S.C. Code Ann. § 38-63-650: Operative date of article.

An insurer may file with the department a written notice of its election to comply with the provisions of this article after a specified date before January 1, 1966. After the filing of the notice, then upon the specified date, which shall be the operative date for that insurer, this article becomes operative with respect to the policies thereafter issued by the insurer. If an insurer makes no election, the operative date of this article for that insurer is January 1, 1966.