Cheapest Auto Insurance in North Charleston, South Carolina (2024)

With a monthly liability-only rate of $67, USAA is the cheapest car insurance company in North Charleston.

Elizabeth Rivelli
Elizabeth Rivelli
  • 5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics

  • Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise

Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.

Featured in

media logomedia logomedia logo
Ashley Cox
Edited byAshley Cox
Headshot of Managing Editor Ashley Cox
Ashley CoxSenior Managing Editor
  • 7+ years in content creation and management

  • 5+ years in insurance and personal finance content

Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.

Featured in

media logomedia logomedia logomedia logo

Updated March 14, 2024

Save up to $717 by comparing quotes from the top 100+ insurance companies

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

The overall average cost of car insurance in North Charleston, South Carolina, is $287 per month. Drivers in North Charleston pay significantly more for auto insurance than the U.S. national average of $157 per month. 

North Charleston’s coastal location means the city is susceptible to hurricanes and flooding, which makes the cost of car insurance more expensive than in areas with fewer weather risks.

Here’s what you need to know about comparing car insurance quotes and finding cheap car insurance in North Charleston.

Quick Facts
  • North Charleston drivers pay an average of $231 per month for liability-only coverage and $342 per month for full coverage.

  • The average teen in North Charleston pays $422 per month for car insurance.

  • USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm offer the cheapest liability-only policies in North Charleston.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in North Charleston

North Charleston, South Carolina, drivers have many options for car insurance. But the best insurance company for you depends on your unique driver profile, coverage needs, and budget. The three insurers below are a good place to start your search.

Insurance CompanyIQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Full CoverageLiability OnlyBest for
USAA4.5$83$51Military families
Auto-Owners4.0$89$55Customizable coverage
State Farm4.5$91$56Discounts
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.
  • Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.

    Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.

Best insurer for military families: USAA

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
880
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.
$67/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.
$109/mo

For drivers stationed at one of the military bases near North Charleston, USAA is a great choice for car insurance. USAA exclusively sells car insurance to active-duty and retired service members and their immediate family members. USAA has the lowest car insurance rates in North Charleston and offers a variety of discounts for additional savings.

The company also has some of the best third-party ratings for overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction, as well as superior financial strength.

Pros
  • Safe drivers can save up to 30% with the SafePilot program

  • Highly rated mobile app

Cons
  • Only available to active-duty military members, veterans, and their families

  • Few add-on coverages

They have stopped thinking about how today's financial strain is impacting their customers.

Darcy - November 26, 2023
Verified

Not satisfied with price hike even after lowering coverage.

Linda - November 3, 2023
Verified

Wonderful service, pricing, and care.

Robert - October 24, 2023
Verified
Read our USAA review

Best insurer for customizable coverage: Auto-Owners

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.1
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
837
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.
$72/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.
$117/mo

Auto-Owners is the best car insurance company in North Charleston for drivers who want to customize their auto policy. The company offers a big selection of endorsements, including gap insurance, diminished value coverage, additional expense coverage, accident forgiveness, a common loss deductible, rental car coverage, and several others.

Auto-Owners also offers excellent discounts. But it conducts business through independent agents, so customers can’t get a quote or purchase a policy online.

Pros
  • Good selection of available endorsements

  • Many available discounts

Cons
  • Can’t buy a policy online

  • Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast region

I was pleased with the agent and for years the price, but now they have gotten too expensive for a person on a fixed income.

Mary - August 13, 2023
Verified

I was dropped because of two minor at-fault accidents in two plus years.

Zachary - January 8, 2023
Verified

You can work directly with an agent.

Guy - May 17, 2022
Verified
Read our Auto-Owners review

Best insurer for discounts: State Farm

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
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.
$73/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.
$121/mo

Drivers in North Charleston pay above-average rates for car insurance, but State Farm offers a big selection of discounts that can help you save money. State Farm has more than 10 discounts available in South Carolina, with savings for good students, accident-free clients, taking a driver training course, insuring multiple vehicles, insuring a car with safety features, and more.

The company also has two safe driver rewards programs that offer savings when you enroll and demonstrate good driving habits.

Pros
  • Many discounts for additional savings

  • Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast region

Cons
  • Few available endorsements

  • Traditional gap insurance not available

I am happy with their coverage. I just bought a new car, and my insurance quadrupled. YIKES.

Stacy - December 4, 2023
Verified

Friendly service.

John - December 4, 2023
Verified

Got insurance established fast.

Robert - December 3, 2023
Verified
Read our State Farm review

How to get the cheapest car insurance in North Charleston

You have a variety of ways to get cheap car insurance in North Charleston. Here are some tips for reducing your car insurance costs:[1]

  • Choose higher deductibles. For collision and comprehensive coverage, which require deductibles, choosing a higher deductible amount will lower your monthly premium.

  • Take advantage of discounts. Most car insurance companies in North Charleston offer discounts that can help reduce your car insurance costs.

  • Bundle your policies. You can often get a generous discount for bundling multiple insurance products, like car insurance with home insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance.

  • Get new car insurance quotes. Get new quotes every time your policy renews, or after a major event, like getting into an accident or adding a teen driver to your policy, to make sure you’re always paying the lowest rate possible.

  • Shop around. Car insurance companies charge different rates for the same type and amount of coverage. Compare quotes from a few insurers to find the best rate for your situation.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in North Charleston

Monthly liability quotes start at $67

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

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in North Charleston: USAA

Liability-only insurance covers your financial responsibilities when you cause an accident that results in someone else’s injuries or property damage. It doesn’t provide any insurance coverage for your injuries or your vehicle after an accident.

In North Charleston, the average cost of liability-only insurance is $231 per month. But some companies have cheaper rates than others. In the table below, you can see which companies have the cheapest car insurance in North Charleston for liability-only insurance.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
USAA67
Auto-Owners72
State Farm73
GEICO80
Safeco101
Nationwide105
Allstate115
State Auto123
Travelers124
Progressive144
Midvale Home & Auto147
Direct Auto169
Liberty Mutual178
Dairyland228
The General236
National General253
AssuranceAmerica267
Bristol West270
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 North Charleston: USAA

Full-coverage car insurance provides more protection than liability-only insurance. It usually provides higher coverage limits for liability insurance, plus collision insurance, comprehensive insurance, and medical payments insurance. Full coverage kicks in when you get into an accident and need to pay for your medical bills or vehicle repairs.

The average monthly premium for full-coverage car insurance in North Charleston is $342. If you shop around, you may find insurers that offer lower rates. Below, you can see the cheapest companies for full-coverage insurance in North Charleston.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
USAA109
Auto-Owners117
State Farm121
GEICO128
Nationwide165
Safeco174
Allstate187
Travelers187
State Auto214
Progressive227
Midvale Home & Auto233
Direct Auto257
AssuranceAmerica315
Liberty Mutual322
National General366
Dairyland385
The General391
Bristol West452
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.

Estimate your North Charleston car insurance costs

Select discounts that apply to you
Save 26%
Save 5%
Save 19%
Save 37%
Age
Credit Score
Are you insured
Your estimated deal

*Estimate based on a market average of rates provided to other users like you.

Select discounts that apply to you

Car insurance requirements in South Carolina

Car insurance is a legal requirement in South Carolina. Vehicle owners must carry liability insurance and uninsured motorist liability insurance with minimum-coverage limits of 25/50/25.[2] But insurance experts typically recommend purchasing more liability insurance than the minimum that’s required.

When it comes to car insurance laws, South Carolina is an at-fault state. In the event of an accident, the at-fault driver is responsible for compensating the other person for their bodily injuries and property damage losses.

CoverageMinimum Requirements
Bodily injury liability$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability$25,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist bodily injury liability$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist property damage liability$25,000 per accident

In addition to the required coverages, many drivers in South Carolina can benefit from adding optional coverages to their policy. Some of the most common add-on coverage options include:

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

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage applies when you get into an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough car insurance to cover your losses in full.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/31bb162db0/accident-forgiveness.svg

    Accident forgiveness coverage

    Some car insurance companies offer accident forgiveness coverage, which waives your first at-fault collision so it doesn’t cause your premium to go up.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/9997698e9e/emergency-roadside-service.svg

    Roadside assistance coverage

    Roadside assistance coverage pays for basic roadside repairs and services, like flat-tire changes, fuel delivery, and towing.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/24f1697280/car-key.svg

    Rental car reimbursement coverage

    If your car needs repair after a covered incident, rental car reimbursement will cover the cost of a rental vehicle.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Drivers with incidents on their record — such as at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and other moving violations — often pay higher insurance rates than people with a clean record.[3] Insurers view drivers with violations as riskier to insure and generally charge them more for car insurance. The most serious infractions, like driving under the influence (DUI), usually have the biggest effect on the cost of car insurance.

In the table below, you can see how different driving incidents affect your car insurance rates.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyClean Driving RecordWith Speeding TicketWith At-Fault AccidentWith DUI
USAA678892109
Auto-Owners7298100117
State Farm739599119
GEICO80106110130
Safeco101146152165
Nationwide105140145171
Allstate115152157187
Travelers124166172202
Progressive144198205235
Direct Auto169231240275
Liberty Mutual178253262290
Dairyland228311319372
The General236322334385
National General253336352412
AssuranceAmerica267379385435
Bristol West270363369440
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.

Average cost of car insurance by age

One of the biggest factors that can affect car insurance rates is your age. Teen drivers typically pay the highest rates for auto insurance because they lack experience on the road. 

Rates usually start to decrease around age 35 and increase again at age 70. Like young adults, older drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents and make driving errors that can lead to collisions. [4] [5]

Below, you can see the average cost of car insurance for drivers in different age groups in North Charleston.

AgeAverage Monthly Quote
Teens$662
20s$444
30s$339
40s$310
50s$283
60s$283
70s$300
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.

Shop for Car Insurance in North Charleston, SC

Check quotes from 100+ top insurance companies

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

North Charleston car insurance quotes by credit tier

In South Carolina, car insurance companies are allowed to consider a driver’s credit history when calculating car insurance premiums. A driver’s credit score is used to predict how likely they are to file insurance claims.[6] In general, drivers with excellent or good credit scores pay less for car insurance than people with poor credit scores.

The chart below shows average monthly car insurance rates for North Charleston drivers by 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.

North Charleston car insurance FAQs

Check out Insurify’s guide on how to get cheap car insurance, and use the additional information below as you research your car insurance coverage options in North Charleston.

  • How much is car insurance in North Charleston?

    Car insurance in North Charleston costs an average of $231 per month for liability-only coverage and $342 per month for full coverage, according to Insurify data.

  • Which companies have the cheapest car insurance in North Charleston?

    With a liability-only rate of $67 per month, USAA is the cheapest car insurance company in North Charleston. Auto-Owners and State Farm also offer cheap liability coverage, with monthly rates of $72 and $73, respectively.

    But the cheapest car insurance for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your age, ZIP code, type of car you drive, and chosen coverage levels.

  • What are the best car insurance companies in North Charleston?

    With above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings, a high Insurify Quality (IQ) Score, and an A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, State Farm is the best car insurance company in North Charleston.

    Other top insurers to consider include Auto-Owners and USAA.

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. Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance." Accessed February 6, 2024
  2. South Carolina Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance." Accessed February 6, 2024
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed February 6, 2024
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Teen Drivers and Passengers: Get the Facts." Accessed February 6, 2024
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Older Adult Drivers." Accessed February 6, 2024
  6. Insurance Information Institute. "INSURANCE HANDBOOK Introduction Insurance Basics Regulatory and Financial Environment McCarran-Ferguson Act Insurance Accounting Credit Scoring Reinsurance Insurance Fraud Economic and Financial Data Insurance and Disasters Liability Insurance Issues Brief History Appendices PUBLICATIONS A Firm Foundation: How Insurance Supports the Economy Commercial Insurance Triple-I Insurance Facts Insurance Handbook Insuring Your Business: Small Business Owners' Guide to Insurance I.I.I. Store I.I.I. Software Online Brochures Background on: Credit Scoring." Accessed February 6, 2024
Elizabeth Rivelli
Elizabeth Rivelli

Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer covering insurance and personal finance. She has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including property and casualty, health, and life insurance. Her byline has been featured in dozens of publications, including Investopedia, Forbes, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, and Insurance.com

Ashley Cox
Edited byAshley CoxSenior Managing Editor
Headshot of Managing Editor Ashley Cox
Ashley CoxSenior Managing Editor
  • 7+ years in content creation and management

  • 5+ years in insurance and personal finance content

Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.

Featured in

media logomedia logomedia logomedia logo

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

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

Latest Articles

View all