South Carolina Commercial Truck Insurance: Requirements & Costs

Do You Need Commercial Truck Insurance in South Carolina?

If you haul freight for hire in South Carolina, you need commercial truck insurance. The state pairs one of the fastest-growing container ports on the East Coast at Charleston with the Upstate's dense automotive-manufacturing corridor and the Columbia crossroads. Your required limits depend on your truck's weight, your cargo, and whether you run interstate or intrastate.

South Carolina Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements

Federal (FMCSA) requirements for interstate carriers

• $750,000 — non-hazardous freight in vehicles over 10,001 lbs
• $1,000,000 — transporting oil
• Up to $5,000,000 — certain hazardous materials

Interstate carriers file an MCS-90, plus a Form E or SR-22 where required.

South Carolina (intrastate) requirements

Intrastate carriers must meet South Carolina's financial-responsibility minimums, which vary by vehicle weight and cargo. Check your USDOT or docket number with the FMCSA to confirm what your operation needs.

How Much Does Commercial Truck Insurance Cost in South Carolina?

For a driver with a clean record, commercial truck insurance in South Carolina averages roughly $11,200 to $14,200 per year. Rates by truck type:

Truck Type	Typical Annual Range (SC)
Tractor-Trailer	$11,200 – $14,200
Flatbed	$11,200 – $14,200
Box Truck	$11,200 – $14,200
Reefer	$11,200 – $14,200

These are averages, not quotes — your real number depends on your operation.

Coverages South Carolina Truckers Actually Need

• Primary Liability — required for authorized motor carriers.
• Motor Truck Cargo — protects port and manufacturing freight.
• Physical Damage — collision and comprehensive, including coastal hurricane exposure.
• General Liability — often required at ports and plants.
• Non-Trucking Liability — bobtail coverage when off dispatch.

South Carolina-Specific Risks: Port and Manufacturing

Port drayage. Charleston is a fast-growing, deepwater East Coast container port.

Manufacturing. The Upstate around Greenville runs BMW and dense auto-supply freight on I-85.

Distribution. Columbia links the port and the Upstate at the I-20/I-26/I-77 crossroads.

Get a South Carolina Truck Insurance Quote

NITIC is licensed across South Carolina with three decades of experience. Call (800) 726-8376 or request a free quote online. Full details are on our South Carolina commercial truck insurance page.