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Get Cheap Car Insurance in Charleston County, SC

We monitor insurance prices, helping the average driver in Charleston County save up to 29.7% on car insurance.

 

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The Cheapest Minimum Coverage in Charleston County

The chart below shows the cheapest car insurance company in Charleston County for a driver with a good record seeking minimum coverage on a mid-grade used vehicle. Values are estimated, and premiums may be lower or higher, but should be in an accurate order for a good driver. In general, drivers with good records will get the best prices through Geico, followed by State Farm, Auto-Owners Insurance, and Safeco Insurance.

 
Charleston County Insurer Monthly Cost
Geico $62
State Farm $70
Auto-Owners Insurance $70
Safeco Insurance $77

Savings for Every Kind of Charleston County Driver

The table shows how much the average auto insurance customer in Charleston County might save by following our recommendations.

Based on our extensive insurance data, we know the average Charleston County driver will save about 22% on car insurance. This isn’t marketing: this is unbiased data with no financial influence. The best auto insurance company depends on factors such as your driving record, home location, credit score, marital status, and age. The average driver will find themselves saving $383 per year by choosing the right vehicle insurance company. Some Charleston County residents are paying out over $1,749 extra every year for auto insurance in Charleston County. That cost may be even higher if you haven’t requested a new quote as your life situation changed.

Situation
Charleston County, SC Savings / Yr.
Drivers with good records
$383
Drivers with accidents
$688
Drivers with speeding tickets
$582
Drivers with a DUI conviction
$724
Young drivers
$1,416
Married drivers
$324
Drivers with bad credit
$421

Charleston County Car Insurance vs. South Carolina

People living in Charleston County pay an average of 7.38% more than the typical driver in the state. The average driver in Charleston County can expect to pay about $1,029 per year, or $1,749 for full coverage.

Based on our analysis, Kemper will be the cheapest provider in Charleston County for most people.

Car Insurance Prices by Charleston County Neighborhood

Charleston County, SC map of insurance costs by zip code and neighborhood

Insurance Prices

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Average
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Where is insurance cheapest within Charleston County?

The map shows insurance prices in and around Charleston County, with more expensive areas in red and places with cheaper car insurance in green. Insurance can vary by as much as $646 per year within the county boundaries, with insurance premiums ranging from a high of $2,199 to a low of $1,553. Insurance prices tend to be higher for those living in the North area, and lower for those with homes in the Northeast parts of Charleston County.

Pick the Best Car Insurance Company for You in Charleston County

We have analyzed insurance costs for auto insurance customers based on the major variables that impact pricing. The results of our analysis are below, including US dollar savings. What about when you meet one or more of the criteria? For example, if you have both a DUI and a speeding ticket? Simply start with the Charleston County insurance provider for whom we have posted the highest savings dollar figure.

The best car insurance provider for most drivers in Charleston County

For drivers with clean driving records and no major strikes, Kemper is the best option, with annual savings of $383 over the average Charleston County car insurance company.

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We use the average good driver, paying $114 per month, as our baseline for pricing in Charleston County. State Farm, Geico, and Kemper are all good choices for quotes if you have a clean record. See also the best providers for married people if you are married, and look for repeated company names.

The best car insurance provider for Charleston County drivers with accidents on their records

In Charleston County getting into an accident will raise premiums an average 33% for a yearly cost of $2,625. That's $876 per year more than a driver with no at-fault crashes on their driving record might pay. To avoid paying out more than you need to, State Farm, Geico, and Kemper are good choices for drivers with accidents.

In our analysis, Kemper saved the average person who had been in an accident the most, with annual savings averaging $688 over the competition.

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The best car insurance company for Charleston County drivers with speeding tickets

>Geico gave the average person with a speeding ticket the most savings, averaging $582 better than other car insurance companies.

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Depending on the insurance company, a speeding ticket can actually raise insurance premiums more than getting in an accident. In Charleston County, tickets raise premiums on new quotes about $509. If you have a speeding ticket, we recommend State Farm, Geico, and Kemper for savings that beat the average insurance cost of $2,258 per year.

The best auto insurance for Charleston County drivers with a DUI conviction

Getting a DUI can increase the cost of insurance dramatically. The average person with a DUI paid $2,440 per year in auto insurance premiums, which was $690 more than a driver with no major issues. State Farm, Kemper, and Farm Bureau penalized their customers the least for a DUI.

Getting a quote from Kemper may cost the average person with a DUI about $724 less each year.

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The least expensive car insurance company for new and young drivers in Charleston County

In Charleston County, Geico costs young drivers $1,416 less each year versus the average auto insurance bill.

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Teen drivers account for more than their share of accidents, and thus end up paying about 67% more for insurance than more mature drivers in Charleston County. With an average cost of $5,368 per year (for young drivers who aren't on a parent's plan), car insurance for inexperienced drivers can’t ever be called "cheap." A few companies like State Farm, Geico, and Farm Bureau try to attract these younger drivers with lower prices in the hopes that they will stay with the company.

The best marriage discounts for vehicle insurance in Charleston County

Not everything is an excuse for the auto insurance companies to charge you more. Getting married provides an average discount of $162. State Farm, Geico, and Progressive provided the largest discounts to couples living in Charleston County.

Geico gave the largest car insurance discounts to married couples, averaging $324 saved each year compared to an average Charleston County couple's premiums.

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The cheapest car insurance in Charleston County for drivers with bad credit

People with poor credit saved an average of $421 with Nationwide.

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Many people are surprised that their poor credit score can cost them an average of $1,174 every year. Premiums for people with poor credit were about $2,923 in Charleston County. However, some insurance companies do not take credit score into account. If you have a credit score below 575, get quotes from Geico, Nationwide, and Travelers.

The best Charleston County car insurance company for customer service

Many car insurance companies over the years have struggled with customer service. In Charleston County, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) ranks Nationwide as the best. Another valuable metric: JD Power ranks State Farm as the best provider in Charleston County.

Nationwide was the best company for customer service in Charleston County according to the NAIC.

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Recent price drops

Due to improvements in our tracking and methodology, we are unable to show price change data for the most recent year. This data will return next year (2023).

In 2020, at the peak of the global pandemic, {{top1_2020pricedrop_company}} changed their average price {{top1_2020pricedrop_company_percentage}}% in Charleston County, which was better than other insurers.

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During the Covid-19 pandemic a few insurance companies realized people were driving less and struggling overall. They proactively lowered their rates for many customers in Charleston County. We think helping communities in a time of need deserves special attention. Many insurance companies have advertisements telling us how much they care: we prefer to look at their actions.

The cheapest large national provider in Charleston County

Many customers have informed us that they prefer to work with large national brands. Maybe they're one of the 36% of Charleston County residents who are renting, and don't plan to be in the county or state for very long. Or maybe national recognition and funds make people feel more secure with a large provider. Regardless, Geico tends to have the lowest prices for most drivers.

For customers who prefer to work with large national providers, we recommend Geico for pricing. The average Charleston County driver can expect to pay about $110 per month.

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What About USAA?

JD power consistently ranks USAA as the top car insurance company in the United States. We don’t compare their rates because most people can’t sign up. USAA only allows active military members and their spouses and children to apply. In Charleston County, USAA has the best prices for drivers with speeding tickets, married couples, drivers with accidents, drivers with a DUI conviction, good drivers, drivers with bad credit, and young drivers.
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Auto Insurance Prices in and Around Charleston County

What Influences the Cost of Car Insurance in Charleston County?

On average, car insurance in Charleston County is more expensive than the rest of the state. These high prices are no mystery to us. Coverage Watch tracks car insurance costs and uses a complex AI that finds related variables, and has determined car insurance prices in the county are influenced by the following factors:

  • The average commute time in Charleston County is 29 minutes, which is a little less than average for a driver in the state.
  • South Carolina state insurance regulations may require higher prices.
  • An average of 0 weeks with snow on the ground, which impacts accident rates.
  • Marriage rates in Charleston County are lower than average in the state, and marriage often results in car insurance discounts.
  • Vehicle theft rates in the area are high, with a Vehicle Theft Crime Grade of D- according to CrimeGrade.org.
  • Charleston County has an average population density in the state. The county’s density could result in a price decrease for drivers.

As a result of these and other factors, the average cost of car insurance in Charleston County is $86 per month for minimum coverage and $146 per month for full coverage. Costs vary widely based on your situation, and will likely be lower if you have a clean driving record and follow our insurance company research to find the best car insurance company for you.

Car Insurance in Nearby Counties

Counties with Similar Populations

* Who is the average Charleston County driver? Based on national demographic data provided by BestNeighborhood, we took a single unmarried man living in central Charleston County with good (but not perfect) credit driving a used midsized sedan. Data sources: proprietary data collection and analysis, unique to CoverageWatch.org All content copyright CoverageWatch.org. Journalists and other websites are free to cite any data with attribution.