How at-fault insurance works in South Carolina

South Carolina is one of 38 states with at-fault car insurance. No-fault insurance was popular for a time, but only a few states have it now. Out of the 38, 12 states have a modified at-fault system, but South Carolina is not one of those. Each system has its positive and negative aspects. To get your questions about automobile insurance answered, contact the Michael Taylor Agency in Columbia, SC.

Understanding the Systems

No fault means it does not matter who caused the accident. Each person gets compensation for damages from his own company. At fault, as the name implies, means someone caused the accident, and generally, the police make that decision. There is also a comparative system that breaks down the fault by percentage.

How it Works in South Carolina

South Carolina is one of the states that use a percentage at-fault system. How much at fault each driver was affects how much compensation they can get. If you were 40 percent at fault, you would collect 60 percent of your damage. If you are 51 percent at fault, you are not eligible to get compensation from the other party but may be able to file a claim with your own company.

In states like South Carolina, with at-fault insurance, you may have to prove liability, but you will not face restrictions. Premiums are higher in at-fault states, but you may get larger discounts for being a safe driver. The at-fault system is more time-consuming because you may have to prove liability, and you may have to go to court. No-fault insurance is designed to speed up the system and make claims easier to file. For more information about how car insurance works in South Carolina, contact the Michael Taylor Agency in Columbia, SC, today.