Charleston drivers pay an average of $666 per year for minimum coverage and $1,626 per year for full coverage. Charleston car insurance prices will vary depending on your driving record, age, zip code and driving history.
Because South Carolina is in the top 10 states with the worst drivers, drivers likely want to find the best car insurance in Charleston with affordable rates and comprehensive coverage. Bankrate compares coverage, discounts and financial stability to help choose the best options.
Charleston’s best car insurance companies
Charleston’s best car insurance companies offer low premiums, customized coverage, and discounts. They also have the financial strength to pay claims. Below is a table that highlights the top Charleston car insurance companies based on these criteria. Power.
Geico
Geico offers affordable rates for full and state coverage car insurance. This makes Geico a viable choice for Charleston drivers. Geico offers a variety of discounts to help keep your car insurance costs down. There are discounts for senior citizens, military personnel, students, and members from more than 500 organizations and groups. Multi-car drivers can save up 25% by insuring a second car, motorcycle or boat, as well as their car insurance.
Auto-Owners
Although Auto-Owners can only be found in 26 states, it is still competitive with larger insurers. Auto-Owners in the Southeast is ranked fifth in satisfaction according to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. There are many ways that you can customize your car insurance. The Personal Automobile Plus Package offers 10 optional coverages at a single price. Auto-Owners offers several ways to save money on your car insurance. These include going green, paying in full, and getting an advanced quotation.
Allstate
Only offered in select states, Allstate’s Claim Satisfaction Guarantee is in place for anyone insured with Allstate who is not completely satisfied with its claims process. South Carolina offers this incentive, which is great news for Charleston drivers. Allstate offers this incentive on all Charleston car insurance policies. However, it does not compromise on cost as Allstate has lower than average rates based upon Bankrate data. Whether you are planning a trip to Mexico or side hustling as a rideshare driver, Allstate has you covered.
USAA
With USAA car insurance, past and current military personnel and their spouses can enjoy lower rates than the average in Charleston. Although the military insurer is ranked first in Southeast for customer satisfaction, it does not meet the criteria to be ranked because of the restrictions on its membership. USAA offers flexible payment options without additional fees. This is rare for car insurance companies. On average, members save $725 per year when switching to USAA for car insurance from other carriers.
State Farm
State Farm’s “good neighbor” philosophy is well-received in Charleston, where it is the fourth highest-ranking insurance company for customer satisfaction. Although State Farm has slightly higher minimum coverage rates than the average, Charleston’s full coverage average rates is lower than Charleston’s. At State Farm, you have several opportunities for savings, including up to 15% for teen drivers participating in Steer Clear, up to 17% for bundling home and auto and up to 40% for safe driving habits in the Drive Safe & Save program.
Charleston has the lowest car insurance
In the U.S., the average cost of car insurance is $1,674 for full coverage per year. South Carolina drivers pay $1,512 per year for the same coverage. This is lower than the average rate. Charleston’s average car insurance cost is $1,676 annually. Geico, Auto-Owners Allstate, Travelers, and USAA are the best options for car insurance in Charleston. These are the top-rated insurance companies in Charleston based on market share. They offer the lowest average car insurance rates in Charleston.
Although USAA’s rates may be the most expensive in the state, it has the best customer service rankings. Travelers provides accident forgiveness to qualified drivers. This helps protect your rates against increases if you cause an incident. The company also offers gap insurance and new car replacement for drivers with newer cars.
With the cheapest car insurance in Charleston, Geico’s award-winning mobile app puts it above some of the others for digital-savvy drivers. However, each of the cheapest car insurance companies has its own app version to help you track claims and view ID cards and policy details.
Charleston insurance requirements
Drivers in Charleston are required to carry certain amounts of insurance to legally drive in South Carolina. The minimum coverage required is:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 for bodily injury, accident
- $25,000 per accident, property damage
According to South Carolina law, you are required to carry at least those limits for uninsured motorists as well, though underinsured motorist coverage is optional. Although it is cheaper to have the minimum state requirements, you will be able to get more financial protection in case you are involved with an accident. You may also be required to carry full coverage insurance by a lender if you lease or finance your car.
Charleston: Get car insurance at a discount
These discounts are just a few offered in Charleston to help you get cheap car insurance rates:
- Anti-theft discount
- Discount on defensive driving
- Good student discount
- Multi-policy Discount
- Safe driver
The good student discount can be a great way for teens to get insurance. Often, the multi-policy discount provides the greatest discount, and bundling your home and auto can help streamline your insurance with both policies insured by the same carrier. Exclusive discounts for safe drivers include accident forgiveness, claims-free and more.
Questions frequently asked
Which is the best auto insurance company?
The best car insurance company provides the coverage you require at a cost you can afford. Although the cheapest car insurance company might not be the best, it does not necessarily mean that they are the best. To find the best car insurance company for your needs, get multiple quotes for the same coverage from different carriers to compare.
What is the cost of car insurance in Charleston?
According to data analyzed annually by Bankrate’s editorial team, Charleston’s average cost for car insurance is $666 for state-mandatory liability coverage and $1,626 per year for full coverage. Rates will vary depending on many factors, such as your driving record, marital status, and claims history.
Charleston: How much do I need to insure my car?
Charleston car insurance requirements can vary and may change. You may not need all coverage if your car is older and you can afford to have it replaced in an accident. If you own a car that is older than your loan or lease, however, it might make sense to purchase full coverage insurance.