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Fast Facts about South Carolina Driving
February 20, 2009
SC Auto Insurance Facts
- The average South Carolinian spends $756.11 a year on auto insurance. The national average is $817.11. 1
- There are approximately 3.3 million licensed drivers and over 3.7 million registered vehicles in South Carolina. 2
- In 2005, South Carolina tied with Mississippi for 3rd place for the highest motor vehicle death rate in the nation. In 2004, South Carolina had the 14th highest motor vehicle death rate in the nation. 2
- South Carolina drivers had 112,930 traffic accidents in 2006, with an economic loss of nearly $2.7 billion. In 2005 there were 111,983 reported crashes. In 2004, there were 110,029 reported crashes. 2
- 917 people died in 2008 in South Carolina in traffic crashes. 1,077 died in 2007 and 1,044 people died in South Carolina traffic crashes in 2006. 7
- About 79% of South Carolinians wear a seat-belt. This is 4% below the national average of 83%.(2008 results) 4
- In 2006, teenagers made up about 6.7% of all South Carolina licensed drivers, yet accounted for about 12.7% of all drivers involved in accidents and 9.4% of drivers in fatal collisions.2
- The average cost of a new car went up by 0.4% from 2002-2003 (and up 2.9% from 2003 to 2004) while the cost of operating a car increased 2.2% from 2002-2003. (Note: 2003 to 2004 operating cost data are not comparable from the source due to methodology changes; the 2005 data are not yet released so 2004-2005 comparisons are not available.) - Source: Ward's Motor Vehicle Facts and Figures,2005. 3
- South Carolina ranked 40th highest in the nation in the average cost of car repair in 2004. South Carolinians paid an average of $2,112.47 while the national average was $2,232.78. (Source: "2006 Audatex, a Solera Company")3
- South Carolina ranked 7th highest in the nation in the average total charges per admission to hospitals in 2003 (note: data from 11 states not available; in 2002, 10 states were not available.) South Carolinians paid an average of $19,656 per stay while the national average was $19,124. (The source is Mutual of Omaha's Current Trends in Heath Care and Dental Costs and Utilization, 2004 Edition - this publication is no longer produced, thus 2003 data are the most current.)3
- In 2005 claims accounted for $68 of every $100 earned in private passenger auto insurance premiums in the United States. 4
- Insurance fraud accounts for 10% of losses with auto liability and physical damage and one-third of all bodily injury claims for auto accidents contain some amount of fraud. 4
- 39% of South Carolinians injured in crashes hire an attorney to represent them. 5
References
1) National Association of Insurance Commissioners (2006 study - latest data available)
2) SC Department of Public Safety (2005 data – latest available)
3) Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
4) Insurance Information Institute
5) Insurance Research Council
6) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
7) USA Today (1/30/07 story - "State-by-state traffic deaths")
Certain sections updated 4/7/09
For more information, contact the South Carolina Insurance News Service at 803-252-3455 or use our contact form.
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