Golf carts are a fixture of life in North Myrtle Beach and the broader Grand Strand area. They cross the street to the beach, run errands in Ocean Drive, navigate retirement communities, and serve as primary transportation in neighborhoods from Barefoot Landing to Surfside. And the vast majority of them are either uninsured or significantly underinsured.
This is not a lecture. It is a practical guide to what South Carolina law requires, what your existing policies do and do not cover, and what adequate golf cart coverage actually looks like.
South Carolina Law: What Is Required
South Carolina allows golf carts to operate on public roads under specific conditions defined in state law. To legally operate a golf cart on a public road in South Carolina, the operator must have a valid driver’s license, the cart must be operated within four miles of the owner’s primary or secondary residence, and it must be operated only during daylight hours unless the cart is equipped with the appropriate lighting.
Beyond the operational requirements, South Carolina requires that golf carts operated on public roads carry minimum liability insurance — bodily injury and property damage coverage — at state minimum levels. The state minimum auto liability in South Carolina is $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
This is the legal floor. As we will discuss, it is not the coverage most people actually need.
What Your Existing Policies Do NOT Cover
Personal auto policy
Standard personal auto insurance policies do not cover golf carts. Your auto policy is written for registered motor vehicles — golf carts do not meet that classification. If you cause an accident in your golf cart and assume your auto insurance handles it, you will be wrong. The claim will be denied.
Homeowners policy
Many homeowners policies provide some limited liability coverage for golf carts — but typically only while they are being operated on your property or a golf course. The moment your golf cart exits your property and onto a public road or a neighbor’s street, homeowners liability coverage almost certainly does not apply. Physical damage to the cart is similarly excluded or subject to a minimal sublimit that does not reflect the actual value of modern golf carts, which regularly sell for $8,000 to $18,000 or more fully equipped.
A golf cart operated on a public street in North Myrtle Beach is not covered by your personal auto policy or your homeowners policy. If you cause an accident without a standalone golf cart policy, you are personally liable for all damages.
What a Proper Golf Cart Policy Covers
A dedicated golf cart insurance policy — which we write regularly for Grand Strand clients — typically includes:
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Liability coverage — bodily injury and property damage you cause to others while operating the cart on or off your property
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Physical damage (comprehensive and collision) — covers damage to the cart itself from accidents, theft, vandalism, fire, and weather events
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Medical payments — covers medical costs for you and passengers injured in the cart regardless of fault
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Uninsured motorist coverage — important on the coast where vehicles from out of state with minimal coverage are common
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Accessories and customization coverage — golf carts in the Grand Strand are often significantly upgraded with lift kits, custom wheels, enclosures, sound systems, and lighting; these upgrades add value that needs to be reflected in the policy
Low-Speed Vehicles Are Different
Low-speed vehicles (LSVs) are a distinct category from golf carts under South Carolina law. LSVs are street-legal vehicles capable of operating at speeds between 20 and 25 miles per hour, equipped with safety features including seatbelts, headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and a windshield. In South Carolina, LSVs can be titled and registered as motor vehicles and operated on roads with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less.
Because LSVs can be registered as motor vehicles, they can be covered under a personal auto policy — but this depends on the carrier and the specific vehicle. Some carriers will add an LSV to a standard auto policy; others require a standalone specialty policy. The distinction matters because an unregistered golf cart and a registered LSV have different coverage options and legal requirements.
If your “golf cart” is actually a titled and registered LSV, tell your agent. The coverage approach is different, and getting it right matters.
How Much Coverage Do You Actually Need?
The minimum required liability of $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident sounds like reasonable coverage until you think about what a serious accident can cost. Medical bills from a significant injury can exceed $100,000 quickly. If you hit a pedestrian, a cyclist, or cause a multi-car collision, the damages can be multiples of the state minimum.
We recommend liability limits of at least $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident for golf cart policies, and we discuss umbrella coverage with every client who has a golf cart on the road. The premium difference between minimum liability and adequate liability on a golf cart policy is usually $30 to $60 per year. That is not a meaningful number relative to the risk.
Community and HOA Rules
Many Grand Strand communities — from gated neighborhoods to condominium communities — have their own golf cart rules that may require proof of insurance before operating within the community. Some HOAs require members to maintain a minimum liability limit and provide a certificate of insurance on request. If your community has these requirements, confirm your policy meets them and that you can obtain a certificate of insurance from your carrier when needed.
