Murrells Inlet sits right in the heart of South Carolina's Grand Strand, a fishing village turned coastal community where life moves a little slower—until you hit US-17 during tourist season. If you're living here or just moved to the area, understanding your auto insurance isn't just about checking a legal box. It's about protecting yourself in a place where beach traffic, seasonal congestion, and South Carolina's at-fault insurance system all come together to create some unique risks.
Here's what you actually need to know about auto insurance in Murrells Inlet—without the jargon, and with plenty of local context.
South Carolina's Insurance Requirements: The 25/50/25 Baseline
South Carolina law requires you to carry what's called 25/50/25 coverage. Let's break down what those numbers actually mean. The first number—$25,000—covers bodily injury for one person if you cause an accident. The second—$50,000—is the total you're covered for if multiple people are injured in a single accident. The third—$25,000—covers property damage, like if you slam into someone's car or plow through their mailbox.
Here's the catch: South Carolina also requires uninsured motorist coverage at those same minimum levels. That means if someone without insurance hits you, you've got at least some protection. But let's be honest—these minimums are pretty bare-bones. One trip to the ER after a serious accident can easily blow past $25,000. And if you're found at fault for an accident that causes major damage? You could be personally liable for anything beyond what your policy covers.
Most insurance experts—and honestly, most people who've been through a bad accident—will tell you to carry more than the minimum. Think 100/300/100 or even higher if you own a home or have significant assets. Yes, it costs more. But it's a whole lot cheaper than paying out of pocket when the minimum isn't enough.
The At-Fault System: Why It Matters in Murrells Inlet
South Carolina operates under an at-fault insurance system, which means whoever causes the accident is financially responsible for the damages. That's different from no-fault states, where your own insurance pays for your injuries regardless of who caused the crash. In South Carolina, if you're determined to be at fault, the other driver can come after your insurance—and potentially your personal assets—to cover their medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, and more.
South Carolina also follows modified comparative negligence rules. This means you can still recover damages if you're partially at fault—as long as you're 50 percent or less responsible for the accident. If you're 30 percent at fault, for example, you can still collect 70 percent of the damages from the other driver. But if you're 51 percent or more at fault, you get nothing.
This system makes liability coverage incredibly important. You're not just protecting yourself from your own costs—you're protecting your savings, your home, and your future income from being seized to pay someone else's bills. That's why skimping on liability limits is such a risky move, especially in a tourist-heavy area where accidents involving out-of-state drivers are more common.
Driving in Murrells Inlet: US-17 and Local Risk Factors
If you've driven through Murrells Inlet, you know US-17 Business can be a headache. It's the main artery connecting the Grand Strand communities, and it carries about 7,700 vehicles per day through the heart of Murrells Inlet. The stretch between Wachesaw Road and Hammock Avenue is especially congested, with heavy pedestrian traffic from tourists heading to the MarshWalk and locals running errands. Georgetown County recently dropped the speed limit there from 35 mph to 25 mph because of the accident risk.
Summer and holiday weekends bring even more traffic as vacationers flood the area. Mix in some distracted driving, unfamiliar roads, and the occasional golf cart crossing the street, and you've got conditions that can easily lead to fender-benders—or worse. Insurance companies know this, which is why your location in a high-traffic coastal area can affect your rates.
Georgetown County's coastal location also means weather risks. Hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding aren't hypotheticals here—they're part of life. Comprehensive coverage, which covers non-collision damage like flood and storm damage, becomes a lot more valuable when you live somewhere that evacuates a few times a decade. Standard liability coverage won't help you if a tree falls on your car during a hurricane.
What Auto Insurance Actually Costs in Murrells Inlet
According to 2025 data, South Carolina drivers pay an average of $259 per month for auto insurance—well above the national average of $186. Your actual rate depends on a bunch of factors: your age, your driving record, the car you drive, how much coverage you buy, and even your credit score. Younger drivers and people with accidents or tickets on their record will pay significantly more.
The good news is that rates vary widely between insurance companies, and Murrells Inlet has plenty of independent insurance agents who can shop multiple carriers for you. It's worth getting quotes from at least three companies—what one insurer charges $300 a month for, another might offer for $180. Your best bet is to work with a local agent who knows the area and can explain how Georgetown County's specific risks might affect your coverage needs.
How to Get the Right Coverage for Your Situation
Start by taking stock of what you actually need to protect. If you own a home, have retirement savings, or earn a decent income, you need more than the state minimums. Consider bumping your liability coverage to 100/300/100 at a minimum. If you have significant assets, talk to your agent about an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto policy limits.
Don't skip comprehensive and collision coverage if your car is worth more than a few thousand dollars. Comprehensive covers stuff like theft, vandalism, and weather damage—important when you're living on the coast. Collision covers damage to your car if you hit something or roll it, regardless of fault. Both come with deductibles, which you can adjust to balance your premium costs against what you'd pay out of pocket after an accident.
Finally, ask about discounts. Most insurers offer them for bundling home and auto insurance, having a clean driving record, completing a defensive driving course, or installing safety features in your car. Even small discounts add up over time.
Getting the right auto insurance in Murrells Inlet isn't complicated, but it does require thinking beyond the legal minimum. Between South Carolina's at-fault system, US-17's daily congestion, and the coastal weather risks that come with Georgetown County, you need coverage that actually protects you—not just a policy that keeps you street-legal. Take the time to shop around, talk to a local agent, and choose coverage that fits your life. Your future self will thank you.
