Cheapest Auto Insurance in Charleston, South Carolina (2024)

USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in Charleston, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $60 per month.

Jamie Johnson
Written byJamie Johnson
Jamie Johnson
Jamie Johnson
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Katie Powers
Edited byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
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  • 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.

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Updated December 11, 2024

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Cheapest recent rates near Charleston, South Carolina

Recent Charleston, South Carolina car insurance prices for Ford, Nissan, Toyota , and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Charleston, South Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 11, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

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 December 11, 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 December 11, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

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 December 11, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Charleston drivers pay an average of $258 per month for auto insurance — slightly higher than the South Carolina average of $222. 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 $202 per month for liability-only auto insurance and $314 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 Company
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.
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Best For
USAA9.4$91$52Cheap rates
State Farm9.3$100$57Teen drivers
Auto-Owners8.5$97$56Classic-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 55,000 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

User Reviews
4.9
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.
$60/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.
$105/mo
4.9
Best choiceBased on 1628 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about USAA

Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
How drivers feel about USAA

Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
Reviews (927)

Victoria

December 11, 2024

Verified Review

The representative performed well, but USAA needs to reconsider and significantly lower their rates. They are not the Nieman Marcus of insurance.

The representative performed well, but USAA needs to reconsider and significantly lower their rates. They are not the Nieman Marcus of insurance.

Michael

December 10, 2024

Verified Review

Don't Choose Them for Florida

If you're planning to move to Florida, I wouldn't recommend using them.

Isiah

December 9, 2024

Verified Review

Auto Insurance and Checking Account

They were able to save me money.
See all USAA reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
880
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
1.35
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++
Why we picked this company

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

Best insurer for teen drivers: State Farm

User Reviews
4.1
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.
$115/mo
4.1
Best choiceBased on 9165 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about State Farm

Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
How drivers feel about State Farm

Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
Reviews (5,036)

Charles D

December 10, 2024

Verified Review

Not Good, That's for Sure

Your prices are way too high.

Donna

December 10, 2024

Verified Review

Every year when I receive my statement, I call and inquire if there are any ways I can get it for less. So far, every year they have found some type of discount that I wasn't aware of, and I really appreciate that about them. When I call the office, no matter who I speak to, they are knowledgeable about the business and know what to do. They are always pleasant and welcoming.

Every year when I receive my statement, I call and inquire if there are any ways I can get it for less. So far, every year they have found some type of discount that I wasn't aware of, and I really appreciate that about them. When I call the office, no matter who I speak to, they are knowledgeable about the business and know what to do. They are always pleasant and welcoming.

Jack

December 10, 2024

Verified Review

I was very happy until my rates skyrocketed

They raised my rates so much that I switched insurance companies and saved hundreds with the same or better coverage.
See all State Farm reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.78
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++
Why we picked this company

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

Best insurer for classic-car owners: Auto-Owners

User Reviews
4.0
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.
$65/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.
$112/mo
4.0
Best choiceBased on 145 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Auto-Owners

Drivers appreciate the friendly customer service, competitive initial rates, and professional agents but dislike the frequent price increases and complicated claims process.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Cheap rates
Senior drivers
Ample discounts
How drivers feel about Auto-Owners

Drivers appreciate the friendly customer service, competitive initial rates, and professional agents but dislike the frequent price increases and complicated claims process.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Cheap rates
Senior drivers
Ample discounts
Reviews (90)

Jim

November 24, 2024

Verified Review

Auto

Overall, it's good, though their flexibility on pricing is less than desired.

Debra

November 3, 2024

Verified Review

Excellent

They keep raising prices.

Scotty

November 2, 2024

Verified Review

They are a bunch of crooks. My policy has increased every single time, and I've only had one small claim.

They are a bunch of crooks. My policy has increased every single time, and I've only had one small claim.
See all Auto-Owners reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
837
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.5
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++
Why we picked this company

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]

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 $60 per month

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
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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 $202 for liability-only policies.

The table below highlights the cheapest liability rates in Charleston.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, December 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
USAA$60
Auto-Owners$65
State Farm$66
GEICO$70
Nationwide$97
Allstate$103
Safeco$111
Travelers$111
Progressive$119
State Auto$135
Direct Auto$175
Dairyland$188
National General$188
Liberty Mutual$213
The General$219
AssuranceAmerica$256
Bristol West$265
GAINSCO$275
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 $314 per month.

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

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, December 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
USAA$105
Auto-Owners$112
State Farm$115
GEICO$124
Safeco$165
Nationwide$170
Allstate$181
Progressive$189
Travelers$193
Root$228
State Auto$235
National General$282
Direct Auto$291
AssuranceAmerica$328
Liberty Mutual$355
Dairyland$396
The General$438
Bristol West$469
GAINSCO$492
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

Recent Charleston, South Carolina car insurance prices for Toyota, Ford, Nissan , and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Charleston, South Carolina within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 11, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

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 December 11, 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 December 11, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

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 December 11, 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.

Coverage
Minimum 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 $73 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 $424 per month for full coverage and $273 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: Sunday, December 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Clean Driving Record
With Speeding Ticket
USAA$60$76
Auto-Owners$65$84
State Farm$66$83
GEICO$70$89
Nationwide$97$125
Allstate$103$131
Safeco$111$143
Travelers$111$143
Progressive$119$151
State Auto$135$185
Direct Auto$175$224
Dairyland$188$239
National General$188$241
Liberty Mutual$213$292
The General$219$285
AssuranceAmerica$256$324
Bristol West$265$340
GAINSCO$275$377
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 $438 per month for full coverage and $282 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: Sunday, December 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Clean Driving Record
With Accident
USAA$60$80
Auto-Owners$65$87
State Farm$66$87
GEICO$70$94
Nationwide$97$131
Allstate$103$137
Safeco$111$148
Travelers$111$149
Progressive$119$161
State Auto$135$195
Direct Auto$175$239
Dairyland$188$248
National General$188$250
Liberty Mutual$213$303
The General$219$298
AssuranceAmerica$256$333
Bristol West$265$354
GAINSCO$275$351
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 $501 per month for full coverage and $322 for liability only. Here are the cheapest car insurance options after a DUI in Charleston.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, December 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Clean Driving Record
With DUI
USAA$60$97
Auto-Owners$65$105
State Farm$66$107
GEICO$70$114
Nationwide$97$157
Allstate$103$167
Safeco$111$162
Travelers$111$180
Progressive$119$193
State Auto$135$219
Direct Auto$175$284
Dairyland$188$305
National General$188$305
Liberty Mutual$213$345
The General$219$355
AssuranceAmerica$256$415
Bristol West$265$430
GAINSCO$275$446
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 $258 per month, and liability-only policies average $166 per month. Here are the cheapest insurance companies for Charleston seniors.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, December 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Full Coverage
Liability Only
USAA$84$48
Auto-Owners$88$51
State Farm$89$51
GEICO$98$56
Nationwide$126$72
Progressive$136$86
Safeco$141$95
Allstate$145$82
Travelers$150$86
State Auto$175$101
National General$214$143
Direct Auto$225$135
AssuranceAmerica$247$193
Liberty Mutual$296$177
Dairyland$315$149
The General$353$176
Bristol West$375$212
GAINSCO$410$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 $587 for full coverage and $378 for liability only. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for teen drivers in Charleston.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, December 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Full Coverage
Liability Only
USAA$186$106
Auto-Owners$198$115
State Farm$208$120
GEICO$210$118
Nationwide$313$179
Safeco$328$221
Allstate$340$193
Progressive$348$219
Travelers$367$211
State Auto$439$252
Direct Auto$558$336
National General$580$387
AssuranceAmerica$631$492
Liberty Mutual$638$383
Dairyland$671$318
The General$733$367
Bristol West$831$470
GAINSCO$890$498
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 $258 per month, while the state’s overall average is $222. 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.

City
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Columbia$304$190
Greenville$269$168
Lexington$262$166
Myrtle Beach$231$162
North Charleston$349$217
Rock Hill$270$184
Summerville$311$206
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 $258 per month. Drivers pay $60 per month for liability coverage and $105 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 $60, $65, 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 $258 per month, car insurance in Charleston is more expensive than the national average. Across the country, drivers pay $153 per month. Specifically, U.S. drivers pay $202 per month for full coverage and $105 for liability coverage. Drivers in nearby North Carolina pay much cheaper rates, at $75 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.

Jamie has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.

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.

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