COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
The monthly car insurance bill isn't something most driver's are squealing their tires to get to the mailbox to pay.
CarInsuranceQuotes.com recently ranked South Carolina 12th nationwide for the bite car insurance takes out of your budget. They claim it's 3.25 percent or close to $1,700 a year per household.
"I've had friends and family members that have lived in other states and they're like, 'Look, why don't you just register your car here? It's cheaper,'" said driver Ronda Maurice.
In the industry, they say its difficult to compare rates state to state.
"They are held to different laws and liability limits and different mandatory coverage," said Russ Dubisky with the state Insurance News Service.
South Carolina is one of four state's where there's no upfront cost to replace a windshield.
"Mandatory zero dollar deductibles on auto glass in the collision portion of your policy that are not required in most other states," Dubisky said.
Drivers must also carry liability and uninsured motorists coverage, which some drivers consider a burden.
"Let's have more severe penalties for those who drive without insurance," said driver Jean Strickler.
We uncovered South Carolina's uninsured driver's rate at 10.7 percent isn't as bad a neighboring Georgia at 15.7 percent or North Carolina at 13.5 percent, and no longer are there safe driver incentive plans.
"Insurers have the flexibility to determine what should increase your rates and what would be maybe waived or perhaps negated, looked out for, for the first offense," Dubisky said.
Everything from your driving record, gender and age, your marital status, and your vehicle use can affect how much you pay out to assure you're insured when you're on the road.
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