet: required for all riders 21 years of age or younger. Helmet must have reflectorization.
• Mirrors: only one is required.
• Turn Signals: not required.
• Passenger Seat/Footrest: both are required if carrying a passenger. No restrictions on a passenger’s age.
• Headlight: required, modulating daytime headlight approved.
• Muffler: required, cutouts are not permitted. There are not acoustical limits set.
• Safety Inspection: not required.