Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Charleston, SC (October 2026)

USAA is the cheapest insurer in Charleston, with liability-only rates of $81 per month.

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Catherine Hiles
Writer: Catherine HilesInsurance, Personal Finance Writer

Qualifications:
  • 16+ years in personal finance and insurance writing

  • Certified Financial Education Instructor


Catherine Hiles is a freelance writer covering insurance, personal finance, and home improvement. A Certified Financial Education Instructor, Catherine is committed to providing readers with empowerment and insight when facing insurance decisions.

Her work has been published in TIME, The Penny Hoarder, BobVila.com, Tom's Guide, and Angi. She has a bachelor's degree in communication studies from the University of Chester in the United Kingdom. Catherine lives in Ohio with her husband, two children, and two energetic dogs.

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Editor: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor

Qualifications:
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

  • NPN: 20564519


Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

Mark Friedlander
Reviewer: Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Insurance Information Institute

Qualifications:
  • Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

  • Impartial, independent expert


As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Updated

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Quick Facts
  • USAA and Auto-Owners are the cheapest insurers in Charleston, SC.

  • Car insurance in Charleston is more expensive than the state average in South Carolina.

  • Charleston ranks second in South Carolina for vehicle theft per capita.

How much is car insurance in Charleston, SC?

Car insurance in Charleston, SC, costs an average of $178 per month for liability-only coverage and $281 per month for full coverage. That’s slightly higher than the South Carolina state average of $160 per month for liability insurance and $255 per month for full coverage.

One reason car insurance is more expensive in Charleston may be the city’s extreme flood risk.[1] More than 37,027 properties in Charleston are at risk of flooding over the next 30 years, representing 71% of all properties in the city. Hurricanes represent one of the greatest threats in the area, with wind speeds much higher than they were 30 years ago.

The following table shows how car insurance costs in Charleston compare to the South Carolina state average.

Car Insurance Costs in Charleston vs. South Carolina
Average Monthly Quote
Charleston average$230
South Carolina average$207
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time Charleston quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.

Cheapest car insurance quotes in Charleston

USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in Charleston, with an average cost of $81 per month for liability-only coverage. USAA offers the cheapest full-coverage policies, averaging $132 per month.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Charleston

Liability rates start as low as $81 per month

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Driving in Charleston: What to know

Charleston has a booming tourist industry, with peak seasons from March to May and September to November. During these months, expect heavy traffic and more pedestrians in the downtown area. Charleston also has a growing population of bicycles, so be aware while driving to avoid a collision.

Certain areas in Charleston are more prone to flooding than others. Areas by the coast and along the Wando, Cooper, Ashley, and Stono rivers have a 1% annual flood hazard.[2] You should never attempt to drive through a flooded roadway. Instead, turn around and find an alternative route. The City of Charleston uses warning signals and police barriers to block off flooded roadways and will report when it’s safe to drive in those areas.

The Charleston-North Charleston metro area had 738 vehicle thefts in the first two quarters of 2025, according to data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. That puts the Charleston area at No. 71 nationally and No. 2 in South Carolina, behind Columbia.

Insurance costs can increase in areas with a higher theft risk. At $224 and $230, respectively, both Columbia and Charleston’s average car insurance rates are higher than the national average.

Charleston car insurance rates vs. other South Carolina cities

Car insurance costs an average of $230 per month in Charleston, compared to the South Carolina monthly average of $207.

The neighboring cities of Summerville and North Charleston are slightly more expensive, at $228 and $241 per month, respectively. But other cities, like Myrtle Beach and Aiken, offer lower rates of $195 and $168 per month.

Charleston’s higher flood and vehicle theft risk likely pushes up the cost of car insurance. The following data shows the average cost of car insurance in Charleston and other South Carolina cities.

City
Average Monthly Quote
Aiken$168
Anderson$180
Charleston$230
Columbia$224
Florence$229
Fort Mill$173
Greenville$188
Greer$173
Lancaster$223
Lexington$192
Myrtle Beach$195
North Charleston$241
Rock Hill$196
Spartanburg$190
Summerville$228
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time Charleston quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.

How traffic in Charleston affects car insurance rates

Traffic in Charleston can be heavy — especially on certain busy roadways. In fact, Charleston is home to five of the 10 most congested roadways in South Carolina, and Charleston drivers lose about 56 hours to congestion every year, according to transportation research non-profit TRIP.

When driving in the city, watch out for congestion on the following road sections:

  • I-526 between exits 11 and 23

  • I-26 between exits 101 and 108

  • I-26 between exits 212A and 220B

  • I-26 between exits 199 and 205

The more traffic on the road, the higher the chances of an accident. More than 5.6% of Charleston drivers have an accident on their driving record, according to Insurify data.

Why is car insurance in Charleston so expensive?

Some of the reasons car insurance is so expensive in Charleston include:

  • A relatively high theft rate compared to other South Carolina cities

  • A heightened risk of hurricanes and flooding

  • A relatively high accident rate

  • Congestion, especially during rush hours and tourist seasons

Car insurance costs depend on where in Charleston you live, your driving history, age, and gender, and the type of coverage you choose.

Cheapest state-minimum car insurance in Charleston, SC: USAA

Liability-only car insurance helps ensure you meet the state’s minimum requirements to legally drive. Car insurance requirements in South Carolina are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, as well as $25,000 per accident in property damage liability.[3]

USAA and Auto-Owners offer the lowest rates for state-minimum coverage in Charleston, at $81 and $86 per month.

The data below shows the cheapest liability-only car insurance rates in Charleston.

The below rates in Charleston, SC, are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
USAA$81
Auto-Owners$86
State Farm$88
GEICO$121
Progressive$136
Travelers$149
Safeco$159
Allstate$165
Direct Auto$174
National General$181
State Auto$181
GAINSCO$189
Root$190
The General$206
AssuranceAmerica$207
Liberty Mutual$208
Dairyland$210
First Acceptance$231
Bristol West$280
Hugo$290
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Charleston car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Charleston may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Charleston, SC: USAA

The cheapest insurer for full-coverage car insurance in Charleston is USAA, with a monthly average of $132.

Although liability-only coverage is cheaper, it’s wise to consider full-coverage car insurance in Charleston. With 89% of Charleston homes at risk of extreme wind, the chance of debris hitting and damaging your car is worth paying for comprehensive car insurance coverage and peace of mind.

The following table shows the lowest rates for full-coverage car insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage, in Charleston.

The below rates in Charleston, SC, are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
USAA$132
Auto-Owners$143
State Farm$147
GEICO$184
Safeco$206
Progressive$220
Travelers$245
Allstate$259
Direct Auto$274
National General$278
Root$290
AssuranceAmerica$296
State Auto$297
Liberty Mutual$339
GAINSCO$346
First Acceptance$375
Dairyland$425
The General$441
Bristol West$477
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Charleston car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Charleston may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest recent car insurance quotes in South Carolina

Recent Charleston, South Carolina car insurance prices for Saturn, Volkswagen, Dodge, and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Charleston, South Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 19, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 500+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 19, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Charleston, South Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 19, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 500+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 19, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Affordable car insurance for Charleston drivers with a ticket: USAA

Around 4.95% of Charleston drivers have a speeding ticket on their record, according to Insurify data. In Charleston, drivers with a ticket pay a monthly average of $217 for liability policies, but they may be able to find cheaper rates with USAA.

The data below shows the cheapest rates for drivers with a speeding ticket in Charleston.

The below rates in Charleston, SC, are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
USAA$103
State Farm$110
Auto-Owners$110
GEICO$156
Progressive$165
Travelers$190
Allstate$201
Safeco$206
Direct Auto$216
National General$222
Root$223
GAINSCO$223
State Auto$236
Dairyland$256
AssuranceAmerica$260
Liberty Mutual$261
The General$272
First Acceptance$281
Bristol West$349
Hugo$353
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Charleston car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Charleston may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheap auto insurance with an at-fault accident in Charleston: USAA

Charleston saw 16,118 traffic collisions in 2023 — the second highest in the state after Greenville, according to South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) data. About 5.63% of drivers in Charleston have an at-fault accident on their record, according to Insurify data, which can make it harder to find affordable insurance.

Liability insurance averages $231 per month for Charleston drivers with an at-fault accident.

The following table shows the cheapest rates for drivers with an at-fault accident in Charleston.

The below rates in Charleston, SC, are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
USAA$108
Auto-Owners$114
State Farm$116
GEICO$159
Progressive$176
Travelers$200
Allstate$214
Safeco$219
Direct Auto$235
Root$236
National General$239
GAINSCO$240
State Auto$246
AssuranceAmerica$273
Dairyland$274
Liberty Mutual$274
The General$280
First Acceptance$299
Bristol West$368
Hugo$376
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Charleston car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Charleston may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance quotes for Charleston drivers with a DUI: USAA

Charleston saw 34 fatalities involving a driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or more in 2023, up from 32 in 2022 and 26 in 2021, SCDPS data shows. That’s why the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office has strict DUI enforcement.

The average cost of car insurance in Charleston for a driver with a DUI is $223 per month for liability coverage and $352 per month for full coverage.

The table below shows the lowest car insurance rates for drivers with a DUI in Charleston.

The below rates in Charleston, SC, are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
USAA$108
Auto-Owners$110
State Farm$118
GEICO$164
Progressive$170
Travelers$200
Allstate$206
Direct Auto$233
State Auto$234
Safeco$237
National General$242
GAINSCO$253
Root$254
The General$268
AssuranceAmerica$277
Liberty Mutual$279
Dairyland$281
First Acceptance$289
Hugo$363
Bristol West$375
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Charleston car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Charleston may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for Charleston teen drivers: USAA

Teenagers must be at least 15 in South Carolina to get a learner’s permit and 15 years and 6 months to get a driver’s license. The state restricts teen driving between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.[4]

Teen drivers in Charleston pay monthly averages of $318 for liability insurance and $502 for full-coverage insurance.

The following data shows the cheapest rates for teen drivers in Charleston.

The below rates in Charleston, SC, are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
USAA$146
State Farm$167
Auto-Owners$171
GEICO$216
Progressive$243
Root$282
Allstate$295
Travelers$304
Safeco$321
GAINSCO$326
Direct Auto$334
National General$353
Dairyland$357
Liberty Mutual$359
The General$367
First Acceptance$413
AssuranceAmerica$421
State Auto$424
Bristol West$488
Hugo$518
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Charleston car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Charleston may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheap car insurance quotes for Charleston senior drivers: USAA

Around 22% of the Charleston population is 60 years or older, which is slightly higher than the national average of 16.8% during the last U.S. Census.[5]

Senior drivers in Charleston pay $163 per month for liability policies, and USAA offers the lowest rates for seniors.

This data shows the cheapest rates for senior drivers in Charleston.

The below rates in Charleston, SC, are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
USAA$68
Auto-Owners$70
State Farm$71
GEICO$99
Travelers$123
Progressive$124
State Auto$141
Safeco$142
Direct Auto$146
National General$147
Allstate$151
AssuranceAmerica$167
GAINSCO$167
Liberty Mutual$177
Root$180
The General$180
Dairyland$183
First Acceptance$211
Bristol West$240
Hugo$265
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Charleston car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Charleston may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Charleston car insurance FAQs

Understanding the answers to some common questions can help you find the best car insurance in Charleston for your insurance needs.

How much is car insurance in Charleston, SC?

The average cost of car insurance in Charleston, SC, is $178 per month for a liability-only insurance policy and $281 per month for a full-coverage policy.

What is the cheapest car insurance company in Charleston?

The cheapest car insurance company in Charleston is USAA, with an average monthly premium of $81 for liability-only coverage.

What are the best car insurance companies in Charleston?

What factors affect car insurance rates in Charleston, SC?

Some of the main factors that affect car insurance rates in Charleston include claim frequency, driving record, gender, age, marital status, vehicle use, and prior insurance claims.

How can you lower your car insurance costs in Charleston?

You can lower your car insurance costs in Charleston by choosing a higher deductible, shopping around for insurance coverage, paying your premiums on time, asking about car insurance discounts, and considering your coverage needs.

Sources

  1. First Street. "Charleston Flooding Risk."
  2. City of Charleston, SC. "Floodplain Mapping."
  3. South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance."
  4. South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Teenage Drivers."
  5. Census Reporter. "Charleston, SC."

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Catherine Hiles
Writer: Catherine HilesInsurance, Personal Finance Writer

Qualifications:
  • 16+ years in personal finance and insurance writing

  • Certified Financial Education Instructor


Catherine Hiles is a freelance writer covering insurance, personal finance, and home improvement. A Certified Financial Education Instructor, Catherine is committed to providing readers with empowerment and insight when facing insurance decisions.

Her work has been published in TIME, The Penny Hoarder, BobVila.com, Tom's Guide, and Angi. She has a bachelor's degree in communication studies from the University of Chester in the United Kingdom. Catherine lives in Ohio with her husband, two children, and two energetic dogs.

Photo of an Insurify author
Editor: Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor

Qualifications:
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

  • NPN: 20564519


Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

Mark Friedlander
Reviewer: Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Insurance Information Institute

Qualifications:
  • Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

  • Impartial, independent expert


As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.