South Carolina property and casualty practice exam
Free property and casualty practice for the South Carolina producer exam: 367 general questions plus 15 South Carolina state law questions, each with an explanation.
Licensing facts checked on
Loading practice test... If it does not open, reload this page.
Studying for Life and Health? South Carolina life and health practice exam
Getting your South Carolina property and casualty license
South Carolina's combined property, casualty, surety and marine exam has 140 questions in 165 minutes and costs $59 through Pearson VUE. You get up to 6 attempts per exam in a year.
- Exam provider
- Pearson VUE (since May 1, 2023)
- Pre-licensing education
- Not required. The handbooks licensure steps are: read the handbook, reserve and pay for the exam, take the exam, then apply. No course is required.
- Exam fee
- $59 per exam
- Exam length
- Combined property, casualty, surety and marine: 140 questions, 165 minutes. Property or casualty alone: 80 questions, 120 minutes.
- Passing score
- 70 on a scaled score
- Retakes
- Wait 24 hours before booking a retake. Up to 6 attempts per exam in a one-year period.
How to plan your retake
Retake rules by state - Result valid for
- One year. You can apply 48 hours after you pass.
- Continuing education
- 24 hours to keep a resident license active
Official links
- South Carolina Department of Insurance - official state insurance department
- South Carolina Department of Insurance, Producer License - exam provider information
Licensing facts checked on , against official sources. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the South Carolina Department of Insurance and your exam's candidate handbook before you register.
South Carolina state law questions
Every South Carolina question with its answer, explanation, and the law it comes from.
Licensing and CE
2 questions
1. How much continuing insurance education must a South Carolina producer complete under 38-43-106?
- 12 hours every year
- 24 hours biennially
- 20 hours biennially
- 30 hours every three years
Show answer
S.C. Code 38-43-106(A)(1) requires a minimum of 24 hours of continuing insurance education biennially.
2. A South Carolina producer's license continues on what basis, and renewal is due by when?
- Annually, by December 31
- Every three years, by the issue date
- Biennially, by the last day of the licensee's birth month
- Perpetually, with no renewal needed
Show answer
S.C. Code 38-43-110(A) continues a producer's license on a biennial basis unless revoked or suspended, with renewal by the last day of the birth month.
Auto Insurance
3 questions
1. What are South Carolina's minimum auto liability limits?
- $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident, $10,000 property damage
- $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage
- $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage
- $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, $10,000 property damage
Show answer
S.C. Code 38-77-140 requires $25,000 for one person, $50,000 for two or more persons, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.
2. South Carolina uninsured motorist coverage must provide bodily injury limits of no less than:
- The minimum liability limits in 38-77-140
- $10,000 per person
- Double the insured's liability limits
- The insured's collision deductible
Show answer
S.C. Code 38-77-150 sets uninsured motorist coverage at no less than the 38-77-140 requirements, plus at least $25,000 for property damage to the insured's property.
3. If a South Carolina insured does not return the executed UM/UIM offer form within 30 days, what must the insurer do?
- Cancel the policy
- Add UM and UIM coverage at limits equal to the liability limits
- Add UM coverage at the statutory minimum only
- Treat the coverage as rejected
Show answer
S.C. Code 38-77-350(E) directs the insurer to add on uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages at limits equal to the insured's liability limits.
Cancellation and Nonrenewal
5 questions
1. A South Carolina auto insurer's notice of cancellation or refusal to renew must state an effective date at least how many days after mailing?
- 5 days
- 10 days
- 30 days
- 15 days
Show answer
S.C. Code 38-77-120(a)(2) requires an effective date not less than fifteen days after mailing, and the notice must state the specific reason and the insured's right to review by the director.
2. Under S.C. Code 38-77-121, a South Carolina auto insurer may cancel a new policy without cause during what period?
- The first 90 days
- The first 30 days
- The first 120 days
- The first 6 months
Show answer
Section 38-77-121(D) allows cancellation without cause at any time in the first ninety days the policy is in effect. This does not apply to renewals.
3. Which of these is a permitted reason for a South Carolina insurer to cancel an auto policy after the initial period?
- The insured filed one comprehensive claim
- The insured reached age 65
- The named insured fails to pay the premium or an installment
- The insured moved to a new address within the state
Show answer
S.C. Code 38-77-123(B) limits cancellation to listed reasons, including nonpayment of premium and suspension or revocation of the driver's license during the policy period.
4. A South Carolina insurer cancelling or refusing to renew a property policy such as a homeowners policy must give notice stating an effective date at least how many days after mailing?
- 10 days
- 30 days
- 90 days
- 60 days
Show answer
S.C. Code 38-75-1160(A)(1)(b) sets the minimum at sixty days after mailing or delivery for property insurance covered by that article. Automobile insurance is excluded.
5. The boldface notice required on a South Carolina property insurance application warns that the insurer can cancel without cause during the first how many days?
- 120 days
- 60 days
- 90 days
- 30 days
Show answer
S.C. Code 38-75-1200(A) requires the statement that the insurer can cancel without cause during the first 120 days and, after that, only for reasons stated in the policy.
Residual Market
2 questions
1. What is the stated purpose of the South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association?
- To insure automobiles that cannot obtain liability coverage
- To pay claims of insolvent insurers
- To assure an adequate market for wind and hail insurance in the coastal areas of the state
- To provide flood insurance statewide
Show answer
S.C. Code 38-75-320 states this purpose, and 38-75-330 creates the association as a residual market mechanism for coastal property.
2. Which insurers must be members of the South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association?
- Only insurers domiciled in coastal counties
- Only surplus lines insurers
- Only mutual insurers
- All private insurers authorized to write property insurance in the state, with limited exceptions
Show answer
S.C. Code 38-75-330 makes membership a condition of authority to do business for insurers writing property insurance on a direct and statewide basis.
Guaranty Association
1 question
1. What is the per-claim cap on covered claims paid by the South Carolina guaranty association, other than workers compensation?
- $100,000
- $300,000
- $500,000
- $250,000
Show answer
S.C. Code 38-31-60(a) limits covered claims to less than $300,000 each. The association pays the full amount of a covered workers compensation claim.
Workers Compensation
1 question
1. Under S.C. Code 42-9-200, workers compensation is not allowed for the first how many days of disability unless the disability lasts longer than a set period?
- The first 3 days, unless disability exceeds 7 days
- The first 7 calendar days, unless disability exceeds 14 days
- The first 10 days, unless disability exceeds 21 days
- The first 14 days, unless disability exceeds 28 days
Show answer
Section 42-9-200 denies compensation for the first seven calendar days, but if disability exceeds fourteen days compensation runs from the date of disability.
Claims Practices
1 question
1. Under S.C. Code 38-59-40, an insurer that refuses to pay within how many days after demand may owe attorneys' fees if the refusal was without reasonable cause or in bad faith?
- 30 days
- 60 days
- 90 days
- 180 days
Show answer
Section 38-59-40 allows fees where payment is refused within ninety days after demand and the refusal lacks reasonable cause or is in bad faith. Fees cannot exceed one-third of the judgment.
Key South Carolina terms
18 plain-English cards on South Carolina insurance law, from the South Carolina flashcard deck.
Licensing and CE
- South Carolina CE requirement
- 24 hours biennially under S.C. Code 38-43-106.
- South Carolina license renewal
- Renewed biennially, by the last day of the licensee's birth month.
- South Carolina P&C prelicensing
- Not required. The steps are: read the handbook, reserve and pay for the exam, take it, then apply.
- South Carolina P&C exam length
- Combined property, casualty, surety and marine: 140 questions, 165 minutes. Property or casualty alone: 80 questions, 120 minutes.
- South Carolina retakes and validity
- Wait 24 hours; up to 6 attempts in a year. Results stay valid one year, and you can apply 48 hours after passing.
Auto Insurance
- South Carolina minimum liability limits
- 25/50/25: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage.
- South Carolina UM bodily injury limits
- Not less than the minimum liability limits in 38-77-140.
- South Carolina UM/UIM offer form
- If the insured does not return the executed offer form within 30 days, the insurer adds UM and UIM at limits equal to the liability limits.
Cancellation and Nonrenewal
- South Carolina auto cancellation notice
- Notice of cancellation or nonrenewal must state an effective date at least 15 days after mailing.
- South Carolina new auto policy cancellation
- An insurer may cancel a new policy without cause during the first 90 days under 38-77-121.
- South Carolina auto cancellation reason
- After the initial period, failure to pay the premium or an installment is a permitted reason.
- South Carolina property policy notice
- Cancelling or nonrenewing a homeowners policy requires an effective date at least 60 days after mailing.
- South Carolina boldface cancellation warning
- The boldface notice on a property application warns the insurer can cancel without cause during the first 120 days.
Residual Market
- South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association
- Assures an adequate market for wind and hail insurance in the state's coastal areas.
- South Carolina wind pool membership
- All private insurers authorized to write property insurance in the state belong, with limited exceptions.
Guaranty Association
- South Carolina guaranty limit
- The guaranty association pays up to $300,000 per claim other than workers compensation.
Workers Compensation
- South Carolina workers comp waiting period
- No compensation for the first 7 calendar days of disability unless disability exceeds 14 days.
Claims Practices
- South Carolina attorneys fees for refusal to pay
- An insurer that refuses to pay 90 days after demand, without reasonable cause or in bad faith, may owe attorneys fees.
Keep studying
The general topics make up most of the exam.
South Carolina exam questions
How long is the South Carolina property and casualty exam?
The combined property, casualty, surety and marine exam has 140 questions in 165 minutes. Property or casualty alone is 80 questions in 120 minutes.Source: Pearson VUE, South Carolina Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook
How many times can I take the South Carolina exam?
Up to six times per exam in a one-year period, waiting 24 hours between attempts.Source: Pearson VUE, South Carolina Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook
When can I apply after passing in South Carolina?
48 hours after you pass. Passing results are valid for one year.Source: Pearson VUE, South Carolina Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook
How much of the South Carolina property and casualty exam is state law?
State law is usually around 20 to 30 percent of a state's producer exam. Check the South Carolina candidate handbook from your testing provider for the exact content outline.
What does the South Carolina state law section cover?
Common areas include licensing and continuing education, auto liability minimums, cancellation and nonrenewal notice rules, and the guaranty fund. This page covers: Licensing and CE, Auto Insurance, Cancellation and Nonrenewal, Residual Market, Guaranty Association, Workers Compensation, Claims Practices.
Where do these state questions come from?
Each state question is written from the state's statutes, regulations, or insurance department guidance, and the source is linked under the answer so you can read it yourself.
Do I still need the general questions?
Yes. Most of the exam is general property and casualty knowledge. The full exam option here mixes 367 general questions with the South Carolina state law questions.