Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Charleston, SC (August 2026)
USAA is the cheapest insurer in Charleston, with liability-only rates of $84 per month.
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Catherine HilesInsurance, Personal Finance Writer
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
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Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Insurance Information Institute
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
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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 $183 per month for liability-only coverage and $297 per month for full coverage. That’s slightly higher than the South Carolina state average of $160 per month for liability insurance and $256 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 | $240 |
| South Carolina average | $208 |
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 $84 per month for liability-only coverage. USAA offers the cheapest full-coverage policies, averaging $138 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.
Vehicle theft trends in Charleston
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 $232 and $240, 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 $240 per month in Charleston, compared to the South Carolina monthly average of $208.
The neighboring cities of Summerville and North Charleston are slightly more expensive, at $239 and $247 per month, respectively. But other cities, like Myrtle Beach and Aiken, offer lower rates of $200 and $177 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 | $177 |
| Anderson | $187 |
| Charleston | $240 |
| Columbia | $232 |
| Florence | $237 |
| Fort Mill | $182 |
| Greenville | $198 |
| Greer | $182 |
| Lancaster | $231 |
| Lexington | $199 |
| Myrtle Beach | $200 |
| North Charleston | $247 |
| Rock Hill | $203 |
| Spartanburg | $198 |
| Summerville | $239 |
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 $84 and $91 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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $84 |
| Auto-Owners | $91 |
| State Farm | $93 |
| GEICO | $128 |
| Allstate | $145 |
| Progressive | $148 |
| Travelers | $157 |
| Safeco | $166 |
| Direct Auto | $186 |
| State Auto | $189 |
| National General | $190 |
| Root | $197 |
| GAINSCO | $211 |
| Dairyland | $213 |
| Liberty Mutual | $220 |
| The General | $220 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $222 |
| First Acceptance | $248 |
| Hugo | $269 |
| Bristol West | $312 |
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 $138.
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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $138 |
| Auto-Owners | $148 |
| State Farm | $152 |
| GEICO | $194 |
| Safeco | $213 |
| Progressive | $227 |
| Allstate | $238 |
| Travelers | $255 |
| Direct Auto | $287 |
| National General | $287 |
| Root | $297 |
| State Auto | $310 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $313 |
| Liberty Mutual | $360 |
| GAINSCO | $392 |
| First Acceptance | $393 |
| Dairyland | $418 |
| The General | $464 |
| Bristol West | $526 |
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 Mitsubishi, Mercury, Ford, and more.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Charleston, South Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on August 18, 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 August 18, 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 August 18, 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 August 18, 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 $220 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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $106 |
| State Farm | $116 |
| Auto-Owners | $116 |
| GEICO | $165 |
| Allstate | $175 |
| Progressive | $178 |
| Travelers | $199 |
| Safeco | $214 |
| Direct Auto | $230 |
| Root | $230 |
| National General | $232 |
| State Auto | $246 |
| GAINSCO | $248 |
| Dairyland | $259 |
| Liberty Mutual | $275 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $278 |
| The General | $290 |
| First Acceptance | $299 |
| Hugo | $324 |
| Bristol West | $387 |
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 $235 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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $112 |
| Auto-Owners | $120 |
| State Farm | $122 |
| GEICO | $167 |
| Allstate | $186 |
| Progressive | $190 |
| Travelers | $210 |
| Safeco | $228 |
| Root | $244 |
| National General | $250 |
| Direct Auto | $251 |
| State Auto | $256 |
| GAINSCO | $266 |
| Dairyland | $277 |
| Liberty Mutual | $289 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $291 |
| The General | $299 |
| First Acceptance | $319 |
| Hugo | $346 |
| Bristol West | $408 |
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 $224 per month for liability coverage and $363 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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $111 |
| Auto-Owners | $115 |
| State Farm | $123 |
| GEICO | $170 |
| Allstate | $177 |
| Progressive | $181 |
| Travelers | $208 |
| State Auto | $241 |
| Safeco | $243 |
| Direct Auto | $246 |
| National General | $251 |
| Root | $261 |
| GAINSCO | $279 |
| Dairyland | $282 |
| The General | $283 |
| Liberty Mutual | $291 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $294 |
| First Acceptance | $303 |
| Hugo | $329 |
| Bristol West | $413 |
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 $327 for liability insurance and $531 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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $152 |
| State Farm | $178 |
| Auto-Owners | $181 |
| GEICO | $229 |
| Allstate | $259 |
| Progressive | $265 |
| Root | $293 |
| Travelers | $321 |
| Safeco | $335 |
| Direct Auto | $359 |
| Dairyland | $365 |
| GAINSCO | $366 |
| National General | $372 |
| Liberty Mutual | $381 |
| The General | $393 |
| First Acceptance | $444 |
| State Auto | $448 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $454 |
| Hugo | $481 |
| Bristol West | $545 |
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 $166 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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $70 |
| Auto-Owners | $74 |
| State Farm | $75 |
| GEICO | $105 |
| Travelers | $129 |
| Allstate | $132 |
| Progressive | $134 |
| State Auto | $147 |
| Safeco | $148 |
| National General | $153 |
| Direct Auto | $156 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $178 |
| Dairyland | $185 |
| GAINSCO | $186 |
| Root | $186 |
| Liberty Mutual | $187 |
| The General | $192 |
| First Acceptance | $225 |
| Hugo | $244 |
| Bristol West | $267 |
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 $183 per month for a liability-only insurance policy and $297 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 $84 for liability-only coverage.
What are the best car insurance companies in Charleston?
Some of the best car insurance companies in Charleston include USAA, State Farm, Auto-Owners, and GEICO.
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
- First Street. "Charleston Flooding Risk."
- City of Charleston, SC. "Floodplain Mapping."
- South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance."
- South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Teenage Drivers."
- 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
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Catherine HilesInsurance, Personal Finance Writer
16+ years in personal finance and insurance writing
Certified Financial Education Instructor
Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Insurance Information Institute
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert