Charleston Car Insurance

How much does car insurance cost in Charleston, SC? Check out the average rates that drivers pay below.

Compare Car Insurance Rates Instantly

What Is the Average Cost of Car Insurance in Charleston?

Monthly Average Rates by Country, State, and City

Car insurance rates vary from driver to driver and are based on many factors that include driving history, claims history and where you live. Each city in South Carolina has different rates, and below, you can compare average rates with the national average. According to our data, drivers who live in Charleston typically pay around $149.51 per month compared to the national average of $146.43 per month. The best way to get a low rate is by comparison shopping. SmartFinancial can do that for you at no cost while pairing you with a reputable insurance company so you have no surprises if you have an accident.

AreaAverage Monthly Rate
National $146.43
South Carolina $123.30
Charleston, South Carolina $149.51

Charleston, SC Best Car Insurance Companies

car insurance in Charleston

Certain insurers will offer you better rates than others based on a myriad of factors, so you may get a better deal from one insurer over another for various reasons, and that’s why it’s important to compare. According to our data, American National P&C generally has the most affordable car insurance in Charleston coming in around $50.45 per month. Other companies to consider if you live in Charleston is American National P with an average cost of $73.07 per month and PEMCO which typically runs around $92.67 per month. Check out the full list below. SmartFinancial rates the following insurers as the best insurance companies for drivers in Charleston.

RankCompanyAverage Monthly RateComparison State Average
1 American National P&C $50.45-59.08%
2 American National P $73.07-40.74%
3 PEMCO $92.67-24.84%
4 Travelers $105.81-14.18%
5 USAA $120.74-2.08%
6 Auto-Owners Insurance Co $122.81-0.40%
7 State Farm $123.500.17%
8 Safeco $124.701.14%
9 GMAC Insurance Group $130.836.11%
10 Unigard $134.178.82%

How Much is Car Insurance in Charleston, SC?

how much is auto insurance in Charleston

Rates can vary from city to city. The residents of Aiken typically pay $106.57 per month while people who live in Anderson will pay $102.64 per month on average. See what people pay for car insurance in other cities in South Carolina.

South Carolina CitiesMonthly Average Rate
Aiken$106.57
Anderson$102.64
Beaufort$128.58
Charleston $149.50
Clemson$108.27
Columbia $141.50
Florence$134.19
Greenville $117.83
Hilton Head Island $102.17
Myrtle Beach$116.61
North Charleston $159.18
Rock Hill $116.90
Spartanburg$119.71
Sumter $132.98
West Columbia$125.12

Cheap Car Insurance in Charleston by Zip Codes

find cheap auto insurance in Charleston

Every zip code rates differently with every insurer. Your zip code determines the crime rate in your area as well as other risks. Below, you can see how average rates range across the state of South Carolina. If you live in an area that is rated high in crime, you can make sure to garage your car in a safe place. That ought to save you some money. Covered and gated structures are best. Make sure to tell your insurance agent about the precautions you’re taking.

Charleston, SC ZIP CodeAverage Monthly Rate
29401$125.95
29403$158.10
29405$133.80
29406$163.30
29407$149.74
29409$147.46
29412$126.68
29414$145.32
29418$128.79
29420$173.21
29423$110.93
29424$196.73
29455$98.40
29456$462.65
29464$71.60
29492$125.68

Car Insurance Rates by Driver's Age Group in Charleston

Generally speaking, you pay more in car insurance the younger you are and the older you are. Teens and young adults often pay around $338.40 per month in Charleston. Compare that to drivers in their 30’s who typically pay around $131.95 per month drivers in their 40s at $128.04 per month. It’s always a good idea to check for discounts that apply at any age. Some discounts include away-at-school discount, safe driver discount, mature driver discount, good student discount as well as multi-policy and bundling discounts.

Age GroupAverage Monthly Rate
16-19$338.40
20s$204.03
30s$131.95
40s$128.04
50s$113.44
60s$97.13
70+$131.83

Cheapest Insurance for Teenage Drivers in Charleston

If you are teen in Charleston you are probably looking for a good deal on car insurance. Since teenage drivers typically pay the highest rates of any other age group, it’s important to compare multiple companies. According to our research, American National P&C typically charges around $91.89 per month. This is likely the most affordable option in Charleston. You might also want to consider American National P and Auto-Owners Insurance Co who also offer good affordable policies for teen drivers.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
American National P&C$91.89
American National P$135.53
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$225.29
State Farm$243.13
Southern Farm Bureau$245.00

Cheapest Insurance for 20 Year-olds in Charleston

20 year-olds in Charleston might want to consider American National P&C who, on average, offers car insurance rates around $70.40 per month. PEMCO , American National P , GMAC Insurance Group and Unigard are also in the top 5 cheapest rates available.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
American National P&C$70.40
PEMCO$92.67
American National P$102.63
GMAC Insurance Group$130.83
Unigard$134.17

Cheapest Insurance for 30 Year-olds in Charleston

If you are in your 30s in Charleston our research has found that American National P&C typically has the most affordable coverage coming in around $48.48 per month, followed by American National P at $68.99 and Travelers at $85.22.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
American National P&C$48.48
American National P$68.99
Travelers$85.22
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$105.02
USAA$111.14

Cheapest Insurance for 40 Year-olds in Charleston

On average, American National P&C offers car insurance for 40 year-olds in Charleston for around $40.35 per month. If you are looking for affordable coverage, you may also want to consider American National P or Travelers. The full list of top companies is below.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
American National P&C$40.35
American National P$64.16
Travelers$79.27
USAA$99.19
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$105.29

Cheapest Insurance for 50 Year-olds in Charleston

Oftentimes 50 year-olds enjoy some of the lowest rates of any other age group. In Charleston we found that American National P&C generally offers the most affordable coverage at $39.27 per month.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
American National P&C$39.27
American National P$63.11
Travelers$78.97
Safeco$88.41
USAA$104.41

Cheapest Insurance for 60 Year-olds in Charleston

If you live in Charleston and you’re in your 60s, our data indicates that American National P&C usually has the best rates at $39.51 per month. The top 5 list of car insurance companies is below.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
American National P&C$39.51
American National P$49.26
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$88.02
USAA$88.60
Travelers$90.72

Driver's Coverage Auto Insurance Rates in Charleston, SC

driver's coverage

Typically, drivers who currently have car insurance coverage will receive a cheaper monthly quote than drivers who do not. Since car insurance is a requirement in all 50 states, companies may question why you don't currently have coverage. Because of this, they may see you as a higher risk driver. In Charleston, the average monthly rate for a driver who is currently insured is $130.54 while drivers who are not currently covered will pay around $171.28.

CoverageAverage Monthly Rate
Not Currently Insured $171.28
Currently Insured $130.54

Compare Recent Car Insurance Quotes in Charleston

auto insurance quotes in Charleston city

Your vehicle plays a big part in how you rate for car insurance. The more your car is worth, the higher your car insurance rate. To lower your monthly premiums, you can set a higher deductible, but you’ll need to pay that deductible if you have an accident. Generally speaking, the newer a car is, the more it’s worth, and you may pay more in premiums, but the latest safety features will earn you a discount. The overall safety ratings of a car are also considered when determining your rate. In Charleston a driver of a 2015 Acura MDX can expect to pay around $66.60 per month while someone that owns a 2015 Ford Fusion may pay around $72.70 per month. Check out the list of recent quotes in Charleston below.

VehicleAverage Monthly Rate
2015 Acura MDX$66.60
2015 Ford Fusion$72.70
2010 Mercury Mountaineer$67.00
2018 Jeep Compass$74.92
2005 Chevrolet Malibu$118.11
2020 Nissan Sentra$591.92
2018 Chevrolet Camaro$622.82
2009 Toyota Camry$62.20
2024 Honda Cr-V$128.27

FAQ's for Drivers in Charleston, SC

driver’s frequently asked question in Charleston

What Is the Minimum Liability Coverage Requirement in Charleston, SC?

Every state requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability coverage. South Carolina drivers are required to carry liability insurance to pay for damages and injuries inflicted on someone else in an auto accident.

  • $25,000; Bodily injury coverage per person; Maximum payment for serious or permanent injury or death to a single person
  • $50,000; Bodily injury coverage per accident; Payment per person per accident for out of pocket costs due to injury
  • $25,000; Property damage per accident; Maximum payment for all damaged property in an accident caused by you

The minimum limits of liability coverage for South Carolina drivers are $25,000 of bodily injury per person and $50,000 bodily injury per accident to cover two or more people. Drivers must also carry $25,000 property damage liability per accident.

South Carolina is a tort liability state. This means you can pursue a claim against an at-fault driver. However, the state also uses a comparative negligence system, which means you can be disallowed from collecting for the percentage you contributed to the accident.

What Is the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit in Charleston, SC?

It’s against the law to drive in South Carolina with the following BAC percentages:

  • .08%+ at 21 years old or older
  • .04%+ for commercial vehicle drivers
  • .02%+ at under 21 years old

In South Carolina, you can be charged with a DUI if your BAC is over the limit, even if your driving ability does not appear to be impaired. DUI convictions remain on your record for 10 years.

What are the consequences of being convicted of a DUI?

You cannot plead down a DUI charge in South Carolina, even for your first offense. Penalties for driving under the influence depend on the number of previous offenses but may include license suspension, community service, jail time, installation of an ignition interlock device, and more.

Check Out Other Rates in Charleston, SC Nearby Cities:

Goose Creek, SC

Summerville, SC

Hilton Head Island, SC

Sumter, SC

Mount Pleasant, SC

 

North Charleston, SC

 

Savannah, GA

 

map

Commute Time in Charleston, SC

22.1 Miles
map

Commute Time in United States

26.4 Miles
people

Number of Nearest Insurance Agents in Charleston, SC

76

Methodology
The statistics listed on this page are from our own in house reporting. We track and record quotes that carriers have provided based on various criteria. The rates and averages shown on this page should only be used as an estimate.

Compare Insurance Rates Instantly.

Answer a few questions and let Penny find the best rates in your area.