Cheapest Auto Insurance in Charleston, South Carolina (2024)

USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in Charleston, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $59 per month.

Jamie Johnson
Written byJamie Johnson
Jamie Johnson
Jamie Johnson
  • 6 years experience in personal finance writing

  • Featured on Credit Karma and Insider

Jamie is a meticulous researcher who has published 2,000+ personal finance articles. Her expertise is trusted by major brands like Bankrate and Rocket Mortgage.

Featured in

media logomedia logomedia logo
Katie Powers
Edited byKatie Powers
Photo of an Insurify author
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

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

Featured in

media logomedia logo

Updated July 25, 2024

Save up to $852 by comparing quotes from the top 100+ insurance companies

Excellent
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate
Advertiser Disclosure

At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.

We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.

Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.

Cheapest recent rates near Charleston, South Carolina

Drivers in and around Charleston, South Carolina have found policies from The General, Safeco, Progressive, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Charleston, South Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 25, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ 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 July 25, 2024. 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 July 25, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ 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 July 25, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Charleston drivers pay an average of $263 per month for auto insurance — slightly higher than the South Carolina average of $223. The historic city, situated where the Cooper and Ashley rivers converge into Charleston Harbor, draws ample visitors each year, and the added traffic likely contributes to the city’s higher car insurance costs.

Here’s what you should know about comparing quotes to save on car insurance costs in Charleston.

Quick Facts
  • USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm have the cheapest car insurance in Charleston.

  • Charleston drivers pay an average of $205 per month for liability-only auto insurance and $322 per month for full coverage.

  • South Carolina requires all drivers, including those in Charleston, to carry at least a minimum amount of liability insurance, plus uninsured motorist coverage. 

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Charleston

Your specific financial situation and insurance needs will influence what company works best for you. The following table outlines the three cheapest options in Charleston, South Carolina, and who these companies work best for.

Insurance CompanyIQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Full CoverageLiability OnlyBest For
USAA9.4$87$50Cheap rates
State Farm9.3$97$56Teen drivers
Auto-Owners8.5$94$54Classic-car owners
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.

    We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

    • Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
    • Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
    • Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
    • Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
    • Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.

Best insurer for cheap rates: USAA

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
User Reviews
3.7
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.4/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$59/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$103/mo

USAA offers some of the cheapest average auto rates in Charleston, but the company only sells insurance to active-duty, reserve, and retired military members and their families. The company provides liability coverage, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage to its members.

You can save even more by bundling your policy with home or renters insurance. Plus, good drivers can take advantage of the USAA SafePilot program to save up to 30% on auto insurance.

Pros
  • Variety of discounts

  • Highly rated mobile app

Cons
  • Coverage only available to military members, veterans, and their families

  • Gap insurance not available

Read more driver reviews of USAA
Charles - July 23, 2024
Verified

Average

The rates are way too high.

Ralph - July 22, 2024
Verified

No Answer

There is no senior discount available.

Wilfred - July 22, 2024
Verified

Issues Encountered with USAA

A few years ago, a minor male bicyclist collided with my car, which my wife was driving at the time. She was leaving a large intersection with a green light when the bicyclist, who was riding in a pedestrian lane, appeared from behind a stopped box truck that obscured his approach. The local police department in Belmont, MA, was called and the Traffic Control Officer wrote up the accident report, clearing my wife of any responsibility. I forwarded this report to USAA. However, when I applied for increased motor vehicle insurance coverage about a year later, I was denied. USAA cited the accident with the bicyclist as a chargeable accident against my wife, despite the police report, and they had never informed us about this. I was never able to resolve this issue. Another incident occurred on December 14, 2023. I wired $60,000 to USAA for a 7-month CD and received a receipt acknowledgment. However, on the same day, the deposit was withdrawn without any direct notice to me, except for a normal monthly bank statement reflecting the withdrawal without any explanation in mid-January. It took about 9 days for USAA to resolve the issue and return the $60,000. This was a very stressful 9 days for me, and I never received an apology or explanation. Trying to reach someone with authority through numerous phone calls was literally impossible. It took a two-page business letter with 7 enclosures to get the CEO's right-hand woman to take action and return the $60,000 to my credit union. As for insurance rates, we own, register, and insure two cars that are driven about 10 miles per week on average, sometimes 100 miles on a Saturday to visit our daughter. However, it seems that we do not receive any discount for this.

Best insurer for teen drivers: State Farm

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
User Reviews
3.2
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.3/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$66/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$114/mo

One of the best-known auto insurance companies in the U.S., State Farm is an affordable option for Charleston drivers. The company offers more coverage options than most insurers, including roadside assistance, rideshare insurance, rental insurance, and underinsured motorist coverage.

The company has high customer claims satisfaction ratings and provides a seamless experience through its mobile app. State Farm is one of the best options for teen drivers; you can save up to 25% with a good student discount until you turn 25.

Pros
  • Above-average claims satisfaction J.D. Power score

  • Best option for teenage drivers

Cons
  • Gap insurance not available

  • Low customer satisfaction rating

Read more driver reviews of State Farm
Robert - July 25, 2024
Verified

Upsetting

The initial representative lied to me about the price of the policy. I'm paying $30 more a month than was quoted.

Matthew - July 25, 2024
Verified

Abandoned by State Farm

It was a negative experience. After 15 years with the company, I was dismissed due to two car accidents on my record, both of which had been previously reported as not my fault. They refused to communicate with me afterwards. I would advise others to consider this before choosing State Farm.

Janet - July 25, 2024
Verified

Too High

I have had State Farm for 5 years and have been very happy until this last renewal. My full coverage insurance jumped up by $400. This is why I keep looking for cheaper insurance.

Best insurer for classic-car owners: Auto-Owners

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
User Reviews
3.8
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
8.5/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$64/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$111/mo

Auto-Owners is only available in 26 states, including South Carolina. The company offers quality coverage for drivers with different vehicle types, such as classic cars. And if you’ve modified your car to accommodate a wheelchair lift, the company can provide coverage.

Pros
  • Provides specialized coverage for classic cars

  • Wide variety of insurance products, with the option to bundle

Cons
  • Must contact an agent to receive a quote

  • Below-average claims satisfaction J.D. Power score[1]

Read more driver reviews of Auto-Owners
Paula - July 23, 2024
Verified

Auto Owners Review

They do not offer savings for low mileage!

Angela - July 23, 2024
Verified

The person I spoke with was very helpful and polite, and did her best to get my rate as low as possible.

The person I spoke with was very helpful and polite, and did her best to get my rate as low as possible.

Kevin - July 2, 2024
Verified

Great, Except for the Price

I recommend checking prices with other providers.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Charleston

With so many different companies available, it’s challenging to know which offers the best rates and coverage for your situation.

Here’s how to get cheap car insurance in Charleston:

  • Choose a higher deductible. A deductible is the amount you’ll pay before your insurance coverage kicks in on a claim. In general, setting a higher deductible results in lower insurance premiums.

  • Bundle your policies. Most insurance companies will offer you a discount for bundling different insurance policies together. For example, you can save by bundling your homeowners or renters insurance with auto insurance.

  • Take advantage of discounts. Always inquire about what discounts your insurance company offers. For example, you may qualify for a low-mileage discount if you don’t spend much time on the road.

  • Compare car insurance rates. The best way to save on insurance is by shopping around among different insurers.[2] You can use an online comparison tool to compare rates from multiple insurance companies at once.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Charleston

Liability rates start at $59 per month

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Charleston: USAA

If you purchase liability-only car insurance, your insurer will pay for damages to the other driver. Liability insurance covers the other driver’s medical injuries and vehicle damages but doesn’t cover you.[3]

Many people choose liability-only insurance to save money on car insurance. Charleston drivers pay a monthly average of $205 for liability-only policies.

The table below highlights the cheapest liability rates in Charleston.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
USAA$59
Auto-Owners$64
State Farm$66
GEICO$71
Nationwide$97
Safeco$99
Allstate$103
Travelers$111
Progressive$129
State Auto$133
Midvale Home & Auto$143
Direct Auto$162
Liberty Mutual$183
Dairyland$185
National General$208
The General$208
AssuranceAmerica$246
Bristol West$255
GAINSCO$283
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Charleston: USAA

While liability coverage only protects the other driver, full-coverage insurance protects you as well. This policy typically includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage.

Full coverage is the best option for drivers who want the most protection possible — especially drivers with new or high-value vehicles. If you lease or finance your vehicle, your lender or leasing company will require you to carry full-coverage car insurance. In Charleston, full-coverage car insurance averages $322 per month.

Below, you'll find the cheapest full-coverage policies in Charleston.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
USAA$103
Auto-Owners$111
State Farm$114
GEICO$123
Safeco$163
Nationwide$167
Allstate$178
Travelers$191
Progressive$204
State Auto$211
Midvale Home & Auto$224
Direct Auto$278
AssuranceAmerica$290
National General$304
Liberty Mutual$334
The General$390
Dairyland$405
Bristol West$453
GAINSCO$497
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest recent rates near Charleston, South Carolina

Drivers in and around Charleston, South Carolina have found policies from USAA, State Farm, Auto-Owners, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Charleston, South Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 25, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ 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 July 25, 2024. 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 July 25, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ 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 July 25, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Car insurance requirements in South Carolina

South Carolina drivers must carry liability and uninsured motorist coverage to drive legally in the state.[4] Here’s a breakdown of the state minimum coverage requirements.

CoverageMinimum Requirements
Bodily injury liability$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability$25,000 per accident
Uninsured motoristEqual to the minimum amounts of liability coverage (25/50/25)

If you want more than liability coverage, you should consider purchasing the following optional coverages:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/169fdfde11/liability-coverage.svg

    Collision coverage

    If you have a collision with another vehicle or object, collision insurance covers your vehicle damages, regardless of fault.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/665da91bf7/comprehensive-coverage.svg

    Comprehensive coverage

    Comprehensive insurance provides vehicle protection in the event of non-collision incidents, including damage from vandalism, theft, severe weather, and more.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/5285c4cd74/uninsured-or-underinsured-motorist-coverage.svg

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you have an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your medical expenses and vehicle damage.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

People with a history of driving incidents can expect to pay more for car insurance than someone with a clean record. Driving incidents include at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, driving under the influence (DUIs), and other moving violations.

“Typically, a driver who incurs a speeding ticket or is involved in an at-fault accident will face a surcharge on their insurance premium for a minimum of three years,” explains Mark Friedlander, director of communications at the Insurance Information Institute.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Charleston

Monthly rates start at $75 for drivers with an incident

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA

Speeding is a form of reckless driving that can lead to accidents, so if you receive a speeding ticket, your premiums will likely increase. A speeding ticket can stay on your record for three years or more.[5]

For Charleston-based drivers, the average cost of car insurance with a speeding ticket is $479 per month for full coverage and $305 for liability only. If you’ve received a speeding ticket, here are the cheapest insurers to choose from in Charleston.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyClean Driving RecordWith Speeding Ticket
USAA$59$78
Auto-Owners$64$85
State Farm$66$87
GEICO$71$94
Nationwide$97$130
Safeco$99$133
Allstate$103$137
Travelers$111$149
Progressive$129$172
State Auto$133$191
Midvale Home & Auto$143$197
Direct Auto$162$216
Liberty Mutual$183$266
Dairyland$185$247
National General$208$276
The General$208$280
AssuranceAmerica$246$333
Bristol West$255$337
GAINSCO$283$412
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA

At-fault accidents will cause your insurance premiums to increase even more than receiving a speeding ticket. When you’re involved in an accident, you have to file a claim, which makes you more expensive to insure. Drivers with an at-fault accident on their Charleston driving record pay average car insurance costs of $491 per month for full coverage and $313 for liability only.

If you’re involved in multiple accidents, your insurance company can decide not to renew your policy.[6] Here are the cheapest insurers for an at-fault accident.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyClean Driving RecordWith Accident
USAA$59$82
Auto-Owners$64$89
State Farm$66$91
GEICO$71$99
Nationwide$97$136
Safeco$99$133
Allstate$103$143
Travelers$111$155
Progressive$129$182
State Auto$133$201
Midvale Home & Auto$143$210
Direct Auto$162$229
Liberty Mutual$183$276
Dairyland$185$256
National General$208$290
The General$208$293
AssuranceAmerica$246$341
Bristol West$255$349
GAINSCO$283$378
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA

If you’re caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in South Carolina, you’ll face fines and penalties. For example, you could receive a $400 fine and possible imprisonment for your first offense in South Carolina. Plus, you may have your driver’s license suspended for up to six months.[7]

A DUI is the most serious moving violation a driver could incur. “In South Carolina, a DUI stays on your motor vehicle record for 10 years,” says Friedlander. “That means you could be facing substantial costs for car insurance throughout that period.”

Charleston drivers with a DUI on their record pay an average of $555 per month for full coverage and $354 for liability only. Here are the cheapest car insurance options after a DUI in Charleston.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyClean Driving RecordWith DUI
USAA$59$101
Auto-Owners$64$109
State Farm$66$113
GEICO$71$121
Nationwide$97$165
Safeco$99$169
Allstate$103$176
Travelers$111$189
Progressive$129$220
State Auto$133$227
Midvale Home & Auto$143$244
Direct Auto$162$276
Liberty Mutual$183$312
Dairyland$185$315
National General$208$355
The General$208$355
AssuranceAmerica$246$419
Bristol West$255$435
GAINSCO$283$482
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA

In Charleston, seniors pay lower rates, on average, for auto insurance than some younger drivers. Rates begin decreasing around age 35, but they start to increase again around age 70.

The average rate for full coverage for Charleston seniors is $253 per month, and liability-only policies average $161 per month. Here are the cheapest insurance companies for Charleston seniors.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyFull CoverageLiability Only
USAA$80$46
Auto-Owners$85$49
State Farm$86$50
GEICO$96$55
Nationwide$122$71
Safeco$130$79
Allstate$140$81
Progressive$142$90
Travelers$146$85
State Auto$158$99
Midvale Home & Auto$167$107
Direct Auto$210$122
AssuranceAmerica$214$181
National General$231$158
Liberty Mutual$263$144
The General$310$165
Dairyland$315$144
Bristol West$354$199
GAINSCO$401$229
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA

Teen drivers pay the highest rates for auto insurance due to their inexperience. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 have a fatal crash rate nearly three times as high as drivers older than 20.[8]

Teenage drivers can save money on car insurance in a few ways. For example, you can get a discount for maintaining good grades, and staying on your parents’ car insurance will earn you lower rates.

Average car insurance rates for Charleston teen drivers are priced at $577 for full coverage and $368 for liability only. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for teen drivers in Charleston.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyFull CoverageLiability Only
USAA$171$98
Auto-Owners$190$110
GEICO$194$112
State Farm$194$112
Nationwide$286$166
Allstate$313$181
Safeco$338$205
Travelers$344$200
Progressive$368$233
State Auto$375$236
Midvale Home & Auto$387$247
Direct Auto$507$295
AssuranceAmerica$538$457
National General$587$401
Liberty Mutual$614$336
The General$630$336
Dairyland$676$309
Bristol West$771$434
GAINSCO$882$502
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Keep Reading: What Are the Best Cars for Teens to Drive?

Keep Reading: What Are the Best Cars for Teens to Drive?

Charleston car insurance quotes by credit tier

Your credit history can either help or hurt your insurance premiums in Charleston because South Carolina law allows insurers to consider credit histories when evaluating your auto insurance application. Statistically, people with excellent or good credit scores are less likely to file an insurance claim. In contrast, a poor credit score indicates you’re more likely to file a claim.[9]

Here’s what you can expect to pay on average for full coverage in Charleston based on your credit tier.

Rates by Credit Tier

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Is car insurance more expensive in Charleston?

Car insurance in Charleston is slightly higher than the state average. The overall average for Charleston residents is $263 per month, while the state’s overall average is $223. Car insurance rates can vary by city in South Carolina depending on that city’s rate of vandalism, theft, and accidents. Rates even vary by ZIP code.

Drivers in cities with higher rates of severe weather and insurance fraud tend to pay more for car insurance as well.

More cities in South Carolina

Here’s how Charleston rates compare to some other South Carolina cities.

CityFull CoverageLiability Only
Columbia$292$179
Greenville$249$165
Lexington$246$159
Myrtle Beach$212$146
North Charleston$352$235
Rock Hill$292$189
Summerville$324$212
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Charleston car insurance FAQs

If you still have questions about finding car insurance in Charleston, the following information should help you navigate the process.

  • How much is car insurance in Charleston?

    The average cost of car insurance in Charleston is $263 per month. Drivers pay $59 per month for liability coverage and $103 per month for full coverage. Your rates ultimately depend on your driving record, credit history, marital status, age, location, and more.

  • Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Charleston?

    USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm provide the cheapest auto coverage in Charleston. Their monthly liability rates start at $59, $64, and $66, respectively. Shopping around for coverage from different auto insurance companies is one of the best ways to find savings.

  • What are the best car insurance companies in Charleston?

    Based on IQ Scores, the best car insurance companies in Charleston are State Farm (9.3), USAA (9.4), and Auto-Owners (8.5). State Farm has an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior), solid claims satisfaction, and affordable coverage.

  • Is car insurance expensive in Charleston?

    At $263 per month, car insurance in Charleston is more expensive than the national average. Across the country, drivers pay $160 per month. Specifically, U.S. drivers pay $214 per month for full coverage and $105 for liability coverage. Drivers in nearby North Carolina pay much cheaper rates, at $79 per month.

  • How much car insurance do you need in South Carolina?

    The minimum liability insurance in South Carolina includes $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $25,000 per accident in property damage liability. Car owners also need to purchase uninsured motorist coverage with coverage levels equal to liability coverage requirements.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 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 50+ 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

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. J.D. Power. "Insurers Struggle to Manage Expectations in Auto Claims Process as Repair Times Increase, J.D. Power Finds."
  2. Insurance Information Institute. "Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs."
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage."
  4. South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance."
  5. Insurance Information Institute. "Reckless Behavior on the Roads Is Dangerous —and Can Mean Higher Auto Insurance Rates for Drivers."
  6. Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
  7. South Carolina Department of Public Safety. "SC Laws Relative to Impaired Driving."
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Teen Driver and Passenger Safety."
  9. Insurance Information Institute. "Credit and insurance scores."
Jamie Johnson
Jamie Johnson

Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based personal finance writer whose work has been featured on several of the top finance and business sites in the country, including Insider, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Rocket Mortgage, Fox Business, Quicken Loans, and The Balance. For the past six years, she's dedicated more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2,000 articles about personal finance topics.

Katie Powers
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Photo of an Insurify author
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

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

Featured in

media logomedia logo

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

Latest Articles

View all