What does Mauldin Insurance Group do?

Mauldin Insurance Group is an independent insurance agency based in Lexington, SC. We help individuals, families, and businesses across South Carolina find the right insurance coverage — including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Part D, ACA health insurance, life insurance, final expense, auto, home, and commercial insurance. As an independent agency, we work with multiple top-rated carriers and shop the market on your behalf at no cost to you.

When do I need to sign up for Medicare, and what happens if I miss my enrollment window?

Your Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after. If you miss this window and do not have qualifying employer coverage, you may face a permanent late enrollment penalty on your Part B premium — 10% for each 12-month period you delayed — plus a gap in coverage. The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7 each year. We strongly recommend calling us before your 65th birthday to map out your enrollment timeline and avoid any costly mistakes.

What are the best Medicare plans available in Lexington and the Midlands area?

The best Medicare plan depends entirely on your health needs, your doctors, your prescriptions, and your budget. In the Lexington and Columbia, SC area, we represent 6 organizations offering 52 products in our service area — including Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement plans (Plan G and Plan N are most popular for new enrollees), and Part D prescription drug plans. We compare every available option side by side and help you choose the plan that fits your life at no cost to you. Call Jennifer at (843) 509-2462 for a free, no-pressure comparison.

What is the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurers. It typically bundles Parts A, B, and D in one plan — often with extra benefits like dental and vision — and usually has low or $0 monthly premiums, but uses provider networks and involves copays. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare, covering the 20% coinsurance and other out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind. It carries a monthly premium but gives you the freedom to see any Medicare-accepting doctor nationwide with very predictable costs. We help you decide which approach is right for your health and budget.

How much does health insurance cost in South Carolina, and can I get help paying for it?

ACA health insurance premiums in South Carolina vary based on your age, household size, income, and the plan tier you choose. Many South Carolinians qualify for premium tax credits through the federal marketplace that significantly reduce their monthly cost — some qualify for plans as low as $0 per month depending on income. We help you determine your subsidy eligibility, compare all available plans, and enroll at no charge. Call us at (843) 509-2462 or (803) 920-8827 to get started.

How much life insurance do I actually need to protect my family in South Carolina?

A common starting point is the DIME method: add up your Debt, Income replacement (typically 10x your annual income), Mortgage balance, and Education costs for your children. For most South Carolina families this works out to $500,000 to $1,000,000 in coverage. Term life insurance is often the most affordable way to get there — a healthy 35-year-old can often get $500,000 in 20-year term coverage for $25 to $35 per month. We help you find the right amount and the right carrier based on your specific situation at no cost.

What is final expense insurance and who is it for?

Final expense insurance is a type of whole life insurance with a smaller face value — typically $5,000 to $25,000 — designed specifically to cover funeral costs, burial expenses, outstanding medical bills, and other end-of-life costs. The average funeral in South Carolina costs between $9,000 and $12,000. It is a good fit if you are between ages 50 and 85, want guaranteed coverage with no medical exam required, and need an affordable, predictable premium that never increases. Coverage typically starts at $20 to $70 per month. Call Jennifer at (843) 509-2462 for a free quote.

How much does homeowners insurance cost in South Carolina?

The average homeowners insurance premium in South Carolina runs approximately $1,400 to $1,900 per year for a typical single-family home, though this varies significantly based on your home's location, age, roof type, construction, coverage limits, deductible, and claims history. As an independent agency, we shop multiple carriers to find the best combination of coverage and price. We also review your dwelling coverage limit to make sure it reflects current rebuilding costs — many SC homeowners are significantly underinsured without realizing it.

Should I bundle my home and auto insurance?

Bundling your auto and home insurance with the same carrier typically saves 10% to 20% on both policies and simplifies your coverage — one agent, one renewal cycle, and one point of contact if you ever need to file a claim. Most major carriers offer a multi-policy discount that makes bundling a straightforward win for most families. That said, bundling is not always the cheapest option in every situation. We compare bundled and unbundled scenarios side by side so you can make an informed decision. Call Ben at (803) 920-8827 for a free auto and home quote.

What is the difference between liability and full coverage auto insurance?

Liability insurance covers damage and injuries you cause to other people in an accident — it is the minimum coverage required by South Carolina law (25/50/25 minimums). It does not pay for damage to your own vehicle. Full coverage typically adds collision coverage (damage to your own vehicle in an accident) and comprehensive coverage (theft, weather damage, falling objects, and animal strikes). Whether full coverage makes financial sense depends on your vehicle value, whether you have a loan or lease, and your personal financial situation. We help you think through the right level of coverage for your specific circumstances.

Does Mauldin Insurance Group serve areas outside of Lexington, SC?

Yes — we serve clients across all of South Carolina and are also licensed in North Carolina and Georgia. While we are based in Lexington and serve a large volume of clients in the Columbia, Irmo, Chapin, Cayce, West Columbia, and Lake Murray areas, we work with clients statewide by phone, video, and in-person when needed. Distance is never an obstacle and there is no extra charge for clients outside the immediate Lexington area.

Does it cost anything to work with Mauldin Insurance Group?

No — our services are completely free to you. Insurance carriers pay independent agents a commission when a policy is placed. Your monthly premium is exactly the same whether you enroll through us or go directly to the carrier. The difference is that we do the research, comparison, and shopping for you, and we stay in your corner at renewal and at claim time. There is no obligation and no pressure — just honest help from people who live and work in your community.

South Carolina Car Insurance Requirements: The Minimum Coverage the State Demands (and Why the Minimum Is a Trap)

Ben J. Mauldin | Jul 01 2026 15:59

If you drive in South Carolina, the state has a floor for how much car insurance you have to carry. Miss that floor, even by letting a policy lapse for a few days, and you can lose your license plate, your registration, and about $550 before you ever get back on the road.

Here is the part most drivers do not realize: meeting the state minimum keeps you legal, but it does very little to protect what you actually own. I review policies every week for families in Lexington, Columbia, Irmo, Chapin, and across the Midlands, and the most common problem I see is not too little coverage on paper. It is drivers carrying the exact legal minimum and assuming that means they are covered. They are not.

Here is what South Carolina requires, what the numbers mean, what happens if you skip it, and what I tell my own clients to carry instead.

Is car insurance mandatory in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina law requires every registered vehicle to carry liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage before it goes on a public road. This is spelled out in South Carolina Code Section 38-77-140. There is no opting out, and there is no long grace period if your coverage lapses.

South Carolina is an at-fault state, sometimes called a tort state. That means whoever causes the wreck is responsible for the other party's injuries and property damage. Your liability coverage is what pays those claims on your behalf, up to your limits.

The South Carolina minimum: 25/50/25 plus uninsured motorist

The state minimum is written as three numbers, 25/50/25. Here is what each one covers.

Bodily injury liability, $25,000 per person. This is the most your policy pays for injuries to any one person you hurt in an at-fault accident.

Bodily injury liability, $50,000 per accident. This is the total your policy pays for everyone injured in that same accident.

Property damage liability, $25,000 per accident. This pays for the other person's vehicle, plus other property like fences, mailboxes, buildings, and equipment.

Then there is the piece that makes South Carolina different from most states.

Uninsured motorist coverage, matching 25/50/25, and you cannot waive it. South Carolina is one of the few states that requires uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and does not let you turn it down. If a driver with no insurance hits you, your own UM coverage steps in to pay for your injuries and damage. There is typically a $200 deductible on the property damage side of UM, and if your insurer later recovers money from the at-fault driver, you should get that deductible back.

This matters more here than almost anywhere. South Carolina consistently runs above the national average for uninsured drivers, somewhere around one in eight. Add in the summer traffic that pours toward Myrtle Beach and Charleston, and the odds of getting hit by someone with no coverage are real.

What the minimum does not cover

The state minimum is liability only. It pays for the other person. It does nothing for your own car or your own medical bills. If you want any of the following, you have to add it:

Collision pays to repair or replace your own vehicle after a crash, no matter who was at fault. If you have a loan or a lease, your lender almost certainly requires this.

Comprehensive covers your car for the things that are not collisions: theft, vandalism, fire, a deer on Highway 378, a tree limb in a summer storm. One note that trips people up here, comprehensive covers wind, but it does not cover flood. Flood is separate.

Underinsured motorist (UIM) is different from the required UM coverage. UIM kicks in when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your bills. South Carolina does not require it, but your carrier has to offer it, and for a small premium it closes a big gap. I recommend it to almost everyone.

MedPay covers medical bills for you and your passengers regardless of fault.

Why I tell clients to skip the state minimum

Think about what 25/50/25 actually buys you today. One trip to the emergency room and a short hospital stay can blow past $50,000 without much trouble. A three-car pileup on I-20 or I-26 can involve several injured people and two or three totaled vehicles in one shot. If the damage runs past your limits, the difference does not disappear. It comes out of your pocket, your paycheck, and potentially your home equity.

For most Midlands drivers I recommend starting at 100/300/100, meaning $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident, and $100,000 in property damage, plus underinsured motorist coverage. Families with a house, savings, or a business often go higher, or add an umbrella policy on top. The jump in premium from the state minimum to real protection is usually smaller than people expect, because the first dollars of coverage are the most expensive. It is the difference between "legal" and "protected," and those are not the same thing.

What happens if you drive without insurance in South Carolina

South Carolina uses an electronic system that flags a vehicle the moment its coverage lapses, so a gap gets noticed fast. Penalties can include:

Suspension of your license and registration
A reinstatement fee of $550
An SR-22 filing requirement, which proves you carry insurance and usually raises your rate
Fines, and in some cases up to 30 days in jail
Vehicle impoundment for repeat offenses

There is no meaningful grace period, and the premium is due before the coverage period, not after. If you are switching carriers, make sure the new policy starts the same day the old one ends. A one-day gap is still a gap.

New to South Carolina? Your out-of-state policy does not automatically count

If you just moved here, your current policy may not meet South Carolina's specific requirements, especially the mandatory uninsured motorist coverage. Once you become a resident and register your vehicle, you need a policy that satisfies South Carolina law. Call before you register, not after.

South Carolina car insurance requirements: quick answers

What is the minimum car insurance in South Carolina? 25/50/25 in liability ($25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage), plus uninsured motorist coverage at the same limits.

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in South Carolina? Yes, and you cannot reject it. Underinsured motorist coverage is optional but strongly recommended.

Is South Carolina a no-fault state? No. It is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who causes the accident is responsible for the damage.

Does the state minimum include coverage for my own car? No. That requires collision and comprehensive, which are optional unless your lender requires them.

How much car insurance should I actually carry? More than the minimum. For most drivers, 100/300/100 plus underinsured motorist coverage is a far safer starting point.

Let us make sure you are actually protected, not just legal

As an independent agency, we are not tied to one company. We shop your coverage across multiple carriers to find the right limits at the right price, and we will tell you honestly where the state minimum leaves you exposed. If you live in Lexington, Columbia, Irmo, Chapin, or anywhere in the Midlands, send us your current declarations page and we will read it line by line with you.

Reach out for a no-pressure review. It takes a few minutes and it is free.

If you drive in South Carolina, the state has a floor for how much car insurance you have to carry. Miss that floor, even by letting a policy lapse for a few days, and you can lose your license...

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