No. PIP is optional for South Carolina drivers. However, everyone is required to carry liability insurance for bodily injury, property damage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). In order to keep premiums down, drivers often choose to purchase an auto insurance policy only up to South Carolina’s required limits. The drawback to this plan is that car accident damages, especially serious injury crashes, often have expenses that far exceed the minimum policy limits. That could leave you on the hook for any remaining costs once you’ve maxed out your policy. In the Beaufort area, where tourist and seasonal traffic is high, there is an elevated risk of accidents with out-of-state drivers who carry minimum coverage from states with lower required limits than South Carolina. PIP can serve as a critical safety net in these situations.