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Get Cheap Car Insurance in Charleston, WV

We monitor insurance prices, helping the average driver in Charleston save up to 34.4% on car insurance.

 

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The Cheapest Minimum Coverage in Charleston

The chart below shows the cheapest car insurance company in Charleston 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 State Farm, followed by Westfield, Safeco Insurance, and Erie Insurance.

 
Charleston Insurer Monthly Cost
State Farm $47
Westfield $49
Safeco Insurance $50
Erie Insurance $58

Savings for Every Kind of Charleston Driver

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

Based on our extensive insurance data, we know the average Charleston driver will save about 20% 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 $306 per year by choosing the right vehicle insurance company. Some Charleston residents are paying out over $1,494 extra every year for auto insurance in Charleston. That cost may be even higher if you haven’t requested a new quote as your life situation changed.

Situation
Charleston, WV Savings / Yr.
Drivers with good records
$306
Drivers with accidents
$652
Drivers with speeding tickets
$483
Drivers with a DUI conviction
$616
Young drivers
$1,732
Married drivers
$376
Drivers with bad credit
$430

Charleston Car Insurance vs. West Virginia

People living in Charleston pay an average of 1.83% less than the typical driver in the state. The average driver in Charleston can expect to pay about $801 per year, or $1,494 for full coverage.

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

Car Insurance Prices by Charleston Neighborhood

Charleston, WV map of insurance costs by zip code and neighborhood

Insurance Prices

More expensive
Average
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Where is insurance cheapest within Charleston?

The map shows insurance prices in and around Charleston, with more expensive areas in red and places with cheaper car insurance in green. Insurance can vary by as much as $369 per year within the city boundaries, with insurance premiums ranging from a high of $1,775 to a low of $1,406. Insurance prices tend to be higher for those living in the Northwest area, and lower for those with homes in the South parts of Charleston.

Pick the Best Car Insurance Company for You in Charleston

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 insurance provider for whom we have posted the highest savings dollar figure.

The best car insurance provider for most drivers in Charleston

For drivers with clean driving records and no major strikes, State Farm is the best option, with annual savings of $306 over the average Charleston car insurance company.

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We use the average good driver, paying $99 per month, as our baseline for pricing in Charleston. State Farm, Westfield, and Safeco Insurance 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 drivers with accidents on their records

In Charleston getting into an accident will raise premiums an average 36% for a yearly cost of $2,319. That's $825 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, Safeco Insurance, and Erie Insurance are good choices for drivers with accidents.

In our analysis, State Farm saved the average person who had been in an accident the most, with annual savings averaging $652 over the competition.

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The best car insurance company for Charleston drivers with speeding tickets

>State Farm gave the average person with a speeding ticket the most savings, averaging $483 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, tickets raise premiums on new quotes about $504. If you have a speeding ticket, we recommend State Farm, Westfield, and Safeco Insurance for savings that beat the average insurance cost of $1,998 per year.

The best auto insurance for Charleston drivers with a DUI conviction

Getting a DUI can increase the cost of insurance dramatically. The average person with a DUI paid $2,393 per year in auto insurance premiums, which was $899 more than a driver with no major issues. State Farm, Safeco Insurance, and Erie Insurance penalized their customers the least for a DUI.

Getting a quote from State Farm may cost the average person with a DUI about $616 less each year.

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

In Charleston, State Farm costs young drivers $1,732 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 70% more for insurance than more mature drivers in Charleston. With an average cost of $5,034 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 Erie Insurance 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

Not everything is an excuse for the auto insurance companies to charge you more. Getting married provides an average discount of $99. State Farm, Westfield, and Erie Insurance provided the largest discounts to couples living in Charleston.

State Farm gave the largest car insurance discounts to married couples, averaging $376 saved each year compared to an average Charleston couple's premiums.

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The cheapest car insurance in Charleston for drivers with bad credit

People with poor credit saved an average of $430 with Westfield.

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Many people are surprised that their poor credit score can cost them an average of $849 every year. Premiums for people with poor credit were about $2,343 in Charleston. However, some insurance companies do not take credit score into account. If you have a credit score below 575, get quotes from Nationwide, Westfield, and Safeco Insurance.

The best Charleston car insurance company for customer service

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

Nationwide was the best company for customer service in Charleston 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, 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. 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

Many customers have informed us that they prefer to work with large national brands. Maybe they're one of the 33% of Charleston residents who are renting, and don't plan to be in the city or state for very long. Or maybe national recognition and funds make people feel more secure with a large provider. Regardless, State Farm tends to have the lowest prices for most drivers.

For customers who prefer to work with large national providers, we recommend State Farm for pricing. The average Charleston driver can expect to pay about $101 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, USAA has the best prices for drivers with speeding tickets, good drivers, young drivers, drivers with bad credit, drivers with a DUI conviction, drivers with accidents, and married couples.
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Auto Insurance Prices in and Around Charleston

What Influences the Cost of Car Insurance in Charleston?

On average, car insurance in Charleston is actually less expensive than the rest of the state. These low 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 city are influenced by the following factors:

  • The average commute time in Charleston is 23 minutes, which is far less than average for a driver in the state.
  • West Virginia state insurance regulations may allow for lower prices.
  • An average of 4 to 5 weeks with snow on the ground, which impacts accident rates.
  • Marriage rates in Charleston are among the lowest 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 A- according to CrimeGrade.org.
  • Charleston is one of the most densely populated areas in the state. The city’s density could result in a price increase for drivers.

As a result of these and other factors, the average cost of car insurance in Charleston is $67 per month for minimum coverage and $125 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 Cities

Cities with Similar Populations

* Who is the average Charleston driver? Based on national demographic data provided by BestNeighborhood, we took a single unmarried man living in central Charleston 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.